Not positive---chemo sucks - Lymphomas Message Board

singer78 · 06-03-2007, 07:45 AM

Hi Guys,
Can something please tell me about all the different "rounds" of chemo, and do they all feel differently?
I thought it was no big deal (my very 1st round Fri)....wrong!---last night, I had so many symptoms I couldn't keep up with them. I had a weird "thickness" in my throat/neck where my very 1st sypmtoms once were. Then it seemed to upset my stomach some--followed by the "infamous" feeling of metal in my mouth. I'm taking Kytril (2nd day) for nausea/vomiting...and thank goodness I haven't been there, (vomiting) as of yet. My shoulder pain has gotten worse. I think I was thinking I was going to eek by

BUT NO NO

---not me. The ole' ABVD is playing havoc with my system. My husband said, it's going to have SOME side effects, for heaven's sake...since they're zapping the crap out of those bad cancer cells...and to just take med's to handle it, plus WHERE DID MY POSITIVE OUTLOOK GO? Did it get up in the middle of the night and take my car to go to the mall??? Well...I hope it comes back soon...I could sure use a nice, long talk with it.
I thought I was armed---now, I'm not so sure.
In your experiences with chemo, is the lst one the worst---are they all the same?----Any input I'd appreciate. Thank goodness for med's. I would NOT have slept at all. Some of your very 1st posts here, with other people helped some. I guess I'm still learning.....very slowly.
I already feel 'some' better....

Ails · 06-03-2007, 08:27 AM

Poo - just did a post and lost it - TWICE

General idea - chemo isn't nice but what makes you bad makes you better. Your PMA is prbably taking a little shopping trip at said MAll but I'm sure it will be back after a little retail therapy.

I prob did have side effects but denial works well for me. I concentrated on having a laugh and insisted to the world that I was OK and think I actually willed myself to feel better!! That's just the way I deal with things. I did get a little more tired with each session - but my sense of humour became even more warped and twisted to deal with it.

Give yourself a few days and you will be feeling up again as the drugs start to leave your system. In the interim, chill out and watch DVDs etc

Take Care

Ails xx

fairy-lights · 06-03-2007, 08:59 AM

Hi Ladies,

Singer, I am so sorry that you are having to deal with all these new and horrible sensations that are happening to you, it's the not knowing what to expect that I find really hard to come to terms with.

I'm sure your body will soon adapt and hopefully you'll feel better.

Hows your migraine today Ails? I hope that you are feeling much better in your self.

I think you've both got a great sense of humor, and are lovely ladies, who have been a great help to me, and I am glad that we have had the opportunity to have come across each other.

( that sounds a bit sloppy)

xx

Ails · 06-03-2007, 09:21 AM

Aww, not sloppy, sweet

Anyway, Lady, what is your course of action for this week? I assume you have already made an appointment with your GP and have a relevant lists of symptoms, questions and requests (otherwise known as demands). It doesn't matter if they think it's something else - you know your body. So what if it's very unlikely that it is lymphoma (not as common as you think) MAKE them do the tests to rule it out. If you get nowhere request an appointment with the practice manager and mention the GMC if you need to

I hate being bossy but I need to be. I know what it's like trying to get someone to take you seriously. I faffed about for 3 - THREE- years getting told there was nothing wrong with me - if I knew then what I know know I would have been a darned site more assertive

Take care and let me know how the appointment (which I know you have already made

) goes
Ails xx

Ails xx

singer78 · 06-03-2007, 09:31 AM

Hi Ladies,
I'm feeling some better---spent the morning on the patio, talking with my visiting son. He's a very soft-spoken, kind person & seems to help me put things into perspective. I'm blessed in that respect.
I just can't believe all the weird sensations from chemo. It never really seems to last very long---it kind of jumps from one thing to another. The shoulder pain has been, and is 'still' a major problem for me. My oncologist said it was from the incision (node removal) and maybe a bit of arthritis.
At this point, I just want to lie around .... I can tell my taste buds are changing. I thought I'd be an "exception" ----LOL! I don't think there are any. As in positivity...I'm working on it.
Fairy---I do hope you get some results SOON. This has been going on way too long for you. My plight has been so quick---I can't think straight---but, having read your posts, I realize I'm much better off knowing what I know. This could've lurking for weeks/months and my lymphoma getting worse--- I still think my husband and I had mono (Epstein Barr virus) about 3 years ago, and that started my whole escapade...
Thanks for any input. I know it has to be "bad" before it's "good"...I just wasn't aware of all the strange sensations involved. Whew.
XO S.
p.s. YES ---ASSERTIVE is the key word, Ails.