My Mom, sick & not herself four days post her first chemo treatment......

laynie11
laynie11 Member Posts: 36
My 60 Y/O Mom just underwent her first round of chemo on Sunday for large cell lung CA with Mets to her mandible bone & a couple spots on her spine.

She was Ok post cheomo through day 1-3 (Mon-Weds).....today, not so much. Diarrhea x 2 days.....throwing up - (my Mom hasn't thrown up in years and years). Not only is my Mom sick, she is not herself - she is forgetful and spacey.

It is frightening to see my Mom behave so out of character, and frankly I am feeling really scared.

I thought day four post chemo, she would be feeling better and back to her old self. Is this prolonged reaction normal?????

Thank you in advance for any comments,

Gretchen
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Comments

  • rebing
    rebing Member Posts: 7
    Chemo
    Chemo does strange things. When Mom did her first around of chemo she did not feel good for a few days afterwards but bounced back. However her second round made her really sick everytime to the point we stopped. Have you talked to the doc about this? Everyone reacts to chemo differently than others.
    Sending a((hugs)) and prayers
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    rebing said:

    Chemo
    Chemo does strange things. When Mom did her first around of chemo she did not feel good for a few days afterwards but bounced back. However her second round made her really sick everytime to the point we stopped. Have you talked to the doc about this? Everyone reacts to chemo differently than others.
    Sending a((hugs)) and prayers

    Thank you!!!
    OMG!!! Someone is listening to me!! Thank you for answering.

    No, I have not talked to her doctor about her reaction, as she's just gone a little down hill this evening. Odd, I thought she would be feeling better on day four, not worse.

    Maybe feeling bad on day four is her "normal"??? How did you know it was time to stop your Mom's second round? I am not sure what to look for. My Mom continuously says she is going to FIGHT.

    It's hard to know when to contact the doctor, you know???

    Thank you for your hugs and prayers, we need them so much.

    Thank You , rebing,

    Love,
    Gretchen
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    laynie11 said:

    Thank you!!!
    OMG!!! Someone is listening to me!! Thank you for answering.

    No, I have not talked to her doctor about her reaction, as she's just gone a little down hill this evening. Odd, I thought she would be feeling better on day four, not worse.

    Maybe feeling bad on day four is her "normal"??? How did you know it was time to stop your Mom's second round? I am not sure what to look for. My Mom continuously says she is going to FIGHT.

    It's hard to know when to contact the doctor, you know???

    Thank you for your hugs and prayers, we need them so much.

    Thank You , rebing,

    Love,
    Gretchen

    PS
    I am praying for your Mom too - thank you so much.
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    laynie11 said:

    Thank you!!!
    OMG!!! Someone is listening to me!! Thank you for answering.

    No, I have not talked to her doctor about her reaction, as she's just gone a little down hill this evening. Odd, I thought she would be feeling better on day four, not worse.

    Maybe feeling bad on day four is her "normal"??? How did you know it was time to stop your Mom's second round? I am not sure what to look for. My Mom continuously says she is going to FIGHT.

    It's hard to know when to contact the doctor, you know???

    Thank you for your hugs and prayers, we need them so much.

    Thank You , rebing,

    Love,
    Gretchen

    PS
    I am praying for your Mom too - thank you so much.
  • mamacita5
    mamacita5 Member Posts: 254 Member
    laynie11 said:

    Thank you!!!
    OMG!!! Someone is listening to me!! Thank you for answering.

    No, I have not talked to her doctor about her reaction, as she's just gone a little down hill this evening. Odd, I thought she would be feeling better on day four, not worse.

    Maybe feeling bad on day four is her "normal"??? How did you know it was time to stop your Mom's second round? I am not sure what to look for. My Mom continuously says she is going to FIGHT.

    It's hard to know when to contact the doctor, you know???

    Thank you for your hugs and prayers, we need them so much.

    Thank You , rebing,

    Love,
    Gretchen

    Day 3 or 4 was always my
    Day 3 or 4 was always my worst day after chemo too. It is very common to feel crummy on these days. Just as her body begins to feel a little bit better it will be time for the next round of chemo. Make sure she takes her anti-nausea medications religiously and on time.
    I set an alarm and woke up during the night to maintain the proper 4 hour schedule.

