Dear Rene,
I am sorry to hear that your Mum is having a difficult time with the chemo regime.
I had 4 cycles of Cispl/Gemz and found that the Cisplatinum was very hard on me too. Your mum is 75 and I was 38 at the time, I am sure it will be much more demanding for the elderly.
The Cisplatinum is a bitch and will get harder each time and I found that I became more tired with each cycle. The first was ok although my recovery became longer for each repeated cycle and I satyed longer in bed each time.
All I can say is try to get the best anti nausea medicine and get your mum to drink lots of fluids to flush her system. My meds for Cisplatinum chemo was Emmend and Dexametason which was given by infuse on the chemo day and orally for three days after.
I have heard that it is also possible to return to the chemo room for extra intravenous fluids.
I really hope your mum fairs well and recovers soon….
Leigh
I have heard
Leigh, 39
Dx July 2007
TURBT July 2007
RC/Neobladder ,Studer Pouch, September 2007
Erasmus Centrum Rotterdam
TNM Classification: pT4 N2 Mo
4 cycles aduvant chemo Gemzar & Cisplatinum
Patti ..here is a good article on chemotherapy and the elderly as defined by Medicare……..there’s 4 pages…but its interesting
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/409015
Pat
Mom will be 75 on September 22. I think she is only receiving half doses of the Cisplatin, but it has been a very rough road these last few days. We are battling thrush along with everything else. It is hard for her to eat, so there has been some weight loss. I feel so helpless.
I think chemo, like everything else, differs from patient to patient. My husband was very tired after his treatments and for a few days afterward. The doctor said the effects would be cumulative, and they were. I tried not to hover too much, of course “easier said than done”….His body let him know when he was tired and needed rest. When he felt better, he did more. It is a rough road and as a caregiver, it was really difficult – I felt helpless a lot, not being able to “fix things” to make him feel better. I’m sure your mother appreciates your concern and just by being there you are a blessing to her.
Margot
Rene..how old is your Mom? There are many that cannot do the Cisplatin and they are switched to Carboplatin. This sounds kind of excessive to me. What has the oncologist said?
Pat
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