More Questions on NSCLC chemo - Cancer: Lung Message Board

HELLASRULES · 03-26-2007, 04:13 PM

Hi Everyone,
After 2 chemo treatments I went for a ct scan last Thursday (the 22nd) and will get results when I go in for the next chemo treatment, this Thursday.
Just wondering if it's too soon to expect any changes (shrinkage, hopefully) to the tumor size? In your experience does chemo do anything after just 2 treatments? Sure hoping it's doing something positive!
Also, someone had told my sister that the 3rd chemo treatment is the worst, as far as side effects go. Anyone know if this is accurate or not? Hate to think I'll feel worse after the 29th!!! I hate the fatigue I've gotten already, and the itchy/pins & needle-like feeling in my hands is totally annoying, to say the least! It stings!
And... why am I gaining so much weight???? Is it the chemo? Or is it because I quit smoking 4 months ago? Seems like it's just recently that I am getting fat!
(By the way, I'm taking taxol/carboplatin for chemo.)
SO that's all my questions this time.
Thanks for the help and advice! You all are awesome!
Faith

Kimslos · 03-27-2007, 10:58 PM

Hi Faith,
I am not much help for you since Stan his SCLC, but I did not think they could see results so fast from what our doctor explained to us, but think since yours is NSLC it is different. I will be saying a prayer tonight for you that your scans will show reduction! Let us know on Thursday...anxious to hear some good news!
As far as any chemo treatment is concerned I think the cummulative of the chemo is what can start wearing on you. I don't remember Stan ever saying it was the 3rd chemo that hit him the hardest.
I have a friend who just finished treatment for breast cancer and she gained 25lbs. The doctor told her that it was the steroids and she had to eat more bread than usual to keep her stomach calm so she put on the weight. Are you eating differently than you did before? Less active? Stan also complained about the itchy needle like pains. He has certain parts on his body that still itch him like crazy and he uses a scrub brush and just scratches it and scratches it and then complains he made it worse by scratching it. (top of the foot, side of the calf and a part on his hand are the worse)
You are in my thoughts Faith as you do another round of chemo and get the results!
Big Hugs to you my Friend
Kim

HELLASRULES · 03-28-2007, 07:09 PM

HiYa Kim!!
And Happy Birthday to Stan!! Hope he is feeling good for his special day.
Thanks for the reply. I am hoping the ct scan showed some kind of improvement or shrinkage or something. Don't think I can take any more bad news right now.
I did notice the 2nd chemo had longer symptoms than the first, so I guess the 3rd will have even more. Not loking forward to that, but if it has to be, it has to be! Just dread those stinger itchies!!!! ONly lasted about a week this last time. And the fatigue is tough too!! I'm not a person to just sit around all the time, so that fatigue really bugs me. But I guess a nap or two won't kill me either.
Having all kinds of insurance/disability issues right now and that is not something I need right now, but it got dumped in my lap anyway.
DOn't know how you do it. You must be a saint!
You are such a blessing to many of us here and I look forward to hearing some good news on your end too.
God Bless you and Stan!
Faith

easyrun262 · 03-29-2007, 01:52 PM

Hi Hellasrules- For stageIV NSCLC, my first line of treatment was Cisplatin/Docetaxol 1x every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. I experienced treament symptoms of fatique with diahrrea following my first cycle. After the third cycle the fatique increased, my hair dropped out and mouth sores developed. For me, the fatique worsened over time as my body became totally immersed in the drug.

I gained weight as a result of inactivity from the fatique. I went from 140lbs of muscle to 206lbs of blubber. It's a vicious cycle- you gain weight and it tires you more to the point that you become a couch potato. The cancer is easier to deal with than the loss of an actively healthy lifestyle. This I grieve the most for.

Keep in mind. We all may respond differently to the various drugs available. This is why we have over 200 different types of headache medication!!! I wish you well. Tom

HELLASRULES · 03-29-2007, 07:21 PM

Hi Tom!
Thanks for the reply! You are sure right about being inactive! It's hard to get outside to walk when you'd rather lay on the sofa and have a nap! Well I need to do something to stop this trean of gaining weight. It can't be healthy and I know some areas where I can change the foods I consume to something lower in calories, sugars and fats! It is kind of hard thougt when the fatigue takes over...who wants to cook those healthy meals???
I've started this cancer journey at 140 lbs, but today they weighed me at
155.1 lbs!! Yikes! I've never weighed that much in my life!!!
I like walking, so hope to get back to that little by little, and hoping it will help with the fatigue. we'll see.
I wish you well also, and hope all those treatments are working for you. Are they treating you with other chemo drugs now that your 6 treaments of cisplatindocetaxol are done?
Take care and many Blessings to you!
Faith