Newbie here..some ??s

[Nassau one]

Hi Chris,

I would have thought the nurse should only give meds that are prescribed by the doctor, who has prescribed based on your dad's needs. Maybe it would be a good idea to talk to the doctor about this and, as you say, get a complete list of meds he is on.

I understand your dad's dislike of the hospital food! Again, I would make sure that they OK anything you take in for him to eat. Don't worry, he will soon be home and you can start building him up again.

Love and prayers,

[ohec2002]

Oh yes. We cleared with the dr. =) He liked the idea of a milkshake and told us to keep 'em comin. LOL I just got back from church, and still need to make a run to the store, so I haven't talked w/ Mom yet today to see whether she's gotten a list of meds yet. I did suggest she talk to the dr and make sure he was aware of the Zestril and Ativan being given instead of the pain med. Don't know yet if she's been able to do so.

Mom doesn't like to make a nuisance of herself (nor do I), but she does want to make sure that the DOC is calling the shots...not the RN. Hopefully that will get sorted out quickly.

Thanks again!
Chris (who's off to the store and then the hosp.)

[edinaman]

Your father's situation sounds somewhat like mine. I went in for urologic surgery, and the colon cancer was discovered growing outside of my colon. It never showed up on my ct scan. I also had one node involved, and a resection. At this point, I would not worry too much about eating. After surgery I had no appetite for about a week. I think I was nauseated and kept tasting the anesthetic or some of the other drugs. Your father may find that when he starts eating, it is easier to eat a number of small meals rather than a few large ones. It is true that he should drink water, etc. as much as possible. That also about a week for me. My surgery was in July, 2004, and I did not start chemo until that October. The onc would not start it until I had a colonoscopy, and obviously my body had to heal for that. Don't be surprised or disappointed if chemo takes longer than 6 months-that is the ideal, but it is not unusual to postpone some treatments to let your blood levels recover. Also, you or your mother or someone should take notes when talking to the doctors. Write down any questions you have-so many things are happening right now that you won't remember the questions or all the answers. Take notes, it is amazing what the doctors tell you and what you hear. If it's written down, at least you have a record. Feel free to ask all the questions you want on this board, or ever come here to vent. So many have been through this, we know what it's like and someone can usually give you an answer or refer to where you can find your answer. Best of luck to your father and your family. Also, if people offer to help, take them up on the offer-you have enough going on right now.

[ohec2002]

*nod* I told my mom some of the same things today. That ideally the chemo should probably start within 5wks, but it might be longer to give him longer to heal. She is sooooo together. It amazes me. I'm real calm, but goodness she's like a ROCK! She's absolutely unconcerned as to time schedule and what not (unlike me...I want to know when so I know what to do 'behind the scenes', etc). She just keeps saying "I'm not worried about that right now, we'll figure that out once we get him out of the hospital and they assign an oncologist." She's right of course, but maybe because she is *with* him and I'm here, I can't be quite so...I don't know...one day at a time?

I feel like I need to do some digging up of info, figure out what to feed him, plan diet changes, get the house clean and ready for him coming home (4 kids here, so trying to keep stuff off the floors so as to make it easier to get around is a trick!), etc. I've been gathering tips and tricks for post-op recovery mostly, but a little for the chemo rounds, too. Trying to get familiar with the terminology and drug names, etc. I've not passed all of it on to Mom or Dad yet, since I know they've got their plate full with the hospital recovery itself, but I do pass on bits and pieces from time to time to Mom. I think probably more to cement it in my own mind than anything else. lol I'm sure I'll have to repeat it...or she'll have to go back over my notes. I doubt that she's remembering too much of it right now because that's not her focus right now.

Good news! I took him some mushroom soup this afternoon and he ate 3 thermos caps worth. That's more than he's eaten all week combined. He kept asking for more. lol I guess GOOD food, as opposed to just food, was the trick. He's up and walking around more, was awake all day with little pain, and even took a short trip outside this evening. =)

As for people offering to help. OH so many, but Mom and I have yet to come up with anything for them to do! LOL Neither of us are good about asking for help, but we've both been working on that and so we've actually been TRYING to find something for people to do when they offer...and we can't come up with anything. It is frustrating and yet makes us laugh because it seems like Murphys Law. When we *try* to let someone help us...we have nothing for them to do. Go figure!

[gocatsgo]

Hi,

Looks like you've alread got some great advice from my fellow board members... Go slow w/the food...eat as tolerated...stick to the bananas, rice, toast, applesauce stuff (BRAT) diet - low residue - NO salads or raw fruits/veggies, nuts, etc.

...Ativan is a great drug to help w/anxiety BUT it also helps w/nausea and helps you sleep. I took it at night almost every night I was in the hospital because I found it very hard to get any sleep. I also took it to help w/nausea/anxiety during chemo.

...He should have an oncology consult while he is still in the hospital...ask for one. They should get him in for a CT scan of his lungs, abdomen, and pelvis. If anything shows up then they will send him for a PET scan.

...He will likely have the FOLFOX regimin of chemo - the worst side effects for me were cold sensitivities and neuropathy, nausea and diarrhea. On this regimine he will most likely NOT loose his hair, though it may thin out some.

...Let him have his ups and downs as needed...your mom too. Hearing that you have cancer is so scary. He will likely go through lots of different emotions.

Good luck and let us know how he does and if you have any more questions.

Keep him hydrated!!!

Best wishes,
Cats