hearing loss and chemo drugs

legendsdaughter
legendsdaughter Member Posts: 30
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
Dad has stage iv nsclc & his ONC asked him about his hearing before he starts chemo.
He told her that certain tones he can't hear, but I think its worse than that.
I read that cisplatin &/or carboplatin can cause hearing loss. Before he starts any chemo, shouldn't he be very up front w/the dr. as to the extent of his heaing impairment.
Does anyone out there have any experience with hearing loss & these drugs? Can the dr. either lessen the amount of the drug administered or use something else? Would the hearing be lost completely or would it just get worse than it already is?
I know that there are side effects to everything & you have to weigh the options with respect to killing the cancer & destoying some healthy cells in the process.
«1

Comments

  • kind123
    kind123 Member Posts: 8
    #2
    hearing loss
    I experienced some hearing loss with chemo. It has gotten better over time. I mostly have trouble with certain tones such as beepers, alarm clock, thermometer, that sort of thing. So far mine has been tolerable.

    You may want to see if your dad can get in a trial for IIIB and IV lung cancer patients. I would get in it but it is for IIIB and IV only. I hope and pray I never reach that point. It is a drug called Lucanix by NovaRX. They are having astounding results with it. Your dad may want to consider it, he can check with his doc to see if it is available in your area. This is a phase III study so they have already tested it extensively. Look it up on the Internet and see if it is an option for your dad. Good luck and best wishes.
  • mercey
    mercey Member Posts: 33
    #3
    hearing loss
    Hi.. I had stage three inoperable lung cancer ,diagnosed terminal April 14 2008. As you can see I am still here and I just have to say I give God all the Glory .I gave it to Him and my Drs agree,I should not be here.So this is my way of sharing ..miracles still happen... I did have aggressive treatments and it has damaged my hearing { cisplatin } and {carboplatin} your dad should tell the dr. about his hearing problem but it may not affect his hearing.Everyone is different.I did not get the nerve damage most people expierience in thier hands and feet,or did I get a sore mouth.But I did have bad digestive issues.Another luxery of cisplatin.Just tell him to be honest with the dr.They do have ways of making treatments easier or changing them if they get to be too much.But my hearing loss and all the noise inside my ears is nothing compared to having my life!! I am 54 and prayerfully have many more years ahead.. prayers to your family P.S. I am praying for my ears to get better as well.Will keep you informed...
  • pkaz53
    pkaz53 Member Posts: 84
    #4
    mercey said:

    hearing loss
    Hi.. I had stage three inoperable lung cancer ,diagnosed terminal April 14 2008. As you can see I am still here and I just have to say I give God all the Glory .I gave it to Him and my Drs agree,I should not be here.So this is my way of sharing ..miracles still happen... I did have aggressive treatments and it has damaged my hearing { cisplatin } and {carboplatin} your dad should tell the dr. about his hearing problem but it may not affect his hearing.Everyone is different.I did not get the nerve damage most people expierience in thier hands and feet,or did I get a sore mouth.But I did have bad digestive issues.Another luxery of cisplatin.Just tell him to be honest with the dr.They do have ways of making treatments easier or changing them if they get to be too much.But my hearing loss and all the noise inside my ears is nothing compared to having my life!! I am 54 and prayerfully have many more years ahead.. prayers to your family P.S. I am praying for my ears to get better as well.Will keep you informed...

    hearing loss
    I am six years out of treatment for SCLC no surgery but did 4 rounds of chemo (cisplatin and etoposide) in combination with radiation to the chest then PCI to the brain. I still have significant hearing loss from the chemo and several other side effects but it is sure better then where I could have ended up.
    I am 56 years old I have a beautiful family, work full time and am thankful for each and every day that I am alive. I also give praise to God, I am a two cancer survivor Bladder in 2001(23cm tumor removed)still have my own bladder and SCLC 2003.
    Best wishes to all I will surely keep you in my prayers.
  • mercey
    mercey Member Posts: 33
    #5
    pkaz53 said:

    hearing loss
    I am six years out of treatment for SCLC no surgery but did 4 rounds of chemo (cisplatin and etoposide) in combination with radiation to the chest then PCI to the brain. I still have significant hearing loss from the chemo and several other side effects but it is sure better then where I could have ended up.
    I am 56 years old I have a beautiful family, work full time and am thankful for each and every day that I am alive. I also give praise to God, I am a two cancer survivor Bladder in 2001(23cm tumor removed)still have my own bladder and SCLC 2003.
    Best wishes to all I will surely keep you in my prayers.

