3 down and 9 to go! :)

plh4gail
plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I had my third folfox yesterday and I slept through a lot of the 6 hour day. Makes me a little more tired and some nausea, but I use my meds and I'm still eating ok I think. The main thing is the cold sensitivity is worse this time tingly fingers were hurting and I wore my Target gloves all day today. And my hands began the cramping and drawing up again too. I think keeping them in the gloves helped. And yes, it does feel like there is something sharp stuck in my throat when I drink even tap water, and now it seems to be on the tip of my tongue too. I'm not liking it!.....but it's 3 down and 9 to go.

Feels like I have glove fuzz in my eyelashes and mouth. lol

I hope you all have a peaceful night's rest and have something good happen for you soon!

plh4gail

p.s. in case you were ever wondering....the plh is for peace love & happiness :)
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Comments

  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Peace, love and happiness to you
    Gail thanks for explaining plh. Congratulations on finishing your 3rd round, you are 1/4 of the way there.
  • soccermom13
    soccermom13 Member Posts: 224
    Sending you good thoughts!
    I remember the sharp feeling in my throat when I would drink anything but HOT liquid. That was the worst for me. Then I would get so sleepy after chemo day and sleep for 2 days straight. Find your happy place, warm your gloves in the dryer and put on thermal socks!Rest easy.
    Hugs!
    Shanna
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    Way to go Gail!
    Keep on keeping on. I'm so proud of you. I know those target gloves are a life saver. I bought so many that I can wear a different color everyday and the rest I bought I donated to my chemo lounge. (calling it a lounge to make it sound better Ha!) Now if they'd dim the lights, turn on the disco ball, play a little jazz and serve something lounge like, that might be interesting.

    Take care, keep warm and get your rest. HUGS buddy!
  • Muzzy
    Muzzy Member Posts: 175 Member
    take them one at a time
    Gail congrads on number 3. i am 18 months done with my 12th. the cold thing goes away a few days after the treatment but get longer each time. i would just drink bottled water that i had at room temp. good luck.
    Jeff
    Just Happy to be here!!!!!!!!!!!
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    Good for you Gail! Are you
    Good for you Gail! Are you getting the cal/mag before treatment? I really think that helped Jack, his side effects were very mild.
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    I was wondering what the plh stood for!
    Hi Gail,

    Sorry the fuzzy tongue, mouth cold sensitivity, tingly hands,cramping, etc. is coming into play more. Keep those gloves on! To be expected, unfortunately- maybe not, though- did you say before if your onc is giving you the magnesium and calcium combo in your iv infusion when you get the oxaliplatin? I never got it myself, because I had Folfox 3+ yrs ago & I don't think they knew about then. Craig on the board was the first here I ever heard mention such a thing, maybe a little over a year ago & I know many other people get it now & claims that it does help. I think I even heard one person say that because they get that, they don't even have any pins or needles or sensitivity to cold. If you're already getting it, maybe they can up the dose. If you're not getting it or aren't sure if you are, most definitely talk to your onc about asap so they can prepare and get it for you for your next treatment!

    I'm still kind of wiped out from my chemo this week- also yesterday. My onc withheld the xeloda from me this time- my hands are the worst they've ever been with the hand/foot syndrome- really horrible in my hands this time. It's now been 8 days since I stopped the two weeks of taking xeloda pills & my hands are continuing to peel and be very, very sore and sensitive. They're even shaking and I keep dropping things. Supposedly that's not supposed to happen with just Xeloda or the Gemzar I'm taking, but it is happening. The onc will re-evaluate next week if I should start the xeloda then, change to the 5FU pump again &(not thrilled w/ that option), or just reduce the dosage of Xeloda. I don't know what the answer is, but I feel like the Xeloda is so reducing my quality of life right now. I'm really bummed to admit this, because I begged my onc a few months back to switch from the 5FU to Xeloda because I felt like the 5FU pump reduced my quality of life. I guess I just need to be grateful that I do have life! (but I want a better quality, don't we all!)
    Sorry for going on about myself, but thought I'd give you the update since we spoke last on the phone- meant to call you & will try to do so soon, but have been overwhelmed w/ my own issues and dealing w/ stuff w/ my 15 yr old daughter.

