I am going to have to do 4 rounds of EP chemo this summer. I have surgery scheduled to put in a port in 2 weeks. Any advice whatsoever would be greatly appreciated. I am stage 1 and it looks like we caught this one very early, so I'm hoping we can beat it!
Chemotherapy Advice
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43 Replies |
Last: 1 mo ago by Sweating BulletS
can't help, but just want to say **** cancer.
go beat this thing.
go beat this thing.
I had radiation and no chemo, so my advice is generic.
Eat right
Get plenty of sleep
Get all the good meds for nausea just in case....
Hire a lawn guy
Plus the mental health aspects of cancer need to be kept in mind. Allow folks to help; they will volunteer and accept some of those offers.
Eat right
Get plenty of sleep
Get all the good meds for nausea just in case....
Hire a lawn guy
Plus the mental health aspects of cancer need to be kept in mind. Allow folks to help; they will volunteer and accept some of those offers.
As a fighter finishing up my 3rd year of treatment, two things come to mind:
1) If you haven't already, BEFORE you start treatment, get a 2nd opinion from MD Anderson (H-town med center).
2) What Aggie00 said!!!!
and did I mention, get a 2nd opinion from MDA!
Gig 'em Sir!
1) If you haven't already, BEFORE you start treatment, get a 2nd opinion from MD Anderson (H-town med center).
2) What Aggie00 said!!!!
and did I mention, get a 2nd opinion from MDA!
Gig 'em Sir!
I'm in Houston and going through Memorial Hermann. My oncologist was trained through MD Anderson and won fellow of the year twice before starting his own practice. I'm in good hands!
Doesn't matter! In my case, I initially went to Houston Methodist's cancer center at the med center. A pretty well-respected hospital. My oncologist there was also trained at MDA and in fact was a fellow under my MDA doctor (one of the top drs in his field).
Houston Methodist oncologist told me to pack my bag and prepare to be checked in and begin chemo (pretty harsh chemo). I said hold on hold on let me think about it. I did some research and decided MDA needed to take a look at me first. MDA did their tests (CT, full blood lab, bone marrow biopsy) and MDA Dr told me I could basically go on "watch and wait" if I wanted, immediate treatment wasn't necessary, I was kind of in the gray area. I opted to go with their immunotherapy and have been on that for almost 3 years with minimal side effects (a little fatigue here and there), but otherwise living my life as normal.
MDA has much more detailed specialization compared to the Houston Methodists and Memorial Hermanns of the world.
So I'm just saying, it wouldn't hurt to get MDA's opinion. It may make a big difference, it may make no difference in treatment plan!
Houston Methodist oncologist told me to pack my bag and prepare to be checked in and begin chemo (pretty harsh chemo). I said hold on hold on let me think about it. I did some research and decided MDA needed to take a look at me first. MDA did their tests (CT, full blood lab, bone marrow biopsy) and MDA Dr told me I could basically go on "watch and wait" if I wanted, immediate treatment wasn't necessary, I was kind of in the gray area. I opted to go with their immunotherapy and have been on that for almost 3 years with minimal side effects (a little fatigue here and there), but otherwise living my life as normal.
MDA has much more detailed specialization compared to the Houston Methodists and Memorial Hermanns of the world.
So I'm just saying, it wouldn't hurt to get MDA's opinion. It may make a big difference, it may make no difference in treatment plan!
There is a Doctors of Running podcast episode for cancer treatment and recovery that might be beneficial for you. While the podcast tends to focus on running, this episode is more general advice for anyone who wants to maintain quality of life through exercise and rehab.
https://www.doctorsofrunning.com/2024/05/the-science-of-running-with-cancer-feat.html?m=1
Good luck with your treatment!
https://www.doctorsofrunning.com/2024/05/the-science-of-running-with-cancer-feat.html?m=1
Good luck with your treatment!
Chris Beat Cancer
This has been a real game changer during Mrs. Aggiebrad '91's treatment. He has a great cookbook that lists a number of meal and smoothie ideas.
I would also google Black Cumin Seed Oil and cancer. I stumbled across it while researching what to do if she got COVID during treatment. Lots of good information and promise.
This has been a real game changer during Mrs. Aggiebrad '91's treatment. He has a great cookbook that lists a number of meal and smoothie ideas.
I would also google Black Cumin Seed Oil and cancer. I stumbled across it while researching what to do if she got COVID during treatment. Lots of good information and promise.
Sorry you have to go through this. I truley am.
In my experience, Fighting cancer is a lifestyle and a team sport.
I hated it, but I've been cancer free for close to a decade now.
