Chemo, Weight and Temperature

Linda3D
Linda3D Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi everyone. Sorry haven't been here much. Still getting used to all this as is the family. We're still in the 'lots of visitors' stage.

As I mentioned before, dad started chemo on Tuesday. He came home with an infusion pump that day and it was removed on Saturday. So far, so good. No nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, etc. Yes, I realize that just because nothing so far doesn't mean nothing ever. A friend's father had esophageal cancer and he didn't get sick until the second session. Just saying I know that it may not always be like this. Just wanted to let everyone know how it's going.

Just a quick question. The cancer center told us (and people here, and chemocare.com, etc.) to call the doctor IMMEDIATELY if dad gets a fever over 100.5 or starts losing weight quickly (something like that - don't have it with me right now but I think it said something like "sudden, unexpected weight loss). We'd really appreciate some suggestions as to how to monitor this. Should we suggest he do something like take his temperature daily and weigh weekly (or something like that) or perhaps only do it during the nadir period (when we figure he will be most susceptible do infection due to what we are assuming are the lowest blood counts)? Or do we just wait until dad tells us he's sick/doesn't feel well or notice that he's losing weight?

The bottom line is, should dad be taking his temperature and weighing on a regular basis so as not to miss a sudden weight loss or fever? If so, how often should he do each and would it be helpful for the doctors or whomever to document his temp and weight when he checks?

Linda

Comments

  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440
    #2
    Every day
    Hi,


    You should weigh your dad daily, and take his temp several times a day. A fever from chemo can hit suddenly with in a couple of hours. The weight check daily is good for two reasons
    To see if he has sudden weight gain or loss. Suddent weight gain could mean that he could be retaining fluids and the Drs. also will need to know that.

    I know that there is so much to remember and keep track of so feel free to ask anything any time even the small things could be big and you just dont' know it.

    Good Luck,
    God Bless,
    Kath
  • Pghmomma
    Pghmomma Member Posts: 141
    #3
    mumphy said:

    Every day
    Hi,


    You should weigh your dad daily, and take his temp several times a day. A fever from chemo can hit suddenly with in a couple of hours. The weight check daily is good for two reasons
    To see if he has sudden weight gain or loss. Suddent weight gain could mean that he could be retaining fluids and the Drs. also will need to know that.

    I know that there is so much to remember and keep track of so feel free to ask anything any time even the small things could be big and you just dont' know it.

    Good Luck,
    God Bless,
    Kath

    Hello!!
    Kath gave you great
    Hello!!

    Kath gave you great Info! I hope dad continues to do well with the chemo!

    God bless,
    Tina
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • mmr19
    mmr19 Member Posts: 75
    #5
    Fever
    Hi Linda-
    As Kath said, a chemo fever can hit suddenly. My husband was hospitalized twice when his white blood counts went to 0 and he developed a fever. Of course, the first time he fought me for a day on even calling the Dr office to tell them. He kept taking Tylenol and it would bring the fever down to 99. Luckily we had a Dr appt the next morning. They admitted him immediately. The second time he let me call the Dr and they said to get him to the ER. He spent 2 days in the hospital each time. This last round of chemo the Dr gave him antibiotics to take starting two days after chemo. No fever. No hospital. (Not to say he doesn't have other side effects)
    Whenever he would complain of chills I knew to really start keeping on eye on his temp then.
    He goes for his next treatment on Wed. We'll see what happens this time!

    Hang in there!
    Marta

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