second round of chemo question

My second round was definitely more difficult than my first.  I had no appetite and thrush in my mouth, diarrhea and major fatigue.  I realize that some of these side effects were probably in part due to the radiation.  But the effects from both are cumulative, at least they were for me.

There was no difference for me between the first and second round of chemo. I did not have major issues with either round.

Mike

everyone is different as you can tell from the comments. Up until the 2nd round of chemo everything was going smooth until the last day.  I was unhooked on a Friday.

it started to hurt to urinate.   i P'd into  a cup to keep the urine off my "area" and had a cold tissue ready to place on the uretha when I was done.  the burning came through the uretha.  Just had to grin and bare it   --DRINK LOTS OF WATER to dilute the chemicals coming out of your body! 

The itching wasn't as bad at this point, I was itching worse a bit before this, but I used Benadryl and that helped the itching so I could at least sleep.  

The pain from being raw in my "area" was helped from Dr giving me a stronger dose of the hyrdrocodones.  I used these sparingly (but was sure to use before I went to bed)

Over the weekend, I just stayed on the couch with gown on and a sheet to cover me.  I used the sitz bath with 2 TBSP Epsom Salts and sat there for 15 min. several X a day  I then went to the couch and applied a cold cloth soaked in Domboro to the area for 10 min.  "air dried" and then applied the silvadene.

Monday was Christmas Eve and I forced myself to get up, take a shower, get dressed  to hang with Family & Friends for a few hours.  (Made sure to have my bag of tricks with me when I left the houae LOL) Came home and I crashed.  I continued my "routine" for almost a week, by New Years Eve I was feeling much better and I ventured out of the house.  

I also drug myself out of the house the day after Christmas because I was suppossed to have a RAD TX but the Dr said things down there needed a break.  (Dr gave me a week off)

I completed my RAD TX Yesterday and I took today off of work to do NOTHING!  

The funny thing is, now that I look back on it, I can remember how **** I felt, but------I DID IT, It is DOABLE!  WE are strong and we will heal---the most important thing is to get this cancer OFF of us! (that is what I told myself everytime I got on that table, "Get it off of me")

Best wishes for a speedy recovery -- Drink lots of water!!!!!!

XO 

I had a PIIC line put in twice for my two rounds of chemo. I was never nauseous due to the patch and pills, minimum hair loss. Other than feeling tired it went very good for me. I did have problems with radiation.

mp327 said:

Round 2

My second round was definitely more difficult than my first.  I had no appetite and thrush in my mouth, diarrhea and major fatigue.  I realize that some of these side effects were probably in part due to the radiation.  But the effects from both are cumulative, at least they were for me.

I am just wondering why you have second rounds of chemo, I thought you did the six weeks of radiotherapy/chemo, when is this second round and why?

regards

mp327 said:

Eliz3

The second round of chemo is typically done during week 5 of a 6-week rad/chemo treatment regime.  The purpose of the chemo is to make the cancer cells more susceptible to the effects of the radiation. 

My sister has a picc line in with a bottle attached 24/7 and 5 days a week, isn't that the chemo?  She did have a one off dose of mitomycin drug you all mention but she was told that would only be given once.  I wonder why she won't be getting the second round?