glo821

My father had his second chemo treatment today. He almost didn't have it because his doctor said that he had lost too much weight (10 lbs in 3 weeks), and his white blood cells were too low. After some monitering, his white blood cells elevated enough for him to undergo the chemo. He was prescribed the Megace (sp?) for his appetite. Because he had one episode of bleeding from the mouth, the Avastin was removed from this cycle of treatment. After his second dose, his doctor prescribed Nupigem injections 1 injection a day for seven days to boost white blood cells. I was wondering if anyone had heard of this treatment? Has anyone had any experience with it? Good? Bad? Just trying to get as much information as I can! Thanks all!! Gloria

So, my father is scheduled for his 2nd chemo treatment on Thursday. Since his first chemo treatment 3 weeks ago, he has lost 10 lbs. He's weighing 145, and has NO appetite. He tries, with the ensure's, and the ice cream, but on a good day he's averaging about 1000 calories. He had blood work done and is now anemic. His white blood cells are also low. His doctor said that if he continues on this path, his body will not be able to take the treatment. So I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to get my father to have some kind of appetite? Is there anything I can try? How can I prevent him from losing any more weight? Is there a pill? A juice? A meal that's STACKED with calories? Please help!!

You're right, there are certain things he gravitates towards. Right now, it's ice cream. He likes the way it feels going down his throat. He's UP TO HERE with the Ensure's though. A suggestion we made to our mother was to make an Ensure shake for him tomorrow morning. What do you think about pasta's? would they be good? P.S. Thanks for the linked post. It gave me a much clearer understanding of what my father must be going through. I'm going to share it with my sister. Thank you! Gloria

Hi Surveyor, Firstly, I would like to apologize for responding so late. I haven't really had a chance to be online since I read your message on Friday. Thank you for your advice. I spoke with my sister and we both agreed that we are going to follow your suggestion. My father is scheduled for his second chemo treatment on Thursday 9/4, and he'll have his last one scheduled three weeks after that. After the last scheduled chemo treatment, they're going to assess whether or not the treatment is working with diagnostic testing. We're planning to request a second opinion after that. My father has been doing well. He tolerated his first chemo treatment with very minimal side-effects. The only gripe I have with him is that there are days that it is literally a battle to get him to eat something. I understand that his appetite is compromised with the cancer and all, but he needs to gain weight, or at the very least sustain the weight he's at now. We're afraid that he won't be able to take the chemo treatment if he doesn't have sustenance, you know? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Just checking in to update you on my father's status. He had his first chemotherapy treatment yesterday. I was with him all day at the hospital. We arrived at 7am, and were told that the infusion would last approximately five hours. We didn't leave until 5pm. (!!) As most of you predicted, he slept throughout his treatment. I waited for him outside (in the waiting room), but went in to check on him about once every hour. I also made sure he ate something, whether it was 1/2 a turkey sandwich, banana, or cracker. He got mad at me for "bugging him" about eating, but hey, that's my job! So far (knock on wood), he hasn't had any adverse reactions to his chemo. I brought him home yesterday, where he ate dinner and was feeling no nausea or fatigue. This morning, he had to take his first nausea medication, which worked instantly, and I was able to cook breakfast for him. A few hours later, he said he was hungry and asked to eat! He hasn't done that in a LONG TIME! I'm taking these all as good signs. He did look a bit redder than usual this morning, but it wasn't too bad. He just looked a bit flushed. In reading the paperwork that we were provided with, I noted that this was a normal sign...so I'm not too worried about that. I was wondering when he might be feeling the reaction of the chemo? Is it typical not to feel anything in the first day after? Thank you all for your support! Gloria

Thank you Nancy and Patti! I am again humbled by the outpouring of love and support from this community. You're right Pattie, I think its the fear of the unknown that has us running scared. This disease has such a terrible reputation. I'm just hoping that it gets easier and that this treatment works. Nancy, I am in the Los Angeles area. Where are you? I also wanted to say that I am in aw of your determination and hope to find 1/2 your strength to help our father (but mostly ME!) through this. I'm so scared.

Thank you Cat for your response. You're right, we are all filled with anxiety. Dealing with the unknown, and with something as huge as cancer, that has such a horrible reputation, is very stressful. Here's to good news for your sister in September! We must do what we can to get rid of this horrible disease.