    I am EGFR positive too and started taking the drug Tarceva just tonight. I am a year out of chemo and radiation and it was just discovered I have mets (metastasis) on my spine. Tarceva can be an awesome drug to treat metastasis. Make sure to talk to your mom's doctor about the possibility of your mom taking it.

    Hang in there girl, your momma needs you to be her "ears" at the doctor if she cannot remember what he is telling her. Keep a journal with appointments, drug schedules, questions, etc.

    Prayers and hugs to you and your family.
    Anita
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    mamacita5 said:

    Day 3 or 4 was always my
    Day 3 or 4 was always my worst day after chemo too. It is very common to feel crummy on these days. Just as her body begins to feel a little bit better it will be time for the next round of chemo. Make sure she takes her anti-nausea medications religiously and on time.
    I set an alarm and woke up during the night to maintain the proper 4 hour schedule.

    I am EGFR positive too and started taking the drug Tarceva just tonight. I am a year out of chemo and radiation and it was just discovered I have mets (metastasis) on my spine. Tarceva can be an awesome drug to treat metastasis. Make sure to talk to your mom's doctor about the possibility of your mom taking it.

    Hang in there girl, your momma needs you to be her "ears" at the doctor if she cannot remember what he is telling her. Keep a journal with appointments, drug schedules, questions, etc.

    Prayers and hugs to you and your family.
    Anita

    Hi Anita. Thank you for
    Hi Anita. Thank you for taking the time to write me back. I will make sure my Mom does the same as you - religiously takes her nausea meds.

    However, things have gone from bad to worse. My Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday (5 days post chemo) for dehydration. She will likely stay again tonight. She can barely stand up and her WBC is way down.

    I am not sure what to think at this point, but I worry that her doctor will cut back or give up treatment if he thinks she can't tolerate the chemo. She is having treatments every three weeks for 6-8 weeks. I am praying.

    Thank you for kind words and advise. I am praying for you & yours as well.

    I hope you are feeling well,
    Gretchen
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    mamacita5 said:

    Day 3 or 4 was always my
    Day 3 or 4 was always my worst day after chemo too. It is very common to feel crummy on these days. Just as her body begins to feel a little bit better it will be time for the next round of chemo. Make sure she takes her anti-nausea medications religiously and on time.
    I set an alarm and woke up during the night to maintain the proper 4 hour schedule.

    I am EGFR positive too and started taking the drug Tarceva just tonight. I am a year out of chemo and radiation and it was just discovered I have mets (metastasis) on my spine. Tarceva can be an awesome drug to treat metastasis. Make sure to talk to your mom's doctor about the possibility of your mom taking it.

    Hang in there girl, your momma needs you to be her "ears" at the doctor if she cannot remember what he is telling her. Keep a journal with appointments, drug schedules, questions, etc.

    Prayers and hugs to you and your family.
    Anita

    Hi Anita. Thank you for
    Hi Anita. Thank you for taking the time to write me back. I will make sure my Mom does the same as you - religiously takes her nausea meds.

    However, things have gone from bad to worse. My Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday (5 days post chemo) for dehydration. She will likely stay again tonight. She can barely stand up and her WBC is way down.

    I am not sure what to think at this point, but I worry that her doctor will cut back or give up treatment if he thinks she can't tolerate the chemo. She is having treatments every three weeks for 6-8 weeks. I am praying.

    Thank you for kind words and advise. I am praying for you & yours as well.

    I hope you are feeling well,
    Gretchen
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    mamacita5 said:

    Day 3 or 4 was always my
    Day 3 or 4 was always my worst day after chemo too. It is very common to feel crummy on these days. Just as her body begins to feel a little bit better it will be time for the next round of chemo. Make sure she takes her anti-nausea medications religiously and on time.
    I set an alarm and woke up during the night to maintain the proper 4 hour schedule.

    I am EGFR positive too and started taking the drug Tarceva just tonight. I am a year out of chemo and radiation and it was just discovered I have mets (metastasis) on my spine. Tarceva can be an awesome drug to treat metastasis. Make sure to talk to your mom's doctor about the possibility of your mom taking it.

