1st chemo treatment

unclaw2002 said:

Susie, I am glad you finally
Susie, I am glad you finally have started treatment. Be thankful that your doctor's are cautiously progressing especially given Lyle's condition. It won't do him any good to cure the cancer and kill his kidneys in the process.

My dad took Taxol w/ Carboplatin once a week so I am not sure what caused what but he had mild nausea, loss of appetite, (he shaved his head before treatment so don't know about the hair and fatigue (he started taking 2 naps a day, would get tired walking during his regular activities and was in bed by 7 and asleep by 7:30. He describes the nightime as his body just won't move anymore and as if all the energy in his body is gone and all he can do is lie down in bed. - And he is worried because Monday is his first radiation treatment which they are doing with the chemo now.



Here are some common side effects from Taxol we got before Dad's treatments:

the most common Taxol side effects (used alone or in combination with other chemotherapy medications) included:

•Neutropenia (low levels of white blood cells called neutrophils) -- in up to 100 percent of people
•Anemia -- up to 97 percent (see Chemotherapy and Anemia)
•Hair loss -- up to 96 percent (see Taxol and Hair Loss)
•Muscle pain or joint pain -- up to 93 percent (Nerve and Muscle Problems During Chemotherapy)
•Nausea and vomiting -- up to 93 percent (see Chemotherapy and Nausea)
•Leukopenia (low levels of white blood cells called leukocytes) -- up to 90 percent
•Diarrhea -- up to 90 percent (Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea).

Other common side effects, occurring in 3 to 80 percent of people, included:

•Unusual sensations, such as burning or tingling
•Low platelets in the blood (see Blood Clotting Problems and Chemotherapy)
•Mouth sores or sores in the digestive tract (see Mouth and Gum Problems During Chemotherapy)
•Changes in the heart rhythm seen with an electrocardiogram (ECG)
•Low blood pressure (hypotension)
•Bleeding
•Slow heart rate (bradycardia). -

Serious Taxol Side Effects
Some side effects with Taxol, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:

•An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) during a Taxol infusion
•High blood pressure (hypertension) or low blood pressure (hypotension) during an infusion
•Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
•Blood in the stool
•Signs of an infection, such as fever or chills (see Chemotherapy and Infections)
•Severe fluid retention or difficulty breathing (Fluid Retention During Chemotherapy)
•Severe mouth sores
•Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, and unexplained swelling.

So just be watchful but not anxious. Try and keep him eating and drinking. It is really easy to get dehydrated so keep pushing the fluids. And the radiation can make his throat sore as well so combined with the mouth sores that can make things tough. Keep plenty of hard candies around for him to suck on --- I remember reading on some site (have been to so many) about some that seem to help more than others. And just love him even when he is grumpy. And remember this is the first stab at chemo they will see how things go how Lyle tolerates the chemo how his kidney reacts and they will adjust things as needed.

Lots of prayers,
Cindy

unknown said:

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K_ann1015 said:

You are refreshing!
Susie,
reading your posts is so nice----I love and appreciate your easy going & loving attitude. So many of us (like me)---are ruled by their fear at first. Those emotions can't help but seep their way to the person with EC---so its' nice for Lyle to have you as his "rock" at this time. I just realized that you remind me of my aunt "Susie"---she has a similar outlook on life and is always smiling! To think she now has 2 of her 3 brothers with EC is heartbreaking...

I will remember you words "these moments are precious" & "storing each one as memories".

I think we all realize that we are a"ble to do all things through Christ who guides us" --but you seem to show it each time you post!
kim