My fight progess
Will post again after talking with the oncologist. But reading so many of these post, I thank all of you because I was a little more prepared going in to see the doctor. I also am picking up lots of tips, that I think I will need, as to lotions, creams, and even popsicles when and if I get the mouth sore.
I am also trying to keep a positive attitude and sense of humor about this. I told my friend that since my butt will be radioactive, I therefore will be considered a "hot piece of a**" LOL Gotta find humor where you can.
Hugs and prayers to all.
Pattie
Comments
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Hi Pattie,I am sorry you
Hi Pattie,
I am sorry you were diagnosed. I am sure your mind is like a whirlwind, mine was. I was diagnosed in 12/2011 and started treatment 2/27/12. I have only 3 more radiation treatments left and finished my last chemo today. You will find an amazing amount of helpful information here and people are here to answer any questions you might have.
My biggest recommendation is to start a folder with a tablet to write down questions and responses as you get them because it seems as soon as youre in your car you forget half of what they said or some questions you meant to ask. If you have someone who can go with you to MD appointments that can be helpful too as they most times remember more than you can.
The good thing is that this type of cancer is readily treated with high cure rate. There is someone here who wrote this phrase that has become my mantra, "weeks for years!", meaning several weeks of treatment to buy years/lifetime. I hope that it helps you as it has me.
If planning chemo ask about having a porta cath inserted. It is a temporary port placed under the skin in your upper chest that can be accessed for IV sticks. It has been a blessing for me, no digging in my arms for veins and actually saves my peripheral veins for future use. Chemo can be hard on veins.
Remember a good diet and lots and lots of fluids. And keep your MD's aware of how things are going, if youre in pain please let them know.
The beginning I think was the hardest for me, tests, then waiting for test results etc. Once treatment started it calms down as you start doing something to fight back. Hang in there and visit the board as much as you need. Youre not alone. And keep that sense of humor, it will help get you through your journey
I will keep you in my prayers.
Randy0 -
My fight progressrds711 said:Hi Pattie,I am sorry you
Hi Pattie,
I am sorry you were diagnosed. I am sure your mind is like a whirlwind, mine was. I was diagnosed in 12/2011 and started treatment 2/27/12. I have only 3 more radiation treatments left and finished my last chemo today. You will find an amazing amount of helpful information here and people are here to answer any questions you might have.
My biggest recommendation is to start a folder with a tablet to write down questions and responses as you get them because it seems as soon as youre in your car you forget half of what they said or some questions you meant to ask. If you have someone who can go with you to MD appointments that can be helpful too as they most times remember more than you can.
The good thing is that this type of cancer is readily treated with high cure rate. There is someone here who wrote this phrase that has become my mantra, "weeks for years!", meaning several weeks of treatment to buy years/lifetime. I hope that it helps you as it has me.
If planning chemo ask about having a porta cath inserted. It is a temporary port placed under the skin in your upper chest that can be accessed for IV sticks. It has been a blessing for me, no digging in my arms for veins and actually saves my peripheral veins for future use. Chemo can be hard on veins.
Remember a good diet and lots and lots of fluids. And keep your MD's aware of how things are going, if youre in pain please let them know.
The beginning I think was the hardest for me, tests, then waiting for test results etc. Once treatment started it calms down as you start doing something to fight back. Hang in there and visit the board as much as you need. Youre not alone. And keep that sense of humor, it will help get you through your journey I will keep you in my prayers.
Randy
Thank you so much for the warm welcome Randy. I have gone to the doctor with my list of questions and also I have been bringing someone with. In fact it is my boss and she pretty much insisted on accompanying... not in a pushy way, in a good way. Kind of makes it easier that she does though because now I don't have to go to work and explain things to my boss. LOL. She really has been great and very supportive.
Weeks for year... I like that and it fits. I was told I will more than likely get the port. Have one chemo treatment, several weeks of radiation then another chemo. Of course this may change after my meeting with the oncologist.
That is so great that you are nearing the end of your treatment. It must be a tremendous relief to be done with the chemo.
I am a little anxious, but I can understand that I will calm down a bit once treatment starts... right now it's just like 'lets get this show on the road' the sooner I start the sooner I am done.
Thanks for the helpful suggestions Randy.
Prayers and Hugs!