    etoposide and cisplatin
    Hi there.. was so happy to hear what a wonderful survivor story you have.I pray you continue to do well.I also had aggressive chemo with cisplatin and etoposide and radiation on the same days..I did and still have a lot of digestive problems as far as acid reflux from the treatments.At one point I could not even swallow my own saliva ..I was also inoperable.The swallowing improved alot since Oct.2009..my last chemo treatment.But I still have to stay on meds for acid reflux which can get really painful still.Did you have this problem? God Bless you!!
  • pkaz53
    pkaz53 Member Posts: 84
    #6
    mercey said:

    etoposide and cisplatin
    Hi there.. was so happy to hear what a wonderful survivor story you have.I pray you continue to do well.I also had aggressive chemo with cisplatin and etoposide and radiation on the same days..I did and still have a lot of digestive problems as far as acid reflux from the treatments.At one point I could not even swallow my own saliva ..I was also inoperable.The swallowing improved alot since Oct.2009..my last chemo treatment.But I still have to stay on meds for acid reflux which can get really painful still.Did you have this problem? God Bless you!!

    hearing loss
    Hello Mercey, thank you for your kind words. I did have acid reflex problems for some time.
    I was receiving the same type of radiation that you probably had, twice daily in combo with chemo I was supposed to do 30 treatments but hit the wall at 24 --my esophagus was burnt and my chest felt like it was on fire I could not eat or drink anything and swallowing my saliva was so hard it brought tears to my eyes.I was taken to the hospital and a blood clot was found in my lung which was treated with heparin shots to the stomach and was on blood thinners for a year the good news was that my tumor was shrinking I finished my chemo and radiation, did PCI to the brain. I'm still here six years later.

    Mercey you are a survivor,I pray also that you continue to do well,remember always, that God loves you -take care and be well--
  • mercey
    mercey Member Posts: 33
    #7
    pkaz53 said:

    hearing loss
    Hello Mercey, thank you for your kind words. I did have acid reflex problems for some time.
    I was receiving the same type of radiation that you probably had, twice daily in combo with chemo I was supposed to do 30 treatments but hit the wall at 24 --my esophagus was burnt and my chest felt like it was on fire I could not eat or drink anything and swallowing my saliva was so hard it brought tears to my eyes.I was taken to the hospital and a blood clot was found in my lung which was treated with heparin shots to the stomach and was on blood thinners for a year the good news was that my tumor was shrinking I finished my chemo and radiation, did PCI to the brain. I'm still here six years later.

    Mercey you are a survivor,I pray also that you continue to do well,remember always, that God loves you -take care and be well--

    acid reflux
    Thank you for answering my post.I was wondering if you had any problems with chest pain and any esophagus pain now.Or even a year after chemo.If I don't stay on prevecid the heartburn and acid still gets so bad .Right now I am having chest pain which feels like angina and I am going for testing Monday for the heart.But before that pain started I had bad acid refluxing into my throat two different nights which was worse than normal but i really forgot to take the prevecid for a few days.I am hoping this is esophagus related opposed to heart but either way the chest pain is very uncomfortable.More of an aching across the top.Knowing what cisplatin itself can do to the heart and radiation ..I was wondering if you had any of this a year or so after or if your reflux is all gone.Or do you expierience chest pain.I am sorry to write you again but you had the same treatments I had so I am as we all all ,looking for maybe a ..this is still normal..Although I all ready know we are all different.I am out of chemo a year so I am wondering if you still have the reflux or any discomfort from all the treatments. God Bless you also. Jill
  • pkaz53
    pkaz53 Member Posts: 84
    #8
    mercey said:

    acid reflux
    Thank you for answering my post.I was wondering if you had any problems with chest pain and any esophagus pain now.Or even a year after chemo.If I don't stay on prevecid the heartburn and acid still gets so bad .Right now I am having chest pain which feels like angina and I am going for testing Monday for the heart.But before that pain started I had bad acid refluxing into my throat two different nights which was worse than normal but i really forgot to take the prevecid for a few days.I am hoping this is esophagus related opposed to heart but either way the chest pain is very uncomfortable.More of an aching across the top.Knowing what cisplatin itself can do to the heart and radiation ..I was wondering if you had any of this a year or so after or if your reflux is all gone.Or do you expierience chest pain.I am sorry to write you again but you had the same treatments I had so I am as we all all ,looking for maybe a ..this is still normal..Although I all ready know we are all different.I am out of chemo a year so I am wondering if you still have the reflux or any discomfort from all the treatments. God Bless you also. Jill

