Chemotherapy side effects

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My husband has Stage 4 lung cancer, efgr mutation. He’s taking osimertinib and had his first chemo last Thursday. He’s was fine for the first couple of days but then started vomiting non stop for 24 hours. He was admitted to hospital on Tuesday, re-hydrated and sent home Wednesday. He arrived home in a sorry state and has been in bed ever since, 2 days now. He came out armed with various anti sickness drugs and steroids but still feels sick. I keep getting told to get plenty of fluids down him but it’s easier said than done when he feels sick. I’m managing to get the odd Marcel of food down him and about 600 ml liquid over the day. I need to know if this is normal and when to call for help again. It’s very isolating being with a very sick person as a non medic. I wish the hospital would have kept him until he recovered as all this is making me very anxious.

  • Hello Fortune1 

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the Online Community. I can see that you have joined our lung cancer forum and carer forum and hope you find these helpful. 

    I am so sorry to read that your husband is feeling so unwell and has advanced lung cancer. You mention that he is taking Osimertinib (Tagrisso) and is feeling very sick and vomiting. I can understand that this must be very distressing for you both. 

    As the nausea and vomiting is continuing, we recommend that you contact the chemotherapy team looking after your husband. You should have a 24-hour hotline number to call them. Otherwise you can call the hospital switchboard and ask to be put through to the chemotherapy 24 hour number.  

    If you can’t contact the chemotherapy team, you need to call 111 or 999 and get urgent help. As you say, it is very isolating being alone with someone who is ill with cancer at home.

    Different people can give support and care to your husband and your family. The priority today is calling the chemotherapy team or 111. But after that you could contact your husband’s GP for ongoing help and support. Your husband’s GP is responsible for his medical care when he is at home. The GP and district nurses can support him at home and prescribe any medicines needed to help control symptoms. 

    The GP surgery can also refer him to the community symptom control team (palliative care team). The team involves specialist nurses and doctors, pharmacists, social workers, and psychological support staff. They give specialist information and supportive palliative care, including symptom control, advance care planning, and emotional and spiritual support for you and your husband. Marie Curie can also often provide nursing care if that becomes needed.

    The NHS website has information about care and support you can get for free when you are looking after someone with cancer at home. It is also important to look after yourself too when you are caring for your husband.

    You are very welcome to phone us and speak to one of the nurses on the Macmillan Support Line as it can often be easier to talk things through by phone. Our lines are open every day from 8am to 8pm and the number to call is 0808 808 0000. 

    With best wishes to you and your husband.

    Debbie
    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist  

    Ref/**DC/AMc