Sick of Chemotherapy

ANAHA
ANAHA Member Posts: 10
in Lung Cancer #1
Please excuse my spelling I’m originally from Spain and sometime my English is not up to part
I was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2011 you can imagine my shock is like someone pronounce a dead sentence. Cancer is such a terrible word. The tumor was found only in the middle lobe only. I had surgery on Sep 6th and supposedly they remove everything. I begin chemotherapy in October that is the problem I have never feel so tired in my life, I’m a very active person but the only thing I’m doing is sleep. Because of the chemotherapy my white blood cells are non-existing so I have to take Neupogen which makes my bones hurt and makes me very sick. Anyway I had enough of this and felling the way I do, I have two more treatments after the one today, and I’m thinking that I may not complete the series. By the way they want to give me radiation I’m not sure if I will do that. That’s anyone feels like I do?

Comments

  • AlanRinHBG
    AlanRinHBG Member Posts: 121
    #2
    Treatments
    Hi Anaha, I think we all feel that way in the beginning. Always ask the chemo nurses to help you with the nausea. They have ways to help you avoid that. For me, I got a total of 35 chemo treatments in 6 months time. It got tough but I was committed to finishing the prescribed plan. I knew it was only a short chunk out of my life to get through. That was over 2 years ago next week. It's tough I know but you can do it. You can win the fight against cancer.( If I was in Spain, no one would understand my Spanish, you're doing great.)
  • Ex_Rock_n_Roller
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller Member Posts: 281 Member
    #3
    Many of us have felt the way you do
    Anaha, I would encourage you to continue with the treatments as long as you are able. Many of us have gone through combined chemotherapy and radiation, and while it can be very exhausting and discouraging at the time, it is worth it in the end. Also, you are fortunate in having been able to have surgery, and I would think your chances are good with radio and chemo added to it. The docs want to make absolutely sure they attack this thing as thoroughly as possible, and you WILL feel better when it is completed.

    ¡Que luche con fuerza, y que todo le vaya bien!
  • mamacita5
    mamacita5 Member Posts: 254 Member
    #4
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    Many of us have felt the way you do
    Anaha, I would encourage you to continue with the treatments as long as you are able. Many of us have gone through combined chemotherapy and radiation, and while it can be very exhausting and discouraging at the time, it is worth it in the end. Also, you are fortunate in having been able to have surgery, and I would think your chances are good with radio and chemo added to it. The docs want to make absolutely sure they attack this thing as thoroughly as possible, and you WILL feel better when it is completed.

    ¡Que luche con fuerza, y que todo le vaya bien!

    YOU CAN DO IT!
    Please consider taking your final treatments. You have an excellent chance of beating this awful beast if you finish your chemo and have your radiation. The radiation is much easier to tolerate than the chemo. I worked all the way through my radiation. I had my radiation late in the day, and went right to bed when I got home. I was able to get up and go to work with out any problem by the next day. Best wishes for successful treatment! Keep us updated.
  • AlanRinHBG
    AlanRinHBG Member Posts: 121
    #5
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    Many of us have felt the way you do
    Anaha, I would encourage you to continue with the treatments as long as you are able. Many of us have gone through combined chemotherapy and radiation, and while it can be very exhausting and discouraging at the time, it is worth it in the end. Also, you are fortunate in having been able to have surgery, and I would think your chances are good with radio and chemo added to it. The docs want to make absolutely sure they attack this thing as thoroughly as possible, and you WILL feel better when it is completed.

    ¡Que luche con fuerza, y que todo le vaya bien!

    espanol,steve.
    show off
  • Ex_Rock_n_Roller
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller Member Posts: 281 Member
    #6
    AlanRinHBG said:

    espanol,steve.
    show off

    Dang, Alan!
    You're onto me! ;-)
  • ANAHA
    ANAHA Member Posts: 10
    #7
    AlanRinHBG said:

    Treatments
    Hi Anaha, I think we all feel that way in the beginning. Always ask the chemo nurses to help you with the nausea. They have ways to help you avoid that. For me, I got a total of 35 chemo treatments in 6 months time. It got tough but I was committed to finishing the prescribed plan. I knew it was only a short chunk out of my life to get through. That was over 2 years ago next week. It's tough I know but you can do it. You can win the fight against cancer.( If I was in Spain, no one would understand my Spanish, you're doing great.)

