Finished first treatment

Sandi1
Sandi1 Member Posts: 277
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Ok, so my husband just finished his first chemo treatment. they admitted him to the hospital just to make sure he didn't have any major reactions from it. I and the oncologist think that he handled the chemo quite well. His only complaint was that his arm hurt from the IV. When he was finished his chemo he was scheduled to go to surgery to have his port put in. He was really good, no nausea, no dizziness, just a bit tired (that's to be expected). So he goes for his surgery, and he hasn't eaten since the 12 midnight the night before, his surgery was scheduled for 12 noon, there was a delay and he didn't get in for surgery until almost 2:30. He was awake through the surgery (they didn't tell him he was going to be awake)- he didn't feel him cutting but he did feel him moving the port around. Ok, so surgery went well, and yes he is in pain from the surgery. So the post op nurse asked him if he was in pain, he said yes can I have some Tylenol - she gave him morphine, she waited 10 mins and then asked him if he was still in pain, he said yes and before he had a chance to say Tylenol she gave him more morphine. By the time he got back to his room he was throwing up, and extremely tired. So, now he doesn't know whether he had a allergic reaction to the morphine or he was having side effects of the chemo. I personally think that it was the morphine. Today (sunday) 2 days after surgery, he is 90% better than yesterday. He did not need the anti-nausea pills they gave him. He has only taken some tylenol this morning for his shoulder. Still a bit tired, but that is probably from the chemo.

I am extremely proud of him, I don't think I could have done it if it was me in that position. He will be returning to work tomorrow (he works from home), I asked him if he was ready to go back and he told me that I think so, it will help me to keep my mind off of it.

Thanks for letting me share.

Sandi

Comments

  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    Your husband
    Sandi, that is really awesome news! I am glad he's doing so well and will pray for continued good feelings. I also work at home, which is a GODSEND during chemo! When you feel well, you just stroll down the hall and put in a few. When you aren't, back down the hall to the bed or couch! Working helps you feel a bit "normal" among all the crap.
    Mary
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    Great News!
    Thanks for letting us know about your husband's first treatment. One down!!!! I hope he is feeling even better and stronger tomorrow. He is so blessed to have you by his side.

    Hugs,

    Kay
  • Julie 44
    Julie 44 Member Posts: 476 Member
    Thanks for sharing
    Sandi,Thanks for sharing your husbands story. It really has made me feel alittle better cause I will start treatment soon...Do you know what chemo meds he is on??? Why don't they put you out to put the port in??? That sounds horrible to me...Was he just sore or in pain with the port???Hope you don't mind my questions..Trying to get all the info that I can to ease my mind about treatment..Good luck to him....
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    one down
    Hey, Sandi. I agree with you that the morphine was probably what made him sick. It does that to me. I hope your husband continues to do well with his treatments.

    Gail
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    'Normal' is sooooo important!
    I worked thru my treatment, as much as possible. I am self employed, so I could set my hours around my treatments. That was a blessing.

    I had my port put in, and 2 hours later had my first chemo thru it. Not fun, but tolerable.

    Sounds like morphine reaction to me.

    PLEASE keep us posted!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Sandi1
    Sandi1 Member Posts: 277
    Julie 44 said:

    Thanks for sharing
    Sandi,Thanks for sharing your husbands story. It really has made me feel alittle better cause I will start treatment soon...Do you know what chemo meds he is on??? Why don't they put you out to put the port in??? That sounds horrible to me...Was he just sore or in pain with the port???Hope you don't mind my questions..Trying to get all the info that I can to ease my mind about treatment..Good luck to him....

    Your Questions
    Julie, I don't mind you asking questions, my husband and I were terrified before the first treatment. It's really not that bad, but everyone reacts to chemo differently. He is 5FU + Avastin. They are not giving him the Avastin right now as it is too close to his surgery - they have to wait for him to heal a bit more. I'm not sure why they didn't put him out to put the port in, probably because it was a short surgery. And he was in pain after the surgery, but now he is just sore - he said it feels like a pulled muscle kind of sore. What kind of treatment are you having? What stage are you? My husband is stage 4, he will be on this chemo regiment for 6 months - 48 hrs. on and 1 week off and then we start all over again. Today he is alot better, he's not nausious anymore and he is eating well. Every day he feels better.

    Thanks for your questions and concerns.

    Sandi
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    Julie 44 said:

    Thanks for sharing
    Sandi,Thanks for sharing your husbands story. It really has made me feel alittle better cause I will start treatment soon...Do you know what chemo meds he is on??? Why don't they put you out to put the port in??? That sounds horrible to me...Was he just sore or in pain with the port???Hope you don't mind my questions..Trying to get all the info that I can to ease my mind about treatment..Good luck to him....

    Port insertion
    I was out during mine! And everybody is right, it's a bit sore, but nothing to write home about! It heals right nicely and is WAY better than vein access especially with the toxic drugs they give us for colon cancer!
    mary
  • peterhw
    peterhw Member Posts: 69
    Good news
    Hi Sandi,

    I am so happy to hear that the 1st chemo went well with your husband. With the port in, it will get easier from now on. I have just finished #9 treatment. Three more to go then the surgery. keep up the good spirit.

    Peter
  • Sandi1
    Sandi1 Member Posts: 277
    peterhw said:

    Good news
    Hi Sandi,

    I am so happy to hear that the 1st chemo went well with your husband. With the port in, it will get easier from now on. I have just finished #9 treatment. Three more to go then the surgery. keep up the good spirit.

    Peter

    Hi Peter
    Thank you for your concern with my husband. Congratulations on finishing your 9th treatment. I think about how you are doing often, and only wish the best for you.

    Keep fighting the good fight.

    Sandi