    Hang in there girl, your momma needs you to be her "ears" at the doctor if she cannot remember what he is telling her. Keep a journal with appointments, drug schedules, questions, etc.

    Prayers and hugs to you and your family.
    Anita

    Hi Anita. Thank you for
    Hi Anita. Thank you for taking the time to write me back. I will make sure my Mom does the same as you - religiously takes her nausea meds.

    However, things have gone from bad to worse. My Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday (5 days post chemo) for dehydration. She will likely stay again tonight. She can barely stand up and her WBC is way down.

    I am not sure what to think at this point, but I worry that her doctor will cut back or give up treatment if he thinks she can't tolerate the chemo. She is having treatments every three weeks for 6-8 weeks. I am praying.

    Thank you for kind words and advise. I am praying for you & yours as well.

    I hope you are feeling well,
    Gretchen
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    mamacita5 said:

    Day 3 or 4 was always my
    Day 3 or 4 was always my worst day after chemo too. It is very common to feel crummy on these days. Just as her body begins to feel a little bit better it will be time for the next round of chemo. Make sure she takes her anti-nausea medications religiously and on time.
    I set an alarm and woke up during the night to maintain the proper 4 hour schedule.

    I am EGFR positive too and started taking the drug Tarceva just tonight. I am a year out of chemo and radiation and it was just discovered I have mets (metastasis) on my spine. Tarceva can be an awesome drug to treat metastasis. Make sure to talk to your mom's doctor about the possibility of your mom taking it.

    Hang in there girl, your momma needs you to be her "ears" at the doctor if she cannot remember what he is telling her. Keep a journal with appointments, drug schedules, questions, etc.

    Prayers and hugs to you and your family.
    Anita

    Turn for the worse :(
    Hi Anita. Thank you for taking the time to write me back. I will make sure my Mom does the same as you - religiously takes her nausea meds.

    However, things have gone from bad to worse. My Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday (5 days post chemo) for dehydration. She will likely stay again tonight. She can barely stand up and her WBC is way down.

    I am not sure what to think at this point, but I worry that her doctor will cut back or give up treatment if he thinks she can't tolerate the chemo. She is having treatments every three weeks for 6-8 weeks. I am praying.

    Thank you for kind words and advise. I am praying for you & yours as well.

    I hope you are feeling well,
    Gretchen
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    mamacita5 said:

    Day 3 or 4 was always my
    Day 3 or 4 was always my worst day after chemo too. It is very common to feel crummy on these days. Just as her body begins to feel a little bit better it will be time for the next round of chemo. Make sure she takes her anti-nausea medications religiously and on time.
    I set an alarm and woke up during the night to maintain the proper 4 hour schedule.

    I am EGFR positive too and started taking the drug Tarceva just tonight. I am a year out of chemo and radiation and it was just discovered I have mets (metastasis) on my spine. Tarceva can be an awesome drug to treat metastasis. Make sure to talk to your mom's doctor about the possibility of your mom taking it.

    Hang in there girl, your momma needs you to be her "ears" at the doctor if she cannot remember what he is telling her. Keep a journal with appointments, drug schedules, questions, etc.

    Prayers and hugs to you and your family.
    Anita

    Turn for the worse :(
    Hi Anita. Thank you for taking the time to write me back. I will make sure my Mom does the same as you - religiously takes her nausea meds.

    However, things have gone from bad to worse. My Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday (5 days post chemo) for dehydration. She will likely stay again tonight. She can barely stand up and her WBC is way down.

    I am not sure what to think at this point, but I worry that her doctor will cut back or give up treatment if he thinks she can't tolerate the chemo. She is having treatments every three weeks for 6-8 weeks. I am praying.

    Thank you for kind words and advise. I am praying for you & yours as well.

    I hope you are feeling well,
    Gretchen
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    mamacita5 said:

    Day 3 or 4 was always my
    Day 3 or 4 was always my worst day after chemo too. It is very common to feel crummy on these days. Just as her body begins to feel a little bit better it will be time for the next round of chemo. Make sure she takes her anti-nausea medications religiously and on time.
    I set an alarm and woke up during the night to maintain the proper 4 hour schedule.

