Chemo Updates

Jacjac2
Jacjac2 Member Posts: 44
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

Chemo #1 -  a very long day.  Saw doctor and then off to the infusion room.

Doctor visit - plan is 6 sessions, 1 every 3 weeks, then hormane therapy pills, 3 month check ups, repeat chemo as needed.  I asked about Stage again, at recurring cancer they dont really stage( but was told 4) and it is grade 2.  So this is basically a treatment plan, not a cure plan.  Is there a cure plan?  I asked about the hair loss, yep it will happen and within two weeks (was that what most of you had happen)?

Chemo -  Saline solution, benerdryl, nausea, taxol, carboplatin, saline solution drips.  Arrived at 8:15 AM and left at 5:45 PM.  

Day After - Very tired, slight headacke, just plan resting in chair.  Feel guilty, kitchen needs to be cleaned.  So I continue to sit. 

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    That's my course also

    Well except for the hormone pills.  Mines stage 3 grade 3 first time no recurrance (yett?).  Doctor doesn't say (and I didn't ask) if it's considered cure although I believe most of the ladies on this board say their doctors don't talk cure, just NED (no evidence of disease).  My first chemo was Dec 10th, didn't start losing my hair until just before my second chemo at 3 weeks.  The first one takes the longest because they want to start the chemo slow to make sure you don't have a reaction to it.  The rest will go slightly faster, mine are usually in my doctors office by 8:30, see the nurse around 9, go down to the infusion room from there, usually start getting chemo 10 or after, leave around 3:30 -4.  I gave up the guilty feelings about house, still feel kind of guilty about taking a day off from work when I'm not perky.  My boss sat down with me this morning though and told me he was worried they were working me to death.  He said he wanted to order me to take more time off, but I told him I'd go home on my own if I thought I needed to.  Maybe he just doesn't want me to keel over at work, but it's nice to know he wants me to take it easy.

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,483 Member
    #3
    (((Jacjac))) - don't feel

    (((Jacjac))) - don't feel guilty.  This is a tough row to hoe.  I have Stage II, Grade 3 UPSC and theoretically speaking, the total hysterectomy should have gotten all my cancer.  But, my doctor said when he cut into my uterus to remove it, stray cancer cells could have been released and were floating around my body just waiting to attach themselves to my lungs, liver, brain, etc.  So, he recommended six rounds of Taxotere and Carboplatin.  My chemo only took about two hours plus 15 minutes for the steroid at the beginning.  I did fine with the first two - several days of sickness afterwards, but chemo #3 almost killed me.  So....I'm hoping those three chemos were enough to kill off any leftover cells but, only time will tell. 

    I hope only for the best for you.  Lou Ann has been on maintenance for a long time just waiting for a cure to be discovered.  Keep posting and let us know how you're doing.  We ALL care!!

    Love,

    Eldri

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    #4
    Long infusions

    Jacjac, mine were long, too.  I don't think they ever lasted less than 4 1/2 hours, though none were as long as the first one.  The last ones took 3 hours for the taxol, 30 minutes for the carbo, and then there was the saline, Benadryl and Pepcid before. It did make for a long day when I had to go in at 9 for blood tests, see doc at 9:30 and then go on to infusion which was scheduled at least an hour after the doctor appointment.  Pretty much ate up the day.

    Oh, please do not feel guilty about the kitchen.  Your first responsibility is to yourself right now.  It's okay to let things slide a bit.

    And yes, about 2 weeks in is when my hair began to go.

    Chris

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    #5
    Editgrl said:

    Long infusions

    Jacjac, mine were long, too.  I don't think they ever lasted less than 4 1/2 hours, though none were as long as the first one.  The last ones took 3 hours for the taxol, 30 minutes for the carbo, and then there was the saline, Benadryl and Pepcid before. It did make for a long day when I had to go in at 9 for blood tests, see doc at 9:30 and then go on to infusion which was scheduled at least an hour after the doctor appointment.  Pretty much ate up the day.

    Oh, please do not feel guilty about the kitchen.  Your first responsibility is to yourself right now.  It's okay to let things slide a bit.

    And yes, about 2 weeks in is when my hair began to go.

    Chris

    jacjac

    Throw guilt out the window! And prepare yourself to require a lot of rest!

    Your body is going through a lot of hard things right now and it will take just about all of your energy to build it back up to prepare for the next hit.

    This is a process that has to be done. You didn't choose it. The dishes will wait. I sure hope you have some help. Please don't try to do this alone!

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    #6
    TeddyandBears_Mom said:

    jacjac

    Throw guilt out the window! And prepare yourself to require a lot of rest!

    Your body is going through a lot of hard things right now and it will take just about all of your energy to build it back up to prepare for the next hit.

    This is a process that has to be done. You didn't choose it. The dishes will wait. I sure hope you have some help. Please don't try to do this alone!

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

    Donswife

    Same message for you!!!! Please make sure you rest. And take time off when you need it.

    I cannot even imagine working when I went through chemo. You and the other ladies that continue to work amaze me.

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • giggs100
    giggs100 Member Posts: 91 Member
    #7
    In total agreement

    Right now we are fighting for our lives.  Not to worry about doing any cleaning.   Cindi I totally agree with you I can not imagine going into work during my chemo treatments.  Thank goodness I am retired so I can rest when treatment days are and for the next 4 days when it whoops my butt.  Because I am finding out that after the first treatment I wasn't too bad but along came treatment #2 and #3 and each one was the same as tiredness took over my body during infustion days and the 4 days following treatment and then each day I felt stronger until feeling normal in about 3 days following that.  Then had another week and half of almost feeling normal and now I will be going in again this coming Tuesday for my fourth treatment. My treatmens are 3 days each and the second and third days are my short days as I don't need taxol those days so they are  usually 3-1/2 hours.  Hopefully the next 3 treatments will be the same way and I can tolerate that.   My first day of treatment is always the long day.  Labs first, doctor appt. second and then infusion time begins with prelim meds, saline drip and then 3 hour Paclitaxel (taxol) followed up with mesna (15 min) drip and then Ifosfamide(Ifex) 1 hour drip followed up with short saline drip.  So depending when my infusion actually starts usually we get out of there 3:30 to 4 in the afternoon.  My hair actually started to fall out two weeks after start of day 1 of my first infusion.  I had already set my mind it was a small sacrifice if it meant I was helping to prolonging my life.  If it never grows back like some of the women are saying I will have to adjust to that.  But please don't feel guilty about not keeping up with house work it won't run away.

    But keep us posted as to how you are doing and if you have any other questions.  You have a HUGE support system here to help you here.

    Jerri

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