Early Chemo

leguca

Hi all. One more question. My FIL had his first chemo treatment using the Folfox and avastin. He was really ill from all of it (much may also be stress I'm sure). But, he had to be hospitalized to be rehydrated via saline IV. Since this is his first treatment, does it get better? I've read some suggestions here that the "chemo funk" does get better over time.

We're very new to this and researching all we can but there's no better place than with people who have experienced it. The doctors are just telling him that it's normal?!?! Whatever that means.

Thanks!

JoyceCanada

I only lasted 2 treatments of the oxi. Oncologist took me off treatment because I spiked a very high temp and was extremely sick. My blood work after round 2 was too low for me to continue. I'm now starting 5FU/radiation.

Everyone is different and the oncologists are very aware of any difficulties with the treatments. I'm sure your FIL is in good hands!!

tkd3g

Morning leguca,

Sorry about your father in law.This whole cancer business just totally sucks.

I, too, had to stop my FOLFOX-6 after just 3 treatments. My many, many side effects only got much more severe with each treatment.

BUT, please don't think this is a terrible treatment. MANY here have done very well on FOLFOX. With limited and mild side effects.

Remember that each individual will react differently to the same drug. It is very possible, the stress, the "not knowing" what to expect, and/or just plain nerves could be contributing to your FIL's being ill.

My oncologist told me that nausea wasn't a big issue with FOLFOX. So, I put it out of my mind. Don't need to stress about tossing the cookies. Not gonna happen. Now, with that said, had she not told me that fact, I would be picturing all those people violently ill from chemo. AND, probably feel queasy myself.

My point? Our mind and body work as one. Stress, fears, thoughts and preconceived notions about how we are "supposed" to feel on chemo, has an influence on how we react to an unknown ( chemo).

Talk to his oncologist. Watch the side effects. Find out as much as possible about the treatment he is on and explain the side effects to your FIL. They have a great selection of drugs to make treatment doable.

I wish you the best. Go with your gut. I trust my own instincts.

Barb.

CAMaura

tkd3g said:

Morning leguca,

Sorry about your father in law.This whole cancer business just totally sucks.

I, too, had to stop my FOLFOX-6 after just 3 treatments. My many, many side effects only got much more severe with each treatment.

BUT, please don't think this is a terrible treatment. MANY here have done very well on FOLFOX. With limited and mild side effects.

Remember that each individual will react differently to the same drug. It is very possible, the stress, the "not knowing" what to expect, and/or just plain nerves could be contributing to your FIL's being ill.

My oncologist told me that nausea wasn't a big issue with FOLFOX. So, I put it out of my mind. Don't need to stress about tossing the cookies. Not gonna happen. Now, with that said, had she not told me that fact, I would be picturing all those people violently ill from chemo. AND, probably feel queasy myself.

My point? Our mind and body work as one. Stress, fears, thoughts and preconceived notions about how we are "supposed" to feel on chemo, has an influence on how we react to an unknown ( chemo).

Talk to his oncologist. Watch the side effects. Find out as much as possible about the treatment he is on and explain the side effects to your FIL. They have a great selection of drugs to make treatment doable.

I wish you the best. Go with your gut. I trust my own instincts.

Barb.

Really nice post, Barb. And there are a host of drugs which are used to help the side effects; the process of finding the right match might take a session or so, but I am sure that things can and will improve. All the best - Maura

kangatoo

CAMaura said:

Really nice post, Barb. And there are a host of drugs which are used to help the side effects; the process of finding the right match might take a session or so, but I am sure that things can and will improve. All the best - Maura

Hi....I really am not sure if oncologist know what is "normal". My guess is that they stereotype us all by the "average" reactions to various chemo's then use that as an explanation for what is "normal". After coming to CSN for over 2 years I have read so many posts from people taking the "same" chemo that I have come to the conclusion that many "long termers" here might just agree with me on. That is.....that side effects VARY in very different ways with each individual. Does that make sense?
Point of fact;
I only did 5fu/leucovorin(6 months) and my onc. told me the effects would be very minimal.As the sessions went on I thought I had a horribly rotten time...maybe I am a big woos!...lol! No...seriously I got very sick.
Yet he THEN told me it was "normal". Then I read others post here that they tolerated the very same regimen with little or no side effects and many still were able to work. Geez....that made me feel like one incredible wooos incapable of putting up with "so-called normal" side effects. BUT...then as posting went on over the 2 years I did discover others that also did the same regimen.....and had a hard time doing it!
So, you see, I guess the best answer is; it will effect every individual differently....even patients (differently) doing the same chemo.
Some peoples genetical make-up tolerate chemo well...others.....it gives 'em hell!
cheers, Ross n Jen

KathiM

kangatoo said:

Hi....I really am not sure if oncologist know what is "normal". My guess is that they stereotype us all by the "average" reactions to various chemo's then use that as an explanation for what is "normal". After coming to CSN for over 2 years I have read so many posts from people taking the "same" chemo that I have come to the conclusion that many "long termers" here might just agree with me on. That is.....that side effects VARY in very different ways with each individual. Does that make sense?
Point of fact;
I only did 5fu/leucovorin(6 months) and my onc. told me the effects would be very minimal.As the sessions went on I thought I had a horribly rotten time...maybe I am a big woos!...lol! No...seriously I got very sick.
Yet he THEN told me it was "normal". Then I read others post here that they tolerated the very same regimen with little or no side effects and many still were able to work. Geez....that made me feel like one incredible wooos incapable of putting up with "so-called normal" side effects. BUT...then as posting went on over the 2 years I did discover others that also did the same regimen.....and had a hard time doing it!
So, you see, I guess the best answer is; it will effect every individual differently....even patients (differently) doing the same chemo.
Some peoples genetical make-up tolerate chemo well...others.....it gives 'em hell!
cheers, Ross n Jen

We still love ya, kanga! I, also was a WIMP on chemo....glad to put it behind (hehehehe) me! I think you hit it....EVERYONE is different. Only thing I wish is that the oncs would give a little better warning...I was just handed a paper with description on it (my onc was afraid it would be psychosematic...if she told me, I'd get it)!
Hugs,
Kathi

kangatoo

KathiM said:

We still love ya, kanga! I, also was a WIMP on chemo....glad to put it behind (hehehehe) me! I think you hit it....EVERYONE is different. Only thing I wish is that the oncs would give a little better warning...I was just handed a paper with description on it (my onc was afraid it would be psychosematic...if she told me, I'd get it)!
Hugs,
Kathi

Aw...now yah got me blushing Kathi.I'll take all tha love I can get but I gotta be real carefull or I will have to suffer Jen's wrath.
Just kiddin!!....Jen's pretty cool with all this...she knows about the "special" love we all have.
Sorry leguca....I digress. I would like to add here that stress is a very powerfull thing.We all know that there are some pretty heavy emotional issues to deal with as well, pre/post op. and pre/post chemo. A lot of people try to "tough" it out.some do...some don't.Personal experience prompts me to offer the following. If your FIL is showing signs of stress, depression, anger,fear etc.,all of which is very normal do seek some professional help. A therapist or clinical pshycologist, especially trained in cancer councilling is a worthwhile contact. I used this service at my hospital and found it to be of enormous benefit. Oh...and I am NEVER ashamed to tell all that I went and saw a "shrink"! In fact Jen also went too...it benefits both patient and carer.
Ross and Jen