Day One of Induction is in the bag

jcortney
jcortney Member Posts: 503
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I know it won't always be this easy, but what a great way to start. You guys/gals were all spot on correct. Got there for a 9:00 AM at the lab, 9:45 with the Doc and 10:00 in the chair. Didn't get out till 4:30. So, on to the good stuff, here's what I got:

Cisplatin/Docetaxel and Fluorouracil (5-FU) in the pump on my hip for the next four days.

Mixed in were various bags of nausea drugs and fluids.

So far today, following Doc directions I've had 1 Emend and 2 Dexamethasone

Here's a funny quip, speaking with the nurse towards the end of the treatment she asked my what anti-nausea drugs I've taken and I told her the above. She looked at my list of what I had to take starting the next day and she said, "start them all tonight". I gave her a look and said "ah, this is the way the Doc said to take it". And she answered "honey, he diagnoses and prescribes them, I treat them. Based on how you are reacting, you have a great chance of getting though this with no side effects, stay ahead of your meds and take them tonight". Wonder who I'm listening to.

I'll let you folks know how I feel tomorrow, they tell me that will be the key day.

All the best,

Joe

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    I think Miss Nurse is right on the money
    on the nausea meds...my Oncologist gave a solid schedule for the meds, and wherever I was on the schedule when I got out of treatment that day, is where I'd pick up on the anti-nausea meds....never waited till tomorrow. :)

    The last 3 months of treatment I was doing the Cisplatin and then picking up my pump with the 4 days of 5FU...never did Docetaxel. Cisplatin treated rather kindly....5FU hated me for some reason....Hope it likes you better.

    You sound so good, Joe....upbeat and ready to fight the fight....GOOD!!

    p
  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    #3
    phrannie51 said:

    I think Miss Nurse is right on the money
    on the nausea meds...my Oncologist gave a solid schedule for the meds, and wherever I was on the schedule when I got out of treatment that day, is where I'd pick up on the anti-nausea meds....never waited till tomorrow. :)

    The last 3 months of treatment I was doing the Cisplatin and then picking up my pump with the 4 days of 5FU...never did Docetaxel. Cisplatin treated rather kindly....5FU hated me for some reason....Hope it likes you better.

    You sound so good, Joe....upbeat and ready to fight the fight....GOOD!!

    p

    Joe
    So glad today went well for you. I have to say re: nausea meds, I'd listen to the nurse. Not that the dr doesn't know what he's talking about but those nurses see it all and trust me they know!! I learned the hard way. Mine was more related to nausea from pain meds but they told me to do something a little different than the dr told me and I didn't listen, boy was I sick and sorry. Later the dr even admitted that he asks the RNs for advice all the time :-)
    Good luck to you and wish for smooth sailing for you!
    Take good care!
    Billie
  • jcortney
    jcortney Member Posts: 503
    #4
    phrannie51 said:

    I think Miss Nurse is right on the money
    on the nausea meds...my Oncologist gave a solid schedule for the meds, and wherever I was on the schedule when I got out of treatment that day, is where I'd pick up on the anti-nausea meds....never waited till tomorrow. :)

    The last 3 months of treatment I was doing the Cisplatin and then picking up my pump with the 4 days of 5FU...never did Docetaxel. Cisplatin treated rather kindly....5FU hated me for some reason....Hope it likes you better.

    You sound so good, Joe....upbeat and ready to fight the fight....GOOD!!

    p

    Thanks Phrannie
    I just couldn't see what any "Oh whoa is me" is going to do for me. From everything I read, chances are I did this to my self. So, it's up to me to meet it as strongly as I can. I still try and haggle with the doc, like today I told him that I was sure he could use something less ugly than the Platinum and his response was, "sure I could, but I'm not". Cracked me (and him) up.

    Thanks for always cheering me (and everyone else) up. It's great to hear from you.


    J.
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #5
    jcortney said:

    Thanks Phrannie
    I just couldn't see what any "Oh whoa is me" is going to do for me. From everything I read, chances are I did this to my self. So, it's up to me to meet it as strongly as I can. I still try and haggle with the doc, like today I told him that I was sure he could use something less ugly than the Platinum and his response was, "sure I could, but I'm not". Cracked me (and him) up.

