More than half way through the six chemo treatments. Supposedly, according to the Dr., people tolerate this type of chemo quite well. I am not one of those. Oh, at first it wasn't too bad, and I kind of fooled myself into thinking perhaps this won't be bad and I'll be able to work around the house and get a few things done.
I did wonder if as time went on the side effects would accumulate, and apparently some of them do. I had chemo on a Monday, six days ago. Chemo consists of two drugs administered via IV in the Infusion Lab. The third drug is administered via a pump I wear over 46 hours and is removed usually about Wednesday noon. The first few days I feel quite well, however that is due to a couple of anti-nausea drugs that contain a "feel good" component. That wears about about Thursday after being administered Monday.
It is all down hill from there. I did encounter a gagging sensation and in fact coughed up some phlegm a few times. I also had a soreness in my throat and a little acid reflux during the night time. I explained that to am NPA and she told me to take some Mucinex and Prilosec and that seems to have been pretty effective. However, I feel constantly ill at ease in my stomach and I am encountering abdominal cramps that are fairly painful. Early on when I would encounter these cramps I'd pass some stool which resulted in me having to change pads often and clean myself up. Last night I encountered cramps but passed no stool and no gas and got worried I was encountering a colon blockage. I don't think so as I've now passed some gas and a little stool, but I frequently encounter these cramps and they can make me catch my breath.
Food does not taste good and the smell of food cooking is almost nauseating. I am losing some weight because I just can't eat much. That effect has occurred in past weeks, and by the end of the second week after chemo my appetite has returned and I am able to put that weight back on. Last chemo round however, the cramps lasted up to the end of the two weeks and I ended up losing about 4 pounds. I'll see what happens this week.
Round 5 of chemo coming up they are going to drop the drug Avastin. It slows healing and has to be discontinued 6 weeks before surgery. I think that is the drug that causes me some constipation and cramping, I hope. We will be discontinuing the drug a week from Monday in preparation for early December surgery.
My dauber is down, but I'm not out of the race that's for sure. I'll keep you informed.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Third Chemo Treatment
I am fighting a second recurrence of my colo-rectal cancer. The first diagnosis was in 2007, the first recurrence in 2011 and the second this past August 2014. The recurrence is a small mass located right next to the incision site of the first and second surgeries. It apparently has been found early enough that it is going any place. However, I am undergoing chemo for a period of time will we determine the best course of treatment. I had my third chemo session Monday, Oct 6, 2014. I take three drugs, Oxaliplatin, Avastin and Folfox. The Folfox I take over a 48 hour period via a portable pump I carry and it comes off around Wednesday noon.
The first couple of days I don't feel too bad. In fact until the Folfox kicks in that I really start to go down hill. My stomach feels slightly upset, I am tired, just kind of worn out and don't feel good. Foods I normally enjoy begin to taste odd, in some cases down right bad.
Time takes care of it, I rest, eat realizing that as my appetite diminishes I'll lose some weight. Frankly that isn't all bad, but my energy level is very low and I don't have much ambition to do much.
I do have a sensitivity to cold that shows up in my fingers and mouth area. I have to drink tap water and be careful getting chilled foods out of the freezer or refrigerator. I seem to encounter more frequent esophageal spasms, in some cases if I am taking some pills I may even throw up, but it is just what is in my esophagus. My gag reflex seems very sensitive, I gag easily while brushing my teeth. I have not encountered mouth sores, but do have a rash around my knees and shins.
About a week after treatment I start to come out of the funk. In fact, by the weekend before I go in for more chemo I feel darn good. Right now this is my life and I'll get through this. The outlook isn't too bad, I should have surgery in Little Rock at the University of Arkansas Medical School this fall. I will end up with a colostomy, permanent, but given the aggravation I've gone through the last seven years it will probably be a relief.
The first couple of days I don't feel too bad. In fact until the Folfox kicks in that I really start to go down hill. My stomach feels slightly upset, I am tired, just kind of worn out and don't feel good. Foods I normally enjoy begin to taste odd, in some cases down right bad.
Time takes care of it, I rest, eat realizing that as my appetite diminishes I'll lose some weight. Frankly that isn't all bad, but my energy level is very low and I don't have much ambition to do much.
I do have a sensitivity to cold that shows up in my fingers and mouth area. I have to drink tap water and be careful getting chilled foods out of the freezer or refrigerator. I seem to encounter more frequent esophageal spasms, in some cases if I am taking some pills I may even throw up, but it is just what is in my esophagus. My gag reflex seems very sensitive, I gag easily while brushing my teeth. I have not encountered mouth sores, but do have a rash around my knees and shins.
About a week after treatment I start to come out of the funk. In fact, by the weekend before I go in for more chemo I feel darn good. Right now this is my life and I'll get through this. The outlook isn't too bad, I should have surgery in Little Rock at the University of Arkansas Medical School this fall. I will end up with a colostomy, permanent, but given the aggravation I've gone through the last seven years it will probably be a relief.
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