    acid reflex
    I have no problems with my esophagus and the acid reflex seemed to go away within 6 months after my treatments, but at the time I do remember eating Tums like peanuts to put out the fire, although my mouth gets dry now I usually chew gum it seems to get more saliva going and helps with that.
    I do on occasion get chest pain, that will make me grab my chest the pain is intense but it subsides after a while---I had a joint replacement in my right shoulder last year and it was my right lung that had the tumor so at times there's related issues. As you are aware the cisplatin and radiation affected the heart so keep an eye on that.
    With the cold weather on the east coast where I live all my joints are aching and Uncle Arthuritis has paid me several visits. I have other issues from the PCI to the brain that I'm dealing with but all is good, my last cat scans are negative for cancer so we'll push through another day --Take care and be well -Paul
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member
    #9
    pkaz53 said:

    hearing loss
    Hello Mercey, thank you for your kind words. I did have acid reflex problems for some time.
    I was receiving the same type of radiation that you probably had, twice daily in combo with chemo I was supposed to do 30 treatments but hit the wall at 24 --my esophagus was burnt and my chest felt like it was on fire I could not eat or drink anything and swallowing my saliva was so hard it brought tears to my eyes.I was taken to the hospital and a blood clot was found in my lung which was treated with heparin shots to the stomach and was on blood thinners for a year the good news was that my tumor was shrinking I finished my chemo and radiation, did PCI to the brain. I'm still here six years later.

    Mercey you are a survivor,I pray also that you continue to do well,remember always, that God loves you -take care and be well--

    Hi
    Hi Pkaz53 and Mercey, sounds like I had pretty much the same treatment you guys had. Just last week I had my first check-up scans (treatment ended in March09). Haven't got the results yet (they re-scheduled my appt. from Jan.11 to Jan. 28, that was lovely) I've decided to give myself a clean bill of health haha.
    My hearing loss is evident but I thought the cause of it was the PCI. Drives me crazy. I had stomach problems before treatment, but they seem to be worse, especially at night, doubling over pain. My esophagus burned from the radiation but is better now. The weird thing is that during treatment I had no problem. Go figure.
    The thing that bugs me most is chemo-brain. Half of the things I do each day are done bass-ackwards! My daughter keeps complaining that refridgerator items keep showing up in the cabinet! I'm absent minded and forget the silliest stuff. Oh well, as you said, it is better than the alternative!
    Take care!
    Medi
  • mercey
    mercey Member Posts: 33
    #10
    medi_2 said:

    Hi
    Hi Pkaz53 and Mercey, sounds like I had pretty much the same treatment you guys had. Just last week I had my first check-up scans (treatment ended in March09). Haven't got the results yet (they re-scheduled my appt. from Jan.11 to Jan. 28, that was lovely) I've decided to give myself a clean bill of health haha.
    My hearing loss is evident but I thought the cause of it was the PCI. Drives me crazy. I had stomach problems before treatment, but they seem to be worse, especially at night, doubling over pain. My esophagus burned from the radiation but is better now. The weird thing is that during treatment I had no problem. Go figure.
    The thing that bugs me most is chemo-brain. Half of the things I do each day are done bass-ackwards! My daughter keeps complaining that refridgerator items keep showing up in the cabinet! I'm absent minded and forget the silliest stuff. Oh well, as you said, it is better than the alternative!
    Take care!
    Medi

