No Scans until May 1st...doing more chemo - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Kimslos · 04-02-2007, 05:11 PM

Hi
Today we had an appt with the doctor which we thought was odd since it should have been with the RN, but now we know why. The doctor wanted to see how his blood counts were today and since they were good he asked Stan to do 2 more rounds of chemo. We thought we were going in to get scheduled for scans for next week. The doctor said if he stops this chemo to do scans there is no going back to it since they are already altering the way he is getting the treatment. Usually a patient gets it 3 weeks in a row then has one week off but after Stan's 2nd round of chemo they had to change his schedule to every other week for treatment since this is his 5th line of chemo. I asked the doctor why does he sleep so much and also told him that Stan's appetite is not quite what it has been in the past. He had lost 5lbs, but then this morning he was only down 3, whew. The doctor told him he must push himself more to get out and not just lay around. On the way home I thought I could get Stan to stop for lunch but he wanted to go straight home. I know he must be feeling terrible because I know he wants to get out, but just not being able to. The doctor could not tell much until the scans are completed. He will have scans on May 1st...so that is the update. Thanks for all the support and hope all are having a good week.
Kim

Cee10 · 04-03-2007, 12:32 PM

Hi Kim,

Good to hear from you, I have been wondering about you and Stan. I do hope that his pain is now easier, and that he's comfortable. It's great news that he has regained 2lb. He is such a star.

It's difficult going out when feeling grotty and knowing there may be pay back tomorrow, and the longer one stays indoors the harder it gets to go out - believe me I know!

Has Stan tried pacing himself going out, umm what I mean for example, is go out just for 10min a gentle stroll one day then staying in the next day resting or 2 days resting if he feels he needs it, and going out the day after, again just for 10min. I don't know perhaps Stan can stay out longer than 10 min, the goal is just to get out, move the body a bit, see the sky, listen to a bird sing, smell a flower, feel a breeze.

(I know when I get 'stuck inside' as I often do, a week or two can pass and I don't know it till it's gone sometimes. I then sort of pace myself to go out, it's not easy, and sometimes I really have to hit myself on the head to get it together, but as long as I don't tire myself, it's worth it and if i'm really on a roll I may be able to extend 'being outside time' a little.)
Tell him I wish him all the best for his next chemo sessions.

God bless you Kim, I hope you are taking care of you.
Your both in my prayers every day

Cee

HELLASRULES · 04-04-2007, 10:12 AM

Hi Kim
I know how hard it is for Stan to get the gumption up to get out there and not just hang around. All of us going through chemo have varying amounts of fatigue and somedays it is just impossible to get in motion. (My stairs up to my apartment look like a mountain on some days!)
I wish there was a way for Stan to come on here and talk to us. Those of us going though this might be able to help him with his thoughts and maybe give him some encouragement along the way.
It's easy to get down, and not want to fight, not want to eat, not want to do anything, but you do whatever it takes to at least get your head in a better place. If we (those of us with cancer) can do that, we can force the body to follow...even for a little time each day.
Hope Each day will get easier for Stan and the treatments relieve a lot of his pain, also.
Hugs to both of you!
Faith

(EXPECT MIRACLES!!! That's my new motto!)

jeaniek · 04-04-2007, 12:03 PM

Kim,
Stan is such a trooper and gives us faith on the most difficult days! I hope that maybe having some warm weather soon will inspire him to get out and enjoy it - even if for a few minutes here and there....