Chemo - 1 week down... 8 to go...

[JoePSU]

See post on 4/18 for update...

Well,

I finished my first week of BEP on Friday, after the nausea "finally" kicked in on Thursday.

The worst feeling is the chemo fog I'm in after treatment, plus the constant urination during. I just generally feel like crap, and completely lethargic.

Those of you who went through BEP, what did you do about food? Sometimes I feel super hungry, then I'll eat, and feel totally disgusted afterwards. (ie, the leftover Buca's I just ate <ugh>).

Small meals seem to have been ok, I'm hoping that the coming week (only Bleo on Monday morning) will be easier as it dissipates from my system...

Will drinking extra fluids help flush out, even if I'm not actively on treatment during the week?

[Russell's Mom]

for us

As a mom, I went crazy. The first round, Russell had a drug reaction that was very difficult, but he could eat mexican food thru the nausea! The second round he wanted salads. the third round I stocked up on greens and he couldn't even look at them. the fourth round...... we learned to be in the moment. I picked up some free aminos (protein that will be easily digested) and kept that going in small amount through the whole time. Yes, drink tons of water, it is a must to keep your kidneys from being damaged and also it will help flush the chemo out. If needed, work with the pharmacist who is mixing your meds. They have a lot of experience and some great ideas that are helpful. Take care, Russell's mom Sharon

[dadmo]

You need three things fluid, calories, and protein. The source isn't important. Ice cream was a big hit with my son and for fluids he loved country time lemonade. In general eat whatever you want whenever you want, just be careful with the spices. Constipation may become a problem, warm pruen juice works great for that.

[Fed]

With every day that goes by, you are getting closer to beating the beast. It's good to hear that despite the nausea and stuff, you are hanging tough. Keeping yourself well-nourished, hydrated, and well-rested will go a long way.

[Already Bald]

Joe,
Keep drinking the fluids, it is really important. I forgot about the chemo fog, it will pass. I put on about ten pounds durimg my 4xEP. It was the most guilt free eating of crap food I can remember as an adult! Keep taking the drugs on a regular basis, and tell the nurses about the nausea- they maybe can adjust your scripts.
Another thing, make sure your urine makes it into the toilet, wipe up any drips...It is toxic, and very bad for pets or children. Use your own bathroom if you have several where you are staying now- or come over to my house and pee on my poison ivy!
Good luck with the Bleo tomorrow.

[David07]

Hey,

My case is really similar to you. I am two weeks ahead of you and will be starting cycle #2 tomorrow.

I didnt really get any serious nausea, but I did make sure that I ate carefully.

I probably ate every two hours. I'd eat maybe a plain turkey burger, then 2hrs later a chicken salad, and so on... just small things. With all the food over the course of the day, it would add up to plenty of calories. I maintained my weight over this cycle and I think that I look pretty much the same (except for hair).

Everything went back to normal for me on the off weeks.

I am bringing in some ready to drink meal replacement shakes for this cycle. I think that will be easiest for me to consume to get calories while waiting for lunch. A drink called "Juice Squeeze" really sat well with me. It is lightly cabonated and comes in pretty good flavors. I like the carbonation the most.


Keep it up!

[petep]

joe -

if it makes you feel better...all is normal...the constant urination is a good sign...keep drinking & flushing the kidneys....think about it that way...

the chemo fog...just succumb to it and accept that you'll be just going thru the motions....keep eating in small quantities...

eating anything is more important than not eating....but if you can, try to eat well....remember, your body expends energy to get energy out of food...so try to eat things that are easy to digest and good for you....but if all else fails, eat bad versus not eat at all. I tended to avoid red meat and dairy products as these are hard for the body to digest....(and I love red meat and drink a lot of whole milk so this is not from some vegetarian).

you'll do great...it'll fly by.

[Casey]

Joe,
Keep drinking the fluids, it is really important. I forgot about the chemo fog, it will pass. I put on about ten pounds durimg my 4xEP. It was the most guilt free eating of crap food I can remember as an adult! Keep taking the drugs on a regular basis, and tell the nurses about the nausea- they maybe can adjust your scripts.
Another thing, make sure your urine makes it into the toilet, wipe up any drips...It is toxic, and very bad for pets or children. Use your own bathroom if you have several where you are staying now- or come over to my house and pee on my poison ivy!
Good luck with the Bleo tomorrow.

Joe,

I was much like Already Bald. I gained about 15-20 pounds during my chemo. Eat anything and everything that your body will let you. Yes, it would be better to eat on the healthy side, but when your body says "cheese on the fries" then you should listen.

One thing I found was my nose became a great sensor to food I should stay away from. Even if the food looked really good, my nose would tell me whether I should eat it or not.

I wish you all the best.

[JoePSU]

Well, my AFP is down to 7, my HCG is "not detectable", so I'm feeling like the chemo is doing something. (besides making me go bald!)

I'm beginning to call the 5 day week of treatment "fog week", but am happy that I recovered pretty quickly from it last cycle. Here's hoping I get through this week and Bleo Monday, and can get back into the swing of things next week,

Spirits pretty high given the marker levels, I've spent more time stressing about the wedding in June than about the chemo and cancer the past week... I think that's a good thing!

[Fed]

Great to hear from you, Joe! And awesome news on the labs, as well. Sounds like you are making progress, which I'm sure is giving you plenty of comfort. And yes, I would much rather stress out about an impending wedding than cancer or chemo . Hope week two goes well,

[Margaret]

Well, my AFP is down to 7, my HCG is "not detectable", so I'm feeling like the chemo is doing something. (besides making me go bald!)

I'm beginning to call the 5 day week of treatment "fog week", but am happy that I recovered pretty quickly from it last cycle. Here's hoping I get through this week and Bleo Monday, and can get back into the swing of things next week,

Spirits pretty high given the marker levels, I've spent more time stressing about the wedding in June than about the chemo and cancer the past week... I think that's a good thing!

Hi Joe (waves) good to hear from you. Those numbers sound wonderful.

For my husband small meals....really often...was best. He would have a bowl of cereal, 2 hours later some cottage cheese with fruit, two hours later a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich, two hours later some cheese and crackers...you get the idea. If he did not eat at the two hour mark, almost like clock work, he would feel bad.

Cheese pizza always sounded good because it was a bit bland and comforting. He also liked milk shakes and ice cream.

The funny thing about the bald thing was that he was a bit strange about losing his hair...then post chemo it started coming back in and he did not like it as much and now shaves his head. I find that so funny...bald is so "in" right now, you never look like you have cancer. Although I am sure me walking next to him at the supermarket with my "I love someone with cancer" t-shirt on did not help

Hang in there...everyday you get closer to be done

[Already Bald]

The funny thing about the bald thing was that he was a bit strange about losing his hair...then post chemo it started coming back in and he did not like it as much and now shaves his head. I find that so funny...bald is so "in" right now, you never look like you have cancer.

Margaret, I like the way you think!

Joe: Real glad to hear about your markers! The chemo is working, so everything else will work out, INCLUDING your wedding.
You will look sharp in your tux.
Great news.
Joe

[boyce]

Eat whatever you can

Joe,

I am the infamous husband/patient of Margaret's.

Thank goodness she mad eme eat every 2 hours. Just anything. Docs said Boost or Ensure would be good. Opened the first one and to this day can get nauseas over the thought of a 2nd one.

B eguilt free, but the drinking 10-20 gallons (almost) a day and the regular food will help the nausea.

I took Kytril for nausea along witha cocktail of Ativan/Compazine. Emend on the weekends of the long chemo weeks.

It blows chunks to go through this, but it has a happy ending for so many of us!!

Fight your Ball off, Joe!!