    Thank you
    for your comforting words. So what stage of lung cancer you had?
    Ana
  • ANAHA
    ANAHA Member Posts: 10
    #8
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    Many of us have felt the way you do
    Anaha, I would encourage you to continue with the treatments as long as you are able. Many of us have gone through combined chemotherapy and radiation, and while it can be very exhausting and discouraging at the time, it is worth it in the end. Also, you are fortunate in having been able to have surgery, and I would think your chances are good with radio and chemo added to it. The docs want to make absolutely sure they attack this thing as thoroughly as possible, and you WILL feel better when it is completed.

    ¡Que luche con fuerza, y que todo le vaya bien!

    gracias
    Luchare con fuerza!
  • ANAHA
    ANAHA Member Posts: 10
    #9
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    Many of us have felt the way you do
    Anaha, I would encourage you to continue with the treatments as long as you are able. Many of us have gone through combined chemotherapy and radiation, and while it can be very exhausting and discouraging at the time, it is worth it in the end. Also, you are fortunate in having been able to have surgery, and I would think your chances are good with radio and chemo added to it. The docs want to make absolutely sure they attack this thing as thoroughly as possible, and you WILL feel better when it is completed.

    ¡Que luche con fuerza, y que todo le vaya bien!

    gracias
    Luchare con fuerza!
  • ANAHA
    ANAHA Member Posts: 10
    #10
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    Many of us have felt the way you do
    Anaha, I would encourage you to continue with the treatments as long as you are able. Many of us have gone through combined chemotherapy and radiation, and while it can be very exhausting and discouraging at the time, it is worth it in the end. Also, you are fortunate in having been able to have surgery, and I would think your chances are good with radio and chemo added to it. The docs want to make absolutely sure they attack this thing as thoroughly as possible, and you WILL feel better when it is completed.

    ¡Que luche con fuerza, y que todo le vaya bien!

    gracias
    Luchare con fuerza!
  • ANAHA
    ANAHA Member Posts: 10
    #11
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    Many of us have felt the way you do
    Anaha, I would encourage you to continue with the treatments as long as you are able. Many of us have gone through combined chemotherapy and radiation, and while it can be very exhausting and discouraging at the time, it is worth it in the end. Also, you are fortunate in having been able to have surgery, and I would think your chances are good with radio and chemo added to it. The docs want to make absolutely sure they attack this thing as thoroughly as possible, and you WILL feel better when it is completed.

    ¡Que luche con fuerza, y que todo le vaya bien!

    gracias
    Luchare con fuerza!
  • ANAHA
    ANAHA Member Posts: 10
    #12
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    Many of us have felt the way you do
    Anaha, I would encourage you to continue with the treatments as long as you are able. Many of us have gone through combined chemotherapy and radiation, and while it can be very exhausting and discouraging at the time, it is worth it in the end. Also, you are fortunate in having been able to have surgery, and I would think your chances are good with radio and chemo added to it. The docs want to make absolutely sure they attack this thing as thoroughly as possible, and you WILL feel better when it is completed.

    ¡Que luche con fuerza, y que todo le vaya bien!

    gracias
    Luchare con fuerza!
  • ANAHA
    ANAHA Member Posts: 10
    #13
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller said:

    Many of us have felt the way you do
    Anaha, I would encourage you to continue with the treatments as long as you are able. Many of us have gone through combined chemotherapy and radiation, and while it can be very exhausting and discouraging at the time, it is worth it in the end. Also, you are fortunate in having been able to have surgery, and I would think your chances are good with radio and chemo added to it. The docs want to make absolutely sure they attack this thing as thoroughly as possible, and you WILL feel better when it is completed.

    ¡Que luche con fuerza, y que todo le vaya bien!

    Gracias
    Luchare con fuerza!
  • ANAHA
    ANAHA Member Posts: 10
    #14
    mamacita5 said:

    YOU CAN DO IT!
    Please consider taking your final treatments. You have an excellent chance of beating this awful beast if you finish your chemo and have your radiation. The radiation is much easier to tolerate than the chemo. I worked all the way through my radiation. I had my radiation late in the day, and went right to bed when I got home. I was able to get up and go to work with out any problem by the next day. Best wishes for successful treatment! Keep us updated.

