Jim is due for scans

Sending good wishes!
April... you know I'm sending you and Jim good wishes and whatever it takes to make this easier on Jim.

When you meet up with the oncologist to go over the results and what the next plan of action is... seriously, if the oncologist thinks he should remain on chemo and Jim insists he doesn't want to because it makes him too sick... ask the onc about splitting his dose up. As you all know, when I had my first treatment of Irinotecan a couple of weeks back, there were no words in the English language that I could use to explain just how sick I was. From nausea to severe diarrhea, incredible intestinal cramping/spasms, no ability to eat (couldn't keep anything down and anything that I did swallow triggered the intestinal cramping), difficulty in drinking (same responses). I was dehydrated, lightheaded and dizzy from not being able to eat/drink for 2 weeks out of the 3. Even with the stronger anti-side affect meds, I guess we didn't start them in time so there was no way to get the side affects under control. After just the ONE treatment, I was ready to throw in the towel... I could not live the next 6 months where I was that ill for 2 out of every 3 weeks.

Well, my oncologist agreed with me. Her belief is that no one should have to suffer... that we should have the right dose of chemo that is still strong enough to do the job, but that we do not have to suffer because of it. Sure, there may be some side affects as there can be for any medication... but they should be able to be easily managed with the proper anti-side affect meds... and it's a matter of finding which ones work best for each individual since we all are so different.

My schedule now is for the same amount of chemo (Irinotecan), but in smaller doses and more often. Instead of once every 3 weeks, I get slightly more than half/dose every 2 weeks. For the side affects, I get a shot of Atropine (prevents diarrhea) at the time of chemo infusion, the dexamethosone (nausea), Emmend (nausea) for three days, including the day of chemo, and 2 lomotil pills, twice/day. I had the chemo this past Tuesday.... and have not had one side affect all week. I've been out to the theatre, out shopping, and even out for dinner with friends... and had all my usual energy. No cramping, no nausea and no sign of diarrhea or any kind of stomach problems. It's as if I haven't even had chemo!

The difference is like night and day. If this is how my treatments are going to go from now on... then I could very easily do this for months and months and not bat an eye!

So, let Jim read this post. I know we probably aren't on the same kind of chemo... but this just goes to show, if you are taking a dose of chemo that is too strong for your system and you are having the horrors of being so sick each time, it might be a solution that is as simple as changing the schedule of how often you get it so that it can be adjusted. Maybe it doesn't work for everyone... but before giving up, it might be worth a try.

Cheryl