Day 6 after first Docetaxel session, still in bed

 Jess40 , we are all different but bed for 4 days sounds a bit extreme.  There is a problem with staying in bed that you also get weaker, so I would try and get him to get up even if it is just for an hour after being in bed for 36 hours.  I also think that the fluids will have a big impact if he can manage to take something.  His taste might change (I felt everything was metallic tasting) but getting an absolute minimum of 1 litre of fluids on board is essential.  
There is a balance between listening to your body and exercise.  I obviously don’t know him, is he normally active?  Maybe he needs to push himself a little harder?  Each round of chemo builds on the last, so I would try and break this trend.  Hope others will add comments and please come back with anything you want.  David

Good morning Jess40 and I should think you are getting to your wits end trying to do the best for your husband. Drinking plenty does help to flush the drug out of the system, the problem I found was trying to come across something which was palatable. If it is coffee then try him on caffeine free versions which do not act so much as a diuretic. In the end all hubby could tolerate were herbal teas and diluted fruit juice but it was trial and error but I just kept putting drinks in front of him throughout the day. He needs protein along with the carbohydrate in order for the cells to recover. I made a batch of quiches which were easy to digest and tried to give him something with protein in it at least 3 times a day. You can boost the yoghurt with nuts or Chia seeds. Lunch - top it with tuna or a reduced sugar baked beans or better still make your own. I made sure there were high protein snacks available at all time such as oat and nut bars. Cooking your own will usually give you a healthier version and I have a very easy recipe if you want it. My husband likes cold meat so I always had chunks of roast chicken available.

My husband had a similar pattern. Days 1 and 2 were fine. On his first cycle he was floored for a good week and really only had a few good days before it was time for the next one. His oncologist didn't think this was acceptable so they adjusted the dose for the next' and subsequent infusions, as well as giving him more supportive drugs. This meant that he only had days 3-5 when he felt poorly and by day 9 he was back to normal. He must speak up when he goes for his next session.

Not taking in sufficient fluids and food, as well as not walking around will weaken your husband. I take it you have checked his temperature and blood pressure?

Just to add, diarrhoea can happen because the Docetaxel kills both good and bad cells including those in the gut which are needed to process food. If you eat a limited diet then the gut flora goes out of balance and can cause the diarrhoea. Also if he is eating yoghurt every day which contains a live culture then this can cause an overgrwth with those bugs. Variety is needed. Be careful with eggs as well unless they are fully cooked. My husband was told he could take Imodium for the squits but it is always wise to check with the experts.

Sorry to hear your husbands not doing well on his infusion. My OH has not had this treatment 

He was also told to drink 2lt fluids after his radiotherapy and not a water fiend .i bought a barley based fruit juice ( orange /lemon )  and added very little to a 2 lt bottle . Initially had it in the fridge but he preferred it not chilled and he did take it . In fact  he’s now using a small water bottle filled when he goes walking and taking mostly the 2 lt a day .  

Like you husband mines is a tea genie and pretty awful as I have to take his own teabags everywhere . I asked the company if the did decaf . At our next delivery I got a packet and gave him his strong tea and he didn’t know the difference . What we have to do .

hope all goes well and his symptoms reduce as the times goes on 

hugs & best wishes 

Liz & OH xx

I had 6 sessions of Docetaxel.
It's horrible and makes you feel rubbish but your husband has to fight it as nobody can fight it for him

Sorry if this seems a bit harsh and not a  'warm and cuddly' reply

If he has a medical issue then contact the chemo hotline number if not then get up and try.

Drink water, if you don't like it try something like squash etc. I found water tasted horrible but Robinsons lemon squash worked for me.
If you don't drink lots then the chemo stays in your system longer and makes you feel crap for longer.

I was lucky that it's just me and my dog so I had to get up. The dog still needed to be walked twice a day and nobody else was going to do it for me, even when I spent 8 days feeling like I'd been stabbed in the ribs after the first chemo session.

There were times I felt I couldn't do it but I had to and I made it in the end

As for food, find out what he can stomach and eat that. At least you get something into the body. I didn't care about what it was as most things tasted horrible. I had to be careful what I picked though as being diabetic limited my choices.

I dont mean this to come over as being nasty but it is a fight so you have to get up and fight it.

Don't let it win.  The after effects of the chemo sessions will get worse before the end.
After my 5th session I knelt down to put on my dog walking boots and my legs didn't have the strength to stand up, but I eventually made it and the dog still got walked

Please dont take this as being negative I hope everything works out but 'Get Angry with it'

David2017 and Alwayshope 

Thankyou both for sense and sensibility! 

Ok, yoghurt is now out, I made him porridge yesterday morning, and he ate that ok, and no diarrhoea later in the day, a complete win.

He also had a mint tea rather than coffee.

Johnam below suggested barley drinks, I bought lemon barley yesterday, and he managed over 2 litres of fluid intake for the first time in days,  and said he felt better.

Thankyou

Hi Slartibartfast,

I really appreciate your reply, particularly the non warm and cuddly aspect, it's a mindset I understand! 

My H has turned into an absolute baby, asks for everything to be brought to him and I asked him yesterday, 'If I didn't bring you the drink/tablets what would you do?' and he said he wouldn't bother, wouldn't do anything.

It's upsetting and infuriating at the same time. I told him about your post and he looked shocked that anyone could do this bit alone. Food for thought, I hope.

Thankyou again.

He is probably in shock as it really does hit you for six.
Luckily I've always been a fighter and my usual response after the usual 'Why me' is to think 'Right - Sod it - Lets get on with it'
Probably comes from starting martial arts in 1974 and only having to stop because of the side effects of the treatments
It makes you mentally strong

Hopefully now your husband has managed to eat and drink something he will feel a bit better and more able to face it.

I can honestly say that going through chemo is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do and I wouldn't want to do it again.

When I was on one of my chemo sessions I was talking to one of the other men there.
I mentioned that it was hard to walk the dog after chemo
"How can you walk a dog after chemo" he asked
"Willpower" I replied

I think that sums up my attitude ;-)

Good Luck to you both.

 Jess40 great to hear that his fluid intake has increased. 
I remember when our kids were small and sometimes when they weren’t keen on going to school, they would feign an illness.  Our response was always ‘get up and see how you feel’ and our assumption was that they would go to school, unless it was clear to us that they were really ill.  I am not suggesting that your OH should get up and go to the gym but small steps towards getting back to normality.  He will feel fatigue but after 10 days he needs to be active otherwise the next rounds will see the pattern only get worse.

Good luck and remember to look after yourself!  David

That’s good news that he’s tolerating some porridge and 2litres of fluids . 

My OH likes home made soups so he has a variety of beef broth & barley , chicken & rice ,  chicken, leek & potato or Cullen Skink ( fish soup )  so he’s getting the goodness from the proteins .  He found lentil ran through him so I don’t make that. So there was always soup in the fridge . 

Hope he continues to improve 

best wishes 

Liz & OHxx