    Hugs to you and prayers being said for you-
    Lisa
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    lisa42 said:

    I was wondering what the plh stood for!
    Hi Gail,

    Sorry the fuzzy tongue, mouth cold sensitivity, tingly hands,cramping, etc. is coming into play more. Keep those gloves on! To be expected, unfortunately- maybe not, though- did you say before if your onc is giving you the magnesium and calcium combo in your iv infusion when you get the oxaliplatin? I never got it myself, because I had Folfox 3+ yrs ago & I don't think they knew about then. Craig on the board was the first here I ever heard mention such a thing, maybe a little over a year ago & I know many other people get it now & claims that it does help. I think I even heard one person say that because they get that, they don't even have any pins or needles or sensitivity to cold. If you're already getting it, maybe they can up the dose. If you're not getting it or aren't sure if you are, most definitely talk to your onc about asap so they can prepare and get it for you for your next treatment!

    I'm still kind of wiped out from my chemo this week- also yesterday. My onc withheld the xeloda from me this time- my hands are the worst they've ever been with the hand/foot syndrome- really horrible in my hands this time. It's now been 8 days since I stopped the two weeks of taking xeloda pills & my hands are continuing to peel and be very, very sore and sensitive. They're even shaking and I keep dropping things. Supposedly that's not supposed to happen with just Xeloda or the Gemzar I'm taking, but it is happening. The onc will re-evaluate next week if I should start the xeloda then, change to the 5FU pump again &(not thrilled w/ that option), or just reduce the dosage of Xeloda. I don't know what the answer is, but I feel like the Xeloda is so reducing my quality of life right now. I'm really bummed to admit this, because I begged my onc a few months back to switch from the 5FU to Xeloda because I felt like the 5FU pump reduced my quality of life. I guess I just need to be grateful that I do have life! (but I want a better quality, don't we all!)
    Sorry for going on about myself, but thought I'd give you the update since we spoke last on the phone- meant to call you & will try to do so soon, but have been overwhelmed w/ my own issues and dealing w/ stuff w/ my 15 yr old daughter.

    Hugs to you and prayers being said for you-
    Lisa

    been napping
    I just woke up from a "nap" on the couch. For like 3 hours, now it's bedtime, mmmm. Thank you everyone for the love and support, it really does help me! Lori I bought more Target gloves! Ha ha....I wasn't sure how they washed and wanted to have enough around. Lisa I'm sorry you're having to go through the hand and foot stuff too. I'm wondering isn't Xeloda the pill form of 5FU? If so, hmm ..symptom's seem to both be not so nice on us. Not fair, but hopefully busting up those mutant cells. Oh, yes they premedicate the heck out of me. At least I think so. I get Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Zofran, Decadron, and Ativan, then the Oxipilatin and another dose of the Mag and Cal. Then it's the 5FU bolus and the 48 hour "friend" and Im off to pick up another prescription for Decadron tapered dose to take at home.

    Okay(yawn), it's bedtime. Night everyone.

    peacelove&happiness to you all, Gail
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    We are a tough mob.
    Don't let anybody tell you any different. The job that cancer and treatment does on our bodies ,emotions and relationships, leaves us sick,tired ,dispirited and alone with our feelings. It is not easy and at times it seems it would be easier to quit. Then I look around on this board and I have to smile at what tough little sob's we are. You get knocked down here and there is a hundred people here to rush to your aid and lift you up.Hugs Gail I'm hoping that you are soon at the end of your course of chemo and from then on things will just better and better,,,,wishing you peace love and happiness from an old codger who has forgotten the meaning of those words:)...Ron.
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    ron50 said:

    We are a tough mob.
    Don't let anybody tell you any different. The job that cancer and treatment does on our bodies ,emotions and relationships, leaves us sick,tired ,dispirited and alone with our feelings. It is not easy and at times it seems it would be easier to quit. Then I look around on this board and I have to smile at what tough little sob's we are. You get knocked down here and there is a hundred people here to rush to your aid and lift you up.Hugs Gail I'm hoping that you are soon at the end of your course of chemo and from then on things will just better and better,,,,wishing you peace love and happiness from an old codger who has forgotten the meaning of those words:)...Ron.

