Chemo starts tomorrow - Update

TLG320
TLG320 Member Posts: 167
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all,

Well, my husband's chemo starts tomorrow. We opted to go with the Folfox. We already have his prescriptions for emend, zofran, and compazine (sp?). His infusion is scheduled for 9:30 and the home care nurse will come to our house tomorrow afternoon to hook up his port. He had his port implanted Friday afternoon and that went well. He's feeling good, and we're both eager to get this started with and get it OVER with! His oncologist offered to let him start in January, but we wanted to get it started as soon as possible. We've got his warm hats, scarves, and gloves ready since it's been quite cold here in Baltimore. His chemo nurse told him to expect that the cold would very likely hurt.

As always, prayers, good thoughts, and advice is very appreciated!

Hugs and well wishes to all!
Tashina

***********
So far, so good. No nausea, just tired and napping throughout the day. He's going to be unhooked at 4pm today. Hopefully the tiredness will subside soon. Thanks for all the positive thoughts and prayers :-)

Comments

  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #2
    Prayers on the way
    I will be praying that your husband does well with his treatment and that it goes by fast for him, but mostly that it will cure him and he will never have to go through this again. I will also pray for you, as a caregiver, you are such an important part of this whole journey, God bless you too.

    Keeping both of you in my prayers

    Beth
  • SandyL
    SandyL Member Posts: 218
    #3
    Been there
    just last year we were in the same boat. Husband had started his chemo treatments around
    Christmas last year. I hope your husband gets through the treatments with the very least amount of side effects. Be strong. God bless.
    Sandy
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #4
    Tashina, currently doing FOLFOX myself and chemo
    does seem worse in the winter (previously did chemo June/July with rad)because of the cold. Take it day by day as you won't know how your husband will react til its in him. They should test his blood prior to each treatment so you might want to ask for copy of results as immune system will definitely be compromised. Most other side effects (fatigue, nausea,loss of appetite, neuropathy in hands and/or feet,diahrrea, etc) vary in intensity and occurence with each individual as each cancer is unique in its way and responds differently to the chemo. Good luck and hope its with minimal side effects....Steve
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    #5
    Good Luck!
    I started chemo/radiation treatments last year in late November and finished that round on Dec 29. I was with you - get it started and don't wait. I hope he has an easy journey and a good holiday.

    Thank God for Caregivers! You have my deepest respect.

    Vicki
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #6
    Advice
    KEEP DRINKING lots of fluids - push them hard today and tomorrow. I say this just in case he starts having trouble in a few days. Better to stay ahead of the game.

    Make note of side-effects so he can work to minimize them for the next tx. For example, I've found that I get constipated day 2, 3 and 4, and then get diarrhea day 5. So now I take peri-colace (mild stool softener/laxative) before bed day 1, 2 and 3. It makes a big difference for me. Then I take Immodium on day 5 (but not until after a few "episodes" as I want to get as much of that out of me as I can, but don't want to get dehydrated).

    If you take note of what bothers him each day during each tx, although each cycle is different, you may see some patterns and some things you can do to make it better for each next cycle.

    Best of luck - I hope he has minimal side-effects.
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #7
    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    Advice
    KEEP DRINKING lots of fluids - push them hard today and tomorrow. I say this just in case he starts having trouble in a few days. Better to stay ahead of the game.

    Make note of side-effects so he can work to minimize them for the next tx. For example, I've found that I get constipated day 2, 3 and 4, and then get diarrhea day 5. So now I take peri-colace (mild stool softener/laxative) before bed day 1, 2 and 3. It makes a big difference for me. Then I take Immodium on day 5 (but not until after a few "episodes" as I want to get as much of that out of me as I can, but don't want to get dehydrated).

    If you take note of what bothers him each day during each tx, although each cycle is different, you may see some patterns and some things you can do to make it better for each next cycle.

    Best of luck - I hope he has minimal side-effects.

    Yep!
    Praying here!

    Agree ith Kathryn and would add in that you might need to plan ahead for the contipation. I had no diarrhea but was horribly constipated for days after chemo. OUCH

    You'll know more after his first few tx's.
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #8
    dianetavegia said:

    Yep!
    Praying here!

    Agree ith Kathryn and would add in that you might need to plan ahead for the contipation. I had no diarrhea but was horribly constipated for days after chemo. OUCH

    You'll know more after his first few tx's.

    Tashina!!
    I wish you well with you and your hubby going through the chemo, and taking care of him, you're wonderful being at his side through all this, and he will so love you more, I don't know what I'd do without my hubby taking care of me throughout these treatments, he can do this, and may have some hard times, or he may go through it with no problems, it's all in the "Rolling with the punches" that life and chemo brought me as well, but good luck and hope all goes well, and have a great holiday!

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • khl8
    khl8 Member Posts: 807
    #9
    Good Luck
    I finished the folfox in August and I got through it with a minimal of side effects. Somehow I managed to work full time while undergoing treatment. Keep the faith, save your strength and just get through it! It can be done. Will be thinking about you!
    Kathy

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