What a first day back

[ssjmichael]

Hi all, my mom had her first chemo yesterday for her first recurrence. I had mentioned a few weeks back that they were watching and waiting with her, but her doctor felt her numbers were going up too high, too fast, and decided to act now.

She's getting Carbo and Taxol, the same as the first time, which she tolerated well. Unfortunately, yesterday didn't go so so smoothly. Everything was going fine, she was given the steroids, and the benedryl, which made her completely drunk sounding, with the slurred speech, and drowsiness. A little bit later she told me she had to go pee, so I helped her get to the bathroom, but when we got to it, someone was in there, and for some reason my mom could not hold her pee at all, and all of sudden I started seeing her jeans get wet

It was the first time something like that has ever happened to her, and it was kind of scary, even if you know it's very likely because of the pre-meds or something playing with her bodily functions.

Her underwear, and thermal underwear were soaked, and we had no spare clothing. Thankfully the nurse was super helpful, getting mom a robe, some hospital pants, drying pads, and towels, etc.. We were able to put the jeans by the air conditioner in the room, which helped dry it a little. She also took the advice of the nurse, and went to the bathroom at different intervals even if she didn't feel like peeing at the time, just in case.

It kind of put a damper (no pun intended!) on her first day back. On top of that we had to wait fairly long for her transportation to pick us up, so it ended up being an 8+ hour day at the hospital.

Hopefully the next time will go smoother, and we're bringing some extra clothes just in case. It's just funny, as you try and figure out what may or may not be a problem, and then something unexpected like this comes out of nowhere, and throws you a little curveball.

-Michael

[avid]

What a horrible thing to happen. I am on my first recurrence and having the same treatment. I have found that wearing a tena lady panty liner helps as a backup because when you want to go and faced with a long walk it may help.

[Petrolhead]

Been there , done that 🙁. Not exactly something you discuss with everyone! My other half was excellent on these occasions and just helped me deal. It does get better thank goodness. Whilst we get super embarrassed others just deal with the situation to get back to what we like to think as normal. Hope your mom feels a bit better now. Good that she had you to help and support.

Fay

[Katsmum]

Whoops happened to me too but luckily I was wearing black trousers so it wasn’t quite so obvious! It didn’t happen again as I made sure I went to the loo a lot more, I think it’s quite a common occurrence!

Tell mom not to be worried about it - it’s all in a days work to the staff and plenty on here have had many a moment that’s caused embarrassment to them but you will be prepared next time xx

[Howick01]

It is all the fluids along with the chemo that makes us want to wee all the time! I was forever wheeling my drip stand to the toilet.

I think we are not prepared for that the first time especially if our chemo is all day.

As the others have said nurses are prepared for all eventualities.

Good luck with the rest of chemo and take care xxx

[Jo-Jo1-UK]

Oh Michael, really feel for you and your mum. I too was frequently visiting the toilet on the same chemo combination your mum is having, I had numerous very close calls! At least next time you will be prepared and hopefully it’s some comfort knowing others have had the same. Hope the rest of her treatment goes ok. Best wishes, Jo xx

[Hidden]

Keep up the good work, Michael! Pauline

[Nancy222]

Hope your mom is feeling better now. You've had some good advice here. For what it's worth, during chemo and afterward, my bladder wasn't as tight as it normally was. One good cough and I'd have a little accident (unless I really clamped down). The doctors weren't too fussed about this, and with time, things improved.

[ssjmichael in reply to Nancy222]

Thank you, and everyone else for the replies. My mom has been doing better, and hasn't had an incident since the one at the hospital. She had some mild constipation after, which we knew to expect, so I gave her stool softeners, which helped, though now she believes they worked too well as she's had to go more than usual!

She gets her treatment every 3 weeks, but we'll be prepared for this next time, and I will look into the pads mentioned earlier here.

Thanks as always,

Michael