    Gail
    don't worry about all the napping Gail....any time you can spend sleeping and ignoring oxy is time well spent in my books. also hon I really believe one at a time.....just think of the does you have done ...one two three!!!!! let those others just dangle out there in space somewhere and let time take care of them.

    peace and very best love and some happiness to you and a hug

    mags
  • sasjourney
    sasjourney Member Posts: 395 Member
    One more done!
    Gail,

    Sorry to hear you are suffering with the side effects. I haven't forgotten how tough they are, but you will get through it. We are so much stronger than we think we are. Sleep is the best thing to do when you can. Keep counting them down...

    Big hugs,
    Sara
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    ron50 said:

    We are a tough mob.
    Don't let anybody tell you any different. The job that cancer and treatment does on our bodies ,emotions and relationships, leaves us sick,tired ,dispirited and alone with our feelings. It is not easy and at times it seems it would be easier to quit. Then I look around on this board and I have to smile at what tough little sob's we are. You get knocked down here and there is a hundred people here to rush to your aid and lift you up.Hugs Gail I'm hoping that you are soon at the end of your course of chemo and from then on things will just better and better,,,,wishing you peace love and happiness from an old codger who has forgotten the meaning of those words:)...Ron.

    Aww Ron, thank's so much for
    Aww Ron, thank's so much for your words. They are all so true. The treatment is tough and I sure have my days when I'm knocked down physically or mentally or both. But I do crwl back up and I'm always coming here to this board for a new attitude and idea. I love all of my friends and commrades on here and wish we could all meet in person to share the cyber hugs we send so often.

    You take care with all that flooding on your side of the world. And I'm sending you some of my...

    plh from Gail
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Countdown
    That is the positive way to look at things is the countdown. The more chemo you have the more symptoms you will feel and they will last longer but hopefully you can tolerate it, if not they can reduce it. Isn't that wierd about the throat thing. Always felt like there was something stuck back there. Like the PLH.

    Kim
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member

    Countdown
    That is the positive way to look at things is the countdown. The more chemo you have the more symptoms you will feel and they will last longer but hopefully you can tolerate it, if not they can reduce it. Isn't that wierd about the throat thing. Always felt like there was something stuck back there. Like the PLH.

    Kim

    Good Gail it seems you are managing very well your chemo
    this is the way!
    Hugs!
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member

    One more done!
    Gail,

    Sorry to hear you are suffering with the side effects. I haven't forgotten how tough they are, but you will get through it. We are so much stronger than we think we are. Sleep is the best thing to do when you can. Keep counting them down...

    Big hugs,
    Sara

    Mags and Sara
    I don't have my gloves on yet today :) I slept great last night despite getting up for two bathroom trips (but only 2). I seem to curse the resection symptom's, and am sooo grateful to have that do deal with instead of the other option. When I had the tumor I was up with everything nasty and evil, bleeding, clots, mucus, something that would be called poop. EWW....so yes, I'm glad I got up twice to go to the bathroom last night. I feel energized right now mentally, but my body could easily lay down and watch something on TV. I will take it easy but need to start planning on dinner for my little ones. If I don't start thinking now, time will pass and I won't know what to do and go the easy way out and get them a burger.

