Ry Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 John had his 4th dose of Alimta on March 31st. This last time it has hit him pretty hard. He just has no energy. He started to have fever and chills so he went to our family doc for antibiotics. The oncologist has given him a break so he can get his strength built up for the next two treatments. He may then go to Avastin or another chemo depending on what our insurance will cover. I can't believe this is the chemo they say has so few side effects-- it's really knocking him down. Hopefully the break will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalouDP Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Oh Rochelle, I'm sorry to hear that. Alimta was very easy on Thomas but it did nothing to his LC. I pray John will get over the side effects and get good results. Hey, is he taking the Folic & B12 shots with it. It supposed to help with fatigue and other side effects. We were advised to start on the Folic and B12 shots 10 days before the first Alimta. God Bless Malou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Rochelle-- Very sorry to hear John is having a hard time of it on Alimta, hopefully the break will rebound him. I'm glad there are more options for him also. Hang in there and take care of yourself also, caregivers have to be careful too being under all that mountain of stress. Prayers for you, John and the kids for the best. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Aw man !!!! I was so hoping that John was going to be able to kick some cancer butt with this. Hope these side effects mean that the Alimta is working BIG TIME and 'getting it done'...........know what I mean? May the break rejuvenate him and find GREAT results down the line. Thinking of you both as always..........praying too! Love, Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Dear Ry, Well, my friend, as you know, I'm not very fond of Alimta . . . Hopefully, changing the chemo will get his energy back. One thought: When Don was down on his butt for about two months with no energy from taxotere/carbo, the onc started him on a low dose of decadron, I think it was only 2 mg. or 4 mg. a day to see if that would "kick start" him, and it worked! I'm hoping and praying that he starts to feel better real soon, Ry! Love, Peggy P.S. And I'm sure you are very upset about all this, so special prayers for "calm" for you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda661 Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Ry: I am so sorry to hear John is having a tough time. I wish I had something to offer as a suggestion to help him, but I don't have Alimta in my experience bank with mom (yet). Just gonna' hold you and John in my thoughts and prayers, Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myrnalu Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 So sorry the altima is kicking his butt,the stronger taxotere is doing it to me.Last one today,Hooray. Im praying the break will give John back his strength,and he can continue it because if it makes us feel so awful aint that a good sign its kicking the cancers butt too?I sure hope so Marie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 I'm glad John is getting a break. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Sorry John is finding this chemo rough going. As others have said, maybe it's fighting his cancer "big-time" and the results will be worth it. Keeping John in my thoughts and prayers. gail p-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieD Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Ry, Alimta kicked my butt also, especially after the 4th treatment. I only went 6 but the big improvement came after 4 and stable thereafter. I had 30 % shrinkage after the 4th. My Doc was involved with some of the research on it and she said she rarely saw any improvement beyond the 4th but I agreed to try for more to no avail. Hope and pray John will be feeling better soon. As I recall, it took about a month to get back to feeling ok. Don't think I ever did get back to normal after Alimta. God Bless. CharlieD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancy B Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Ry, prayers and good thoughts for you and John. Hugs, Nancy B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollyanne Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Many prayers that the break is just what he needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MurielK Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Sorry to hear that John is having so much trouble. I remember that he was having trouble after the 1st and 2nd treatments. Is it even worse now? I'm sure that you've already thought of this, but how are his blood counts? Is he getting neulasta and aranesp? Hope things start getting better SOON. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Rochelle,I too like all the others am sorry to hear John is having a rough time with the chemo.I remember how bad I was with it. Hope it is working,and also hope a little chemo break helps him get some of his energy back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliBr1 Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Prayers for John and for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamasbabygirl Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Alimta kicked my mom's butt too, but it has held her stable for a year now. I know I have told you that, but it is just a reminder. BTW, she already had brain mets prior to taking her Alimta treatments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Hey Ry. Thanks for the update. Wishing you had better news to share. So sorry this Alimta is giving John more than a tussle. God, I hate chemo. But, shoot.... Just hope that he can do some out of body stuff to keep himself going. I got to be pretty good at disconnecting from the present. Hang tough, Ry. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Hello Ry, Sorry that John had such a kick with Alimta at the end of March, could be the right kick for him, never know. The weeks of rest will bring back his strength so he will be ready for the next chemo. Best wishes and vibes. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 With the others, I hope that John feels relief with his break. Prayers to you all gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Ditto to what everyone else has already said. I'm just going to keep him in my prayers that this Alimta is Killing the Monster cancer and that his pain and suffering will be rewarded with NED in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Rochelle, here is a big WISH that John is feeling this crummie because the Alimta is whacking those damn c cells. Maybe the nice weather will give John some energy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 RY, I am so sorry that our buddy is having such a rough time of this. I pray that this break will help him feel much better. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Ry, I hope John feels better with a break and that there are other options... xoxo bunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geri Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Add my name to the list hoping for a speedy pick up from the side effects. So sorry that John's feeling so crummy, wishing for good results from his rest. Geri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Ry, So sorry to hear that John has had such a bad reaction to the Alimta. It was really rough on Mike, as well. He developed pneumonitis while on Alimta and he never found it to be the mild chemo that they claimed it to be. I so hope that John will benefit from the break and they will find the perfect chemo for him. Keep us informed and know that we are out here praying and sending lots of healing vibes your way. Love, Sue 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.