Made it through my first week of treatment

Options
jeepman
jeepman Member Posts: 109
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello all,

I made it through my first week of treatment. Monday was chemo: cisplatin and taxol. Tuesday - Friday rads.

The mask didn't phase me. I just laid there and let the machine do it's thing.

Chemo: Different report than rads. I have been very nauseous all week. Zofran didn't seem to help so I am switching to compazine. You guys know the deal, some drugs work for some folks and some don't. Hopefully compazine works, though. I can't imagine going through treatment like this.

I do have a praise report: My wife was driving me to treatment today and I kept having stabbing pains in my stomach. I knew it wasn't gas or constipation as I have been doing well in that department (moving waste along). I was at the end of my rope this week and just cried out to god to let me get better. Just help me to eat. On the way home from rads everything starting looking tasty so I told Elsa to pull over and get me a fat burger and fries. I scarfed it down in a flash! It was such a sweet victory of the beast.

I will keep you guys posted weekly as this thing progresses.

A friend told me something the other day that makes more sense now than ever: "In our darkest hours we find our greatest strengths". We can never underestimate the power of the human spirit or our Lord, Jesus Christ.

More Later,

Mike

Comments

  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #2
    Options
    Yumm
    How tasty was that burger and fries? Glad you got to enjoy it. Hope you can continue to keep nausea at bay.
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #3
    Options
    Burger and fries :)
    Ohhhh, how well I remember the nausea!!! It took a few tries to get the right meds to help me but I can't complain as I was only sick two or three times during chemo. Small price to pay for the results.

    So happy to hear that you were able to enjoy the burger and fries, to me that's a major accomplishment!!!

    Stay strong,
    Glenna
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #4
    Options
    Glenna M said:

    Burger and fries :)
    Ohhhh, how well I remember the nausea!!! It took a few tries to get the right meds to help me but I can't complain as I was only sick two or three times during chemo. Small price to pay for the results.

    So happy to hear that you were able to enjoy the burger and fries, to me that's a major accomplishment!!!

    Stay strong,
    Glenna

    Burger and fries-
    Yum-o! I have to say, I did not go through chemo, but the nausea I had with radiation was bad enough. Then after I was done, I had uncontrollable nausea, so I can identify, I think. Glad that the mask wasn't bad for you.

    1 week down. Check'em off. :)

    Thanks for checking in. I think there might be a thread on the second page, someone was posting to see how you were doing, but I cannot remember who....

    Sending prayers that you do well through treatment and your side effects stay light and manageable.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    Options
    All the Way...
    Good deal, glad you got to indulge in some well deserved chow...keep the faith brother.

    Best,
    John
  • Dav1965
    Dav1965 Member Posts: 132
    #6
    Options
    Naseau
    I pray you dont get it as bad as i had it. I was sick most of chemo and rads, I threw up all the time. They gave me ivs every 2 days some time every day. They started to put me in the hospital but i would rather get the iv and go home. I lived 1 and 1/2 hours from the hospital. But i never missed a day. I still cant eat yet but i am working on it. Good luck and God bless. David
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #7
    Options
    First Week
    Burger and fries? Way to go. Glad you could enjoy a meal. Buzz had Emend for nausea which he took for the first 3 days of chemo. He never had much nausea but as you say everyone responds differently. Keep thinking that you already have 1 week down. Karen
  • ian1511
    ian1511 Member Posts: 42
    #8
    Options
    Congratulations!
    And, hang in there. I remember eating a 16 oz wonderful, medium rare prime rib on the evening after my first chemotherapy session. I am still remembering it, because it was the last piece of meat I have eaten for the past 2 months. I was a huge steak eater.

    So, being able to eat a burger after chemo is impressive. Enjoy it as much as you can. I wish I had forced myself to keep eating solid foods throughout my radiation/ chemo treatments. I think my reeducating my throat to swallow would not be so difficult if I had continued to do so. Unfortunately, eating things that tasted like cardboard was just so unappealing.

    I hope that you continue to do well. Keep us posted. Cheers, Darren
  • Pumakitty
    Pumakitty Member Posts: 652
    #9
    Options
    Hi
    Glad to hear you enjoyed your burger. I hope you find something to make you feel better from the chemo. Keep us posted.

    Kathy
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #10
    Options
    Hi Mike
    Glad you are doing well; get all the fat burgers that you can now before your taste is gone. Your friend is so right also remember the Proverbs Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. He is directing your path my friend and will continue even through the darkest Valley in your life He will be there.

    Wishing you the best
    Hondo
  • jeepman
    jeepman Member Posts: 109
    #11
    Options
    Companzine seems to be just the ticket
    I have been on compazine since Thursday, 16 June. I am glad to report almost NO nausea. My wife must think I am pregnant LOL, I am eating the weirdest stuff: pickles, cornbread with honey, hot dogs with lots of mustard, pasta salad loaded in vinegar/oil.... I am just glad to be eating. Anything that comes to mind, I just eat it. I am not really concerned with the superfoods, maybe i should be, but I'm just glad to have an appetite.

    Mike

Discussion Boards