    Thanks for always cheering me (and everyone else) up. It's great to hear from you.


    J.

    Great to hear Joe...
    One day close to NED!!! :)



    Tim
  • blackswampboy
    blackswampboy Member Posts: 341
    #6
    cancer humor
    always good to hear. :-)
    your positive attitude will take you far.

    good luck with Day Two and onward...
  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #7
    first day
    Hi Joe,

    Well I’ve looked at the words you used (this easy, funny quip, honey) and I have to say “you are taking the correct meds” how else to explain your witty, alert and happy first day of infusion.

    Stay on top of issues as they occur, ask questions.

    Best,

    Matt
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #8
    Day 1
    Sounds like your day went well...as for the nurse listen to her; my 2 onco nurses Pan and San what wonderful people, they were always available for questions, concerns and just encouragement. They will forever have a special place in my heart, for just them being them.

    Linda
  • jcortney
    jcortney Member Posts: 503
    #9
    CivilMatt said:

    first day
    Hi Joe,

    Well I’ve looked at the words you used (this easy, funny quip, honey) and I have to say “you are taking the correct meds” how else to explain your witty, alert and happy first day of infusion.

    Stay on top of issues as they occur, ask questions.

    Best,

    Matt

    If I'm not lookin' up, I'm
    "how else to explain your witty, alert and happy first day of infusion"

    If I'm not lookin' up, I'm lookin' down. And down just ain't where I want to be.

    Hey, maybe I can be a country western song writer.......... That's it, that's what I'll do. I'll write a killer song, jump on a plane and go to Nashville and within a day have a six figure contract from one of the REALLY big stars. I'll come out in just a few weeks and fly to the top of the charts. I'll be invited to the Country Western Music Awards and meet Kelly Pickler and find out it's not an act, she really is dumb as a rock. At that moment, with my bubble burst I wake up and find out it was only a Chemo Induced Haze... I'm so bummed.

    J
  • blackswampboy
    blackswampboy Member Posts: 341
    #10
    osmotar said:

    Day 1
    Sounds like your day went well...as for the nurse listen to her; my 2 onco nurses Pan and San what wonderful people, they were always available for questions, concerns and just encouragement. They will forever have a special place in my heart, for just them being them.

    Linda

    Pan and San?
    Pan and San? are they twins?
    nurses are tops in my book.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #11
    Hyration - Chemo Class 102
    OK, day one down....

    Now you need to stay super hydrated, you don't want to get into the loop of under hydration.

    More than likely you won't have anything else untiol you go in on Friday for the 5FU pump removal and more than likely hydration.

    Also, they might give you an injection next Monday of something like Neulasta. It's to help keep your blood counts up...in the bone marrow.

    If you are like me and most, around the 2-3rd day after that injection. You'll have some bone pain, similar to the flu..not bad, just unexpected.

    But then again, they might not do that at your facility.

    The EMEND is awesome..., I never got sick during all nine weeks of treatment.

    Best,
    John
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #12
    blackswampboy said:

    Pan and San?
    Pan and San? are they twins?
    nurses are tops in my book.

    LOL
    They could have been aliens for all that it mattered,wonderful and from the bottom of my heart they will always be a special part of my life, they embraced me as well as my family. These ladies and all the nurses who work with cancer patients, cause they see everything, are such supportive and caring folks.

    As for pan & san..LOL..I type faster than what I think

    Pam & San
  • jcortney
    jcortney Member Posts: 503
    #13
    Skiffin16 said:

    Hyration - Chemo Class 102
    OK, day one down....

    Now you need to stay super hydrated, you don't want to get into the loop of under hydration.

    More than likely you won't have anything else untiol you go in on Friday for the 5FU pump removal and more than likely hydration.

    Also, they might give you an injection next Monday of something like Neulasta. It's to help keep your blood counts up...in the bone marrow.

    If you are like me and most, around the 2-3rd day after that injection. You'll have some bone pain, similar to the flu..not bad, just unexpected.

    But then again, they might not do that at your facility.

    The EMEND is awesome..., I never got sick during all nine weeks of treatment.

    Best,
    John

    Thanks John
    Now moving over to day two post...

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