Steady progress at last

[RwHayes]

Port is installed, MRI is done, chemo schedule for 9:30 Monday morning. Time to start whipping on this tumor

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Did they hold a chemo class? They will go slow the first day to guard against anaphylaxis incase you're allergic. First they'll give you a bag of fluids to hydrate. Then steroids to help prevent nausea the the chemos separately. When your nose gets cold and starts running that's the cisplatin kicking in. Take all steroids at home exactly as directed and you should be okay as far as nausea and vomiting. I forgot once and was told later that I had hallucinated. I was very sick.

Bring something to eat and to drink. I took my laptop, a Scrabble board and a book.

If you haven't ready, pick up plasticware as chemo is hard on the tastebuds (they grow faster than most cells) also it makes everything taste metallic so not using metal dinnerware helps reduce that. I think I already recommended stocking up and using stool softeners daily. Also a minimum of one sports drink a day. If you can't stand them there's a product called DripDrop that you can put in your choice of liquids.

My hair only thinned. It didn't all fall out. When it grew back it was dark and curly (vs gray/straight). No telling what will happen for you.

You're port is your friend. Its great for getting chemo, transfusions, CT dyes, blood draw and more. About the only thing they can't put through it is the PET scan sugars. I've kept mine as a security blanket.

So very glad for you that you're starting treatment.

[scifiknitter Blogger in reply to Denzie]

Denzie, as a person who will be doing chemo as my next line of treatment, I so appreciate reading this helpful information!

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to scifiknitter]

Oh, Anita! I hope its a long, long time before you need it-if ever.

[RwHayes Community Superhero in reply to Denzie]

Thanks as always Denzie your info is so greatly appreciated ! When you say sports drink I assume you mean Gatorade or Powerade? Also you said at least one, would it be good to drink 4 or 5 instead of water? Do you have any suggestions as far as food? (Other than green veggies and raw fruit? My oncologist said the only requirement he has is that I don't loose any weight! But I know I should try and watch food I'm sure it makes a difference . That's one area I liked less about Vanderbilt, they don't recognize nutrition and supplements as a part of treatment . They say it has no scientific proof backing it up . Whereas cancer treatment centers of America ( where I strongly considered doing my treatment)say it's very important .vanderbuilt is a very reputable facility among the cancer treatment community but I think I want to do all I can as far as nutrition and supplements. I bought 2 books so far that were recommended by other patients( anti-cancer a new way of life) and (150 recipes to treat cancer) do you have any other suggestions?

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to RwHayes]

Gatorade, powerade or other drink that replaces the electrolytes is good. One a day is fine, my nurse never said more than one so I really don't know. What I did experience was the dizziness ended. The dizziness was caused by the extra fluids washing the electrolytes from my system.

You are going to find that your tastebuds change and some foods that you love now will make you nauseous. Products like Boost or Ensure are calorie rich and you should consider including one a day. Many small meals is better than 3 a day. Digestion takes lots of energy that your body is also using to heal so eating will cause fatigue.

Calorie rich meals will be especially important once radiation starts. Targeted radiation is less debilitating than standard radiation but it will still cause exhaustion.

The general perception of nutrition as medicine seems to be undergoing a shift. Several of the leading NCI designated institutions are adding integrated oncologists to their staff. My regional hospital has referred all cancer patients to meet with a nutritionist for several years. At a talk at our local Cancer Support Community, Dr Greg Kalemkarian, Chief of Thoracic Oncology at the U Mich Cancer Care Center said that use of supplements should be considered. 'Anti Cancer' is an excellent resource. Another is the Memorial Sloan Kettering website and their pages in Herbs and Botanicals.

Use caution though. Some nutrients will block the chemo from working. Remember too that the nutrient you are giving the healthy cells to rebuild and repair are also being utilized by the cancer. Also, raw veggies and fruits may contain bacteria that your body is not able to combat with the immune system impaired.

Common sense says avoid processed foods as much as possible but don't not eat a Big Mac if that is what your body is craving. Also know that organic foods are good but very expensive, don't not eat something your body needs if you can't find it or afford it organic.

Exercise! If all you can do during the worst of your fatigue is walk around the room a few times a day than do it. Gentle exercise is fine, you want to maintain flexibility. Some of this will make more sense as you get into your treatment.

I'll add more as I think of it but let me add one more nutritional note. Quality of life is very important, we do this treatment so that we may live. Denying yourself things that make life pleasant is never quality. I enjoy a beer or glass of wine occasionally. Also, my favorite way to end each day during treatment and in the first couple of months after was with ice cream therapy. Vanilla ice cream, fudge sauce and sliced bananas. Its been six years so I guess it all worked.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to RwHayes]

The msk site I mentioned:

mskcc.org/cancer-care/treat...

[Serrecko Volunteer]

RwHayes - Congrats on the good news you received and you are correct when you say it's time to start whipping that tumor.

Keep us posted on your progress, and just remember to enjoy every sandwich along the way, share your thoughts, and above all else, live for the moment, live for today's chance at tomorrow's unknown opportunities.

Monday will get here soon enough, and I am sure everyone will be thinking about friends like you, that are starting a fight with a positive outlook and the backing of so many friends.

You got this thing.....

Mike "Serrecko" March

MikesWebSpot.com

Leader of The Skyline Gaggle of Noobs

A Fundraising Paintball Team

TheSkylineGaggle.com

[ParisFrazier]

That's great, now get your body ready ! Start really hydrating, get lots of good food ready! It always helps me to have a warrior plan!

Let us know how your doing!

💕💜💕

[Fabymire]

Cheer up this is the beginning of a long trip, you are going to make it!!!!...remember we all are here for you anytime!!!....God made you a great warrior so go and break a leg!!!!!...keep us posted. GOD IS WITH YOU!!!!

[scifiknitter Blogger]

You're going into this with a great attitude, and you will have a lot of people thinking about you on Monday morning and wishing you well!

[Ruthie1950]

Fantastic!

[Steph60]

The only thing that I can add, after reading all the good info others have given is to, drink a lot of fluids each day to wash the chemo from your system. My dr told me to drink 4 -16 ounce bottles of fluid each day, which I did. Also make sure to take your anti-nausea medicine, and Claritin each day for the bone aches for a few days are chemo. Sending you positive thought.

[Hidden]

@RwHayes You know you'll be all right. We're all going to be there with you all out have to do is think of one of us than we'll all be there. we'll be thinking of your first treatment. Please let us know how it went.Jo