Pattie0 -
PattiePattie13 said:My fight progress
Thank you so much for the warm welcome Randy. I have gone to the doctor with my list of questions and also I have been bringing someone with. In fact it is my boss and she pretty much insisted on accompanying... not in a pushy way, in a good way. Kind of makes it easier that she does though because now I don't have to go to work and explain things to my boss. LOL. She really has been great and very supportive.
Weeks for year... I like that and it fits. I was told I will more than likely get the port. Have one chemo treatment, several weeks of radiation then another chemo. Of course this may change after my meeting with the oncologist.
That is so great that you are nearing the end of your treatment. It must be a tremendous relief to be done with the chemo.
I am a little anxious, but I can understand that I will calm down a bit once treatment starts... right now it's just like 'lets get this show on the road' the sooner I start the sooner I am done.
Thanks for the helpful suggestions Randy.
Prayers and Hugs!
Pattie
Hi Pattie, and welcome, sorry you had to find us. I completed tx for anal cancer on 6-30-09, and so far so good. The 1st thing my general surgeon said to me, is if you have to have cancer this is a good one to have. Highly curable. Well I went with that ready to start tx. The oncologist, or chemo nurse, will give you written handouts of what side effects to expect. For me the mouth sores were the worst side effect, and I wish I had done more to prevent them. The pain will be managed with medication, along with any nausea. I didn't take the nausea meds except once or twice. I know for me once I saw I was going to be able to do this and got started killing the cancer, I felt stronger. Please keep us posted. I wish you well. Lori0 -
Loriz said:Pattie
Hi Pattie, and welcome, sorry you had to find us. I completed tx for anal cancer on 6-30-09, and so far so good. The 1st thing my general surgeon said to me, is if you have to have cancer this is a good one to have. Highly curable. Well I went with that ready to start tx. The oncologist, or chemo nurse, will give you written handouts of what side effects to expect. For me the mouth sores were the worst side effect, and I wish I had done more to prevent them. The pain will be managed with medication, along with any nausea. I didn't take the nausea meds except once or twice. I know for me once I saw I was going to be able to do this and got started killing the cancer, I felt stronger. Please keep us posted. I wish you well. Lori
Hi Lori,
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and CONGRATS on being cancer free now. I think my Dr. said that same thing about this is the one to have if you get one.
Question. The mouth sores - are they like canker sores? I have heard people mention them but still don't have a good grasp on what to expect with that. I heard lots of cold popsicles may help. :-) May have to stock up before treatment.
Will keep you posted. Thanks Lori.
Prayers and hugs
Pattie0 -
PattiePattie13 said:Lori
Hi Lori,
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and CONGRATS on being cancer free now. I think my Dr. said that same thing about this is the one to have if you get one.
Question. The mouth sores - are they like canker sores? I have heard people mention them but still don't have a good grasp on what to expect with that. I heard lots of cold popsicles may help. :-) May have to stock up before treatment.
Will keep you posted. Thanks Lori.
Prayers and hugs
Pattie
I never used the toothpaste your suppose to use, I think its biotene. They are like canker sores but hurt more. So to keep the moisture in your mouth while undergoing chemo is the way to avoid the mouth sores. I had mytomicin along with 5FU and it goes after fast dividing cells, such as cancer. We have other fast dividing cells that are not cancer such as in our mouths. They should give you all this information, for the side effects of what ever chemo you will have. Some anal cancer patients have cystpan, I know I'm not spelling that right. So different side effects. Martha has a great list and other posters of what to expect. So you could do a search in the anal cancer discussion board for mouth sores, and I bet a lot will come up. I wish you well. Lori0 -
PattiePattie13 said:Lori
Hi Lori,
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and CONGRATS on being cancer free now. I think my Dr. said that same thing about this is the one to have if you get one.
Question. The mouth sores - are they like canker sores? I have heard people mention them but still don't have a good grasp on what to expect with that. I heard lots of cold popsicles may help. :-) May have to stock up before treatment.
Will keep you posted. Thanks Lori.
Prayers and hugs
Pattie
Hi Pattie,
As you've found out, this site has a wealth of helpful information. Sorry you have to be here, too. I finished treatment June 2012 and fortunately didn't have mouth sores. It was the other end that was sore... It's been almost a year ago that I started treatment - 2 rounds of chemo (mitomycin and 5FU) and 30 radiation (IMRT) zaps. So far I'm NED (no evidence of disease). I have another PET scan in May and am keeping my fingers crossed.
