chemo question

Dear Rene,

I am sorry to hear that your Mum is having a difficult time with the chemo regime.

I had 4 cycles of Cispl/Gemz and found that the Cisplatinum was very hard on me too. Your mum is 75 and I was 38 at the time, I am sure it will be much more demanding for the elderly.

The Cisplatinum is a bitch and will get harder each time and I found that I became more tired with each cycle. The first was ok although my recovery became longer for each repeated cycle and I satyed longer in bed each time.

All I can say is try to get the best anti nausea medicine and get your mum to drink lots of fluids to flush her system. My meds for Cisplatinum chemo was Emmend and Dexametason which was given by infuse on the chemo day and orally for three days after.

I have heard that it is also possible to return to the chemo room for extra intravenous fluids.

I really hope your mum fairs well and recovers soon....

Leigh

I have heard

Patti ..here is a good article on chemotherapy and the elderly as defined by Medicare........there's 4 pages...but its interesting
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/409015
Pat

Mom will be 75 on September 22. I think she is only receiving half doses of the Cisplatin, but it has been a very rough road these last few days. We are battling thrush along with everything else. It is hard for her to eat, so there has been some weight loss. I feel so helpless.

I think chemo, like everything else, differs from patient to patient. My husband was very tired after his treatments and for a few days afterward. The doctor said the effects would be cumulative, and they were. I tried not to hover too much, of course "easier said than done"....His body let him know when he was tired and needed rest. When he felt better, he did more. It is a rough road and as a caregiver, it was really difficult - I felt helpless a lot, not being able to "fix things" to make him feel better. I'm sure your mother appreciates your concern and just by being there you are a blessing to her.

Margot

Rene..how old is your Mom? There are many that cannot do the Cisplatin and they are switched to Carboplatin. This sounds kind of excessive to me. What has the oncologist said?
Pat

Hello, My mom has completed her second regimen of Cisplstin and Gemzar. This series has really gotten her down. Her hemoglobin dropped even after the injection that is supposed to keep it up. She was hospitalized for one night to receive 2 units of blood and some fluid. She came home yesterday afternoon feeling ok, but today feels bad again. She stays in the recliner pretty much all of the time. I thought that she would have felt better today. Would some of you tell me more about how you felt during chemo and what I can do to help her? Thanks so much.
Rene