elkiesmom Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Gary was feeling great all last week until Sat when he came down with a slight fever 99.8 at night normal in the am. We went to the ONC but couldn't see ours since he is on vacation. She didn't seem to concerned but did put him on zithromax and we got a chest x ray today. She said she wants to see him Fri just before his Chemo He does have a problem breathing that comes and goes and he is exhausted. His spirts are way down. Can anyone give me some more advise. My "mom" advice is not helping him. Lorrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikkala Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 I don't have any advise but would like to offer prayers that things will get easier soon. Make sure to take good care of you also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 We were told to call the onc any temperature at 100.5 or above -- that has been the line for us. it is easy for people undergoing chemo or radiation to catch things like colds. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie221 Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 No chemo advice. Just wanted to offer hope that Gary's spirits will gradually lift. When I feel really low, it doesn't help to reason with me; I just want to be hugged, have my back rubbed, have a cool cloth on my forehead, little tender things like when I was a kid. Men have a harder time asking for tenderness. Hang in there! Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pammie Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Lorrie, you are blessing Gary by being there for him. So thankful he has you. Fatigue was always a problem for me on chemo but the farther I got into the treatments the less fatigue I had. Perhaps he will feel less tired as he gets into the treatments. Each person its different. I did not have any fevers so can't tell you my experience on that point. Try not to let yourself be anxious and stressed or you will get really strung out. Take one day at a time. Praying for you and Gary. pammie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkiesmom Posted September 1, 2005 Author Share Posted September 1, 2005 I really want to thank every one who has replied ro my concerns. I worry only because Gary's normal body temp is 97.6 and anything over 99.2 will give him the shakes. It has been this way for all of his 62 years. But try telling that to a doctor and they tell you not to worry untill his temp is over 100.5. That is true for me and most people but not for Gary. I was really getting angry at Gary yesterday also because he said his temp was going up and I looked at the thermometer and all it said was 99.1 and I told him he was making a big deal of this and the only reason was because he is afraid of Chemo and wants to get out of it. As those words were coming out I felt sick. I wanted to take them back as soon as I finished every word. So if I felt that way I can understand what Gary's Doctors are thinking.Thank god that Gary knows me well enough to know that I didn't mean it and he was comforting me as I broke down. Shouldn't it be the other way around????? Sorry to vent but I feel so guilty. I only want him to start Chemo asap. Lorrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie221 Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 (((Lorrie and Gary))) It'll be okay. The two of you will find your way through this maze together and it will get easier to deal with. Sending caring thoughts and strength to both of you. Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flacrakr Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 Lorrie and Gary; Chemo did a number on me, too. What with the fatigue and the bone ache; it was all I could do to drag myself to work each day. Thank goodness I had a pretty soft job. I got chemo every 5 weeks. The week after was the worst. Then I'd feel progressively better. Just about the time I felt almost 'normal', it was time for chemo again.... It took a couple of months to really get over it, but today I feel pretty darn good. I'll do it again if and when I need to. Good luck and prayers on Gary's treatments going as smoothly as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamataca Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 I think it is great that you have each other to lean on, and you need to give yourself "permission" to break down every now and then. Honestly, he may have been glad to have the opportunity to comfort you for once. Prayers for you. You'll get through this. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Hi Lori, We all say things we wish we could take back. That is normal so don't beat yourself up over it. Your husband understood and that is all that counts. My husband went through Chemo and he felt it was not as bad as was anticipated. He had 4 sessions of carbo/taxol 3 weeks apart, 5 hours each sessions. The IV chemo itself did not affect him, the symptoms did not hit him till about 3 to 4 dsys after the treatments and it affected the nerve endings in his legs. That lasted up about 3 or 4 days one session up to a week, then he felt good for a week, then back for another sessions. He said that the symptoms in his legs was similar to flu like symptoms. He did not become nauseous and did not lose all his hair. He did not lose his eyebrows or lashes. He had his hair buzzed but did not lose the buzz. He loved not having to shave. Everyone is different. But it is over now, and he is fine. When he tells people his experience, he says it is tolerable, and not too bad. I used to massage his legs for him when he had those pains. He loved that, it seemed to help. He also took pain medication which help him also. I could understand his apprehension, as he does not know what to expect. But he will do fine. Take care, Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkiesmom Posted September 3, 2005 Author Share Posted September 3, 2005 Chemo was postponed this week because Gary had not been feeling well all week as I wrote above and the X ray showed a possible case of pneumonia so the DO said who is taking our ONC place while he is on vacation. We got the x ray and report from where we had the x ray taken before the follow up exam and brought it with us to the DO. No where in the report said pneumonia and when the DO came in she said she never got the results. So I showed her what I got that day and she called the tech to see what the report meant. we heard the whole conversation and it seemed that she convenced the tech that it must be pneumonia. It could be but on tues we are seeing our pulmonary specialist and we will see what he says and on fri our ONC will be back and we will talk to him also and hopefully start chemo that day. We just got home from getting our hair done and Gary got a real short cut (not a buzz)but he did want one but our hair dresser talk him out of it and when he needs one in a week or two will do it free of charge.Gary really looks great in his new short cut. He says his ears are two big. Are all guys so vain???? Thank you all for your input both Gary and I are so appreciative. Lorrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkiesmom Posted September 9, 2005 Author Share Posted September 9, 2005 We went to the Onc today and showed him the xrays from Moffitt and this last new one and he like us could see no difference. He told us that he would make an app't for us to see our pulmonary Doc sooner so we will see him next thurs and he can look at ALL the Xrays also. if he concurs Gary will start Chemo Friday. Gary's white blood cell count is right on target as it should be so I am hoping that all he had was a slight infection. Thanks so much for all the advise. Lorrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 Sounds like good news to me Lorrie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.