Beginning Chemotherapy Monday

I wanted to reach out to the community and ask for prayers. My husband will begin chemo on Monday. I pray he can tolerate it and has some good results. Thank you warriors. Carol

[baltha]

I had great anxiety about chemo with Docetaxel and Lupron but in spite of side effects such as watery eyes ( ectropion caused by Docetaxel) and numbness in fingers and toes. (Neuropathy), it was tolerable. I did cut the number of treatments down after discussion with my doctor. Keeping in motion is a plus. I changed my diet as per the suggestions of MD Anderson Hospital. Also, I resolved never to look in a mirror so I wouldn't freak out about my deteriorating appearance. Six months later, I feel well and look acceptable.

[Hidden in reply to baltha]

Thanks for the insight. God bless you. You are a brave soul. May I ask....did your neuropathies improve?

[tango65 in reply to Hidden]

Neuropathy seems to be permanent.

grandroundsinurology.com/dr...

[Collarpurple]

Prayers to both of you

[tango65]

Best of luck. Look for peripheral neuropathy symptoms, it may be a reason to stop chemo.

Some info about chemo from a real expert:

grandroundsinurology.com/dr...

[Peterd110]

Praying for good results !!

[Dachshundlove]

Hi Cloc:

I was very nervous about my husband starting chemo. It’s very tolerable and will probably be nothing like what you are imagining. The pre medications they administer mitigate side effects well. And, he will likely be given anti nausea meds to take in the event that he needs them. The first week is challenging (with fatigue) but its gets better and it really manageable.

[Hidden in reply to Dachshundlove]

Thank you!!!!!🙏

[RatTruck]

Prayers from Lake Havasu City, AZ. xox

[CantChoose]

Just commented in a similar thread in case you're interested:

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

[16starsky]

My hubbie had chemo (Docetaxel) 6 sessions 3 wks apart.last Aug-Jan

He tolerated it very well with very few side effects. No sickness, mild neuropathy in hands and feet, but gone now.

Wore a cool cap, so didn't loose any hair on his head, lost eyebrows, tash etc..

Lost his taste, but that's ok now. My husband is 62yrs old. and was really surprised at how well he did, we were expecting worse, so try not to worry too much and sending you love and prayers to you both

My husbands PSA was 320 at beginning and 1.9 at the end GL 9. so well worth it.

Kim in the UK

[Hidden in reply to 16starsky]

Thank you Kim. God bless with such a great response. When you say “cool cap” what do you mean? We have grandchildren and anything to not scare them with hair loss would be great

[16starsky in reply to Hidden]

When you go for your first session, ask the nurse to fit your husband with a 'cool cap; they have 2 sizes. It is attached to a machine and ice cold water is pumped around the cap (looks like a cycling helmet) If your husband can stand the first 15mins, he will be ok. It is very cold, but the hair follicles are so cold, the Docetaxel doesnot effect them. If you are in the US I think they also have cool gloves/coolsocks to stop the neuropathy, but not in the UK.

The cap is worn for about half an hour before they start the chemo, and for half an hour after the chemo finishes.

As I mentioned before it only works on head hair, good luck

If you need to ask me anything else, please don't hesitate to ask, will help if I can

Lots of people on HU say to suck on ice chips to stop loss of taste.

[Hidden in reply to 16starsky]

Now I understand. Just sent a request to the oncology nurse. Thank you for that!!! God bless you

[16starsky in reply to Hidden]

Hope it all goes well, im sure he will be fine. Let us all know how he goes on

Sending you both prayers and best wishes also...Stay strong.!

[Hidden]

Prayers on the way & best wishes for good results!

[Rexwaterbury]

Not every infusion center will have the availability of cool caps. I got second degree burns on my head using penguin cold caps so buyer beware. Subsequently I just used a migraine cool cap which was not nearly as cold. Surrounded my hands and feet with bags of ice to prevent neuropathy. It will make you hypothermic so take an electric blanket. Suck on ice the entire time to preserve your taste buds.

[Hidden in reply to Rexwaterbury]

Omg. So the person changing the caps did not see your head burning???? Did you suck on ice throughout the chemo AND afterwards? How long did you keep your hands and feet in ice?

[Rexwaterbury in reply to Hidden]

During the chemoRx there was no way to know that the cap was too cold and that it was burning my scalp. The thermometer and instructions provided were inadequate to properly measure the temperature in all areas of the cap.

I sucked on ice chips all through the chemoRx. I iced my hands and feet beginning 20 minutes before and for 30 minutes afterward.

[Lynsi13]

I'll be praying for you both! My dad had a hard time with chemo but it worked well for him! It's been 4.5 years since he started chemo and lupron and he's only now adding on another therapy! He feels better than he has in years!

[Lynsi13 in reply to Lynsi13]

My post makes it sound like he's been on chemo for 4.5 years.. he hasn't! Just six rounds. June-october 2015

[j-o-h-n]

Follow the ice suggestions (seen many members who suggest it). Take care and if loses his hair just tell him "no sense wasting all those sex hormones growing hair"...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 10/24/2019 7:11 PM DST

[longleaf]

Praying for y’all. If you do ice packs the electric blanket is very important. If he has trouble staying hydrated ask the dr about coming in for a saline drip once the symptoms set in. Also if getting infusions at md Anderson try to do it at the urology tower because it was more comfortable than the big infusion center in the main building. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Hi. Thank you. We will be at Mount Sinai in New York. The place is ok. Small space but comfortable. Prayers for you too

[Hidden]

The best suggestion I got from this forum was to get my hair cut to a number one setting at the barber. It helped the transition to losing my hair, which I lost after the first infusion. Overall he needs to do what is best for him. Sucking on ice during the infusion is another good tip. I also found hot tea tasted the best for me and drinks like Gatorade. Rest, walk, stay hydrated, and stay on top of the anti nausea meds. Stay strong!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

thank you yes, ice, ice, ice i bought the electric blanket and got him a neck roll praying for comfort AND GOOD RESULTS