Best wishes to you!
Ann0 -
Lori and AnnAZANNIE said:Pattie
Hi Pattie,
As you've found out, this site has a wealth of helpful information. Sorry you have to be here, too. I finished treatment June 2012 and fortunately didn't have mouth sores. It was the other end that was sore... It's been almost a year ago that I started treatment - 2 rounds of chemo (mitomycin and 5FU) and 30 radiation (IMRT) zaps. So far I'm NED (no evidence of disease). I have another PET scan in May and am keeping my fingers crossed.
Best wishes to you!
Ann
Thank you Lori and Ann. And I was wondering what NED stands for now I know. :-)
Hopefully I will be one of the few that don't get the mouth sores too. So glad you are NED Ann. Will be praying it stays that way.
Thank you both for a wealth of information. Any info I can be armed with is a good thing. Its the unknown that causes anxiety for me.
Prayers and Hugs
Pattie0 -
Mouth soresPattie13 said:Lori and Ann
Thank you Lori and Ann. And I was wondering what NED stands for now I know. :-)
Hopefully I will be one of the few that don't get the mouth sores too. So glad you are NED Ann. Will be praying it stays that way.
Thank you both for a wealth of information. Any info I can be armed with is a good thing. Its the unknown that causes anxiety for me.
Prayers and Hugs
Pattie
Hi, Patti... I had dry mouth and mouth sores. Try to gargle with the warm salt water, and/or with the baking soda in water. Also use the biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, even the biotene gum there is also a biotene liquid gel moisturizer for your mouth. All the biotene helps. It has no harsh flavors (like mint or cinnamon, etc) that regular pastes and washes do. Those flavors will really sting your mouth. If you get the sores that is. I had the 5fu and mitomycin along with the 31 days of radiation. After completing my tx's my first scan showed that the cancer had spread. It was alarming to say the least, but, not totally unheard of. In fact, what really happens is that sometimes the cancer cells are so small that they go undetected... which is what happened to me. Then I needed a more invasive chemo... which was the cysplatin... 6 gruelling treatments of weeklong infusions through the port. But, I made it through. Some tips for you:
1) Continue to go with someone to your appts. Write down your questions for the doc...no question is silly or unimportant... I took a spiral notebook with me, dated the appts, wrote my ?'s down and left space in between for the answers. I used that spiral notebook as a journal, and kept referring to it as time went on. It is true that while you're in the doc's office you hear everything... when you get home, you can't remember a thing the doc said.
2) Rely on family & friends to help with your"chores". I made a to do list, and when people said "call me if you need anything" I just handed them the list and asked them to pick something. don't be proud. some day you will be able to return the favor.
3) Most important: Keep up with your nutrition!!!! You may not feel the energy to eat, you may lose your tastebuds, but take the Boost, Ensure, Carnation instant breakfast, ice cream, etc. I got to a point where I started cravings... for hot dogs, one week.. the next week, McDonalds chicken wraps, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches another week, ice cream, another week (and I don't like ice cream). Keep the fluids going. If you drink juice...dilute it at least half strength. If you get the mouth sores, soda is painful, so, don't drink it.
4) Take whatever pain meds you think you may need (the doc will prescribe them for you).
5) When going through the radiation.. use the Aquaphor, because your skin will definitely need it. I bought an aloe plant, and had my hubby put that on my butt. Definitely use the sitz baths... they will help.
6). If you feel the need to take a nice hot bath... DON'T... Take a warm bath instead... the hot bath will lower your blood pressure.. sometimes way to quickly... and you definitely don't need that.
7). If you experience diarhea (sp?)... take the imodium. Don't wait... the "D" will continue and will seriously dehydrate you... so, take the imodium.. you can take up to 8 pills a day... I usually only had 1 pill, only a couple times did I need 2 and only once I needed 3 in a day.
8) The doc will give you scrips for nausea... take them if you feel you need to.. they work. Also, if you are not naseous, you can eat.. which you need to do to keep up your strength.
9). Rest... If your body says it is tired... Listen to it. Rest. And if you get a burst of energy... don't overdo it, because you will pay for it the next day. That's just how this treatment works. The chemo is a poison. It kills the cancer, and also good cells... You need those good cells to function properly... so, don't fight it... rest when you can.
