Hello everyone

LLLady
LLLady Member Posts: 67
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
This is a update on Duey's mom and Duey, Ends up the Doctors are saying they don't think she will make it to the weekend. She has cancer throughout her whole body. and is not doing well. I'm sorry to share such bad news. Duey is on his second round of chemo. He got very sick last night he was freezing cold, vomiting he had flu like syptoms, His hands and feet were numb and tinging. He's saying that this is not worth it. What can I say to him?
I hope your all doing good and I say a little prayer to the almighty powers for you all.
Love ya all ~*
Lady

Comments

  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    Lady,

    I am very sorry for all of you, for what you are going through.

    I have expressed my opinion about chemo before. Chemo is not for everyone. It sounds like Duey can not take it. I agree with him: it is not worth it. I would look into other alternative methods of treatment. Please email me if you have any questions or would like to talk.

    I will pray for Duey, his mother, and you.

    God Bless, Eleonora
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    Hi Lady -

    I am sorry about your mother-in-law.

    Regarding Duey, have you talked to the oncologist about his side effects? What pre-meds was he given? (I had both dexamethasone and Kytril given as IV premeds.) What kind of anti-nausea meds was he given to take home? There are the standard Compazine and Ativan, but there are also much fancier anti-nausea drugs designed for chemo patients (Zofran, Anzemet and others I think). He should not have to experience significant sickness on a colorectal chemo regimen, so please talk to your doctor. They should be able to mitigate symptoms somewhat and tell him that this has worked for many (me being one). It is too early to give up after 2 treatments.

    Tylenol (really) can help with flu-like ache and pain symptoms. Of course the oxaliplatin caused short term cold sensitivity, but I didn't get "freezing cold" until after my treatments were over, but big ugly furry slippers and socks and blankets helped a lot.

    Please encourage Duey that these problems should be able to be helped so that they are at a manageable level.

    Thinking of both of you,
    Betsy
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487

    Hi Lady -

    I am sorry about your mother-in-law.

    Regarding Duey, have you talked to the oncologist about his side effects? What pre-meds was he given? (I had both dexamethasone and Kytril given as IV premeds.) What kind of anti-nausea meds was he given to take home? There are the standard Compazine and Ativan, but there are also much fancier anti-nausea drugs designed for chemo patients (Zofran, Anzemet and others I think). He should not have to experience significant sickness on a colorectal chemo regimen, so please talk to your doctor. They should be able to mitigate symptoms somewhat and tell him that this has worked for many (me being one). It is too early to give up after 2 treatments.

    Tylenol (really) can help with flu-like ache and pain symptoms. Of course the oxaliplatin caused short term cold sensitivity, but I didn't get "freezing cold" until after my treatments were over, but big ugly furry slippers and socks and blankets helped a lot.

    Please encourage Duey that these problems should be able to be helped so that they are at a manageable level.

    Thinking of both of you,
    Betsy

    Lady,

    Hugs to you and Duey.... and Duey's family at this hard time. This must be so hard for all of you.

    Due might want to seriously look to the oncs to relieve these side effects. My dose was reduced after the first one and they give me steroids and kytril to keep the nausea down and so far so good. They also send me home with Compazine and more kytril in case I need it. Last time I didn't use any of it and the nausea was mild. Flu-like symptoms? Yeah, had those, too, but not severe. Don't accept the side affects. Demand something to counteract them.

    Squeaky wheel and all that....
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    Hi Lllady and Duey,
    Surviving survival is not easy. Life goes on and concedes nothing to the fact that we are sick and need a few breaks. So we have to deal with situations like Duey's mum. It is a sad situation and I truly feel for Duey and you but somethings in life just are. They are in the hands of a much higher agency and whatever happes we have to accept it.
    What happens with you and Duey you do have some control over. When I started chemo I made a descision to do whatever I needed to do to beat cancer and I made a promise to myself and my wife that come what may I would hang tough and honor that committment. Every Tuesday for 48 weeks I had a canula put in the back of my hand and had a dose of 5Fu . Every second Wednesday morning I took the first of 9 levamisole tablets and within an hour I felt like death warmed over. My mouth constanly tasted like there was a lump of metal disolving in it ,salty foods were sweet ,absolutely nothing tasted like it should ,for a year eating just became a chore. Towards the end of my chemo my oncologist felt so sorry for me that he offered to stop it short but I wouldn't let him . If I had have stopped and it had come back I would always have wondered.
    That was me and if you asked my advice ,all I could advise is to Hang tough , there are no gaurantees but whatever the outcome you will know you have done your best with no 'what ifs' or regrets. My thoughts are with you both Ron.
  • JADot
    JADot Member Posts: 709 Member
    Hi Lady:

    I am so sorry to hear about Duey's mom. It's just so much that you have to deal with right now.

    I agree with other posters, it is critically important for you to contact the onc. What Duey experienced is unusual, so please please please let the oncs know right away.

    Chemo is hard, whichever way you at at it. I declined a nausea drug when I was going through it, I was throwing up for 3-4 days after each treatment. Everytime when I felt really rotten, I just try to imagine what a terrible time those lurking lingering cancer cells must be having, that reminds me why I am doing this.

    So please talk to the onc about the unusual symptoms, and then just get your head down and plough through it. Lots of us did it, grim as it was.

    Best of luck to Duey. Do you think it would help him to talk to some of us? I'd be really happy to help.

    Also, you might want to get him Lance Amstrong's book "It's Not about the Bike - My Journey Back to Life". Lance came back from stage IV cancer and became the greatest cyclist in the world. Of course it's worth it. Life is worth fighting for!

    Cheers,
    Ying
  • JADot
    JADot Member Posts: 709 Member
    ron50 said:

    Hi Lllady and Duey,
    Surviving survival is not easy. Life goes on and concedes nothing to the fact that we are sick and need a few breaks. So we have to deal with situations like Duey's mum. It is a sad situation and I truly feel for Duey and you but somethings in life just are. They are in the hands of a much higher agency and whatever happes we have to accept it.
    What happens with you and Duey you do have some control over. When I started chemo I made a descision to do whatever I needed to do to beat cancer and I made a promise to myself and my wife that come what may I would hang tough and honor that committment. Every Tuesday for 48 weeks I had a canula put in the back of my hand and had a dose of 5Fu . Every second Wednesday morning I took the first of 9 levamisole tablets and within an hour I felt like death warmed over. My mouth constanly tasted like there was a lump of metal disolving in it ,salty foods were sweet ,absolutely nothing tasted like it should ,for a year eating just became a chore. Towards the end of my chemo my oncologist felt so sorry for me that he offered to stop it short but I wouldn't let him . If I had have stopped and it had come back I would always have wondered.
    That was me and if you asked my advice ,all I could advise is to Hang tough , there are no gaurantees but whatever the outcome you will know you have done your best with no 'what ifs' or regrets. My thoughts are with you both Ron.

    Ron,

    ....and definitely no tapeworms!

    :)
  • pink05
    pink05 Member Posts: 550
    Lady,

    I'm so sorry to hear about Duey's mom. It must be so difficult for him to fight his own battle when his mother is not doing well. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

    -Lee-
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    JADot said:

    Ron,

    ....and definitely no tapeworms!

    :)

    HMMMMMM and no cancer,eureka cancer is caused by tapeworms. Students please note this is an example of modern deductive medical diagnoses...dr Ron.