peebygeeby Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Hi everybody, Just wanted to let you know how things are progressing. Hank is just about 2 and a half weeks past his first chemo treatment. Next one is scheduled for Wednesday. He's been feeling generally pretty tired, but some days less tired than others. Today he just feels crappy, was nauseous this morning, upset stomach, loose bowels. His hair has begun to come out. The big problem continues to be his breathing. He started using a nebulizer the day before yesterday. He still is very SOB but yesterday he did manage a mile and a half walk. Not fast, but he did it. Is all this normal? I would have expected stomach upset just after the chemo treatment. But, what do I know? I remain, alternately positive, and negative. I read some of the posts from you guys that are so great and hopeful and I think, this can be done. Then, somewhere along the line, I lose it. Bouncing back and forth constantly. Anyway, I look forward to your replies. All the best, Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Hank's experience seems to be pretty much like mine when I had carbo and taxol, except the side-effects started on the third day after chemo. My Onc. suggested vicoden for the bone pain and it helped a lot. I was really tired, too. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Hi Gail, Is this SOB something new? It could be that his hemoglobin has dropped at this point in the cycle. Less red blood cells mean less oxygen circulating in his system to bring to his lungs. Have they tested his blood/oxygen levels? Feeling crappy is par for the course for a few days. It'll get better and suddenly he will be himself again. Sorry to hear about this SOB thing. It was the bane of my husband's existence. Please pursue this with the doctors. Hang in there, you're doing fine. Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peebygeeby Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 Hi Welthy, Thanks for your reply. When Hank had a follow up visit last week they checked his blood oxygen level, it was pretty good at rest. He does have emphysema. His pulmonologist has recently ordered a nubulizer for him and he is using it 4 times daily. Seems to be helping a little. He has been SOB for quite a long time, but since his bout with pneumonia which landed him in the hospital and resulted in his getting his lung cancer diagnosis, his breathing has not returned to the level that it was at prior to having pneumonia. He is attempting to increase his activity level, trying to rehabilitate his lung function to some degree. He is scheduled for his next chemo infusion on Wednesday. I will address the SOB with the doctor again at that time, and see if there is anything further to be done to improve it. Other than that, he's feeling pretty good today, as compared to yesterday. He was really, really tired yesterday. He went to the barber this morning. The hair is gone! It's going to take some getting used to, but it looks alright. Different, but alright. This whole situation is going to take some getting used to. All the best, Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 "peebygeeby" ...He went to the barber this morning. The hair is gone! It's going to take some getting used to, but it looks alright. Different, but alright. Gail, you'll probably get used to it before he does. The reason? You see him many more times a day than he sees himself, which is just when he happens to look in a mirror. Long after others in the family had stopped commenting (about 2 days) I would walk into the bathroom and think "Whoah -- who is this guy?!" Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peebygeeby Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 Hi Ned, Yes, I had'nt thought about it that way before, I do see him alot more than he ever sees himself. Actually, I don't think he's all that upset about it. I mean, he'd rather have his hair, but I think he's looking at it as the least of his problems. Which is very true. As for me. Well I liked him better with hair, the way that I'm used to seeing him. My Dad was bald pretty much all his adult life. I remember one time when I was a little girl, he put a wig on, and it actually scared me to see him with hair! I don't know Ned, it's just something else to get used to, and a constant reminder that he has cancer. I am doing my utmost to appear to be not put off by any of it, to help him remain positive. Thanks for your reply Ned. All the best, Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Hi Gail, Oh -- now I understand. Your husband's tumor in his lung may be compressing his bronchial tube or significant branches. Did the doctor mention that possibility? That's what happened to my husband. Although he was riddled with tumors, the larger one was mucking up the works. Once the chemo started working, the tumor size decreased and moved off of the bronchial tube. This helped a lot with his ablity to breathe, although he was on oxygen all of the time. Too much cancer, mild emphysema, scarring, thickening, etc. to get enough oxygen on his own. The lung specialist tested his capacity with and without an inhaler. Being on Advair 250/50 2x per day opened his bronchial tubes somewhat and helped increase his breathing capacity by 14%. He used a nebulizer during two stages of his cancer. Have the docs discussed inhalers? Ahhh, the hair buzz. I loved my hubby's beautiful white hair and so did all my bald brothers! I would never have imagined how handsome he could be with no hair, but he was. I took before and after photos and saved a lock of his hair. It would be the last time I saw him with a full head of hair. He did need to wear a hat during our Chicago winters though. Unfortunately, the hair thing is all a part of the journey. We felt okay about it, because a lot of men shave their heads nowadays. I offered to do a sympathy buzz with him, but he declined my generous offer. (He also didn't let me draw little eyebrows on him -- he was no fun! LOL) Hope your husband continues to feel better. Hugs, Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peebygeeby Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 Hi Welthy, Yes, Hanks oncologist said that if we can shrink this primary tumor down, it should make his breathing better. Remarkably, today, he says that he is breathing better! I don't know what to make of it. He has had emphysema for a long time, but has been functioning well with it. It has only been a relatively short time that he has been having such breathing problems. He developed pneumonia in February, that landed him in the hospital, and resulted in the doctors finding the cancer. Since then, his breathing problems have been much worse. He has used inhalers, but they don't provide much relief. He started using a nebulizer a few days ago. There first few days there was only a little, if any detectable improvement. Today, he says he's breathing much better. I don't know why, but I'm happy about it! All the best, Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 If the tumor growth can cause fairly quick SOB, then by the same token, the reduction in size can relieve it that quickly too! All signs are pointing to good news for your husband! So glad to hear it. Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peebygeeby Posted April 7, 2008 Author Share Posted April 7, 2008 Hi Welthy, Yes, that is what I'm hoping. Of course I have no idea about any of this being so new to it. It's only been 3 weeks since treatment began, but maybe there is some shrinkage going on. God, I hope so! Will keep you posted. Thanks again, Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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