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Chemo
Hi
I just wanted to specifically ask the folks who have had chemo, maybe cisplatin and gemzar how they found the treatment and how they got through it.
My mum is having a miserable time, she looks dreadful, can barely eat and mentally is not coping at all well. She has only had one cisplatin treatment and one Gemzar before they had to stop for the week due to low white blood cells and severe vertigo (which is most likely due to the cisplatin).
I just went to the GP with her and when she saw me, she just burst into tears.
I feel like I’m losing my mum and there is sod all I can do about it, its tearing me apart.
Moglie
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6 Replies
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Thanks Duke.
Today was a better day, we have managed to get more food into her and her new anti-vertigo drugs are working much better.
Onwards and upwards, as they say!
Best wishes
Moglie -
Thanks for the suggestions Sydelle. I hadn’t thought about the protein drinks such a carnation chocolate drinks – will look into that tomorrow.
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My husband was on the exact same treatment combo as your mom. I gave him chicken soup straight for 2 days after treatment, along with any fluid he could tolerate. For him, extra protein i.e. eggs, turkey slices, Carnation Breakfast drink chocolate 2x protein…all helped; so did rented comedies, classical music and holding hands. I know you are her best support, just remind her that the chemo is her weapon to fight the nasty cells…there is an end in sight for the chemo finale…..
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Moglie,
Hi i hope you and your mom are doing better.
The first rounds of chemo i had in ’91 were for a bone cancer
they found in my femur. Like your mom, the months of chemo took
their toll on me. But when over i bounced back very quickly. I hope your mom will do the same. I’m sorry she has to go through
such hard times, but if the chemo is successful it will be worth it all.
Moglie, what you are doing is not useless. For your mom to have your help and support is one of the most important things
she has at this time. It is also very important for someone like yourself to be in control of her care. My wife watched over my care like a mother hen. She always demanded i have the best care possible, never taking no for a answer. But at the same time you must remember you can only do what you can control.
Wishing both you and your mom the best!
Duke -
Hi Duke
I like your daughters sign, I have to admit I”m being a bit like that with my mum!
It is so damn hard to see your parent going through absolute hell, we feel completely helpless and useless. I agree taking one day at a time is the only way to handle it, otherwise it just gets too much to emotionally process.
I also think a light antidepressant could help and will mention that to mum this weekend.
May I ask Duke, what your diagnosis was and when you had chemo?
Best wishes
Moglie -
Hi Moglie
I am sorry to hear that your mom and yourself are having such a
hard time with the chemo treatment. I did not have either of
the chemo’s you mention, but i have had a lot of chemo over
the years.
My Dr. put me on a very light antidepressant (amitriptyline) right after my first treatment. It kind of pulled me out of my
depression, and it is suppose to help your appetite.
I was on a very strong chemo at the time for bone cancer, I offen went the five days of chemo and another week without eating. Not good but it worked for me, I was 45 at that time.
You do not have to eat a lot to keep going. I also from time to time had a very low white blood count and got very weak.
I am sorry to say it but that is kind of what they are trying to do with the chemo. To give you as much and as strong of chemo as your body can stand to kill the cancer cells, but at the same time not kill you. My daughter made me a sign i read
offen.(GET TOUGH, BE TOUGH, STAY TOUGH) For me it worked out
in the end, I was very lucky.
The only way i know to get through it is to take one day at a
time and have a very good support system like you. I have learned through it all that we are a lot tougher then we think we are. I hope this will help you and your mom just a little!
Wishing both of you the best.
Duke
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