    Hi Medi
    I am sorry you are going through all this too.Cancer has affected alot of people in my family and it it a challenge to say the least.I am believing with you that you have a clean bill of health! I was diagnosed terminal and told I had 2 months- ? to live. That was 21 months ago and my last scan was Dec.11th and still cancer free! I have a strong faith in God and I have to give Him the Glory .My drs certainly have been amazed! Now for the after affects..I also got sicker after treatments.I also had alot of stomach aches during treatment but at one point they gave me a new chemo,can't think of the name and that one doubled me over for five nights just from the one treatment.I refused anymore of that one as it also made my hearing worse.And by that time my scans read clean.It was an insurance chemo.I refused any more treatments and continue to pray and believe God to continue this miracle.Now it is taking so long to come back from all the treatments and new things pop up such as this chest pain I am having now.I certainly don't want heart damage after all the fight through cancer.But I have so much to live for..as you do..as we all do..we just keep on believing and fighting.Chemo brain was and still is an issue for me but yours should get better.Mine has ..at first I could not use a computer for maybe 6 months because my brain just couldn't work that hard.I could not concentrate enough to figure out a new software for my camera and I really have not been back to work..it will be 2 years next month.I owned a beauty, tanning salon.I have done a few haircuts but chemo brain made it very difficult to use both hands, look in the mirror and create.I only do family hair now..due to all the chemicals in the shop and using my arms works the chest..on and on..Life is different but it is life!! Hang in there! The fact that we may have to put up with some side effects is a pain but when I look at my family..I just thank God for each moment I have with them. Prayers..JILL By the way..you haven't had any scans since you finished treatment until now?
  • pkaz53
    pkaz53 Member Posts: 84
    #11
    mercey said:

    Hi Medi
    I am sorry you are going through all this too.Cancer has affected alot of people in my family and it it a challenge to say the least.I am believing with you that you have a clean bill of health! I was diagnosed terminal and told I had 2 months- ? to live. That was 21 months ago and my last scan was Dec.11th and still cancer free! I have a strong faith in God and I have to give Him the Glory .My drs certainly have been amazed! Now for the after affects..I also got sicker after treatments.I also had alot of stomach aches during treatment but at one point they gave me a new chemo,can't think of the name and that one doubled me over for five nights just from the one treatment.I refused anymore of that one as it also made my hearing worse.And by that time my scans read clean.It was an insurance chemo.I refused any more treatments and continue to pray and believe God to continue this miracle.Now it is taking so long to come back from all the treatments and new things pop up such as this chest pain I am having now.I certainly don't want heart damage after all the fight through cancer.But I have so much to live for..as you do..as we all do..we just keep on believing and fighting.Chemo brain was and still is an issue for me but yours should get better.Mine has ..at first I could not use a computer for maybe 6 months because my brain just couldn't work that hard.I could not concentrate enough to figure out a new software for my camera and I really have not been back to work..it will be 2 years next month.I owned a beauty, tanning salon.I have done a few haircuts but chemo brain made it very difficult to use both hands, look in the mirror and create.I only do family hair now..due to all the chemicals in the shop and using my arms works the chest..on and on..Life is different but it is life!! Hang in there! The fact that we may have to put up with some side effects is a pain but when I look at my family..I just thank God for each moment I have with them. Prayers..JILL By the way..you haven't had any scans since you finished treatment until now?

    Hi Medi
    I hope all is well with you I like your positive attitude it will help carry you through your journey with cancer.
    We did have similar treatments I started my chemo and rads to chest for sclc in Sept 03 and finished with pci in March 04--
    Shortly after the pci I started to have some issues with my balance I had to learn how to walk again and I was having trouble with my memory I had a hard time putting two sentences together. In conversations with others my thoughts would vaporize into thin air,my hearing was affected too from the chemo-
    I'm six years away from treatments and still have memory issues I just had an MRI done on 12/29/09 to my brain I haven't had one since July of 03 and that turned out to be good I'm seeing a Neurologist for possible Scotoma, had some episodes with distorted images and will begin testing in Feburary with another Doctor for chemo brain.
    I hope all your recent testing comes back with good results stay on top of your Doctors ask a lot of questions push him for the answers.
    Take care Medi you are in my prayers,keep the faith---Paul
  • mercey
    mercey Member Posts: 33
    #12
    pkaz53 said:

    hearing loss
    I am six years out of treatment for SCLC no surgery but did 4 rounds of chemo (cisplatin and etoposide) in combination with radiation to the chest then PCI to the brain. I still have significant hearing loss from the chemo and several other side effects but it is sure better then where I could have ended up.
    I am 56 years old I have a beautiful family, work full time and am thankful for each and every day that I am alive. I also give praise to God, I am a two cancer survivor Bladder in 2001(23cm tumor removed)still have my own bladder and SCLC 2003.
    Best wishes to all I will surely keep you in my prayers.