10). Keep a positive attitude. I know this is a lot and it seems negative. But, take these tips.. keep us posted. And mostly, keep laughing... I watched the entire tv series of Hogan's Heroes, lots of slapstick comedy, cartoons, etc... Laughter really does help.
I wish you the best. Keep us posted. Ask any ?'s, we will all be here to help. Like someone else posted... sometimes the docs don't tell you everything you may or may not experience. As you read through these posts, you'll find that among us all we have experienced just about everything... and don't be afraid to vent. We all have bad days... so we all understand... and we will help get you through it. Take care. Thank you for your well-wishes for me and my hubby. and God bless.0 -
Update
Saw the Radiation Doctor today and he seems real nice. Dr. Nam Nguyen. He did say it was pretty serious but is confident he can treat it. I have to go have some bloodwork done on Wed and then next week have to go back to UMC (University Medical Center) on the 10th to have a barium test done so they can get a good map of the area. Then they will know more about how to plan to attack it. Have a meeting with the Chemo people on the 12th.
Don't know more than that for now. Will let you know as I know.0 -
Mouth SoresCaptain11 said:Mouth sores
Hi, Patti... I had dry mouth and mouth sores. Try to gargle with the warm salt water, and/or with the baking soda in water. Also use the biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, even the biotene gum there is also a biotene liquid gel moisturizer for your mouth. All the biotene helps. It has no harsh flavors (like mint or cinnamon, etc) that regular pastes and washes do. Those flavors will really sting your mouth. If you get the sores that is. I had the 5fu and mitomycin along with the 31 days of radiation. After completing my tx's my first scan showed that the cancer had spread. It was alarming to say the least, but, not totally unheard of. In fact, what really happens is that sometimes the cancer cells are so small that they go undetected... which is what happened to me. Then I needed a more invasive chemo... which was the cysplatin... 6 gruelling treatments of weeklong infusions through the port. But, I made it through. Some tips for you:
1) Continue to go with someone to your appts. Write down your questions for the doc...no question is silly or unimportant... I took a spiral notebook with me, dated the appts, wrote my ?'s down and left space in between for the answers. I used that spiral notebook as a journal, and kept referring to it as time went on. It is true that while you're in the doc's office you hear everything... when you get home, you can't remember a thing the doc said.
2) Rely on family & friends to help with your"chores". I made a to do list, and when people said "call me if you need anything" I just handed them the list and asked them to pick something. don't be proud. some day you will be able to return the favor.
3) Most important: Keep up with your nutrition!!!! You may not feel the energy to eat, you may lose your tastebuds, but take the Boost, Ensure, Carnation instant breakfast, ice cream, etc. I got to a point where I started cravings... for hot dogs, one week.. the next week, McDonalds chicken wraps, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches another week, ice cream, another week (and I don't like ice cream). Keep the fluids going. If you drink juice...dilute it at least half strength. If you get the mouth sores, soda is painful, so, don't drink it.
4) Take whatever pain meds you think you may need (the doc will prescribe them for you).
5) When going through the radiation.. use the Aquaphor, because your skin will definitely need it. I bought an aloe plant, and had my hubby put that on my butt. Definitely use the sitz baths... they will help.
6). If you feel the need to take a nice hot bath... DON'T... Take a warm bath instead... the hot bath will lower your blood pressure.. sometimes way to quickly... and you definitely don't need that.
7). If you experience diarhea (sp?)... take the imodium. Don't wait... the "D" will continue and will seriously dehydrate you... so, take the imodium.. you can take up to 8 pills a day... I usually only had 1 pill, only a couple times did I need 2 and only once I needed 3 in a day.
8) The doc will give you scrips for nausea... take them if you feel you need to.. they work. Also, if you are not naseous, you can eat.. which you need to do to keep up your strength.
9). Rest... If your body says it is tired... Listen to it. Rest. And if you get a burst of energy... don't overdo it, because you will pay for it the next day. That's just how this treatment works. The chemo is a poison. It kills the cancer, and also good cells... You need those good cells to function properly... so, don't fight it... rest when you can.
10). Keep a positive attitude. I know this is a lot and it seems negative. But, take these tips.. keep us posted. And mostly, keep laughing... I watched the entire tv series of Hogan's Heroes, lots of slapstick comedy, cartoons, etc... Laughter really does help.