Hello Ned, and thank you for your responses. I have read your story in the cancergrace.org website, and feel as if I know you! Isn't it odd how this disease (as horrible as it is) can bring people together? Thank you for your suggestions. I just got a call that my father will start his chemo on Thursday morning at 7am, and will last for 5 hours. We are going to make every attempt to make this transition as easy as possible for him. Thanks again!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my introduction. I am so humbled by the response and amazed by your stories. I am hoping to find information and comfort here, as well as hope to provide comfort to others sufering from this horrible disease. I was also wondering if anyone had heard of the Budwig diet? What can anyone tell me about that? Thank you!

i do have questions that I posted on another thread here. I'll post it here as well. I could really use information and support, so I thank you for both! Here goes: My father was just diagnosed with NSCLC that has metastized to his adrenal gland, therefore surgery is not an option at this point. Before being diagnosed, he was under the constant care of his general practitioner with his only symptoms being weight loss (about 40 pounds in the course of 4 months), nausea and nose-bleeds. Because he had no other symptoms, diagnosing him was difficult. He underwent various tests, including CT scans, CT assisted lung biopsy, biopsy of the prostate and was evaluated by an Urologist and an Oncologist. After several visits that spanned the course of approximately four months, he was finally diagnosed last Thursday, August 7th. He will be starting chemo sometime next week. The treatment recommended was Carboplatin/Taxol/Avastin, once every three weeks for three cycles; at which time, they will do a scan and see if the treatment is working. I have visited several forums and am amazed at the amount of compassion and knowledge of people that have first-hand experience in dealing with cancer, either on a personal level or helping a loved-one through it. Based on recommendations on forums that we keep our fathers head, hands and feet cool during treatment, I have placed an order for "Mira Cool" products, such as the bucket hat, do-rag, and various other Mira Cool items, that I found after doing a google search on personal cooling systems. You can see the web site here: http://www.tuffrhino.com/Cooling_Produc ... agodk2cZrQ I plan on buying dry ice and putting it in a cooler in order to keep gloves and socks in it to keep those areas cool. I'm wondering if there is anything else you could recommend? Would these items be enough? Should I get something more? What else can we expect from his receiving this treatment? What can we do to make this easier on our father? Also, what can you tell me about the Budwig diet? Is there any truth to the assertion that the diet can help with the prognosis? As you can imagine, we are all very scared. My father is a very stoic and proud Mexican man that we love dearly. He is also the best patient anyone could ask for because he will do whatever it takes to feel better. We're hoping to make the transition into treatment as easy for him as possible; therefore, if you could make any recommendation or suggestion, it would very much be appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post. Gloria, loving daughter of Raul Riesgo Thanks again for taking the time to read this post!

My 73 year old father was just diagnosed with NSCLC that has metastized to his adrenal gland. He didn't have your typical lung related symtoms, and was therefore difficult to diagnose. His only symptoms were weight loss (about 40 pounds in the course of 4 months), nausea and occasional nose-bleeds. He was diagnosed on Thursday, August 7th, 2008, and will be starting chemo sometime next week. The treatment recommended was Carboplatin/Taxol/Avastin, once every three weeks for three cycles; at which time, they will do a scan and see if the treatment is working. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my introduction. Gloria

My father was just diagnosed with NSCLC that has metastized to his adrenal gland, therefore surgery is not an option at this point. Before being diagnosed, he was under the constant care of his general practitioner with his only symptoms being weight loss (about 40 pounds in the course of 4 months), nausea and nose-bleeds. Because he had no other symptoms, diagnosing him was difficult. He underwent various tests, including CT scans, CT assisted lung biopsy, biopsy of the prostate and was evaluated by an Urologist and an Oncologist. After several visits that spanned the course of approximately four months, he was finally diagnosed last Thursday, August 7th. He will be starting chemo sometime next week. The treatment recommended was Carboplatin/Taxol/Avastin, once every three weeks for three cycles; at which time, they will do a scan and see if the treatment is working. I have visited several forums and am amazed at the amount of compassion and knowledge of people that have first-hand experience in dealing with cancer, either on a personal level or helping a loved-one through it. Based on recommendations on forums that we keep our fathers head, hands and feet cool during treatment, I have placed an order for "Mira Cool" products, such as the bucket hat, do-rag, and various other Mira Cool items, that I found after doing a google search on personal cooling systems. You can see the web site here: http://www.tuffrhino.com/Cooling_Products_s/43.htm?Click=20&source=google&segment=productpage&paidKeyword=cooling%20clothing&adVariation=1&gclid=CMqlq_LPgZUCFSQtagodk2cZrQ I plan on buying dry ice and putting it in a cooler in order to keep gloves and socks in it to keep those areas cool. I'm wondering if there is anything else you could recommend? Would these items be enough? Should I get something more? What else can we expect from his receiving this treatment? What can we do to make this easier on our father? Also, what can you tell me about the Budwig diet? Is there any truth to the assertion that the diet can help with the prognosis? As you can imagine, we are all very scared. My father is a very stoic and proud man that we love dearly. He is also the best patient anyone could ask for because he will do whatever it takes to feel better. We're hoping to make the transition into treatment as easy for him as possible; therefore, if you could make any recommendation or suggestion, it would very much be appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post. Gloria