Troops!! Need your help

Captain11 said:

My radiation started in July
My radiation started in July 2009, but due to dr error, I didn't get my port until after I started radiation ,so my chemo started the 2nd week of rad. The 1st day of chemo, I got the mitomycin infusion at the cancer clinic, then went home for the 96 consecutive hours of the 5fu, then continued on radiation for 31 treatments (m - f), but mine were only about 5 minutes long. Then the 5th week, I had the same amounts of chemo. After my radiations were done, I got my pet scan in Sep 2009, which showed my cancer had spread. I had a dr with a terrible bedside manner...I got a second opinion and a different onc who has a great bedside manner. My news was not good, but, he encouraged me and gave me hope. He has had people beat this, so, I just followed his advice. I started a new chemo regimen in October/November. Cysplatin (chemo drug) with magnesium and potassium infusions along with lasix, because the cyplatin can be lethal and/or do some serious damage to the kidneys. The cysplatin was in the clinic and I went home for now 120 consecutive hours of 5fu. My treatments were supposed to be every 3 weeks, which was fine for the 1st and 2nd, but by the 3rd, my blood counts were falling, so I had to get bone marrow shots, to build up the white blood count. If the blood counts are not right, it is to dangerous to get the chemo, (infections can set in in a hurry). so, my treatments got delayed a week. After that treatment, I got weaker each time, lost more weight, and got so fatigued, I didn't have the strength to even think about eating, so I was spiraling downward. I asked the onc if he could lower my dosage and maybe spread out my treatments to at least 4 weeks, maybe even 5 weeks, because I was so weak... and it took an extra week for me to start to gain my strength before the next round zapped it out again. This chemo was really cumulative. I didn't think I was going to make it. I mentioned to the doc that if I felt this bad, how would I have the strength to fight. He agreed with me, and lowered my dosage to 4 days of 5fu and spread it out to 4 weeks, 5 if I needed it. I made it through and completed my treatments in March 2010. I have been clear since. My onc is very pleased with my results. "tx" means treatments. All of us experience different things with the chemo and radiation. keep the faith and you will be fine. Keep us posted as to your progress. We are all here for you and are praying for you. god bless