Lung cancer surgery 3 weeks ago now need chemo

Hi Rose, sorry you were in hospital but good the Drs were supportive and you are on the road  to recovery.

I started my chemo on Monday. Long day, I was there over 6 hours. I have drugs to take starting 2 day before chemo and 2 days after of chemo for inflammation and something else, some sort of steroid. They make me a bit hypo. I was extremely tired yesterday and not quite myself. I am hoping that will get better  as the week goes on.

I have also hurt my shoulder  and left boob where I had the lung surgery lifting some shopping bags so hope I haven't done any damage. I have appointment with GP tomorrow so will get her to check it out. One down three to go! I hope I make it.

Keep on keeping on talk soon!

Shas

Hello Shas, well done you!!! Just take lots of fluids over next few days particulalry day 4 & 5 of chemo week. It really helps you feel better, I have found. I have adopted wine gums to suck on and also the odd gulp of Gaviscon for indigestion or bad tastes in my mouth etc. 

I do not lift anything heavy and hubby has to do, as you are still healing. I intend to avoid heavy lifting till August and that is 6 months post my surgery. 

Rosex

Hi, interested to read your notes. Hubby is having a lobectomy in right lung. Interested in term resection?  It sounds like a massive op. We're Dreading it to be honest although surgeon said it's best long term option. Hope you get on OK with chemo. Everyone reacts differently.

Continue with hope 

Hi ,

is your husbands cancer mesothelioma? Just asking as my husband has  this, they and they will not operate, they say no point as the operation  is that big it would leave him so week, probably would not get all the cancer cells and would be too weak for chemo.  So they say for quality of life we are better just managing the cancer. 

Hi there Rose,

I had a bad week last week. I was absolutely exhausted. Never felt so tired in my life. This week has been better but I now have terrible taste in my mouth. Nothing tastes right, sometimes salty sometimes sweet. It actually tastes like soap  to me. 

I have one more week and then another treatment. If I had continued to feel like I did last week, I don't think I could continue with the treatment. I am glad I am feeling better. Does it get worse each treatment, like is it cululative?

My brain wasn't right either, very vague. Oh well will see what this week brings and then blood test, appointment with oncologist and then another treatment. Hope you are going ok.

Shas x

Moderator - Macmillan Community Scrolling through this thread on touch screen and it "flagged" excavator's post!!! Certainly NOT my intention!

Hi Grailer it is easily done, especially on an iPhone, so don’t worry. The moderators will check the post and will pop it back on, but they probably won’t see it until the morning now. X 

Hi there Rose W, hope everything is ok with you, haven't heard for awhile.

I did blood test and saw oncologist last Friday and my white blood cells are very low, .4, not even 1. She said to go on Monday as if I am having my chemo and they will do another blood test. If it has come up to 1.5 they will go ahead or otherwise it will be postponed for a week. I know this happened with you also. How are you going now. I would have thought I would get to at least 2 sessions before low blood problems. She also said she will tweek my drugs a little as I had a very bad first week after chemo last time.

So I don't know whether my chemo will go ahead this week. She said your blood count can change very quickly so will see what it is on Monday.

Look forward to hear your journey lately and your thoughts on this.

Shas x

Hello Shas,

You are doing great!!! I too have lost afew sessions along the way and it seems the norm.  It sound as though your Oncologist is on top of your care, which is great!!

Sorry I have not been in touch. Couple of rough weeks post my Cycle 4, had 2 stays in the ER and then another additional trip to the Cancer Agency for hydration. Electrolytes in bloodwork unbalanced and very nauseous etc, so had to get additional IV fluids. Plus issues with constipation. Both problems seem common at this stage, I think. 

So I am done with chemo now and waiting to see Oncologist for review.

All I can say, is that it really helps to drink plenty of fluids and it you feel nausea or any probs wirh constipation, at all, do not hessitate to contact yr helplines, as they really do help.

Currently starting to eat better and though fatiqued, am trying to increase exercise everyday. If I get tired, I stop and rest  and usually its enough to recover.

Planning soon now to get back to see my family, so lots to look forward to. Thinking of you, you are doing great!!!

Rosex

Hi Rose,

I went yesterday for my chemo and it didn't happen. My neutrophils, white blood cells had only come up to .8 and have to be at least 1.2 apparently, so I am quite immune suppressed at the moment. Have to d0 another blood test next Saturday and if they have come up will go ahead next Monday. The nurse said she is also decreasing my drugs by 20% as I had a very bad week after first chemo. I hope it doesn't make my treatment any less effective for postponing it and reducing dose.

If I have to keep skipping weeks it will also take so much longer to finish. I spoke with a lady that had breast cancer 2015 and went through all the chemo, lost all her hair and ended up in the emergency department twice and nearly died. I really didn't want to hear that. she is the receptionist at the psychology place I go. I have seen a new psychologist at the same place. Not much better result, he is in his seventies and never stops talking about himself. I can't get a word in edgeways.....ha ha

Great you have finished your chemo, congratulations! 

A bit scary you was in the ER twice and cancer agency for hydration. 

It will be great for you to see your family and put all this cancer behind you, I can't wait either.

Bye for now, keep in touch

Shas x