First Round of Chemo...

MChantal · May 2013

Was not as expected.

Kyle and I had suscepted there would be complications along the way through this battle. We were aware of this. However, I guess, not so soon.

Let me just start by, Kyle is okay and better. I am extremely grateful for that.

However,

His first chemo was on Monday (5/6/2013) in which it went well and dandy. He didn't experience any nausea or vomiting. I proceeded to take him home and he was in very good spirits. He ate a good lunch and took a nap. He woke up around 2:00PM and I checked his vitals. He had a temperature of 101.7 and was tachycardic at 160 BPM. He was not diaphoretic or sweating. So I called our oncologist and he stated to bring him in. By the time we got to the cancer center, the doctors checked him out and his temperature went down to 100.8 however, he was now at 180 BPM. We were sent to the ER by ambulance and upon arrival he was sent into a code room. The doctors and nurses were extremely concerned with his heart rate and attempted to bring it down. They got it down to 120 BPM by the usage of a medication (Cannot recall name). Yet, in the process of all of this, anxiety arose and Kyle had an anxiety attack (who wouldn't blame him when there is 6 nurses and a doctors surrounding him). So he became panic, coughing and couldn't breathe. Finally, he was administered Ativan, myself making him breathe in and out through his nose and talking with him. He began to relax as his heart rate lowered down to 100-110 BPM. They admitted Kyle into the Cardiac unit were he was monitored. He was alert and orientated during all of this.

It was an extremely scary situation. Not cool, at all.

They discharged us yesterday (5/8/2013). Thankfully, he has sinus tachycardia due to the high fever which lead to dehydration and ultimately resulting in the tachycardia. The anxiety and adrenalin reforced that rapid heart rate. Yet, his heart rhythm looks good with no abnormalities. Thank you, God.

Could the Prednisone increase one's heart rate? This all was semi-apparent on Saturday when he started his dosage.

I hope this is about as bad as it. Thank goodness, my mother was there the whole time to make me stronger as well.

He finishes up his first round of chemo today, tomorrow and a growth factor injection,Saturday. Than i can finally say FIRST ROUND DOWN. 5 TO GO!

Just wanted to catch you, my family up with the latest and greatest. I am dealing much better with all of this, so to say, and am extremely thankful that his heart is pumping like it should and beaming with unconditional love.

Other than this, Kyle is being as positive as he can be. All he wants to do is go to a baseball game; 50 cent hotdog night on June 15th. Thats what we are striving for.

illead · May 2013

Sheesh you guys!

Talk about high maintenance! How scary. So sorry you had to go through that. It sounds like it was a seperate issue than the chemo, thank goodness. You guys have really been through it. Let's just hope it is uphill from here. Don't know about the prednisone, it can do strange things (we all have tales). Maybe someone else is familiar with the one you describe (again.....Sheesh!). Other than that temporary detour you both sound as though you are getting a handle on this whole thing and getting on with your lives in as normal a manner as possible. That makes us all relieved and happy. We worry about you. Thank you so much for continuing to share. We hope the 2nd half of chemo goes better. Good thing Kyle has such a good nurse. Hope he makes it to the game, that's the best medicine. Tell him I'm an ol lady on a fantasy league with nine young guys and I'm in 5th place and I don't have a clue what I'm doing! Thinking of you, Becky

MChantal · May 2013

illead said:
Sheesh you guys!
Talk about high maintenance! How scary. So sorry you had to go through that. It sounds like it was a seperate issue than the chemo, thank goodness. You guys have really been through it. Let's just hope it is uphill from here. Don't know about the prednisone, it can do strange things (we all have tales). Maybe someone else is familiar with the one you describe (again.....Sheesh!). Other than that temporary detour you both sound as though you are getting a handle on this whole thing and getting on with your lives in as normal a manner as possible. That makes us all relieved and happy. We worry about you. Thank you so much for continuing to share. We hope the 2nd half of chemo goes better. Good thing Kyle has such a good nurse. Hope he makes it to the game, that's the best medicine. Tell him I'm an ol lady on a fantasy league with nine young guys and I'm in 5th place and I don't have a clue what I'm doing! Thinking of you, Becky

Hi Becky

When I read your posts, it always gives me a smile and a sense of comfort. Thank you. I told Kyle what you had said and he had to laugh. Good for you, for sticking it out with the fantasy league, I don't think I would be able to understand at all! Haha. I am trying to get Kyle to join this forum and I know he wants to. So maybe in time, everyone will be able to meet my amazing fiance and find out why he is so special.

I am sticking to the positive that it will be uphill from hill. Positive thoughts and continous prayer. Never underestimate the power of prayer is definitely what I am understanding.

jimwins · May 2013

Hi Michelle and Kyle

Gosh - I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. Hopefully they will get to the bottom of it and can tweak his medications (chemo or prednisone or add something to the mix) so he doesn't go through that again. Kyle is more than welcome here. Tell him I'll make him laugh at some point . I hope he gets to eat $2.00 worth of hot dogs on June 15th. Anyway, you guys hang in there and thanks for sharing with us.