I wish you the best. Keep us posted. Ask any ?'s, we will all be here to help. Like someone else posted... sometimes the docs don't tell you everything you may or may not experience. As you read through these posts, you'll find that among us all we have experienced just about everything... and don't be afraid to vent. We all have bad days... so we all understand... and we will help get you through it. Take care. Thank you for your well-wishes for me and my hubby. and God bless.
Thank you so much for all the good info Captain11. I think I will be planning a shopping trip to get the biotene. My doc also said I should start taking the Carnation Instant breakfast and L-Glutemine now as it will help decrease the radiation burns. I went and got Gas-X and immodium this weekend so I have it on hand. Thanks for the idea on the juice. Never thought to cut it in half with water. Thats a good idea.
Take care/God bless and hugs.
Pattie0 -
Hi Pattie--Pattie13 said:Update
Saw the Radiation Doctor today and he seems real nice. Dr. Nam Nguyen. He did say it was pretty serious but is confident he can treat it. I have to go have some bloodwork done on Wed and then next week have to go back to UMC (University Medical Center) on the 10th to have a barium test done so they can get a good map of the area. Then they will know more about how to plan to attack it. Have a meeting with the Chemo people on the 12th.
Don't know more than that for now. Will let you know as I know.
I'm glad you are getting prepared ahead of time for your treatment and it sounds like you are getting closer to the start. I'm glad you like your doc. I wish you the best with the upcoming barium exam and hope that the tumor is small and localized. Please keep us posted on how things are going.0 -
Hi Pattie--mp327 said:Hi Pattie--
I'm glad you are getting prepared ahead of time for your treatment and it sounds like you are getting closer to the start. I'm glad you like your doc. I wish you the best with the upcoming barium exam and hope that the tumor is small and localized. Please keep us posted on how things are going.
Thank you so much. Getting as prepared as I can so hopefully have minimal side effects.
Will keep you posted.
Prayers and hugs
Pattie0 -
Update
Met with the chemo Dr. on Thur. Found out what they have planned for me is that I won't have to do a few days of chemo, and get a port in my chest. Rather I will have one treatment of Mitomyicin intravenously on the day I start my radiation. And then I will just have to take 2 pills a day on my radiation treatment days (Capecitabine). Yeah! much better than getting something put in my chest for several weeks and risking infection with it. I will not lose any of my hair, but I will probably get nausea and have exploding diarrhea.... doesn't that sound fun. But they are prescribing some anti nausea meds for me and I can take Imodium D (have stockpiled a few bottles already). Took one more blood test to Friday morning down at the VA then have a Chest CT scan on Sun. Then I just have to wait for the doctor to tell me when I begin the treatment. I am thinking it will probably be around April 23rd. Could be off on the date, but should be close.
Getting close to getting this thing taken care of.0 -
I know it feels good to finally get the plan down! The waiting for it all to come together was crazymaking for me!Pattie13 said:Update
Met with the chemo Dr. on Thur. Found out what they have planned for me is that I won't have to do a few days of chemo, and get a port in my chest. Rather I will have one treatment of Mitomyicin intravenously on the day I start my radiation. And then I will just have to take 2 pills a day on my radiation treatment days (Capecitabine). Yeah! much better than getting something put in my chest for several weeks and risking infection with it. I will not lose any of my hair, but I will probably get nausea and have exploding diarrhea.... doesn't that sound fun. But they are prescribing some anti nausea meds for me and I can take Imodium D (have stockpiled a few bottles already). Took one more blood test to Friday morning down at the VA then have a Chest CT scan on Sun. Then I just have to wait for the doctor to tell me when I begin the treatment. I am thinking it will probably be around April 23rd. Could be off on the date, but should be close.
Getting close to getting this thing taken care of.
They mentioned the chemo pills to me in the beginning but my insurance didnt buy it. Though the port didnt bother me much it did take ingenuity to get a shower done hehehe, so at least you dont have to deal with that!
I finished treatments 10 days ago and have turned the corner feeling much better. You sound like a very determined lady who can laugh, that is so going to serve you well!! You will get through it faster than you think. Remember keep the fluids coming, the instant breakfast was great for me. Gatorade is also great if the diarhhea starts and they have a drink with protien that I used when treatments stopped as you need the protien to help heal.
I was able to work through the first 2 weeks from home without much problem then went out on short term disability to be able to just concentrate on me and what my body needed. The 4th week I began to really feel it and by the last week I was pretty zapped. Naps are your friend, rest when you need to.
