Question regarding timing of last does of chemo vs. last lose of radiation

Kwillis
Kwillis Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My husband has Stage III throat cancer, tongue primary source. He is finishing his seventh and final week of radiation. He had his 2nd high dose of cisplatin 8 days ago. He was admitted to the hospital 7 days ago, released three days later and we are back in the hospital again. I read a previous post from July regarding "vomiting--how long does it last" and he is going thru what "Fields of Golds" daughter experienced. Phenergan seems to stop the vomiting...well almost.

Anyway, he was supposed to have his third chemo the Tuesday following his last radiation treatment (Sept 8). His white blood cell count was 1.7 about 2 1/2 weeks ago and his 2nd chemo treatment was post-poned by one week. His third chemo would now be two weeks post radiation (9/15). Did anyone else have their last chemo a week or two after radiation?

Treatment is being administered at the University Hospital in Cincinnati. His radiology Dr. did not recommend chemo, not a fan. We obtained a 2nd opinion from the Cleveland Clinic. They strongly recommended the radiation and three doses of cisplatin. Our Dr. in Cincinnati is recommending that we not have the third does of cisplatin...surprise, surprise.

My husband feels absolutely horrible. He is in no condition to be making decisions about treatment at this point. I can tell you that he did say he didn't know if he could handle a third treatment. I hate the thought of a third treatment, but the only reason we didn't go to Cleveland is that we have young children and live four hours away. Cleveland said we would be fine at Cincinnati, but recommended the three doses of cisplatin.

Thoughts?

Comments

  • carolinagirl67
    carolinagirl67 Member Posts: 153
    #2
    Only Two
    Hello,

    My husband was scheduled to have three cisplatin with 35 rad. We have completed 22 rad treatments and only one cisplatin. They keep postponing his second cisplatin because of white cell count too. We are scheduled to have the second next wednesday. Our doctor's have eliminated the third cisplatin all together. My husband has tonsil cancer, stage 4. I am thinking if your husband is that sick then you may want to just go with the two. I was relieved that we were not going to have to do the third treatment. We did pretty good with the first cisplatin. I hope he doesn't get that sick with the second one. Keep us posted on his progress.

    God Bless, Donna
  • Kwillis
    Kwillis Member Posts: 5
    #3
    carolinagirl67 said:

    Only Two
    Hello,

    My husband was scheduled to have three cisplatin with 35 rad. We have completed 22 rad treatments and only one cisplatin. They keep postponing his second cisplatin because of white cell count too. We are scheduled to have the second next wednesday. Our doctor's have eliminated the third cisplatin all together. My husband has tonsil cancer, stage 4. I am thinking if your husband is that sick then you may want to just go with the two. I was relieved that we were not going to have to do the third treatment. We did pretty good with the first cisplatin. I hope he doesn't get that sick with the second one. Keep us posted on his progress.

    God Bless, Donna

    2nd Chemo
    Hi Donna,
    Have you had the 2nd chemo?
    Thanks,
    Kathy
  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #4
    In March of this year I was
    In March of this year I was diagnosed with stage 3 laryngeal cancer. The recommended treatment was 35 doses of radiation and 3 high doses of cistplatin. I never got sick from the cistplatin as I was given anti emetic drugs prior to the chemo. The drugs stopped the nausea and vomiting, the most significant drug was emend, this is somewhat new so you may have to ask for it. My second chemo was delayed a week but the third chemo went off on time. Denis
  • Kwillis
    Kwillis Member Posts: 5
    #5
    denistd said:

    In March of this year I was
    In March of this year I was diagnosed with stage 3 laryngeal cancer. The recommended treatment was 35 doses of radiation and 3 high doses of cistplatin. I never got sick from the cistplatin as I was given anti emetic drugs prior to the chemo. The drugs stopped the nausea and vomiting, the most significant drug was emend, this is somewhat new so you may have to ask for it. My second chemo was delayed a week but the third chemo went off on time. Denis

    Emend
    Did your emend come in a tri-fold pack? Mark takes emend prior to chemo. I almost wonder of the anti-nausea drugs are causing this mess. It seems that I can get him thru the day, but he gets sick every evening between 9-10:00 pm.
  • carolinagirl67
    carolinagirl67 Member Posts: 153
    #6
    Kwillis said:

    Emend
    Did your emend come in a tri-fold pack? Mark takes emend prior to chemo. I almost wonder of the anti-nausea drugs are causing this mess. It seems that I can get him thru the day, but he gets sick every evening between 9-10:00 pm.