Hugs and happy hotdogs,

Jim

MChantal · May 2013

jimwins said:
Hi Michelle and Kyle
Gosh - I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. Hopefully they will get to the bottom of it and can tweak his medications (chemo or prednisone or add something to the mix) so he doesn't go through that again. Kyle is more than welcome here. Tell him I'll make him laugh at some point . I hope he gets to eat $2.00 worth of hot dogs on June 15th. Anyway, you guys hang in there and thanks for sharing with us.

Hugs and happy hotdogs,

Jim

Hi Jim

Haha! Last year, Kyle ate like $4.00 worth hot dogs! Crazy boy! Needless to say, his tummy was not feeling the greatest than. Haha.

Thanks Jim, for the constant support. Truly appreciate it!

allmost60 · May 2013

MChantal said:
Hi Jim
Haha! Last year, Kyle ate like $4.00 worth hot dogs! Crazy boy! Needless to say, his tummy was not feeling the greatest than. Haha.

Thanks Jim, for the constant support. Truly appreciate it!

Hi Michelle,
I'm so sorry

Hi Michelle,

I'm so sorry Kyle went through so much on his first round. Prednisone really did a number on me during my chemo rounds. I would get short of breath at the slightest of phsical activity, heart would race, pounding in my ears, terribly anxious and moody, which in turn all of this kept me in a panicky state for the entire 5 days I had to take it. I couldn't sleep either...maybe 3 to 4 hours a night if I was lucky, and it wasn't a restful sleep. My Oncologist cut my dose of Prednisone to 60mg a day instead of the 100mg he had first planned on giving me. I don't think my body could have survived a 100mg dose...seriously. When I think back to my chemo days, I can truely say the prednisone was the worst part for me. Maybe you can ask his doctor to lower his dose and see if he does better on the next round. Let us know how things go, and I'll keep you both in my prayers. Kyle is just too young to have to go through this...just breaks my heart for both of you. Hang in there dear...Much love...Sue

(Follicular NHL-stg3-grd2-typA-Dx 6/10-age 62)

In Remission since April 2013

Rocquie · May 2013

Yikes! I think I would have

Yikes! I think I would have had a panick attack too. I'm so sorry y'all had to go through all that--how draining. I hope the rest of Kyle's treatment is going smoothly. I had some, shall we say, trial and error at the beginning of my treatment. But once they got my "formula" down, it was pretty smooth sailing from then on, until my remission in February.

Thanks for keeping us posted so we can keep the prayers and well wishes going.

Rocquie

anliperez915 · May 2013

Hi Michelle

Hi Michelle,

Really sorry that you guys had to go through that. That just goes to show you that everybody is different and not everybody has the same reactions. I also had a horrible experience on my first treatment and it was only Rituxan, after 5 min of starting Rituxan I got a horrible pain in my lower back area, it felt like my bones were going to break, (I'm ashamed to say it) but started to cry like a little girl lol! I told the nurse and they stopped the treatment, called my Onc and he went to check up on me and then gave me some heavy pain medicine (Can't remember the name). Now I always get that pain medicine plus others as well. After that I would get some new reaction with every treatment and on my fourth treatment I was just so tired that I slept through the whole treatment. I'm almost done with my treatment, this July will be my fourth round and then I'm done Yay!!!

Hang in there sweetie and stay strong . Sending you both lots of positive thoughts and prayers

Sincerely,

Liz

MChantal · May 2013

allmost60 said:
Hi Michelle,
I'm so sorry
Hi Michelle,

I'm so sorry Kyle went through so much on his first round. Prednisone really did a number on me during my chemo rounds. I would get short of breath at the slightest of phsical activity, heart would race, pounding in my ears, terribly anxious and moody, which in turn all of this kept me in a panicky state for the entire 5 days I had to take it. I couldn't sleep either...maybe 3 to 4 hours a night if I was lucky, and it wasn't a restful sleep. My Oncologist cut my dose of Prednisone to 60mg a day instead of the 100mg he had first planned on giving me. I don't think my body could have survived a 100mg dose...seriously. When I think back to my chemo days, I can truely say the prednisone was the worst part for me. Maybe you can ask his doctor to lower his dose and see if he does better on the next round. Let us know how things go, and I'll keep you both in my prayers. Kyle is just too young to have to go through this...just breaks my heart for both of you. Hang in there dear...Much love...Sue

(Follicular NHL-stg3-grd2-typA-Dx 6/10-age 62)

In Remission since April 2013

Hello Ms. Sue

Kyle definitely get's the "jitter-bugs" with Prednisone. His heart rate now goes between 115-125 BPM when he takes it. He doesn't like it at all, neither do I! Makes me nervous for him. So we are trying relaxtion techniques and I told him, he needs to start yoga. Haha, I can just see him now doing yoga. Haha. However, other than that when I attempt to talk him through the jitters he does fairly well and his heart rate tends to decrease to 110s BPM. He also states, "he hates the way it tastes." I have no idea how he is tasting it, yet, he is. He still, has done way better this week after our predicament Monday. And now I can say, ONE DOWN, five to go! Yay! Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts.

P.S.

I just saw, CONGRATS WITH REMISSION!!!! YAY!!!

I can't wait for the day that Kyle and I can screa that to the world.

