Mass: Update 5/1/2024

God speed and hope for a (fairly) easy recovery again.
 
Sorry to hear that... I hope you can get back to acceptable levels soon.
 
Prayers for you. Hope your system bounces back quickly.
 
Had chemo late on Wednesday (got back at 6 pm for a 4:45 appointment). We were the last people in the waiting room, the front desk clerk said "they know about you in the back," got his stuff and left. So then it was just me and my wife. Long story short, after calling a favor I had a communication yesterday with the #3 person in the cancer center, they will now have staff in the WR as long as there are patients.

Yesterday I felt like ass. Fatigued and washed out, low-level nausea, chemo-brain (i.e., foggy headed). Slept from 8:45 last night until 7:40 this morning, still feel like ass. If this follows least session I should start feeling better by Monday.

I have not shaved my head in 2 weeks, and my face since Tuesday, Oct 4, with no new hair growing in. It doesn't bother me, but more amuses me.
 
My nephew had issues with nausea during his chemotherapy. Non of the meds they prescribed helped.
There are several varieties of cannabis that contain properties that help different symptoms. Some will reduce pain, inflammation, depression, nausea etc. There is more to the cannabis plant than THC and CBD. Several places sell the hemp varieties in NC, It’s legal. They carry in weed, oil, gummies, and vape. The problem is knowing the various plants the end product originated from. A good store owner will be knowledgeable about the products they carry. Don’t stop at the first store, shop around.
There are states that have dispensaries and medical cards are supposedly easily obtained legally.
Something to consider.
 
Leadchunker said:
My nephew had issues with nausea during his chemotherapy. Non of the meds they prescribed helped.
There are several varieties of cannabis that contain properties that help different symptoms. Some will reduce pain, inflammation, depression, nausea etc. There is more to the cannabis plant than THC and CBD. Several places sell the hemp varieties in NC, It’s legal. They carry in weed, oil, gummies, and vape. The problem is knowing the various plants the end product originated from. A good store owner will be knowledgeable about the products they carry. Don’t stop at the first store, shop around.
There are states that have dispensaries and medical cards are supposedly easily obtained legally.
Something to consider.
Click to expand...

Per NP recommendation I am tweaking some of the meds, so I have a little latitude to find my happy place. The nausea is not incapacitating, for which I am thankful. Just low level and present.
 
Chuckman said:
Per NP recommendation I am tweaking some of the meds, so I have a little latitude to find my happy place. The nausea is not incapacitating, for which I am thankful. Just low level and present.
Click to expand...
One of the positive effects was increased appetite. He had lost a lot of weight due to lack of food. He put weight back on and that alone improved his quality of life and energy levels.
The body needs all the nutrients possible when being taxed to the max.
 
Leadchunker said:
One of the positive effects was increased appetite. He had lost a lot of weight due to lack of food. He put weight back on and that alone improved his quality of life and energy levels.
The body needs all the nutrients possible when being taxed to the max.
Click to expand...

I have gained weight over the past month or so, about 4 pounds. While I don't want to lose more than 5, and I not want to gain any. I am doing a fair job of eating every few hours, staying high protein and comfort food.

I have a friend, also a nurse, who offered to 'find me' some edibles, but I don't think it's bad enough to go there yet.
 
So it goes, again. Chemo #5. My port is being finicky, so fingers crossed they'll go through with chemo.

The infusion waiting room is packed. At no point has my wait been less than 2 hours, I bet today it's closer to 2 1/2, 3.

Taking deep breaths and mumbling nice things to myself.
 
Charles, how you feeling day to day? Keep fighting the fight man.
 
Chuckman said:
So it goes, again. Chemo #5. My port is being finicky, so fingers crossed they'll go through with chemo.

The infusion waiting room is packed. At no point has my wait been less than 2 hours, I bet today it's closer to 2 1/2, 3.

Taking deep breaths and mumbling nice things to myself.
Click to expand...