I thought chemo was miserable but it saved my life. So I am forever grateful for every second of the misery because without it, I wouldn't be here.
Couple thoughts from my experience.
Stay ahead of your meds. I tried toughing it out my first round. Big mistake, for nausea especially. I waited until I got really sick to start meds. It took forever to get it under control. After that round, I followed a regiment of the meds, stayed on top of it, and although I still felt like dog crap it was much better being in front of it.
Find what works for you in terms of food. Oddly enough I could eat fried rice really well. No idea why. I kept the Chinese restaurant near my house in business during chemo. Sun chips made me sick. To this day if someone is eating sun chips next to me I get nauseous. It's the oddest thing.
I would try your best and find some normalcy in your day. Try and connect how life was before chemo. My experience is life tends to revolve around cancer and chemo. Adding some normal routine back into my day kept me positive and grounded.
Similar thought was when my hair started falling out. As soon as it started I shaved it. Made it seem like it was my decision vs chemo taking it from me. I'm a dude do it wasn't a huge deal to shave my head but it was shocking one day to wake up with loads of hair on my pillow.
As I mentioned, it's a team sport. I'm sure you have folks supporting and cheering you on. Let them.
You can do it. Take care and BTHO cancer.
In my experience, Fighting cancer is a lifestyle and a team sport.
I hated it, but I've been cancer free for close to a decade now.
I thought chemo was miserable but it saved my life. So I am forever grateful for every second of the misery because without it, I wouldn't be here.
Couple thoughts from my experience.
Stay ahead of your meds. I tried toughing it out my first round. Big mistake, for nausea especially. I waited until I got really sick to start meds. It took forever to get it under control. After that round, I followed a regiment of the meds, stayed on top of it, and although I still felt like dog crap it was much better being in front of it.
Find what works for you in terms of food. Oddly enough I could eat fried rice really well. No idea why. I kept the Chinese restaurant near my house in business during chemo. Sun chips made me sick. To this day if someone is eating sun chips next to me I get nauseous. It's the oddest thing.
I would try your best and find some normalcy in your day. Try and connect how life was before chemo. My experience is life tends to revolve around cancer and chemo. Adding some normal routine back into my day kept me positive and grounded.
Similar thought was when my hair started falling out. As soon as it started I shaved it. Made it seem like it was my decision vs chemo taking it from me. I'm a dude do it wasn't a huge deal to shave my head but it was shocking one day to wake up with loads of hair on my pillow.
As I mentioned, it's a team sport. I'm sure you have folks supporting and cheering you on. Let them.
You can do it. Take care and BTHO cancer.
Second opinion always a good idea. Wife had a brain tumor diagnosed at Houston Methodist. Second opinion at MD Anderson. Decided to stay with Methodist but second opinion good!
Chemo nurse.....assuming EP = etoposide + Cisplatin daily for 5 days for 4 cycles??
If so, here is my advice......
-Yes, you will lose your hair but it will grow back
-Get a Sancuso patch if your insurance covers it & put it on the day 5 of chemo. You wear it for 7 days & will help with the nausea
-Days 1 & 2, you will probably feel fine.....Day 3, you'll probably start to feel crappy....Day 4 & 5 you will be green & feel awful......that is the pattern my EP guys always followed.
-Not gonna say that weed is your friend.....but get a script for marinol or phone a friend
-Watch out for ringing of the ears & tingling in the hands.....report that ASAP to your doc so you don't get permanent damage. Doesn't happen to everyone but is possible....more so the ringing of the ears
-you will be getting a lot of fluids with your treatment so during chemo, you will be up & down a lot
-get emesis bags from the nurses for the car
-have plastic utensils & cups ready as your taste buds can change
-Drink as much water as you can on your off weeks....cis can mess with your kidneys (hence all of the fluids during treatment)
4 cycles isn't bad. Days 4&5 will always suck but you'll bounce back. I don't think I've ever had one of my EP guys come back for more treatment as EP (especially plus surgery) is very successful.
Good luck! Your port is your best friend!
If so, here is my advice......
-Yes, you will lose your hair but it will grow back
-Get a Sancuso patch if your insurance covers it & put it on the day 5 of chemo. You wear it for 7 days & will help with the nausea
-Days 1 & 2, you will probably feel fine.....Day 3, you'll probably start to feel crappy....Day 4 & 5 you will be green & feel awful......that is the pattern my EP guys always followed.
-Not gonna say that weed is your friend.....but get a script for marinol or phone a friend
-Watch out for ringing of the ears & tingling in the hands.....report that ASAP to your doc so you don't get permanent damage. Doesn't happen to everyone but is possible....more so the ringing of the ears
-you will be getting a lot of fluids with your treatment so during chemo, you will be up & down a lot
-get emesis bags from the nurses for the car
-have plastic utensils & cups ready as your taste buds can change
-Drink as much water as you can on your off weeks....cis can mess with your kidneys (hence all of the fluids during treatment)
4 cycles isn't bad. Days 4&5 will always suck but you'll bounce back. I don't think I've ever had one of my EP guys come back for more treatment as EP (especially plus surgery) is very successful.
Good luck! Your port is your best friend!
Wife had BC and treated at Methodist with treatment excellent. Once one recovers cancer there is that notion that it is retest a different site. She has a nonproductive tumor on her pancreas. Referral to a great doc at Methodist, scheduled surgery. I had ill feeling went to MD Anderson for 2nd opinion. Specialist there compared growth and it has stayed same for 6 years. Surgery on pancreas is a no go.
That said Docs want to work on winners. TRY to go in with a good positive attitude.
That said Docs want to work on winners. TRY to go in with a good positive attitude.
Thank you so much!
Start chemo in a week on 6/17. Finally got all the insurance Bulls*** out of the way.
We kept a couple of bags of soft ice from Sonic on hand for my mom. Left it in a Yeti cooler so it would stay soft. At times the nausea and mouth sores made it tough to eat and drink.
Prayers for your recovery. Glad it was caught at an early stage.
Prayers for your recovery. Glad it was caught at an early stage.
Hope you're doing good & tomorrow doesn't suck.
Ask about fasting and chemo. Lots of promising studies and trials showing fasting may improve chemo effectiveness while protecting non cancerous cells.
https://www.oncnursingnews.com/view/fasting-during-cancer-treatment
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6938162/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8190229/
https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01175837
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870384/
https://www.oncnursingnews.com/view/fasting-during-cancer-treatment
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6938162/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8190229/
https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01175837
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870384/
Starting Day 3. Been ok with symptoms so far. Nausea comes and goes. Fatigue hit hard yesterday. Couldn't get out of bed. Brain fog is really bad too. Have trouble putting sentences together and finding things in the house. Feeling pretty good overall though. Thanks for all the support! Let's BTHO cancer
Dude, you look like a movie star.
Semper Fi.
Semper Fi.
Glad you're not green!
Look strong!
Keep up the good work.
Just gotta muscle through it.
Keep up the good work.
Just gotta muscle through it.
You got this! Stay strong.
Stage 3 melanoma survivor here. Diagnosed in my early 20's, been cancer free for little over ten years now.
My advice is get plenty of rest, stay on top of your meds and try and get outside as much as possible.
I took my cancer battle as exactly that. A battle. Look at it as someone talking **** to you and you're deciding to whip its ass. Never give up and take the pain as a challenge. When you come out on the other side you can hold your head high and say **** you to cancer.
ETA: even when you finish this treatment still go to Md Anderson and have them look over everything and get another opinion.
My advice is get plenty of rest, stay on top of your meds and try and get outside as much as possible.
I took my cancer battle as exactly that. A battle. Look at it as someone talking **** to you and you're deciding to whip its ass. Never give up and take the pain as a challenge. When you come out on the other side you can hold your head high and say **** you to cancer.
ETA: even when you finish this treatment still go to Md Anderson and have them look over everything and get another opinion.
Chemo Day 4, here we go!!! Big win last night makes the morning a little better. Really starting to feel rough.
I don't have advice- but I want to say that you're in my prayers and that your positivity through all of this is an inspiration.
Only easy day was yesterday…
Yeah that day 4 is when it usually starts to really kick in. Time to phone a friend.
On Fridays we wear flamingos to whoop cancer's ass. Day 5, last day of round 1. Let's do this!!!
Happy Friday! Praying for a great weekend of wins for both you and the Ags.
Hang in there, one step at a time. You will find out you're stronger than you realized and many amazing people are going to help you get through this. On the other side, you will never be the same and it's all good. BTHO C!!!
The last few days have been real good days. I wore myself out going from Katy to welcome the team home on Tuesday, but have been better since then. I actually did some yard work yesterday and felt like a normal human. Next week is supposed to be the best week before we start again. Hopefully the rest of it goes like the first round. Sick for about 10 days and then on the uptick!
That's how it usually goes. Once you get to feeling normal again, we kick ya back down!
Glad you have been doing well!
Glad you have been doing well!
How's it going, Marine?
Start Cycle 2 Monday??
Did you get a sancuso patch?
Did you get a sancuso patch?
Round 2 started a week late today thanks to Beryl. Ready to rock and roll and get this thing beat! I asked about the patch and they ordered me one. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers y'all!
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