Pattie, you're in my prayers. Like some one told me "it's time to kick some cancer butt!!!!" I am cheering for you!
Randy0 -
Hi Pattie!Pattie13 said:Update
Met with the chemo Dr. on Thur. Found out what they have planned for me is that I won't have to do a few days of chemo, and get a port in my chest. Rather I will have one treatment of Mitomyicin intravenously on the day I start my radiation. And then I will just have to take 2 pills a day on my radiation treatment days (Capecitabine). Yeah! much better than getting something put in my chest for several weeks and risking infection with it. I will not lose any of my hair, but I will probably get nausea and have exploding diarrhea.... doesn't that sound fun. But they are prescribing some anti nausea meds for me and I can take Imodium D (have stockpiled a few bottles already). Took one more blood test to Friday morning down at the VA then have a Chest CT scan on Sun. Then I just have to wait for the doctor to tell me when I begin the treatment. I am thinking it will probably be around April 23rd. Could be off on the date, but should be close.
Getting close to getting this thing taken care of.
I'm glad you have a plan and tentative start date for your treatment. I know you are anxious to get started and get it over with. I hope the CT scan shows everything is okay in that region. As for the exploding diarrhea, how well I remember it! Not fun, but it will only be for a short period of time, so try not to let it get you down. Good luck with everything and please keep us posted!0 -
Updaterds711 said:I know it feels good to finally get the plan down! The waiting for it all to come together was crazymaking for me!
They mentioned the chemo pills to me in the beginning but my insurance didnt buy it. Though the port didnt bother me much it did take ingenuity to get a shower done hehehe, so at least you dont have to deal with that!
I finished treatments 10 days ago and have turned the corner feeling much better. You sound like a very determined lady who can laugh, that is so going to serve you well!! You will get through it faster than you think. Remember keep the fluids coming, the instant breakfast was great for me. Gatorade is also great if the diarhhea starts and they have a drink with protien that I used when treatments stopped as you need the protien to help heal.
I was able to work through the first 2 weeks from home without much problem then went out on short term disability to be able to just concentrate on me and what my body needed. The 4th week I began to really feel it and by the last week I was pretty zapped. Naps are your friend, rest when you need to.
Pattie, you're in my prayers. Like some one told me "it's time to kick some cancer butt!!!!" I am cheering for you!
Randy
Thanks Randy! And Congrats on being 10 days done with the treatments. I wish you a speedy recovery period. My doctor said I should be able to work through most of the treatment so I am going to try. Going to get a donut pillow to help out at work. I have some pretty awesome people I work for, they are also good friends who started their own engineering company out of their home, so thats where we work from. She has been bringing me to all my dr. appts so far and has been great. They have also told me they want me to pack a bag and keep it at their place in their spare bedroom....just in case I don't feel well and can't drive home or need a nap....whatever. But they have been awesome....of course when I am awake they will probably try to put me to work...LOL.
I did find a Blue Bunny frozen yogurt with the active cultures in it...Yeah!!! I really hate the other yogurt as much as I try to mask the flavor it just tastes nasty to me. So I was excited about that.
Thanks again for your kind words. I am so glad that I found this site before I started treatmments. Have gotten some wonderful advice and tips from everyone.0 -
Hi Pattiemp327 said:Hi Pattie!
I'm glad you have a plan and tentative start date for your treatment. I know you are anxious to get started and get it over with. I hope the CT scan shows everything is okay in that region. As for the exploding diarrhea, how well I remember it! Not fun, but it will only be for a short period of time, so try not to let it get you down. Good luck with everything and please keep us posted!
Thank you so much for the well wishes. I hope the CT scan is clear too. I have a feeling it will be (knock on wood). Am stocked up on the Immodium-D so when I start getting the diarrhea I can take one. Got my anti-nausea pills today and should be getting the rest of my pain meds and anti-anxiety meds soon. Asked for something for anxiety to just take every once in a while... not a daily thing. Don't want to feel chilled out for several weeks. Just every once in a while I start thinking about things and I get a bit anxious....just need one for those times. Trying to get stocked up on all the comfort items I will need before I need them like the Charmin wet wipes.... those are the softest and I am sure I will be using those a bunch. Got a ton of Gatorade here, saltines and my protein drinks too.