    I am EGFR positive too and started taking the drug Tarceva just tonight. I am a year out of chemo and radiation and it was just discovered I have mets (metastasis) on my spine. Tarceva can be an awesome drug to treat metastasis. Make sure to talk to your mom's doctor about the possibility of your mom taking it.

    Hang in there girl, your momma needs you to be her "ears" at the doctor if she cannot remember what he is telling her. Keep a journal with appointments, drug schedules, questions, etc.

    Prayers and hugs to you and your family.
    Anita

    Hi Anita. Thank you for
    Hi Anita. Thank you for taking the time to write me back. I will make sure my Mom does the same as you - religiously takes her nausea meds.

    However, things have gone from bad to worse. My Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday (5 days post chemo) for dehydration. She will likely stay again tonight. She can barely stand up and her WBC is way down.

    I am not sure what to think at this point, but I worry that her doctor will cut back or give up treatment if he thinks she can't tolerate the chemo. She is having treatments every three weeks for 6-8 weeks. I am praying.

    Thank you for kind words and advise. I am praying for you & yours as well.

    I hope you are feeling well,
    Gretchen
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    laynie11 said:

    Hi Anita. Thank you for
    Hi Anita. Thank you for taking the time to write me back. I will make sure my Mom does the same as you - religiously takes her nausea meds.

    However, things have gone from bad to worse. My Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday (5 days post chemo) for dehydration. She will likely stay again tonight. She can barely stand up and her WBC is way down.

    I am not sure what to think at this point, but I worry that her doctor will cut back or give up treatment if he thinks she can't tolerate the chemo. She is having treatments every three weeks for 6-8 weeks. I am praying.

    Thank you for kind words and advise. I am praying for you & yours as well.

    I hope you are feeling well,
    Gretchen

    CSN is moving slowly,
    CSN is moving slowly, obviously, I didn't mean to reply 6 times!! Sorry! :)
    Gretchen
  • catcon49
    catcon49 Member Posts: 398
    laynie11 said:

    CSN is moving slowly,
    CSN is moving slowly, obviously, I didn't mean to reply 6 times!! Sorry! :)
    Gretchen

    Hi laynie
    Reactions to chemo don't always show up right away. Usually a few days later. Ask the dr for something else for nausea. There are plenty of meds out there to help her with side effects. You can call the dr and get something. Also she needs to drink plenty of fluids after treatments.My mom was 79 and went through chemo. It is very scary to see someone you love have to go through this, but try to stay strong for her. Hopefully, the hospital will get her back on her feet, and she will be fine. She has time to get back on her feet before her next round of chemo. If she isn't strong enough in 3 weeks they will just push it off a week.Hope everything goes well for you and your family. Hang in there.

    cathy
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36
    catcon49 said:

    Hi laynie
    Reactions to chemo don't always show up right away. Usually a few days later. Ask the dr for something else for nausea. There are plenty of meds out there to help her with side effects. You can call the dr and get something. Also she needs to drink plenty of fluids after treatments.My mom was 79 and went through chemo. It is very scary to see someone you love have to go through this, but try to stay strong for her. Hopefully, the hospital will get her back on her feet, and she will be fine. She has time to get back on her feet before her next round of chemo. If she isn't strong enough in 3 weeks they will just push it off a week.Hope everything goes well for you and your family. Hang in there.

    cathy

    Thank you....
    Also, she's had terrible diarrhea and stomach cramping. The cramps, I think are the worst part for her. They're giving her morphine at the hospital for the stomach cramps and pain. She was so bad last night she told me en route to the restroom, she defacated all over her hospital room floor and didn't even realize it. I was heart broken when she told me this.

    When I visited her today, I'll have to admit I was taken aback. She was white as a sheet with black circles under her eyes. She has a fever - it was 101.6, and was down to 101.3 by the time I left. She did, however, ask my Dad to bring her some chocolate or cream cheese frosting as I was leaving, as if it was on the menu at the hospital - lol!!. It was cute and I got the feeling she was getting her sense of humor back, which made me feel better. She settled for Hagan Daas ice cream!!! I was happy and releived to hear this, as she had not eaten for 3 days.