MChantal · May 2013

Rocquie said:
Yikes! I think I would have
Yikes! I think I would have had a panick attack too. I'm so sorry y'all had to go through all that--how draining. I hope the rest of Kyle's treatment is going smoothly. I had some, shall we say, trial and error at the beginning of my treatment. But once they got my "formula" down, it was pretty smooth sailing from then on, until my remission in February.

Thanks for keeping us posted so we can keep the prayers and well wishes going.

Rocquie

Hi Rocquie

I agree, I hope that the rest of Kyle's treatments sail pretty smooth. I believe they will. Just like Sue, he states, he does not like the Prednisone at all. However, that is done for now, until the next time. Lol. Thank you for the prayers and wishes. I can't wait till be are just like you and in remission.

MChantal · May 2013

anliperez915 said:
Hi Michelle
Hi Michelle,

Really sorry that you guys had to go through that. That just goes to show you that everybody is different and not everybody has the same reactions. I also had a horrible experience on my first treatment and it was only Rituxan, after 5 min of starting Rituxan I got a horrible pain in my lower back area, it felt like my bones were going to break, (I'm ashamed to say it) but started to cry like a little girl lol! I told the nurse and they stopped the treatment, called my Onc and he went to check up on me and then gave me some heavy pain medicine (Can't remember the name). Now I always get that pain medicine plus others as well. After that I would get some new reaction with every treatment and on my fourth treatment I was just so tired that I slept through the whole treatment. I'm almost done with my treatment, this July will be my fourth round and then I'm done Yay!!!

Hang in there sweetie and stay strong . Sending you both lots of positive thoughts and prayers

Sincerely,

Liz

Hi Liz

Hi Liz! That is so true, that everyone responses so differently with treatment. However, yay for you!!! And, almost finished with your Rituxan treatment. That is so exciting!!!

Kyle and I were driving the other day and were talking about this whole situation going on. It is crazy that at this present time, this whole cancer "sha-na-agains" feels like a lifetime however, it acutally reality it is a moment in time. I am sure you can agree that at the beginning of your treatment you felt like this was going to last forever and yet, you are almost done with this and hopefully, foreverrrrrr. I pray for that, for you.

Thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers. We definitiely can feel them, from everyone.

One thing I have for sure learned, never underestimate the power of prayer.

Many hugs,

Michelle

fullyloved · May 2013

MChantal said:
Hi Liz
Hi Liz! That is so true, that everyone responses so differently with treatment. However, yay for you!!! And, almost finished with your Rituxan treatment. That is so exciting!!!

Kyle and I were driving the other day and were talking about this whole situation going on. It is crazy that at this present time, this whole cancer "sha-na-agains" feels like a lifetime however, it acutally reality it is a moment in time. I am sure you can agree that at the beginning of your treatment you felt like this was going to last forever and yet, you are almost done with this and hopefully, foreverrrrrr. I pray for that, for you.

Thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers. We definitiely can feel them, from everyone.

One thing I have for sure learned, never underestimate the power of prayer.

Many hugs,

Michelle

Drs were worried about the tachycardia?

Wish mine would have been about my tachycardia! For at least 2 months, I had a heart rate anywhere between 120 and 160 (that was before I had chemo; tumor was in my chest putting pressure on my heart, and heart was working overtime to get enough blood through my one good lung) and every specialist/doctor I saw wasn't worried. They said, "You are young; your heart is strong and will handle it." Huh?? Whatever. I'm fine now, of course. One chemo treatment slowed it dramatically, and before long it was normal. I still wonder though if i'm gonna have any long term heart damage.

girliefighter · June 2013

Checking in

Michelle,

Checking in to see how you and your partner in crime are doing. .50 hotdog night is quickly approaching, I hope you will be able to take part in it. Kyle being on the prednisone should allow him to crush his record from last year, If he still has an appetite. I am hoping this finds you both healthy and smiling.

Keep us updated

XXXOOO

Carie

jimwins · June 2013

girliefighter said:
Checking in
Michelle,

Checking in to see how you and your partner in crime are doing. .50 hotdog night is quickly approaching, I hope you will be able to take part in it. Kyle being on the prednisone should allow him to crush his record from last year, If he still has an appetite. I am hoping this finds you both healthy and smiling.

Keep us updated

XXXOOO

Carie

Weiner day approaches...

Hi Michelle - reiterating Carie's comments. Hot dog day is amost here! He might want to go easy on the acidic condiments though to protect his mouth . Would love to hear from you guys.

Hugs,

Jim

illead · June 2013

jimwins said:
Weiner day approaches...
Hi Michelle - reiterating Carie's comments. Hot dog day is amost here! He might want to go easy on the acidic condiments though to protect his mouth . Would love to hear from you guys.

Hugs,

Jim

Oh that's right

I forgot about the date of baseball day, but I haven't forgotten about you guys. I should have inquired, so sorry. I have been worrying about you, but maybe a little "ignorance is bliss" attitude. We so hope Kyle is doing better and is able to make the game.. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. Don't feel pressured to write anything long, but we would love to know how he is doing.

Take very good care,

Becky

First Round of Chemo...

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