"Standing On My Head"--my chemo blog

Zachary,
I was reading your blog regarding your first session with cisplatin. For my sessions of cisplatin, I was hospitalised since cisplatin is toxic to the kidneys and I have only one - and that too a transplanted one. The docs wanted me to be close to ER till atleast 70% of the drug comes out.And my urine output was monitored for two days!. My husband had his laptop out and was the official scorer .The doctors gave me mannitol as the dieurtic. In your next session, check it out with your doc. From what I have heard, mannitol is the standard drug that is given for cisplatin. Isn't it strange that they ask you to hydrate a lot, forcing you to drink water when you are feeling nauseous.
My other side effect was losing hair. It started two weeks after the first infusion. Hair loss in not common with cisplatin though.

Believe me, Clur--I have been thinking about you, and your experience is one of the reasons I started writing the blog in the first place.

Please get better. Actually, don't get better, get well. An important, if subtle, difference.

Zach

I can't promise that, but I just updated the blog with the results of my first session with Cisplatin and Gemzar.

So far, there's nothing that should scare you. It may make my wife mad about her measuring cups, but it should relive some of your fears.

This is a great idea. I too will be starting chemo in a few weeks so I will be reading your blog religiously...just promise you won't make it too scary for me. I know you'll be honest....that's what we all will expect. Good Luck
Ray

Zackary,

I just went to your blog and read your update, what a hoot.  I think with your sense of humor your blog is going to be interesting reading, and I look forward to reading whatever you write.  Who knows you may want to do something more permanent that will touch more people, and I'm referring to publishing a book.  As you probably know there's nothing in publication written by a bladder cancer patient, who's going to be the first?

Good Luck with your treatments,

Lou Graham

Hi Zachary & Clur,
There is a website www.redtoenail.org . This site is for cancer patients and where they maintain blogs. I am a member and have my own blog. You will find different types of cancer patients . It would be good if you have a blog there, so that others can support you with their experiences as well. It is a very good support group. Check it out.

-Rgds,
Shoba.