    Second Chemo/Emend
    Kathy,

    We finished our 2nd chemo last Wednesday and we have only six more rads left. We are not having the third chemo and quite honestly I don't think my husband could handle it either. We take the emend (tri-fold) pack and also have three other anti-nausea medicine and he has not been queasy at all. I do not do any cooking in the house to help prevent any smells from triggering the nausea. I don't even brew coffee as that will send him over the edge. It is not too hard for me since our son is away at college and our daughter is a teenager and doesn't mind eating out. I know it is hard for you have four little ones and I feel for you. We use Zofran, Compazine and another anti-nausea that starts with a D, and he takes them all around the clock for at least the first 10 days after chemo. We also use the PEG and make sure he gets his nutrition that way. We use cans of Nestle nutrition supplement. He drinks gingerale a lot too. Hang in there and keep me updated on his progress. I will keep you in my prayers. The end is near!
    Donna
  • lyolan1
    lyolan1 Member Posts: 95
    #7
    carolinagirl67 said:

    Second Chemo/Emend
    Kathy,

    We finished our 2nd chemo last Wednesday and we have only six more rads left. We are not having the third chemo and quite honestly I don't think my husband could handle it either. We take the emend (tri-fold) pack and also have three other anti-nausea medicine and he has not been queasy at all. I do not do any cooking in the house to help prevent any smells from triggering the nausea. I don't even brew coffee as that will send him over the edge. It is not too hard for me since our son is away at college and our daughter is a teenager and doesn't mind eating out. I know it is hard for you have four little ones and I feel for you. We use Zofran, Compazine and another anti-nausea that starts with a D, and he takes them all around the clock for at least the first 10 days after chemo. We also use the PEG and make sure he gets his nutrition that way. We use cans of Nestle nutrition supplement. He drinks gingerale a lot too. Hang in there and keep me updated on his progress. I will keep you in my prayers. The end is near!
    Donna

    chemo/rads
    Hi Kathy, How arethings going? It sounds like you are both doing okay. Your husband is drinking and swallowing with only 6 treatments left? that's great. I have done Erbitux instead of cisplatin because of the decreased toxicity. I felt alittle woozy Saturday and still have a little left over. So far, 1 chemo, and 1 rad. I get Erbitux every Friday for 6-7 weeks, and 33 rads total. I really want to know how your husband is making out toward the end. I need to work as long as possible. going to the Pats-Bills game with my son tonight. alex.
  • jkinobay
    jkinobay Member Posts: 298 Member
    #8
    lyolan1 said:

    chemo/rads
    Hi Kathy, How arethings going? It sounds like you are both doing okay. Your husband is drinking and swallowing with only 6 treatments left? that's great. I have done Erbitux instead of cisplatin because of the decreased toxicity. I felt alittle woozy Saturday and still have a little left over. So far, 1 chemo, and 1 rad. I get Erbitux every Friday for 6-7 weeks, and 33 rads total. I really want to know how your husband is making out toward the end. I need to work as long as possible. going to the Pats-Bills game with my son tonight. alex.

    At the game tonight.....
    Do us a favor..........stand up and wave so we will know which one is you on MNFL.

    Assuming you are a Bills fan? Good luck..............take care and enjoy time with your son. JK
  • carolinagirl67
    carolinagirl67 Member Posts: 153
    #9
    lyolan1 said:

    chemo/rads
    Hi Kathy, How arethings going? It sounds like you are both doing okay. Your husband is drinking and swallowing with only 6 treatments left? that's great. I have done Erbitux instead of cisplatin because of the decreased toxicity. I felt alittle woozy Saturday and still have a little left over. So far, 1 chemo, and 1 rad. I get Erbitux every Friday for 6-7 weeks, and 33 rads total. I really want to know how your husband is making out toward the end. I need to work as long as possible. going to the Pats-Bills game with my son tonight. alex.

    chemo/rads
    Hey Alex,

    My husband is scheduled for 35 rads, he has five left. He worked until the fourth week of treatment. He is not in any pain, just soooo tired. He is still drinking by mouth. He only uses the PEG because food taste so bad. He is glad he has the peg because he doesn't have to force himself to eat but he could if he wanted to. His throat and mouth does not hurt and he hasn't taken pain medicine in weeks. Mostly he drinks ensure, eats popsicles, and drinks alot of gingerale and water. We supplement with canned food in the PEG three times a day for extra nutrtion. Last week he had soup several nights. I hope you have the success we have had. I just wish there was something we could do about his low energy level, but time will take care of that. Take it one day at a time and I know you will be fine. Good Luck.
    Donna

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