    Chemo is def kicking my Mom's ****, I hope & pray it is kicking her cancers **** to the curb as well!!

    Thank you for taking the time to write me, Cathy. Love and light - Gretchen
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member
    laynie11 said:

    Hi Anita. Thank you for
    Hi Anita. Thank you for taking the time to write me back. I will make sure my Mom does the same as you - religiously takes her nausea meds.

    However, things have gone from bad to worse. My Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday (5 days post chemo) for dehydration. She will likely stay again tonight. She can barely stand up and her WBC is way down.

    I am not sure what to think at this point, but I worry that her doctor will cut back or give up treatment if he thinks she can't tolerate the chemo. She is having treatments every three weeks for 6-8 weeks. I am praying.

    Thank you for kind words and advise. I am praying for you & yours as well.

    I hope you are feeling well,
    Gretchen

    Welcome Anita!
    I landed in the hospital twice with dehydration. I thought I was dying; I oculd not think straight, I was weak and nauseous. The last time they kept me a week with a constant drip of fluids. I left feeling great! Is your Mom a small woman? Small women are especially prone to dehydration. The Doctor will most likely let her build up some strength before he starts her again. Good Luck to you and your Mom!
    Medi
  • knight1985
    knight1985 Member Posts: 4
    laynie11 said:

    Thank you....
    Also, she's had terrible diarrhea and stomach cramping. The cramps, I think are the worst part for her. They're giving her morphine at the hospital for the stomach cramps and pain. She was so bad last night she told me en route to the restroom, she defacated all over her hospital room floor and didn't even realize it. I was heart broken when she told me this.

    When I visited her today, I'll have to admit I was taken aback. She was white as a sheet with black circles under her eyes. She has a fever - it was 101.6, and was down to 101.3 by the time I left. She did, however, ask my Dad to bring her some chocolate or cream cheese frosting as I was leaving, as if it was on the menu at the hospital - lol!!. It was cute and I got the feeling she was getting her sense of humor back, which made me feel better. She settled for Hagan Daas ice cream!!! I was happy and releived to hear this, as she had not eaten for 3 days.

    Chemo is def kicking my Mom's ****, I hope & pray it is kicking her cancers **** to the curb as well!!

    Thank you for taking the time to write me, Cathy. Love and light - Gretchen

    Gretchen, i do not have more
    Gretchen, i do not have more to add in terms of substance as in knowledge about it...but i pray to lord that it doesnt matter how our folks take it, as long as it packs the Big C a walloping punch...hang in there!....We shall win this battle..:-)
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36

    Gretchen, i do not have more
    Gretchen, i do not have more to add in terms of substance as in knowledge about it...but i pray to lord that it doesnt matter how our folks take it, as long as it packs the Big C a walloping punch...hang in there!....We shall win this battle..:-)

    Thank You! M
    Mom went home today. Hopefully, her next round won't be so bad ! :)
  • laynie11
    laynie11 Member Posts: 36

    Gretchen, i do not have more
    Gretchen, i do not have more to add in terms of substance as in knowledge about it...but i pray to lord that it doesnt matter how our folks take it, as long as it packs the Big C a walloping punch...hang in there!....We shall win this battle..:-)

    Thank You! M
    Mom went home today. Hopefully, her next round won't be so bad ! :)
  • NayPaul
    NayPaul Member Posts: 230 Member
    laynie11 said:

    CSN is moving slowly,
    CSN is moving slowly, obviously, I didn't mean to reply 6 times!! Sorry! :)
    Gretchen

    get used to it...
    Csn tends to move slowly... many times I hit the post button..... I keep hoping for patience... I hope it gets here soon!
  • NayPaul
    NayPaul Member Posts: 230 Member
    laynie11 said:

    Thank You! M
    Mom went home today. Hopefully, her next round won't be so bad ! :)

    yeahh!
    Hope for the best, buut plan for the worst. This will be/is a roller coaster. But u r so supportive and willing to help. Your mom needs this.

    The next round will not be much different than this unless u utilitze this knowledge.... we r here for u.