week one down, five to go

qv62

Very thankful to have the weekend off from treatment, I didn't think I would have any side effects week one but I have been overwhelmed with fatigue, had a bit of nausea and loss of appetite. I am generally going like the bionic bunny, have a cast iron stomach and never lose my appetite so I didn't think I'd be hit by the side effects. Having off this weekend has made a world of difference. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

eihtak

qv62.....

I was like you.....go, go, go and gut of steel! By week 3 fatigue, nausea, and forcing myself to take a few bites here and there had become the standard. 3 years later, although I choose to eat certain foods, not much disagrees with me and have a great appetite along with more energy than most my "healthy" family and friends!!

Know that this down time is temporary, and keep checking off those days till your on the go again, but for now, rest and let your body do what it needs to. Enjoy your weekend as well.

katheryn

mp327

qv62

I am a lot like you--I've always been energetic and have a ferocious appetite.  Fatigue, nausea and waning appetite all hit me during week one, which I wasn't expecting at all.  It's hard for people like us to not be ourselves, but it's only temporary, so for now, listen to your body and give it what it needs--rest and nutrition (in whatever way you can).  Try to get protein with every meal or snack, as it promotes healing.  Take care and please keep us posted.

TraceyUSA

qv62

I was glad to see your post when I got online today....I was thinking about you and wondering how things were going.

Same here, I love to eat and an never lost my appetite before but I did during treatment.  I had to force myself to eat.  Make sure you drink lots of water and fluids.  I did not have the nausea and I attribute that to the Zofran that they gave me along with the chemo and a pill to take 2X daily.   If you feel tired, rest - that's when your body heals.

Sending positive thoughts and prayers to you!

 

judyv3

QV62

I have to agree with the others here.  It is very important to hydrate and eat what you can when you can.  I ate many egg sandwiches and peanut butter.  This is not the time to push through and try to be a hero.  Rest and focus on healing.

We are with you in spirit!

z

QV62

For my 1st day of chemo I had my friend, her son and my mom come over and we ate pizza. But the rest of the week I didn't like anything but chicken noodle soup.  I should have taken the nausea medication, but only took it once.  I rested a lot.  I did lose 20 lbs but I did eat everyday whatever I wanted which was primarily soup.  I could afford the weight lost as I was overweight.  I have since gained all plus some back.  Do what your body tells you to do, this is a short treatment plan and before you know it, it will be done and you will be on your way to healing.  I didn't have to work for the month of treatment so I was fortunate but returned to work when treatment was over and gradually regained all my stamina.  I wish you well. Lori

qv62

To All

thank you for the comments and encouragement, started off strong for week 2 and then started to fade towards the end again with the fatigue, I logged on today to the site and tried to post some replies but my eyes are heavy so I am signing off, will keep you posted

Lifeiwumoi

qv62 said:

To All

thank you for the comments and encouragement, started off strong for week 2 and then started to fade towards the end again with the fatigue, I logged on today to the site and tried to post some replies but my eyes are heavy so I am signing off, will keep you posted

U r doing exactly what you should be doing

Dear QV62  - You are doing exactly what you should be doing...listen to your body. It's all about you right now! When you need to rest rest! 

jcruz

qv62 said:

To All

thank you for the comments and encouragement, started off strong for week 2 and then started to fade towards the end again with the fatigue, I logged on today to the site and tried to post some replies but my eyes are heavy so I am signing off, will keep you posted

stay rested

Rest, rest, rest.  

I'm pretty sure that's all I did beginning the first week.  The chemo wiped me out before the radiation began to have it's energy-sapping effect on me.

Do what you think is right for you, here and in the rest of your life.

Take care,

Janet

 

Captain11

fatigue...

qv62, Hi,   I was like you also... a big pasta eater, chocolate, tea, etc... but then WHAM!!! Lost my appetite, energy, nausea, tired, scared, all those things.... Just remember to keep your nutrition up as best as possible and believe it or not... keep laughing.  Laughter brings on the good endorphins which are truly necessary to fight off this disease.  Good luck to you in your treatments.  God bless.

 

qv62

Captain11 said:

fatigue...

qv62, Hi,   I was like you also... a big pasta eater, chocolate, tea, etc... but then WHAM!!! Lost my appetite, energy, nausea, tired, scared, all those things.... Just remember to keep your nutrition up as best as possible and believe it or not... keep laughing.  Laughter brings on the good endorphins which are truly necessary to fight off this disease.  Good luck to you in your treatments.  God bless.

