Posted 3/23/2016 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Nick,
I am PLEASED to hear that your father did well with his first chemotherapy treatment. I have been thinking about both of you. You've formed a team --- it's evident that you are supporting your father, every step of the way !
Yes, water consumption is very important in the days BEFORE and the days AFTER each treatment. It helps the body tolerate the treatments afterwards, and helps flush the toxic properties of the chemo treatments out of the body. So --- as all of us who have been through chemo will attest --- water, water, drink the WATER !
For the first few nights, I would wake up in the middle of the night and could feel the chemo "sweating" out of my pores --- other friends of mine have reported the same thing --- I just jumped into the shower in the night and felt better after that and then went back to bed. It is almost like someone who's been drinking too much whiskey --- and the whiskey comes "sweating out of your pores" for the first couple of nights after a treatment --- so, it can be the same experience with chemo, but not a big concern.
I learned the importance of drinking water after one of my treatments --- I started to slack off in my water consumption and didn't "bounce back" as well because of that --- so, LESSON LEARNED --- continue to drink plenty of water in the days to follow.
As you are hearing, hair loss can vary quite a bit --- I lost all of my hair on the top of my head in a couple of weeks. As time went by, my whiskers seemed to "disappear" and most fellows report the same thing. Other friends of mine have kept ALL of their hair during chemo, but that is somewhat rare. If needed, simply buy a few hats to wear --- I became comfortable without hair during the day, and all of my friends and family and people at work were very accepting --- but I did buy a few hats to wear for being outdoors in cold weather and some stylish hats for social occasions, which can help maintain your confidence in social situations --- going out to dinner, get-togethers, family reunions, and so forth.
If there's one thing I would say to any fellow going through this --- if you lose your hair, put your vanity aside --- and just keep LIVING LIFE ! But, honestly, it's nice to have a few hats on hand for social events --- and cold weather !
Nick --- everyone here in the "Chemo Club" will also attest to the phenomenon we all have nicknamed "The Chemo CRASH" --- it is not to be dreaded or feared --- but all of us seem to experience this a few days after each treatment --- my treatments were always late on Wednesday afternoons --- and then my "Chemo Crash" would hit usually Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon --- the timing seems to vary from fellow to fellow.
Typically, each of us go through a couple of days of lethargy --- a general malaise --- you just feel like an alley cat that's been out all night who finally decides to come home after prowling around all night --- fatigued.
What worked for me --- I kept working every day --- but for a couple of nights, I just rested on my couch and relaxed for a couple of evenings to "recharge my batteries", so to speak.
Some friends of mine have gone through chemo treatments, right after I did. They asked me to honestly describe what "Chemo Crash" felt like --- finally, I said --- well, fellows, it's almost like a light HANGOVER, the next morning after a night of drinking in the pubs --- and that description seemed to resonate with them. In just a few short days, though, your body begins to rebound and your energy begins to surge up once again.
Many fellows report experiencing a bit of memory loss or "brain fog" or "chemo brain" --- in my case, I kept my focus sharp during the work day --- but at night, I did find my attention would drift more easily than before --- it was a bit harder for me to focus on reading chapter books at night and things like that --- things that required focused attention. After my treatments were over, soon enough, these mild symptoms went away.
I also found that a bit of exercise can help counteract these effects --- if possible, go for a short walk around the neighborhood each day, keep drinking water, and rest as needed. Your doctors will monitor your condition and they will keep checking your blood lab levels to make sure your blood components return to acceptable levels before the next chemo infusion. I remember my oncologist said to be on guard for any signs of fever in the days following each treatment --- after each treatment, our immune system is a bit compromised --- so, he told me that if I should get any sign of fever, I should get to the hospital right away. This is why each treatment is timed some days or weeks apart --- to give your body time to restore its immune system.
I have to say that all my side effects were very mild and very tolerable, and I'm grateful for that. We all acknowledge that chemo can be a rough road sometimes, and each experience can vary from fellow to fellow, but just encourage your father to stay active and interested in the world --- and keep living life each day !
Nick --- we are all here to support you and your father, as your father's treatments continue. I'm sending all my thoughts and prayers to you and your father, from across the miles --- from the United States --- over to you in the country of Greece !
Handshake of friendship to you and your father,
"Cyclone Team Fan" ~ Iowa State University