Better to be prepared ahead of time. :-)
Hugs and Prayers to you mp327!0 -
Hi, Pattie... Hope your scanPattie13 said:Hi Pattie
Thank you so much for the well wishes. I hope the CT scan is clear too. I have a feeling it will be (knock on wood). Am stocked up on the Immodium-D so when I start getting the diarrhea I can take one. Got my anti-nausea pills today and should be getting the rest of my pain meds and anti-anxiety meds soon. Asked for something for anxiety to just take every once in a while... not a daily thing. Don't want to feel chilled out for several weeks. Just every once in a while I start thinking about things and I get a bit anxious....just need one for those times. Trying to get stocked up on all the comfort items I will need before I need them like the Charmin wet wipes.... those are the softest and I am sure I will be using those a bunch. Got a ton of Gatorade here, saltines and my protein drinks too.
Better to be prepared ahead of time. :-)
Hugs and Prayers to you mp327!
Hi, Pattie... Hope your scan is clear... Good for you, that you are getting stocked up on the imodium, etc... I still have a bottle in each bathroom and in my pill case in my purse... Also, keep the Tucks wipes near, they will be good for cleansing yourself... and the sitz bath will also be a comfort...
Be careful of the anxiety drugs and the anti-nausea meds... the anti-nausea can make you sleepy, so try not to take both within close range of each other... also, something about the gatorade... it can also damage the kidneys... try not to drink it exclusively... alternate it with water, nutrition drinks, etc... Try not to be anxious... We are all here for you to lean on and to vent to... Trust me, if you can laugh your way through this, you won't need the meds... I was on a serious regimen of aggressive chemo, and I didn't take any pain meds or any anxiety stuff... You have a great support group, both here and at home/work... rely on us all... And seriously, when your body says rest..then REST. Nothing is more important than you keeping up your strength and your nutrition.
The worst thing for me was the fatigue... I have worked many shifts in my career, many doubles and triple shifts with no sleep in between; and I'll tell you, those times were a piece of cake compared to the fatigue that came with my treatments... Sometimes I was too exhausted to even think about eating, or staying awake , or breathing. You may not get the same side effects, but just be prepared that the fatigue factor can be a kicker.
Okay, enough of that... Again, I hope all goes well with your scan, and that your treatments are a walk in the park for you... Keep us posted.
God bless.0 -
PattiePattie13 said:Hi Pattie
Thank you so much for the well wishes. I hope the CT scan is clear too. I have a feeling it will be (knock on wood). Am stocked up on the Immodium-D so when I start getting the diarrhea I can take one. Got my anti-nausea pills today and should be getting the rest of my pain meds and anti-anxiety meds soon. Asked for something for anxiety to just take every once in a while... not a daily thing. Don't want to feel chilled out for several weeks. Just every once in a while I start thinking about things and I get a bit anxious....just need one for those times. Trying to get stocked up on all the comfort items I will need before I need them like the Charmin wet wipes.... those are the softest and I am sure I will be using those a bunch. Got a ton of Gatorade here, saltines and my protein drinks too.
Better to be prepared ahead of time. :-)
Hugs and Prayers to you mp327!
Best of luck with your treatment! Sam's Club brand of baby wipes are great, too! My 9 month old great niece and I use the same kind - lol! Actually, I got her started on that brand. Sitz baths are nice. I don't now how many packages of ramen noodles I ate... Kind of wishing now that I had kept a journal. A few people suggested it, but maybe I didn't want to remember those days - lol!
Ann0 -
Baby WipesAZANNIE said:Pattie
Best of luck with your treatment! Sam's Club brand of baby wipes are great, too! My 9 month old great niece and I use the same kind - lol! Actually, I got her started on that brand. Sitz baths are nice. I don't now how many packages of ramen noodles I ate... Kind of wishing now that I had kept a journal. A few people suggested it, but maybe I didn't want to remember those days - lol!
Ann
Thanks Ann,
I am using the charmin wipes myself. Love them because they are flushable. I do have a sitz bath that I can put over the toilet. Started using that when I thought (and the doctor thought) I had hemorrhoids. I never really liked the Ramen noodles, but if they go down easier during the treatment, I may have to give them another look. Besides they are cheap and I really need to watch my pennies right now where I can.
I see you live in AZ. I myself live down here in Tucson. Great sunny state to live in. :-)
Prayers and Hugs
Pattie0
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