Establishing a pattern through chemo (?) - Lymphomas Message Board

singer78 · 06-10-2007, 08:52 AM

Hi All,

I had the roughest day/afternoon/night yesterday & the day before, since the beginning of my chemo. My question for the forum is:

Does anyone know...Is there a "pattern" throughout your chemo---?
Like, Day # 1, was not too bad... Day #2, tolerable...aches & pains.... Day #3 same as Day #2, etc... I noticed that my 5th & 6th day, due to stomach upset, was "the pits." --Totally crappy day, spent completely in bed.
I could function earlier, somewhat, until it hit my stomach---that achey, nauseous feeling affected EVERYTHING! I even had a hard time with a bland diet---I tried (yuck) mashed potatoes, crackers, gingerale,---the ONLY thing that saved my life last night, were fruit popsicles! The coldness felt great, too.

What I'm wondering about, is: Will this pattern happen again after the next chemo? I really wish I could establish a pattern, because maybe that way, not only will I be able to treat it properly with med's, but I'll know more what to expect.

Thanks. Any input, I'd appreciate, as I'm trying to retain as much of my life-before-chemo as I can. I'm feeling much better today, but as I type, I'm aware of the grumbling, gurgling in my tummy & praying

that it's not another "down" day. (sigh) I guess it may be another fruit popsicle day.

S.

BeachJen · 06-10-2007, 09:24 AM

{{{{Singer}}}}

I'm so sorry you are having such down days. But chemo does that to you. I'm not sure what kind you have but I had diffuse large B-cell NHL and I was on some pretty horrid chemo.

My experience was days 1 and 2 weren't too bad. I mostly complained of extreme fatigue. My worse were days 3-5 with the nausea and vomiting. I tried to get calories in me by Boost and Ensure but even that didn't settle right. After like the 6th or 7th day I started to feel a bit better.

And unfortunately this was the pattern after each treatment. Some tolerate it better than others but I wasn't one of the lucky ones.

I hope you're feeling better today and the grumbling goes away.

singer78 · 06-10-2007, 09:38 AM

Jen,
So there is a pattern??
I have "Hodgkin's" stage 2A and am on "ABVD" chemo, 7 more treatments.
I know...here I am, after the 1st one, freaking out. My heart goes out to anyone doing chemo---I had NO idea that it could be so severe. But, again-- a positive outlook helps, as well as receiving info from everyone here.
It helps to know what's up, before hand, I guess. Maybe I can plan my life a little better now. When the stomach "thing" hits, it's pretty debilitating, isn't it? "This, too, shall pass"---is my motto.
Thanks.

BeachJen · 06-10-2007, 09:54 AM

You seem to have a good attitude Singer and yes, it's so important to stay positive. Mine was in Stage 3 when they found it and I had R-CHOPS. Then before the transplant I had ICE which really did a number on me.

This too shall pass Singer you're right. Just think only 7 more and I'm hoping and praying that after it's all over you'll hear the magic word "REMISSION".

singer78 · 06-10-2007, 10:00 AM

My goodness...it sounds like you had a rough time.
I'm so glad people like you come on this forum with your great diagnosis!
It gives us all hope, I'm sure.
Actually, I was told "Hodgkin's" is one of the rare cancers that actually has a "cure" rate. I'm so praying for that....
At first, they told me 100% by my ENT, then after extensive tests, I was told 85% curable! There's a risk for secondary cancers, from what I understand, but there's risks with just about ANYthing we do, right?--Even crossing the street!
Thanks for the positive outlook.
I'm drinking gingerale & hoping today is better---tummy-wise.