Chemo #8

braelee2
braelee2 Member Posts: 130
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Every treatment is different but the last two have been really bad.. Monday - Wednesday were not to bad just tired. But when I get my shot on Thursday it all goes down hill. I feel like I have the flu. Tired, soreness, not able to eat, the whole works, even my hair hurts. I did talk to my doctor about my dizzyness but he said he don't want to change anything now just take my meds and tough it up. I only have 4 more to go. But I don't know if I can do it. Everyone keep telling me how good Im doing but I don't feel like I'm doing so good. I now truely hate Chemo.... I feel for everyone who goes this... Sorry for Venting just needed to I guess.

Comments

  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    Just 4 more? that's nothing ! nearly done!
    Just hang there and vent it it helps!
    Cheer up Braelee.
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    pepebcn said:

    Just 4 more? that's nothing ! nearly done!
    Just hang there and vent it it helps!
    Cheer up Braelee.

    Brae...
    is the shot Neulasta ? If so the injection isn't necessarily needed right after the chemo unless your WBC drops out the bottom immediately...Neulasta makes your sacroliliac hurt as well as joint pain in lower extremities, headache, just plain ole run down...normally though its the chemo that does the number on ya...especially if it is a platin base as carbo, oxy, etc.......4 more....almost home sweetie, almost home.......love and hope to you , Clift
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    You can do it
    You can do it! You are already 3/4 done! What you've done 3 times in a row, you only have to do one more time.

    Do you have my onc? He loves to tell me it is his job to "push me" and he says to "suck it up." ;)

    If you are having a really hard time even considering the last 4, you might think about asking for a one week break to get a little strength back to finish. It can make a world of difference. On FOLFOX I had an extra week off at New Year's, when I was 1/2 way through. It really was a lifesaver for me.

    On FOLFOX I got Neupogen shots 2 to 3 days in a row every cycle. They caused a lot of sternum pain mostly. Now I get a Neulasta shot because FOLFIRI w/Avastin wipes out my blood counts even worse than FOLFOX did. It makes me achy all over like the flu, plus the chest pain, and upper arm bone pain, and shoulder and upper back pain. Miserable... So I can really sympathize with you. I run a low-grade fever from chemo day through the next 7-9 days, which doesn't help either.

    Now that I'm not "sprinting" to get through because the onc says chemo for life, I'm approaching it differently, and making chemo work around life, instead of the other way around. I had a week off over New Years this year too. And after getting 3 more tx in following New Year's, I'll be taking an extra week again to vacation with extended family.

    Also, you could ask for a slight reduction in dosage, or ask to have the bolus removed if you do get it. Sometimes just a little tweaking can make it a lot more tolerable.

    Keep coming here to vent - it does help to get it out. Take a few extra days, or an extra week if you really need it. And "suck it up" so you can finish and be DONE with it! It may feel like an eternity till you are done right now, but really just a little bit and you will be done and amazed at how strong you are to have endured 12 treatments. And you can celebrate the end!

    (FOLFIRI #8 on Thursday for me, and I'm not looking forward to it, but I will suck it up and do it...)
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member

    You can do it
    You can do it! You are already 3/4 done! What you've done 3 times in a row, you only have to do one more time.

    Do you have my onc? He loves to tell me it is his job to "push me" and he says to "suck it up." ;)

    If you are having a really hard time even considering the last 4, you might think about asking for a one week break to get a little strength back to finish. It can make a world of difference. On FOLFOX I had an extra week off at New Year's, when I was 1/2 way through. It really was a lifesaver for me.

    On FOLFOX I got Neupogen shots 2 to 3 days in a row every cycle. They caused a lot of sternum pain mostly. Now I get a Neulasta shot because FOLFIRI w/Avastin wipes out my blood counts even worse than FOLFOX did. It makes me achy all over like the flu, plus the chest pain, and upper arm bone pain, and shoulder and upper back pain. Miserable... So I can really sympathize with you. I run a low-grade fever from chemo day through the next 7-9 days, which doesn't help either.

    Now that I'm not "sprinting" to get through because the onc says chemo for life, I'm approaching it differently, and making chemo work around life, instead of the other way around. I had a week off over New Years this year too. And after getting 3 more tx in following New Year's, I'll be taking an extra week again to vacation with extended family.

    Also, you could ask for a slight reduction in dosage, or ask to have the bolus removed if you do get it. Sometimes just a little tweaking can make it a lot more tolerable.

    Keep coming here to vent - it does help to get it out. Take a few extra days, or an extra week if you really need it. And "suck it up" so you can finish and be DONE with it! It may feel like an eternity till you are done right now, but really just a little bit and you will be done and amazed at how strong you are to have endured 12 treatments. And you can celebrate the end!

    (FOLFIRI #8 on Thursday for me, and I'm not looking forward to it, but I will suck it up and do it...)

    talk to onc
    ahhhh Brae you have done the very best job! with a minimum of whining....you really have.

    I doubt there is an oxy user on this board who does not know where you are coming from....5 and 6 for me were almost unbearable....

    pain, dizziness, head hurting....everything hurtin....

    please can you explore a slight reduction in oxy?

    you are a number one major trooper.....

    mags
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    I am sorry you have had a
    I am sorry you have had a tough time. It is hard to feel you are doing good when you feel lousy, but it sounds like you are doing well. You can see the finish line.....
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    Natalie
    I can so relate! I had the worse time on #5 and was really considering stopping all together. I get the same thing from the onc nurses ... "You're doing so well!" UGH Sometimes it makes me want to throw up and I just say, If they only knew how I felt they wouldn't be saying that. Hang on .... you're so close to getting through this. I'm proud of you cause this damnn FOLFOX really sux. You can do it. HUGS
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    what can I say brae
    just had folfox #6 for me, I am sailing through !! maybe its the carrots or the chinese teas or the meditation. I am grateful. Thanks for venting, It helps me appreciate how lucky I am and that I should use my well time wisely. As must we all. I even took my kids to the pool yesterday to teach them to swim. but forgot to put a sticker on the bag so it filled up.

    goodluck and Ihope your sie effects get better fast. thats my prayer anyay.

    Pete
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    Lori-S said:

    Natalie
    I can so relate! I had the worse time on #5 and was really considering stopping all together. I get the same thing from the onc nurses ... "You're doing so well!" UGH Sometimes it makes me want to throw up and I just say, If they only knew how I felt they wouldn't be saying that. Hang on .... you're so close to getting through this. I'm proud of you cause this damnn FOLFOX really sux. You can do it. HUGS

    loris welcome back
    did you do folfox6 yet ? let me know.
    Pete