    chemo??
    Hi again... One other thing I have never understood and was going to ask my dr. next visit, but thought I would ask you.You said you had four rounds of chemo.I never understand the rounds meaning.I had one day ,6 hr, both cisplatin and etopiside.Then the next 4 days just the etopiside, 4 hr treatments,all of which I then went to radiation afterwards.Week end off.Two more days of just 4 hr etoposide then eighth day the mixture cisplatin and etoposide, 6 hrs.Still radiation after.Then two weeks off of chemo but still did radiation,At the end of that two weeks I did the eight straight days same as first.my last treatment I had five more rad. treatments left and due to the esophagus burn had to wait two weeks to finish those last five. I had 33 radiation all together.What would be the rounds of my treatment?
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member
    #13
    mercey said:

    acid reflux
    Thank you for answering my post.I was wondering if you had any problems with chest pain and any esophagus pain now.Or even a year after chemo.If I don't stay on prevecid the heartburn and acid still gets so bad .Right now I am having chest pain which feels like angina and I am going for testing Monday for the heart.But before that pain started I had bad acid refluxing into my throat two different nights which was worse than normal but i really forgot to take the prevecid for a few days.I am hoping this is esophagus related opposed to heart but either way the chest pain is very uncomfortable.More of an aching across the top.Knowing what cisplatin itself can do to the heart and radiation ..I was wondering if you had any of this a year or so after or if your reflux is all gone.Or do you expierience chest pain.I am sorry to write you again but you had the same treatments I had so I am as we all all ,looking for maybe a ..this is still normal..Although I all ready know we are all different.I am out of chemo a year so I am wondering if you still have the reflux or any discomfort from all the treatments. God Bless you also. Jill

    Hi Jill!
    My tumor was very close to my esophagus and I was told that the radiation could cause slight damage to my heart. Every once in a while i feel what I call 'pinches' in the area of where the tumor was. 'Reminders' I call them ;).
    Medi
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member
    #14
    mercey said:

    Hi Medi
    I am sorry you are going through all this too.Cancer has affected alot of people in my family and it it a challenge to say the least.I am believing with you that you have a clean bill of health! I was diagnosed terminal and told I had 2 months- ? to live. That was 21 months ago and my last scan was Dec.11th and still cancer free! I have a strong faith in God and I have to give Him the Glory .My drs certainly have been amazed! Now for the after affects..I also got sicker after treatments.I also had alot of stomach aches during treatment but at one point they gave me a new chemo,can't think of the name and that one doubled me over for five nights just from the one treatment.I refused anymore of that one as it also made my hearing worse.And by that time my scans read clean.It was an insurance chemo.I refused any more treatments and continue to pray and believe God to continue this miracle.Now it is taking so long to come back from all the treatments and new things pop up such as this chest pain I am having now.I certainly don't want heart damage after all the fight through cancer.But I have so much to live for..as you do..as we all do..we just keep on believing and fighting.Chemo brain was and still is an issue for me but yours should get better.Mine has ..at first I could not use a computer for maybe 6 months because my brain just couldn't work that hard.I could not concentrate enough to figure out a new software for my camera and I really have not been back to work..it will be 2 years next month.I owned a beauty, tanning salon.I have done a few haircuts but chemo brain made it very difficult to use both hands, look in the mirror and create.I only do family hair now..due to all the chemicals in the shop and using my arms works the chest..on and on..Life is different but it is life!! Hang in there! The fact that we may have to put up with some side effects is a pain but when I look at my family..I just thank God for each moment I have with them. Prayers..JILL By the way..you haven't had any scans since you finished treatment until now?

