Chemo worked, but still feel crapy please help.

[engage]

Had right IO Feb 14 stage 2. Started chemo 3XBEP 4/3/06. The chemo worked which is great news, but I still feel like puking (gaging effect) and still do from time to time. I'm just wondering if anybody had this effect and how long it may last. Another question is, everybody is asking how I feel and Im the type of guy that doesn't want to put a burden on anyone else or make them worry about me, so I say I feel fine (except a little sick from time to time), but deep done I feel like crap. Im feeling a little depressed lately with money wories from not working for two months with no disablity, just recently a co-worker commited suicide who helped me though chemo bringing me cards, homemade food, and most importantly talking with me though some very hard times. Almost all the time im a happy go luckly nice kinda guy, but recently im feeling like im putting on a different face for people to see and just dont feel like that anymore. I've heard depression is a side effect from chemo, but that is only hear say. I'm wondering if any of you guys went though depression because of chemo and your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Sam

[BeachTech]

You sound normal, just hang in there!

Had right IO Feb 14 stage 2. Started chemo 3XBEP 4/3/06. The chemo worked which is great news, but I still feel like puking (gaging effect) and still do from time to time. I'm just wondering if anybody had this effect and how long it may last. Another question is, everybody is asking how I feel and Im the type of guy that doesn't want to put a burden on anyone else or make them worry about me, so I say I feel fine (except a little sick from time to time), but deep done I feel like crap. Im feeling a little depressed lately with money wories from not working for two months with no disablity, just recently a co-worker commited suicide who helped me though chemo bringing me cards, homemade food, and most importantly talking with me though some very hard times. Almost all the time im a happy go luckly nice kinda guy, but recently im feeling like im putting on a different face for people to see and just dont feel like that anymore. I've heard depression is a side effect from chemo, but that is only hear say. I'm wondering if any of you guys went though depression because of chemo and your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Sam

It sounds like you are a few weeks post chemo. My digestive system took a few months to get back to normal. Stay away from spicy food. Also, you may be experiencing some food aversions. My wife, knowing I liked donuts, about forced me to eat one during the last week of chemo when I was feeling so sick. Now when I see a donut, I get sick. Same with Wheat Thins and Gatorade.

As far as letting others know how you are feeling, pick a few people close to you and tell them how you feel. That?s what good friends are for. Also, consider professional help, like a therapist. The best thing is to talk to other cancer survivors, even if it is not Testicular Cancer they survived. I get together with a few breast and ovarian cancer survivors once a month just to talk to people that can relate with me.

I did not tell ANYONE at work what type of cancer I had. They knew I had cancer (I couldn?t hide the bald head and missing 4 months of work), but they don?t need to know what cancer I had. I decided to keep the coworkers in the dark after I read Armstrong?s book. When I am asked what type of cancer I had, I politely say ?thank you for your interest and concern, but I have decided to keep the type of cancer I had private.?

I got VERY depressed about 1-2 months post chemo. At one point I was crying 12 times a day for about a week. I had my testosterone checked and it was low. It is very likely you have low testosterone. My oncologist told me that it would be a BAD idea to start hormone replacement therapy since hormones can fuel dormant cancer cells.

With everything you have been through (cancer, IO, chemo, financial issues, coworker committing suicide), a therapist might help. Also, consider a psychiatrist who may give you a medication for a while until you get back to normal.

Also, check your Private Messages.
________
affair Cam

[engage]

First thank you for responding so quickly. I have the same thing with food I can not eat hot pockets, pop tarts, and I can't wash with axe body wash anymore the smell of the foods or body wash makes me gag. I haven't even thought about horomones I well check into that. Thanks for responding quickly. Check PM.

Sam


PS I like your quote
Favorite Question
"Which testicle did they remove?"

[Scott]

Another question is, everybody is asking how I feel and Im the type of guy that doesn't want to put a burden on anyone else or make them worry about me, so I say I feel fine (except a little sick from time to time), but deep done I feel like crap.

A family member who went through some tough times told me the answer that worked best for him when people asked how he was doing was, "I'm hanging in there."

[petep]

I had my last bleo on april 17, 2006...3xBEP...

I had that feeling of my throat being constricted throughout chemo - mostly when taking anti nausea meds...not like I couldn't breath or eat...just a nuisance...

but bit by bit it went away and today, I'm realizing I do not have that feeling anymore...

still some numbness, but I don't care about that...it reminds me that I'm here...

My energy level is back, weight almost back, exercising again...

be patient...you've had more drugs pumped through you than most every person on earth...