For M_Rita More on ECF Chemo

M_Rita, since your post was at the bottom of a long older post, I wanted to start you at the top. Here's the link to the original post in case anyone is lost: http://csn.cancer.org/node/215824

Like Paul said, staying ahead of and managing side effects are key. I actually would take my first Zofran on the way to my chemo so that it would have time to get in my system. I knew for the next four days or so I was going to be taking one about every four hours. After a few days, I would test it by delaying my zofran to see if I was still getting sick. If so, I'd pop one down and wait a day or so for another test. I also received Aloxi as one of my premeds which was a tremendous help with the nausea. I just experienced the nausea from the big chemo day, not the 5FU.

Hydration is another key tip. I would drink Poweraid Zero about 64 ounces a day plus water. This chemo is tough on the kidneys so hydration helps keep you flushed out.

My job was incredibly accommodating with working around my treatment. I could have continued working the entire time as far as they were concerned. The had no problem with my taking time as needed. I wish everyone were as fortunate as I in that respect. Two days a week should be very doable if you have as mild a experience as I did. I talked to my boss, who is also one of my close friends, about dropping down my schedule. He was fine with it but I was the one who couldn't do it. I'm either on or off, it's tough for me to cut back a little.

As for the food-borne illnesses, E Coli is making it's rounds in Europe. With a compromised immune system, it could be deadly. Locally, in the past year, we've had Hepatitis A outbreaks tied back to an infected worker at a local restaurant. This was before I started chemo but that was in the back of my mind once I started. If someone has a cold or bronchitis and coughs on the food, it could be picked up. I was a closet germaphobe before I started and I feel it was helpful afterwards.

A little diligence will go a long way. I eat at home much much more than I ever did before. My wife would cook me anything I wanted. I tried early on eating out some. I grabbed a sandwich once at Chick Fil A and it had a hair in it. Since I didn't have any hair, I knew it wasn't mine. Broke my heart. I even tried a coffee from Starbucks. Same result, had a hair in the little cap they insert into the drink hole. Still, no hair on my head. Again, broken hearted. It seemed like every time I would try there for a while, something would happen to ruin the experience. One of my daughter's friends was a manager at the local McDonalds. I told him about my experiences and how bad I wanted to have a Big Mac but was afraid to. He told me to come in and he would personally fix my food. I took him up on it several times. They were the best Big Macs I ever had.

I'll private message you my email and phone. Feel free to call, email or post here if you have any questions or want to talk.

Jimbo