    peacelove&happiness to you both

    plh4gail
  • TMac52
    TMac52 Member Posts: 352
    Hi My Friend!!
    Hi Gail,
    I am happy to hear another treatment bites the dust. Sorry bout the side effects but you know they will subside a bit soon. I have mixed emotions about the delay for me but am enjoying Ice Coffee ( my Favorite Beverage) Don't mean to rub it in, I'll be back in your shoes Monday 1/10/11
    Rest well my friend Peace Love and Joy!!
    Tom
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    ron50 said:

    We are a tough mob.
    Don't let anybody tell you any different. The job that cancer and treatment does on our bodies ,emotions and relationships, leaves us sick,tired ,dispirited and alone with our feelings. It is not easy and at times it seems it would be easier to quit. Then I look around on this board and I have to smile at what tough little sob's we are. You get knocked down here and there is a hundred people here to rush to your aid and lift you up.Hugs Gail I'm hoping that you are soon at the end of your course of chemo and from then on things will just better and better,,,,wishing you peace love and happiness from an old codger who has forgotten the meaning of those words:)...Ron.

    hi ron went fishing today on my diving mates boat
    I have two lovelly flatheadsin the fridge. It was so much fun. first time fishing in a boat for years. I prefer spearing.
    Peace, love, happiness and health back at you to.
    cheers,
    Peter
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    Hop into the seat next to me on the folfox rollercoaster
    Gail,

    Maybe my carriage is blessed or I am just lucky.

    I was tempting fate and had the kids left over icecream today, very minor lip tingle and no throat knives. So then I tried the left frozen coke. I bit more intense but I got around it by using a straw. My side effects with regard tingles got better on treatment 5, I get the bottle off tomorrow arvo.

    Seriously pretend you are in the same carriage, pretend you will have the easist of runs on number 6. Maybe all the positive thinking helps.

    love your friend Pete
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    TMac52 said:

    Hi My Friend!!
    Hi Gail,
    I am happy to hear another treatment bites the dust. Sorry bout the side effects but you know they will subside a bit soon. I have mixed emotions about the delay for me but am enjoying Ice Coffee ( my Favorite Beverage) Don't mean to rub it in, I'll be back in your shoes Monday 1/10/11
    Rest well my friend Peace Love and Joy!!
    Tom

    Tom
    Good for you Tom, have a sip of something iced in my name :) mmmm

    :) Gail
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member

    Hop into the seat next to me on the folfox rollercoaster
    Gail,

    Maybe my carriage is blessed or I am just lucky.

    I was tempting fate and had the kids left over icecream today, very minor lip tingle and no throat knives. So then I tried the left frozen coke. I bit more intense but I got around it by using a straw. My side effects with regard tingles got better on treatment 5, I get the bottle off tomorrow arvo.

    Seriously pretend you are in the same carriage, pretend you will have the easist of runs on number 6. Maybe all the positive thinking helps.

    love your friend Pete

    Pete
    I will do all that Pete! Thank's for the ride :)

    Gail
  • P_I_T_A
    P_I_T_A Member Posts: 133
    Was in the same boat last year...
    I too, had the luxury of doing my chemo during the coldest months of the year. Not very fun. 1/4 of the way finished, not bad at all. The neuropathy does stink (I only made it through 8 rounds of Oxi.) My Onc, for whatever reason, said he thought I had gotten the benefit from it that I needed and wasn't too concerned with not finishing all 12. Every single time I drank, it was with a straw, very slowly, nothing colder than room temp. That seemed to help a good bit. Don't get soft drinks eating out because even without ice, it will come out cold out of the fountain. Cottonmouth isn't too uncommon, along with the occasional 'lockjaw' with certain things. There wasn't anything in particular that I could pin down just happened from time to time. I set a goal to have the biggest bowl of ice cream I could get my hands on once I could tolerate it. About a month after I was done with treatments, I ate probably a half a carton of dolce ice cream. Stomach didn't tolerate all that dairy too well the following day after going so long without, but oh was it worth it! Just take each treatment one at a time, and it will be over before you know it.

    -DJ