Sorry Chuck. Can’t you pull the “Do you know who I am card?” That might at least get you some entertainment while you wait.
 
I'll say a prayer that you're done with chemo and on to just monitoring.
 
Just because things have to be difficult... My port stopped working, had a blood clot preventing blood return. Put in tPA to bust the clot, that takes time. Troubleshooting with the nurse about what to do, I ask if they can push the chemo through a peripheral IV in the arm. She had never done that, she checked with her boss, who said sure. Charge nurse comes and starts IV, they start chemo. A hour later they try the port, got blood return.

Not the way I wanted to go out, but I did get my chemo.
 
Chuckman said:
Just because things have to be difficult... My port stopped working, had a blood clot preventing blood return. Put in tPA to bust the clot, that takes time. Troubleshooting with the nurse about what to do, I ask if they can push the chemo through a peripheral IV in the arm. She had never done that, she checked with her boss, who said sure. Charge nurse comes and starts IV, they start chemo. A hour later they try the port, got blood return.

Not the way I wanted to go out, but I did get my chemo.
Click to expand...
Kind of cool that you are telling them how to fix it when a problem pops up. Kudos to you.

Still praying for you man.
 
Climberman said:
Kind of cool that you are telling them how to fix it when a problem pops up. Kudos to you.

Still praying for you man.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your prayers, I'll take every one I can get.

I was looking at all options, but didn't know if it could be done. Worth the ask, and we both learned something.
 
Chuckman said:
Thank you for your prayers, I'll take every one I can get.

I was looking at all options, but didn't know if it could be done. Worth the ask, and we both learned something.
Click to expand...
They tried several times to get my port, couldn’t get past a valve in my shoulder I think. I got all 6 cycles via IV. Glad it got done.

Praying for you Charles. Absolute class act on here and I have no doubt in life. Hope it’s a win for you and your family.
 
Chuckman said:
Chemo #6 today. Last one of this series. Plan is scan in a few weeks, if good, going to surveillance with scans every 3 months. If not good, chemo number two to follow.
Click to expand...
Well wishes for you. Truly. We’re about the same age, getting older, and it really sucks to see you go through this, but you’ve also been inspirational in your wear with all. I’m not sure I would have the strength you’ve shown. Not sure there are words to convey how I feel, but you have my … respect.

it sounds like you’re in a similar boat as my father. Surgery that following chemo would have likely left him with zero quality of life. They gave him 40% chance chemo killed the cancer and so far alternating PET and CAT scans have come up negative. Hopefully they do for you too.

In any case, I’m sure your views on life and death have been fundamentally altered.
 
Chuckman said:
Just because things have to be difficult... My port stopped working, had a blood clot preventing blood return. Put in tPA to bust the clot, that takes time. Troubleshooting with the nurse about what to do, I ask if they can push the chemo through a peripheral IV in the arm. She had never done that, she checked with her boss, who said sure. Charge nurse comes and starts IV, they start chemo. A hour later they try the port, got blood return.

Not the way I wanted to go out, but I did get my chemo.
Click to expand...

Any issues with the peripheral IV vs port? Pain/irritation/etc?

I opted to have all my chemo via peripheral IV instead of a port…if I had it do all over again, I’d of chose the port.

Oh…and still sending prayers topside for you👍
 
Last edited:
Dale Gribble said:
Any issues with the peripheral IV vs port? Pain/irritation/etc?

I opted to have all my chemo via peripheral IV instead of a port…if I had it do all over again, I’d of chose the port.
Click to expand...

No issue with the PIV. I was a little nervous because it was a small gauge (22), but they hand-pushed it slowly and it worked. I have loved having the convenience of the port, between lab draws and meds and fluids.

I have a double lumen port, the second lumen is also clotted, so I will have to figure that out sometime.
 
That is good news, will continue to say a prayer that you continue to get the same news at the next check up and scan.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom