Second Cycle

cahalstead

Hi to all,

I just got home from the hospital after completing my second cycle--can I do 10 more?? For some reason, I'm am so down, I guess what I'm feeling is normal. I have been so upbeat and optimistic but seems like this weekend has been tough. I'm tired from the treatment and hurried the drip to get out of there which caused very uncomfortable "tingling in the hands and feet". My onc said I could go on Neurotin, which I don't want to do because of more "side effects". He said he may have to cut back on the dosage of the Oxy which he doesn't really want to do. I have to work tomorrow and I'm sure I'll feel more positive by then.

Does anyone else go to the hospital for their chemo treatment? It's the most efficient way for me to do it so I can work on Monday but it's a LONG weekend!

Guess I just want to hear if others feel like I do right now, at times. I don't like this feeling!!

Thanks for listening.

Char

jams67

This is a good place to vent. Yes, to answer one of your questions, we all feel down sometimes. Just "keep on going on" and before you know it this will be history. Think of all the rest of your past. Some of it wasn't so great and you got through it. Now, it is just a bad memory. You can do this too! I remember, that is the key word "remember", times when I would pass my bed and want to just get back in it, because I had no energy. It is not easy by any means.
I don't know if you are a religious person or not, but it helped me to think of Jesus' walk and the way He put one foot in front of the other. He is a mega role model for me. I prayed as much for courage as for healing. It takes a great deal of courage to do what you are doing. You are in a battle for your life, and this is not a war for sissys.
As far as the hospital, I did my chemo in an infusion room with a lot of other people. Most were there for colon or breast cancer. It took about 6 to 7 hours to complete each treatment. I did 11 out of 12 infusions. I hated them all!
Hope this time next year you can feel as good as I do.
Jo Ann

cahalstead

Yes, I'm a deeply religous person, I couldn't keep going without my belief that God is giving me the stength I need. Your reminder of Jesus and his walk to the cross was so enlightening, thanks for the reminder and for sharing that with me. Yes, this is so hard for me but I know I can do it.

Thanks for your insight, it was so much needed!

KierstenRx

Hi Char,
I understand exactly how you are feeling. This week is my 4th of 8 cycle. I don't do mine in the hospital, I go to the clinic and spend about 6-8 hours there and then wear a pump home for 48 hours (FOLFOX and Avastin). I was wondering how I was going to make it through also. I am having a lot of issue with the tingling in the fingers and throat. Also I am having jaw spasms and severe fatigue for about 3 days after. I am also having awful insomnia which is also contributing to the fatigue. I am working full time, but my employer is letting me go with the flow on my chemo weeks. I find I feel pretty bad the first 6 days, then slowly I begin to feel like my old self.
You can get thru this. I also have looked to my faith for strength. This may sound crazy, but I have really enjoyed the book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. There is a section on health and focusing on what is good in your body, rather than focusing on the negative. It has really helped me with dealing with my side effects and it actually helped me with my nausea and vomiting. The book has been a welcome addition to my treatment (good mind-body connection). Anyway, I usually don't buy into stuff like this, but it has helped me. It also comes on CD which I listen to during my infusions. You may or may not want to check it out.
I don't like the feelings you are having either, but we will get through this!!!

Kiersten

taraHK

I don't know what you mean by going to the hospital. I actually stay in the hospital for "48 hours" (really 2.5 days). I'm on FOLFOX plus Avastin. I don't like it. But, I do it.

Of course it is normal for you to feel down. I don't want to sound like Polyanna -- but you will feel "up" again! One of the comforting things for me these days is that, altho I have lousy days, there is now a very predictable rythmn to it all -- so I can predict when I will be feeling lousy and good. My chemo is every 2 weeks. Three days of chemo, first day home I'm totally blah. Monday and Tuesday back to work -- still feeling a little "ropey". By Wednesday I'm pretty much back to normal. That gives me 8 days of feeling good (normal feels GREAT!) until I start again. And I use that -- to see friends, go for long walks, etc.

Although my friends and family try to say encouraging things like "you're 1/4 done", "half-way", I just do 'em one at a time. I say to myself you can do one more. And I can.

Good luck and good wishes,
Tara

peacegift2002

I echo what everyone else has said, and this is my second time around. And yes, it is worse for me. I'm not working, just way too tired, and that is frustrating. But you asked also about Neurontin. My onc has just put me on that this month, and it has helped. I know what you mean about "more drugs." I look at what I take, and it's a snootful! But the Neurontin has helped a little with the tingling. It doesn't cure it, but it really is not as bad. Plus, it helps with the insomnia a little. I was heartened to hear that others have that problem. Late nite TV is really sad. Anyway, yes you can do this. Tell the doc what you need and what you are feeling. We walk by faith together. When I am way down, I think of loving mother Mary's arms around me, making me think of the love of all my family and friends here on earth and in heaven.

alta29

Today I was thinking...Ileana,just remember this day...just because I feel so good....stay positive...the reason because I say yhis is cause every 2 Tuesday's, when I get my chemo, and start feeling weak....the mind starts playing games...Im' I tired because of the tumors??? Im' I getting weaker ???? Thanks to my husband...he always reminds me that is the chemo..that I am OK....that the feeling will go away...etc...Today, of course I am feeling great..its 2 days before my nex chemo....I just need to remember this....
God bless u all...

