Thank you all for being so kind and supportive with your advice for my husband and myself as we journey down this road. My husband is one week following his first chemo treatment. He had an 8 hour treatment last Thursday, following a RUL removal on the 20th of August via VATS. The pathology report said stage 3a NSCLC adnocarcinoma. Small tumor but involved the pluera and one lymph node in the R4. In my opinion he has done really well but I am trying to figure out what is "normal". The doctor gave us information on these side effects but I am finding it hard to determine what level of these side effect warrant a visit to the ER. I am hoping you all can help me understand as my husband tells me that he does not want to go. Basically, I believe that he is eating 1000 calories a day at most. That is with Ensure! His major complaint is pain when swallowing in his esophagus and upper stomach. The doctor's office told me yesterday that the Decadron he received after the chemo (cisplatin/taxotere) could produce this irritation. He was taking pepcid and they have now added in Nexium to help relieve this and he has also started to take his lortab for pain again as suggested by the doctor as well. He is taking nothing else at this point. He started this regime yesterday. Slept better last night and woke up and said I'm hungry. YEAH! Actually, he ate a small pot of yogurt and was unable to eat anything else until lunch. He had some chicken noodle soup. He is drinking but not the three liters a day required (more like 2) and I don't know what to do. He says he has pain when he swallows. Please offer any suggestions that you all may know of to try and amend this situation.
I find this site so helpful and you are all so kind to share your experiences. God bless you all.
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Targeted therapy Cancer Surgery Confusion Nexium Lortab Decadron Fever Anxiety Pain
8 replies
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- By AliceL
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 7:21 pm
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Everyone responds differently to chemo. I was on cisplatin at first, and couldn't even do 500 calories - if he is doing 1000 I think that's great. I was eventually switched to carbo, and had no problems with that one. I was drinking anything however, couldn't even choke down water, and I do believe that definitely made my situation worse. Everyone I ever talked with emphasizes hydration. I also had to take Nexium with the cisplatin. The main side effect my doctor was concerned with (as far as going to the ER) was fever -- and I did have to do that once. Sounds like he is actually doing pretty good now that his dr. has added the meds. I would sure not hesitate to call the dr's office with any questions or concerns. Good luck and please keep us posted as to how he is doing. AliceL
- By anazari
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 7:41 pm
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Thank you for responding AliceL! You are making me feel more comfortable that this is somewhat normal. Did they switch you due to the fact that you were experiencing this difficulty with nutrition? I am planning to phone the doctor again tomorrow and let them know how he is. Again, thank you so much for your feedback. God bless you.
- By jdmo
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 9:48 pm
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My husband had cisplatin and navelbine.....though he didnt have the problems you are describing, i will tell you hydration is KEY.......he would go back the day after any cisplatin treatment for a 2hr IV hydration......it always seemed to help. You might want to ask your onc to write orders for hyrdation the day after he gets cisplatin, particulary if he is having trouble drinking enough. Cisplatin is tough in the kidneys and drinking is very important. Good luck.......we finished chemo in july, it was 16 straight weeks with no breaks......but now its behind us, and so will yours be soon,
best,
janet
- By Marylou1
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 10:20 pm
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I have to stay hydrated because of the targeted therapy drug I take, and it is sometimes difficult to get the fluid that you really need, so I opted to try watermelon. I bought a few very nice ones and bring them home. Hubby and I cut them in half and dice half and put into a container. Therefore it's quick and easy to dish out a bowl.
When I was recovering from surgery, I had a difficult time eating. My hubby and daughter made me smoothies and shakes with Whey powder in it. It seemed that cold stuff was easier to go down. I hope you can find some something that will work for him. He does need the nourishment.
Love to all,
Marylou
- By blujonny
- Posted September 11, 2009 at 6:58 am
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I think the key is balance. I know there is a tendency to chase every rabbit down a hole but as with my father I just had to provide him with some kind of supplemental balance and trust that I had covered all the bases and so far it has worked. Every morning he takes a blue green algae pill, a type of fermented yeast pill and a cod liver oil pill. Around lunch time he takes a curcumin c3 pill and at dinner time he takes an aged garlic pill. Then once a month for a week he takes a fruit fiber pill 3 times a day called Pectasol. These supplements pretty much cover the entire bodies processes. He also drinks plenty of fluids. Everything else that doesn't fall under the category of urgency should boil down to patience. I believe that once people start buying into gimmick supplements and formulas and start looking for something for one specific ailment of the body, that's when confusion and anxiety breeds because you're always chasing the next best or new thing or 1 of a possible 1000 remedies. Keep with whole food type substances which are basic but powerful and leave the rest to nature. God bless.
- By kkwv
- Posted September 11, 2009 at 8:00 am
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My husband just finished his 4th chemo treatment -- cisplatin/taxotere. His doctor said there is no "normal" -- everyone is different, and every treatment is different. That's what we found. Ensure was a lifesavor. He also drank Gatorade and is eating a lot of ice cream. He tries to drink a lot, and most of the time he can. He doesn't have swallowing problems, but at times it feels like he has a rock in his stomach and can't get anything else down. Also, everything except the above tastes horrible. He takes Zofran for nausea, and it really helps. Once he's through the side effects, he'll start on an anti-cancer diet -- no sugar, no white flour, lots of veggies and fruits. But for now he just needs to eat what he can.
- By anazari
- Posted September 11, 2009 at 11:24 am
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Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. It does help me to keep things in perspective. I hope all is well with you and your husband and will keep you all in our prayers.
- By anazari
- Posted September 11, 2009 at 11:28 am
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Thank you Marylou1 the smoothies is a great idea and we have had some success with them! I hope it keeps up! My best to you and I will keep you in my prayers.
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