    Scans
    Hi! I had one 6 weeks after treatment to see if the tumor was gone. That was in April.
    Medi
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member
    #15
    pkaz53 said:

    Hi Medi
    I hope all is well with you I like your positive attitude it will help carry you through your journey with cancer.
    We did have similar treatments I started my chemo and rads to chest for sclc in Sept 03 and finished with pci in March 04--
    Shortly after the pci I started to have some issues with my balance I had to learn how to walk again and I was having trouble with my memory I had a hard time putting two sentences together. In conversations with others my thoughts would vaporize into thin air,my hearing was affected too from the chemo-
    I'm six years away from treatments and still have memory issues I just had an MRI done on 12/29/09 to my brain I haven't had one since July of 03 and that turned out to be good I'm seeing a Neurologist for possible Scotoma, had some episodes with distorted images and will begin testing in Feburary with another Doctor for chemo brain.
    I hope all your recent testing comes back with good results stay on top of your Doctors ask a lot of questions push him for the answers.
    Take care Medi you are in my prayers,keep the faith---Paul

    Thanks Paul!
    Yes I have a little balance problem too, it doesn't help that I am a natural klutz. :)
    Let us know what the Docs say!
    Take Care!
    Medi
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member
    #16
    pkaz53 said:

    Hi Medi
    I hope all is well with you I like your positive attitude it will help carry you through your journey with cancer.
    We did have similar treatments I started my chemo and rads to chest for sclc in Sept 03 and finished with pci in March 04--
    Shortly after the pci I started to have some issues with my balance I had to learn how to walk again and I was having trouble with my memory I had a hard time putting two sentences together. In conversations with others my thoughts would vaporize into thin air,my hearing was affected too from the chemo-
    I'm six years away from treatments and still have memory issues I just had an MRI done on 12/29/09 to my brain I haven't had one since July of 03 and that turned out to be good I'm seeing a Neurologist for possible Scotoma, had some episodes with distorted images and will begin testing in Feburary with another Doctor for chemo brain.
    I hope all your recent testing comes back with good results stay on top of your Doctors ask a lot of questions push him for the answers.
    Take care Medi you are in my prayers,keep the faith---Paul

    Thanks Paul!
    Yes I have a little balance problem too, it doesn't help that I am a natural klutz. :)
    Let us know what the Docs say!
    Take Care!
    Medi
  • pkaz53
    pkaz53 Member Posts: 84
    #17
    medi_2 said:

    Thanks Paul!
    Yes I have a little balance problem too, it doesn't help that I am a natural klutz. :)
    Let us know what the Docs say!
    Take Care!
    Medi

    Thanks Medi
    Me too, I'm a klutz, I can trip over a stick in the woods:)

    I will keep all of you posted as to what the Docs say
    Be Well, Paul
  • pkaz53
    pkaz53 Member Posts: 84
    #18
    mercey said:

    chemo??
    Hi again... One other thing I have never understood and was going to ask my dr. next visit, but thought I would ask you.You said you had four rounds of chemo.I never understand the rounds meaning.I had one day ,6 hr, both cisplatin and etopiside.Then the next 4 days just the etopiside, 4 hr treatments,all of which I then went to radiation afterwards.Week end off.Two more days of just 4 hr etoposide then eighth day the mixture cisplatin and etoposide, 6 hrs.Still radiation after.Then two weeks off of chemo but still did radiation,At the end of that two weeks I did the eight straight days same as first.my last treatment I had five more rad. treatments left and due to the esophagus burn had to wait two weeks to finish those last five. I had 33 radiation all together.What would be the rounds of my treatment?

    chemo
    My cancer center is about 4 to 5 miles from my home so I didn't have to travel a great distance.
    A round is a completed course 1 of a series, for instance on Monday I arrived did blood work and then did Etoposide which took about 3hs,I returned on Tuesday and did cisplatin which took 4hrs, then on Wednesday I did etoposide again 3hrs.
    I was given a break of about three weeks and returned for a secound round or series of three consecutive days Etoposide then cisplatin and etoposide same as the first, but by the secound round I started radiation to the chest twice daily and on the days I was doing chemo I got the radatiation before and after the chemo--- boy was that tough -- and then given a 3 week break I was still doing the radiation it was then that I hit the wall and ended up in the hospital ---I'm actually shaking as I'm typing this just reliving this-- I did my 3rd round of chemo in the hospital same as the other two rounds --was sent home to lick my wounds and heal then about a month later I did my 4th round Monday -etoposide Tuesday cisplatin Wednesday etoposide and completed my series.

