Chemo is whipping my butt.

Hi Don,
So sorry you are feeling it so badly. It sounds like "chemo crash" has hit you hard. You should be feeling better by tomorrow. Don't let up on fluids if possible. If you are nauseous, ask your doc about metclopromide (sp?) Been a lifesaver for Gary. Hope you feel better soon.
Beth

Hello Don,

Ahhh ... the inevitable "chemo crash" ... which varies from one fellow to another ...

Sounds like a good night to rest on the couch or to make best friends with your favorite recliner ... a little bit of relaxing television ... and no harm in dozing off ...

Meanwhile --- as far as eating, focus on "gentle foods" for the time being --- years ago, Grandma used to call them "tea & toast" days when someone wasn't feeling their best --- simple, comfort foods ...

When the "chemo crash" days would hit me on the weekend following a Wednesday afternoon infusion, I'd just tell myself repeatedly that it was the chemo "rolling up its sleeves, and getting in the fight" ... and that helped pull me through ...

In my case, my side effects were mild, but my immune system levels needed a boost after each treatment, so my oncologist prescribed a shot of NEULASTA to help restore my lab levels after each chemo infusion --- it's a very expensive shot, but was covered by insurance, in my particular case. During your series of chemo treatments, your doctor will watch over your lab levels with sharp EAGLE EYES ...

Seems every fellow reports that within just a couple of days, they felt their body "ramping up" --- it's like jumper cables on a car battery on a cold winter's morning, suddenly "jump-starting" the battery --- so, set your sights on that goal --- I could literally feel my energy coming back after the weekend "chemo crash" --- but I had to wait for it.

Chemo treatments can be like walking down a gravel road in your bare feet, at times ... meanwhile, rest & relax ... have some "tea and toast" this evening, so to speak, in the wise words of my grandmother ... and hope you have a good night's sleep.

Sent with my best,
CYCLONE FAN ~ Iowa State University

I did my first infusion of taxotere and carboplatin on Tues Apr 26....I was great for 3 days then wham...I really hit the wall....no appetite (nausea pretty much controlled with Zofran) but nothing appealed to me, felt like the worse hangover ever, energy level was almost zero.....this lasted about 3-4 days then started a gradual improvement.... by about he 8th day from the original infusion I was almost normal. Back to dance with the devil next week...

Well it just keeps on coming. I now have fever blister under my tongue that makes it almost impossible to eat any solid foods. Only liquids through a straw. Guess it does not matter as nothing has any taste and chewing is extremely painful. I am literally starving have lost 5 lbs since last Monday. Even hurts to talk. Sitting on the couch this evening the entire left side of my head began to hurt teeth, jaw and ear. The blister is on the left side. Have developed a low grade fever of 100 F. Tylenol does not help much. At least some of the other random aches have abated a bit and bloating in my stomach is getting better.

I am using Magic Mouthwash for the blister. Not helping. Were it not for the blister I believe I would be on the mend. Any suggestions?

If this is what it is going to be like going forward I may have to bag this treatment. Don't think I could take another 15 weeks of this. Scheduled to see the doctor next Friday. Call to his office yesterday did not result in any useful information. My ex wife, an oncology nurse and breast cancer patient herself, gave me more options in five minutes.

Sonny you are a lucky man and truly blessed. I hope it continues for you throughout your treatment.

Don