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I am starting chemo in Nov 2009. I.m not sure what to expect. All I know is from TV or the movies. I am only 101 Lbs now. Will I waste away? Will my hair fall out? I am already depressed. Will it get worse? I'm scared and confused. Please help...
Cancer Surgery Decadron Carcinoid tumor Anemia Taxotere Chemotherapy Lung cancer Folic acid
I don't have any answers on the chemo because I did not have to have it but there are many people on this site that can help you. I know quite a few people that have gone through chemo and they tolerated it quite well. My son's girlfriend's mother was even able to work while undergoing treatments. I think it varies by individual but I do know that there are more drugs that can control side effects. I can't tell you how much I admire and respect people that have the surgery and then have to undergo chemo. The surgery itself is such a major trauma to the body and then to have to deal with Chemo! I can understand why you are scared but take it one day at a time and use this site to help you through it.
Hi,
You are very young and that's a big plus. I had 4 rounds of chemo before my surgery in order to shrink the tumor.
I had Taxotere and Carboplatinum every 3 weeks for those 4 rounds. Yes, I did lose my hair but it starts to come back pretty fast.
No, I did not waste away. I was a little heavier than you. My average weight is 115 lbs. give or take a few. The day after my chemo, I did not feel much like eating but I did have some sports drinks and also things in the house to make my favorite smoothies including Whey powder.
It's important to keep hydrated and try to eat. From Day 2 to about Day 7 I was very tired and wanted to sleep a lot. I did not get sick to my stomach at all.
Depending on the Chemo, the Oncologist will prescribe Dexemethasone (Decadron) for you to take the day before, the day of and the day after Chemo. I think that's the reason I did not get sick.
Do your best to stock up on things you think you might like to eat or drink. I always had at least 1 large Whey smoothie each day. You can make it out of anything you like.
I was not offered Chemo after my surgery and did not know that could have been done. If it had been done, perhaps my cancer would not have come back.
You will get a lot of good advice here. If you know what kind of Chemo your doctor is giving you, that would be helpful.
You will be in my prayers each and every night.
Love to all,
Marylou
I am sorry you have to do the chemo too, but it may be a low dose they give you just to clear up any little cancer bugs that might be floating about. I don't think it will be heavy duty chemo at all. I think yes, you will lose some weight, the food tastes horrible, but that was on high doses of chemo for me. Just remember to eat well, and drink good fluids too. I know losing hair can be a major turn off for chemo, but not all of them will make your hair fall out. I had Gemzar and no more hair did fall out, but I at first had carbo/taxol combo and it did fall out. Just think as positive as you can and ask the doc questions, ask themif it is true are you going to get a loweer dose of chemo since you had surgery?if this is the case it may go easy for you.
Take care, and God bless. I think you are very brave to have undergone the surgery!
Sandy
I am sorry you had to find your way to this site but we are glad to be here to support you in any way any of us can. My sister was dx with stg iv nslc dec 08. Her last scan results yesterday showed no evidence of disease. The oncologist even said he did not think we would be where we are knowing what he knew last Dec so keep the faith. They cannot measure the human spirit but you do have to take care of yourself. My sister got so tired of drinking so much water but we were never big water drinkers. But she did it. She wanted to flush that poision out of her system as fast as she could. Some foods that were her favorite didn't taste right but she found other things. Be sure to get you some Boost or Ensure for nourishment so when nothing sounds good be sure to drink that.
We are here for you. We all are/have been scared. I have met many nice and knowledgeable friends on this site.
Hi DottieCatt, starting chemotherapy is a scary thing. The good news is that an Atypical Carcinoid tumor is a rather good news type of tumor compared to some of the other more aggressive Lung Cancers. I know that this does not exactly help since you are mainly worried about the side effects of chemotherapy. I was also worried about my patients learning as much as they could and in response to that, I recorded audio CDs for them with all of the Lung Cancer information that they needed to know and gave them to my patients. These were nice, but there are many places other where you could learn a lot about what is to come and what treatment decisions you have open to you. I wish you the best.
Dottie, do you know what chemo you will be receiving? Ask your doctor for folic acid (start right away) and after you start, ask about getting B12 shots. These help with the side effects and building your immune system. Hydration is key and food can come second. There are many drinks that are nutritous. Popsicles, sports drinks and watermelon are all good for hydration. Good luck and take care, JC
Wow! I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and caring. Thank you all!
B12 AND THE STEROID FROLIC ACID, HELP KEPT THE SIDE EFFECT DOWN, IT WILL BE WORST WITHOUT THEM. DRINK PLENTY WATER DAILY WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF THE ER. AND HELPS YOU FEEL BETTER.
I AM GOING INTO MY SIX YEARS OF LUNG CANCER BOTH LUNGS, 10 - 15 SMALL TUMERS IN ONE LUNG AND 5 OR SIX IN THE OTHER ON, B BUT IS STABLE . HAD LOBECTOMY IN THE LEFT LUNGS IN 2004 . HAS RECURR IN RIGHT AND LEFT AGAIN 2 YEARS AGO. QUALITY OF LIFE IS GOOD. TIRED MANY TIMES, BUT MUST GO ON, DRINK OCEAN SPRAY ENERGY DRINK FROM GROCERY STORY..VERY MILDS HELPS ME WITH MY DAILY ACIVITIES. B12 SHOTS FROM TIME T IME FOR ANEMIA. STAY POSITIVE
Dottie,
Just want you to know I'm here for you and will keep you in my prayers are you begin your chemo. Where are you going for your treatment?
In the book I read PH Miracle Living By Dr. Robert Young, he talks about 'DRINKING YOUR GREENS'. If you get to the point that you can't eat because of the chemo. Drink your greens. Plz see if you can get the book and take from it what you feel you can do and believe in.
Hopefully the chemo won't be too severe for you but it's best to be prepared and have foods that you can 'drink' if you aren't up for eating.
Blessings to you.
Becky :)
For chemo with vomiting, have doc prescribe Emend or similar anti-nausea drug. Worked well for my mother.
For weight, start drinking Boost or other high calorie drinks with vitamins. Eat fresh fruit and vegies. Some treatment centers have nutritionist on staff or call the varies cancer groups to find one. Avoid crowds and sick people even if it means you wear a mask when you're out. Better that people look at you funny than for you to get germs from them. Good luck,
I HAVE NOT BEEN TOO GOOD, AND I CANNOT WALK SINCE SAT. WENT TO ER LAST NIGHT THEY SAID NOTHING BROKEN BUT IT SEEMS THAT ALL OF MY BONES ARE ACKING. SO I AM ON BEDREST FOR A FEW DAYS. I AM WALKING TO BATHROOM W/A WALKER. MY SYMPTOMS SEEM TO BE GETTING WORSE. MY OPERATION WAS ON AUG 26, 2009. I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN OPERATING ROOM THIS MORNING AT 6.AM BUT DECIDED TO CALL IT OFF BECAUSE THE WAY I WAS FEELING. WE WERE TO INSTALL A PORT. BUT NOT TODAY NEXT WEEK. WITH PAINS EVERYWHERE, I COULD NOT HAVE THE STRENGH. NEXT WEEK KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ME DOTTIECATT.
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