 

To All

All good avice and very much appreciated, I welcome all the feedback as it makes my not so normal seem normal in this world. The first Sat off from treatment was wonderful so I expected this Saturday to be equal, much to my dissapointment I felt like crap all day and night, finally feeling better tonight and the party is over, back on the table tomorrow Trying to keep my chin up

mp327

qv62 said:

To All

All good avice and very much appreciated, I welcome all the feedback as it makes my not so normal seem normal in this world. The first Sat off from treatment was wonderful so I expected this Saturday to be equal, much to my dissapointment I felt like crap all day and night, finally feeling better tonight and the party is over, back on the table tomorrow Trying to keep my chin up

qv62

Heading into week 3 you should begin to feel a little better as your blood counts should go back up--not to "normal", but higher than they were at day 14.  The point at which the blood counts drop to the lowest point in a chemo cycle is called "Nadir" and that's where you are right now.  Take advantage of any little improvements over the next week to nourish your body and get plenty of rest so you can go into round 2 with as much steam as possible.  I hope week 3 will go well for you.  Please keep us posted.

qv62

mp327 said:

qv62

Heading into week 3 you should begin to feel a little better as your blood counts should go back up--not to "normal", but higher than they were at day 14.  The point at which the blood counts drop to the lowest point in a chemo cycle is called "Nadir" and that's where you are right now.  Take advantage of any little improvements over the next week to nourish your body and get plenty of rest so you can go into round 2 with as much steam as possible.  I hope week 3 will go well for you.  Please keep us posted.

mp327

Glad to hear they will go back up, I looked at the results from my bloodwork this past Thurs and everything was below normal range, red, white & platelets and thought yikes, what if they go lower ? I had an appt in the city yesterday after treatment and held up pretty well, I am hanging tough, was actually pretty hungry yesterday maybe all the walking and fresh air did me good

jcruz

qv62 said:

mp327

Glad to hear they will go back up, I looked at the results from my bloodwork this past Thurs and everything was below normal range, red, white & platelets and thought yikes, what if they go lower ? I had an appt in the city yesterday after treatment and held up pretty well, I am hanging tough, was actually pretty hungry yesterday maybe all the walking and fresh air did me good

bloodwork

My blood values went down after the first round of chemo and I got 2 shots of neupogen and they tanked after the second round of chemo.  I needed a transfusion plus 3 shots of neupogen.  So that a possibility to keep in mind.

Keep hanging tough,

Janet

qv62

jcruz said:

bloodwork

My blood values went down after the first round of chemo and I got 2 shots of neupogen and they tanked after the second round of chemo.  I needed a transfusion plus 3 shots of neupogen.  So that a possibility to keep in mind.

Keep hanging tough,

Janet

jcruz

I'll have my next bloodwork done on the 1oth so I'll be curious to see where I stand at that point, my chemo doctor is in Chicago at a cancer seminar this week so there was no visit today or bloodwork, so I'm guessing they'll do it next week ?

TraceyUSA

mp327 said:

qv62

Heading into week 3 you should begin to feel a little better as your blood counts should go back up--not to "normal", but higher than they were at day 14.  The point at which the blood counts drop to the lowest point in a chemo cycle is called "Nadir" and that's where you are right now.  Take advantage of any little improvements over the next week to nourish your body and get plenty of rest so you can go into round 2 with as much steam as possible.  I hope week 3 will go well for you.  Please keep us posted.

Martha

You never cease to amaze me with how knowledgable you are!  Nadir is a new term for me....very instersting.  Thank you so much for always sharing all that you know. 

TraceyUSA

qv62 said:

jcruz

I'll have my next bloodwork done on the 1oth so I'll be curious to see where I stand at that point, my chemo doctor is in Chicago at a cancer seminar this week so there was no visit today or bloodwork, so I'm guessing they'll do it next week ?

QV62

I watched my bloodwork the whole time too and it was never close to normal ranges until many weeks post treatment.  Even today (1 yr., 3 months after finishing treatment) some things are not normal but my oncologist says that's fine.  Eating protein and drinking lots of water will help you recover quicker. 

Continued thoughts and prayers for you!

mp327

TraceyUSA said:

Martha

You never cease to amaze me with how knowledgable you are!  Nadir is a new term for me....very instersting.  Thank you so much for always sharing all that you know. 

Tracey

You are very sweet, thank you.  However, I think most of the information in my brain consists of useless facts having nothing to do with cancer.  Once in awhile, just like one of those pigs in France, I pull out a truffle.    As always, I wish you the best!

pializ

mp327 said:

Tracey

You are very sweet, thank you.  However, I think most of the information in my brain consists of useless facts having nothing to do with cancer.  Once in awhile, just like one of those pigs in France, I pull out a truffle.    As always, I wish you the best!

MP327

Hi Martha, 

You are too modest! Although I don't post much on here these days,( back in work full time and helping my daughter and her boyfriend to renovate their new home) I check in from time to time. Your responses are so spot on! 

Liz

RoseC

pializ said:

MP327

Hi Martha, 

You are too modest! Although I don't post much on here these days,( back in work full time and helping my daughter and her boyfriend to renovate their new home) I check in from time to time. Your responses are so spot on! 

Liz

I so agree! Martha, you da man

I so agree! Martha, you da man (ermm, I should say 'da woman')!

mp327

RoseC said:

I so agree! Martha, you da man

I so agree! Martha, you da man (ermm, I should say 'da woman')!

LOL!

Thanks guys and gals!  LOL!  You both are very sweet.  Would you mind telling my husband that I know everything?