Completed my first Chemo Treatment Yesterday

mamacita5
mamacita5 Member Posts: 254 Member
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
I spent 6 hours in chemo yesterday. I waited one month to the day to heal from my VATS which resulted in the removal of my lower left lobe, a 7cm tumor, and 11 nodes (3 positive). I dreaded the day of chemo...but to my surprise, it was not bad! I was given Cisplatin and Vinorelbine. I was loaded up with anti-nausea drugs before hand and felt fine the entire time. I had a small reaction to the Vinorlbine and got one hive near the site where I was infused so they gave me some Benedryl and I was fine after that (although VERY loopy). I am taking my medication for nausea like clockwork and I am feeling great so far, although tired. I hear that I may not be such a happy camper in the next couple of days...can someone enlighten me on that? Any other chemo tips would be most helpful. Oh...I forgot to mention that because it took 2 times for them to find a vein they could work with, I will be getting a picc line installed next week. I hope all of you are doing well. You a great support to me through you kind words, advice, and prayers.
Anita

Comments

  • hartmann
    hartmann Member Posts: 26
    #2
    first chemo
    Hi Anita

    When I had my first chemo I felt ok for the first couple of days but then had a lot of nausea and some vomiting as well as a lot of weakness and joint and muscle pain. This took about a week to fully recover from. The second and susequent chemos weren't nearly as bad as the first. It really helps to make sure you stay hydrated even if you aren't eating much and take your anti-nausea meds as prescribed. Don't be afraid to take pain meds if you need them. Miralax works great if you have any problems with constipation. Also rest as much as possible. All I can say is thank God that I have a very supportive husband who did just about everything for the week after chemo! You're in my prayers. Let us know how you are doing.

    Penny
  • mamacita5
    mamacita5 Member Posts: 254 Member
    #3
    hartmann said:

    first chemo
    Hi Anita

    When I had my first chemo I felt ok for the first couple of days but then had a lot of nausea and some vomiting as well as a lot of weakness and joint and muscle pain. This took about a week to fully recover from. The second and susequent chemos weren't nearly as bad as the first. It really helps to make sure you stay hydrated even if you aren't eating much and take your anti-nausea meds as prescribed. Don't be afraid to take pain meds if you need them. Miralax works great if you have any problems with constipation. Also rest as much as possible. All I can say is thank God that I have a very supportive husband who did just about everything for the week after chemo! You're in my prayers. Let us know how you are doing.

    Penny

    Thanks Penny
    Thanks for the info Penny. I was out watering the yard a few minutes ago and realized just how tired I was getting. I think it is important to listen to our bodies. So after some lunch it's off to dreamland for me!
    Anita
  • catcon49
    catcon49 Member Posts: 398
    #4
    mamacita5 said:

    Thanks Penny
    Thanks for the info Penny. I was out watering the yard a few minutes ago and realized just how tired I was getting. I think it is important to listen to our bodies. So after some lunch it's off to dreamland for me!
    Anita

    anita
    Although my mom had ovarian cancer, and had 6 rounds of chemo (cisto and taxo?) not sure if it is anything like what you had. But anyway she never had any vomitting. she was tired but really held up well. She was 76 years old. I hope it goes as smooth for you.

    Get plenty of rest and build your strength up

    c
  • grandmagail
    grandmagail Member Posts: 28
    #5
    first chemo
    I had my first full strength chemo on Monday. I'm not taking the same as you but I did well the first day and a half, then couldn't keep anything down for about four hours. I think I should have taken my anti-nausea pills earlier but wasn't expecting to feel nausea as they said most people on what I'm taking don't. The next few days were just aches and flu like symptoms and a wierd restless leg type of thing one night. I'm feeling just a little tired today but am doing fine. Good luck to you!
  • suekgaard
    suekgaard Member Posts: 28
    #6
    grandmagail said:

    first chemo
    I had my first full strength chemo on Monday. I'm not taking the same as you but I did well the first day and a half, then couldn't keep anything down for about four hours. I think I should have taken my anti-nausea pills earlier but wasn't expecting to feel nausea as they said most people on what I'm taking don't. The next few days were just aches and flu like symptoms and a wierd restless leg type of thing one night. I'm feeling just a little tired today but am doing fine. Good luck to you!

    First round done here too.
    I finished my first round of chemo last Thursday, I had 3 days on , now I get 2 weeks off. I'm on cisplatin and VP-16, so far no nausea but I've been really fatigued and I have a bit of dizziness at times. Oh yes and a very dry mouth and I've only been able to find one thing to drink that even tastes right and that's sweet iced tea.
    I met today with my primary care physician because I wasn't sure if I was still supposed to use the nebulizer when I couldn't breathe or use my rescue inhalers (I have allergy related asthma and of course this is the worst time of year for pollen and such in Northern NY). We got all that straightened out so I feel better about that.
    What I have learned so far is that it's very easy to let other ongoing health issues fall by the wayside while I try and fight this battle and that's not the right thing to do. I need to make sure all of me is working well so everything can support each other.
    I'm hoping that we all have the strength and good humor and love of others to get through this battle we're fighting and that we can help each other along the way.
  • mamacita5
    mamacita5 Member Posts: 254 Member
    #7
    suekgaard said:

    First round done here too.
    I finished my first round of chemo last Thursday, I had 3 days on , now I get 2 weeks off. I'm on cisplatin and VP-16, so far no nausea but I've been really fatigued and I have a bit of dizziness at times. Oh yes and a very dry mouth and I've only been able to find one thing to drink that even tastes right and that's sweet iced tea.
    I met today with my primary care physician because I wasn't sure if I was still supposed to use the nebulizer when I couldn't breathe or use my rescue inhalers (I have allergy related asthma and of course this is the worst time of year for pollen and such in Northern NY). We got all that straightened out so I feel better about that.
    What I have learned so far is that it's very easy to let other ongoing health issues fall by the wayside while I try and fight this battle and that's not the right thing to do. I need to make sure all of me is working well so everything can support each other.
    I'm hoping that we all have the strength and good humor and love of others to get through this battle we're fighting and that we can help each other along the way.

    Yes...Keep up with your other meds
    I have asthma too and I am still doing my same routine with those drugs, as well as my allergy pill. I have found that Bioten mouthwash and toothpaste have helped my dry mouth. My dentist gave me a whole supply of sample packets when I went to him prior to my first chemo. Try the Bioten and see if that might help. I try to rinse with salt water a few times a day as well. Good luck to you, we'll compare notes in a few weeks again!
    Anita
  • suekgaard
    suekgaard Member Posts: 28
    #8
    mamacita5 said:

    Yes...Keep up with your other meds
    I have asthma too and I am still doing my same routine with those drugs, as well as my allergy pill. I have found that Bioten mouthwash and toothpaste have helped my dry mouth. My dentist gave me a whole supply of sample packets when I went to him prior to my first chemo. Try the Bioten and see if that might help. I try to rinse with salt water a few times a day as well. Good luck to you, we'll compare notes in a few weeks again!
    Anita

    Thanks
    I'l ask about the mouthwash. I have a consult with the radiologist today, not sure what he's going to say since all the tests haven't been done yet, but, I guess we'll see. I was told if the cancer was localized they would do radiation, if it had spread then probably not.
    Yes it's nice to have someone sort of in the same place in chemo to compare notes with :)

    Sue

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