KathiM

alta29 said:

Today I was thinking...Ileana,just remember this day...just because I feel so good....stay positive...the reason because I say yhis is cause every 2 Tuesday's, when I get my chemo, and start feeling weak....the mind starts playing games...Im' I tired because of the tumors??? Im' I getting weaker ???? Thanks to my husband...he always reminds me that is the chemo..that I am OK....that the feeling will go away...etc...Today, of course I am feeling great..its 2 days before my nex chemo....I just need to remember this....
God bless u all...

...and remember also that this is temporary, there IS and end to it....got me thru some very rough patches...now, coming up on 2 years clear on the colon, 1 year on the breast, my memories of that treatment time have softened and dulled.

Hugs to all you warriors!!!

Hugs, Kathi

kmygil

You hang in there as long as you can. Feeling low is normal, especially when you are trying to cope with side effects on top of fatigue. The tingling/numbness will express itself more when you hurry the drips, so let it go in at the recommended pace. Also, try not have another treatment until that is gone. My onc told me that it could become permanent if you have more treatment while till tingling from the last one. I completed 9 of 12, and unfortunately, the 9th one put it over the top and I still have substantial neuropathy 2 months after the last tx. I am hopeful it will go away in time. Be good to yourself during this time. Pay attention to your body and tell your onc everything you are experiencing. From what I gather, Neurontin does help for a while, but it requires increasing doses to have the same effect until it no longer helps. Others have had a lot of success with B1, B2, B6 and B12 vitamin, but again, run this by your onc before starting.

I did not go to the hospital, but did my treatments in a "chemo room" along with up to 15 other people. It was quite nice, as everyone discussed what was going on and helped each other out with suggestions and encouragement. I also worked as much as I could, but as my side effects seem to have been cumulative, I was not able to work during the final two treatments.

There were a few really low days, but this site and the group I took chemo with helped tremendously. I noticed that if I let myself feel low too long, I felt worse, whereas if I thought positive thoughts the effects seemed lessened. Mind over matter is real and a positive mind seems to heal us up faster.

I will keep you in my prayers.

vinny3

My treatments were as outpatient two days in a row with wearing the 5-FU pack between and until the 3rd day. I found that I usually felt the worse on the 4th day. Be sure to take in plenty of liquids and get some naps in. I did find that forcing myself to do some walking exercise after about the 5th day helped. I did stop after 9 cycles due to the numbness which proceeded to get worse for about the following two months. It is somewhat better now 6 months after stopping but is still present especially in my feet and ankles. However there is no pain and I try to just view it as a reminder of what I went through and that I am a "survivor".

Hang in there. Your body will tell you when to stop.

****

cahalstead

vinny3 said:

My treatments were as outpatient two days in a row with wearing the 5-FU pack between and until the 3rd day. I found that I usually felt the worse on the 4th day. Be sure to take in plenty of liquids and get some naps in. I did find that forcing myself to do some walking exercise after about the 5th day helped. I did stop after 9 cycles due to the numbness which proceeded to get worse for about the following two months. It is somewhat better now 6 months after stopping but is still present especially in my feet and ankles. However there is no pain and I try to just view it as a reminder of what I went through and that I am a "survivor".

Hang in there. Your body will tell you when to stop.

****

Thanks to all of you, I really appreciate the encouragement and your willingness to respond to each of us. You are truly a "blessing" to me! I'm just very tired right now.

Thanks to all!

Char

hopefulone

Hi Char. Sorry to hear your having a "down" day. Just remember you'll have plenty of "up" ones. Take it one day and one treatment at a time. My husband is fortunate, he has one day of IV treatment and on pills for 14. From what I've read here, it seems that his regimen doesn't cause as much fatigue. . at least not yet. Treatment #3 is tomorrow . Good luck & God Bless.

Kanort

Hi Char,

I am sorry I am so late in responding and am hoping that your spirits are higher today. Of course you can do 10 more....and you will. Try and listen to your body and rest as you can. On the worst of days, I would tell myself...."Tomorrow will be a better day!" and it would be.

You will get through this and will soon be advocating for others.

Stay in touch.

Hugs,

Kay