    I will say this I played football took many hits from our opponents,got into fights but never ever in my life was I taken to my knees and beat up like I was with the cancer it was the hardest thing I ever faced ----but I'm still here -
    Be Well Paul
  • mercey
    mercey Member Posts: 33
    #19
    pkaz53 said:

    chemo
    My cancer center is about 4 to 5 miles from my home so I didn't have to travel a great distance.
    A round is a completed course 1 of a series, for instance on Monday I arrived did blood work and then did Etoposide which took about 3hs,I returned on Tuesday and did cisplatin which took 4hrs, then on Wednesday I did etoposide again 3hrs.
    I was given a break of about three weeks and returned for a secound round or series of three consecutive days Etoposide then cisplatin and etoposide same as the first, but by the secound round I started radiation to the chest twice daily and on the days I was doing chemo I got the radatiation before and after the chemo--- boy was that tough -- and then given a 3 week break I was still doing the radiation it was then that I hit the wall and ended up in the hospital ---I'm actually shaking as I'm typing this just reliving this-- I did my 3rd round of chemo in the hospital same as the other two rounds --was sent home to lick my wounds and heal then about a month later I did my 4th round Monday -etoposide Tuesday cisplatin Wednesday etoposide and completed my series.

    I will say this I played football took many hits from our opponents,got into fights but never ever in my life was I taken to my knees and beat up like I was with the cancer it was the hardest thing I ever faced ----but I'm still here -
    Be Well Paul

    chemo { PAUL}
    thank you for explaining the rounds Paul.I know how you feel about cancer being the worse thing you have run in to.I never played football.ha..but I have been in a motocycle wreck,yes I was riding myself.. loved it and still miss it. But my husband was in front of me and decided to sight see and slowed down to look at something.We were on a gravel type road so my only choice not to slide was to try and pass him..As I was passing him on the left, he realizes what he had done, could not see me in his mirror and decided to move over to give me room if I was passing him..Only problem was..he moved to the left and we collided.My front wheel got locked in the side of his and I just remember thinking "This is going to hurt" And sure enough it did. HA! Luckily the worst part was my leg ...I had other minor injuries, but the leg was put back together with part of my hip bone, nuts, bolts,plates and screws.It is still crooked and that was 13 years ago.I was in a wheelchair 4 months.Crutches 4 months and took years to move my foot halfway properly.the nerve damage was excruciating and still acts up..as a matter of fact today was a bad day because of the weather change..all of this just to agree..I thought that was my big hit in life.Nine months out of work... But NOTHING compares with aggressive cancer treatments.. i am sorry i had you remember all of your treatment.I had to have a transfusion at the end of mine and I think like you..don't want to do all that again..You are in my prayers,never to see this demon again... Hugs, Jill
  • mercey
    mercey Member Posts: 33
    #20
    medi_2 said:

    Scans
    Hi! I had one 6 weeks after treatment to see if the tumor was gone. That was in April.
    Medi

    Hi Medi
    Was it a clean scan? And how in the world do you still run? That is awesome ! Of course I was a smoker so I couldn't run much before .Ha! But my pulmonary test came back and surprised all my drs.how good of lung funtion I had being a smoker 38 years.After all my treatments the test were even better so I am lucky as far as my breathing.No inhalers or oxygen but i do get plugs stuck and takes a little work to get it out.But that is improving also.My cancer was next to my trachea also which was why surgery was impossible for me.And it was growing into the back of the lung.So makes it all the more incredible that it is scanning like there was never anything there. Did you say you had surgery? You remain in my prayers and waiting to hear good news from both you and Paul....Jill
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member
    #21
    mercey said:

    Hi Medi
    Was it a clean scan? And how in the world do you still run? That is awesome ! Of course I was a smoker so I couldn't run much before .Ha! But my pulmonary test came back and surprised all my drs.how good of lung funtion I had being a smoker 38 years.After all my treatments the test were even better so I am lucky as far as my breathing.No inhalers or oxygen but i do get plugs stuck and takes a little work to get it out.But that is improving also.My cancer was next to my trachea also which was why surgery was impossible for me.And it was growing into the back of the lung.So makes it all the more incredible that it is scanning like there was never anything there. Did you say you had surgery? You remain in my prayers and waiting to hear good news from both you and Paul....Jill

    Hiya Jill!
    I won't have the results until the 28th. Then we all can have an online party and either laugh or cry (or both). Yes I have been running for 20 years, have smoked for about 30. I never had any symptoms, the tumor was found completely by accident (there are no accidents in life though). Don't ask me how I do it, just stubborn as a mule! No, no surgery, too close to the esophagus and some business about lymph nodes ;).
    Take Care!
    Medi

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