    Thank you

    Thank you for your encouraging words. So what stage of lung cancer you had?
  • AlanRinHBG
    AlanRinHBG Member Posts: 121
    #15
    ANAHA said:

    Gracias
    Luchare con fuerza!

    Buenos dias Anaha
    Hi Anaha, Mine was inoperable stage 4 with met to spine. I also did concurrent radiation with the chemo. So can you.
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #16
    mamacita5 said:

    YOU CAN DO IT!
    Please consider taking your final treatments. You have an excellent chance of beating this awful beast if you finish your chemo and have your radiation. The radiation is much easier to tolerate than the chemo. I worked all the way through my radiation. I had my radiation late in the day, and went right to bed when I got home. I was able to get up and go to work with out any problem by the next day. Best wishes for successful treatment! Keep us updated.

    I agree....
    I agree with all the others that you should reconsider finishing your treatment. It may seem tough and impossible to continue but we all felt that way at one time or another during our treatment. Giving it all they've got is the best way to go and in my opinion gives you the best chance of survival.

    Anita - it's so nice to see you on again. I was talking with a friend on facebook this week and she was asking about you. Now I can relax because I know you are still doing well. Hope you have a wonderful and healthy new year!!

    Stay strong,
    Glenna
  • gayletaps
    gayletaps Member Posts: 26
    #17
    I have one more treatment left
    I understand exactly what you are going through to a point. I was diagnosed with Stage 2 in August, had my middle lobe removed in September and was scheduled to 4 months of Chemo. My first Chemo did a number on my kidneys, and I also ended up in the hospital for dehydration. My second chemo crashed my white blood cells and ended up in the hospital from a zero white cell count. So now I am on my 3rd session and I take my neupogen shots at home so I won't crash again. One more treatment left and am not about to quit now.

    Remember the chemo follow up is to kill any hiding cells. My opinion is you don't want to be in a position in the next year(s) with it coming back and wondering if you had finished your treatment, maybe things would be different. Also, remember it increases your survival rated by at least 15 percent. Hang in there.

    As far as your bones hurting, I get it. It is very very uncomfortable and painful. However, I find that Claritan (andantihistamine) along with Tylenol works incredibly well. Hang in there.

    Gayle
  • Happy22
    Happy22 Member Posts: 18
    #18
    Too Tired but fighting the fight
    My Husband has lung cancer stage 4 - right lung - in the spine too. Diagnosed in July but probably has had it a couple of years. We feel for you.
    He has had 10 radiations which stopped the pain on the vertebrey in his spine. Radiation went well for him.
    Now completed 4 chemos and a ct scan last week - waiting for results.
    His biggest help has been to drink 3 Boost shakes daily as he is losing weight - also Gatoraid for electrolytes.
    He is very tired too. He does small things around the house daily to try to build
    strength. The anti naausea drugs help alot. His blood work has been fairly good, but he makes himself eat 3-5 times daily - anything he can get down - mostly chicken soup, jello, canned fruits and 2-3 srambled eggs at least once daily - no appetite and nothing tastes like it should. It has kept his weight from dropping drastically and he is not anmeic either. The Flintstone vitamins have iron and he chews one daily.
    Please, don't give up! Life is God's gift to us each day. We try to find something good about each day. May God bless you in this difficult journey.
  • Sandblaster
    Sandblaster Member Posts: 17
    #19
    We understand
    Anaha, I know how you feel. I was so sick and couldnt stand for days after each chemo cycle. I had days where I just needed a cool, dark quiet room to sleep. Chemo will end one day and best case....killed the cells within you. If you quit before they are done, it may be your life ending. Just keep reminding yourself that you can do anything for one day, that you wouldnt want to have to do the rest of your life!!!! I had 2, RML also. Had lobe removed and all 5 lymph nodes involved. My onch said no radiation because there was no tumor left. Im interested why your onch. wants to do radiation. What is he going to radiate????
  • iola_s_mom_is_so_brave
    iola_s_mom_is_so_brave Member Posts: 16
    #20
    My mom is about to take Chemotherapy
    oh...then I am really anxious. She was diagnosed with lung cancer stage 4 at the very begining this year. Now I am worrying if she is able to handle Chemotherapy...My mom is not a strong woman...She is a housewife...I go work everyday can't really stay with her all the time.

    P.S. You English is really fine. I am a Chinese, you are much better than me :-)

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