On to chemo

MARGOT,
I had thought that Gene and Harry had the same path report. So I was surprised to hear about the chemo, but Gene's wasn't in the fatty tissue, so that explains it. Say hi to Harry, Gene is doing well, has had a few down days, where the whole deal hits him in the face, but it passes,so we are doing Vegas in January, if he behaves, his heart thing was explained as a defib problem, he missed a dose of lopressor, didn't tell me, but the nuclear test was clear. So back to don't worry,,actually I didn't know one dose taken out of turn was a big deal, but it is..I know personally from family about chemo, its no fun,my hope is he feels good for the holidays , and gets it over with..you've come a long way!! Blessing to you both,,Ginger Beane

Hello Margot!
I just started my neoadjuvent (preop) chemo this past Friday and WHEW! I was given Cisplatin and Gemzar plus fluids and an antinausea med. It took approx. 4 hours and there were no problems during infusion. I went home and 4 hours later I began to vomit. Dr. sent me home with compazine tabs and supositories and NOTHING worked. I was sick for 24 hours. It felt like sea sickness which surprised me. On Saturday evening I tried to eat chicken noodle soup and it worked! Afterwards I ate a couple of popcicles and they stayed down as well. I never realized that EVERYTHING I ate, including chicken noodle soup and popcicles were going to taste bad. Wouldn't have thought they even could! I improved a little each day. I returned to work on Monday and probably should have stayed home one more day. I couldn't lift my head up I was so worn down. I will get just Gemzar this Friday and next Friday then a week off then begin the same cycle again. Please tell Harry he is not alone.
Faith, Love and MERRY CHRISTMAS/HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ALL!
- Carmine -

Margot,
I too had my bladder removed first and then Chemo second.
I just completed my four cycles of Chemo (Cycle: Gemzar and Cisplatin one week, Gemzar the next week, then a week off)

The first cycle went easy for me, no nausea and no fatigue. second, third and forth got worse for me with nausea. The nurses and doctors tried to adjust my anti-nausea meds but could not find the right combo. I threw-up for five days after the fourth cycle with cisplatin.

However, I did not loose my remaining hair (the top was already gone by natural causes). As Billy Crystal use to say on Saturday Nioght Live as Fernando, "It is better to look good, then to feel good."

Zach - The oncologist said 3 or 4, depending on how he tolerates it...so far so good, but I know we're just getting into it. Also, thanks to all for your suggestions. We received a great brochure on Aloxi, but I will check out the website as well.

Margot

Aloxi is a good drug...an injection will last about 5 days...they have some informative things to download on their site....worth a look i think.
www.aloxi.com/StayStrong/Default.aspx


Pat

Hi

I found I was best able to tolerate cold/cool foods best - they did not have a smell. It helped me some - Carnation has an instant breakfast juice ( I got it from the pharmacy) and it helped, too. It was like a fruity alternative to ensure.
God Bless, Holly
ps. Keep the antipuke meds on schedule...I would get heartburn before the nausea, if I did not do the meds quick it was harder to get control over. Anzemet worked better for me but was pricy.