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Sherry
Regular
Joined: 30 Dec 2008
Posts: 45
Location: Missouri
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 Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:03 am Post subject: Update on my mother-in-law |
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My Mother-in-law went for chemo this past Monday. They have now changed from 3 weeks on 1 week off to every other week. The doctor says her blood just can't handle it. Well she sees this as good news though and thinks she's getting better. She didn't hear the part about her blood can't handle it. Well, she did hear it, but chooses not to hear it.
She is getting so weak. Just this week she got stuck in the bath tub. My hubby bought a handle that clamps on the side of the tub and she said that works. He also bought the chair and hand held shower, but she is making him take that back. It won't be long until she needs that though. She refuses to take showers. She's afraid she'll get her hair wet. She doesn't want to mess it up. Which is funny because it's flat in the back from laying on it. She's a little vain, bless her heart. We have to laugh about something at this point. She goes every week to the beauty shop to get it fixed. She cancelled this week. That says a lot. The weakness has really went downhill in the last couple of weeks.
We are really staying on top of her taking her meds on time. That seems to be a key with her and her symptoms-pain, nausea, heartburn and diarrhea. She hates taking all these pills, but we just stay on her.
She eats very little and is so skinny. She wanted me to put lotion her the other night and she's so skinny. That is except for the fluid in her abdomenal area. She doesn't have energy to do that for herself anymore-another important thing to her.
I just wonder how long it is before they tell her they aren't doing chemo anymore...
Thanks for listening,
Sherry |
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wannaknow
Senior User
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:55 pm Post subject: sounds familiar |
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Sherry:
What you describe in many ways are some of the things I've been thru with my Mother over the last year but especially the 4th qtr of '08.
Chemo affect on blood - huge deal and it does not receive enough attention before or during treatment. To make many stories short, we went to weekly blood tests (even weeks off) so that we could avoid some of the really bad slumps & 911/hospital events which happened before we shifted to weekly tests.
Procrit - Based on blood test results, started requesting/receiving drup to help body produce red blood cells
Transfusion - when all else fails, have done it twice in order to quickly return blood levels to normal
Weight/Eating - has been a battle all the way for lots of reasons - one trick that worked to some degree was to make sure food choices had the most nutrients & calories ......my mom was buying & eating no fat 75 cal yogurt just because she like the consistency while at the same time complaining about losing weight. Make smoothies with Ensure (more calories) vs milk. that kinda stuff.
I've found that "aging" has been a bigger challenge that the illness on a day to day basis. |
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wannaknow
Senior User
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject: Chemo Specific |
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Wanted to be clear - the Chemo that seems to affect my Mom's blood levels the most = Gemzar. It is consistent in attacking it especially when you take once a week in her case 3 weeks on and 1 week off.
The Xeloda pills seems to affect skin, mouth, etc a great deal. |
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Sherry
Regular
Joined: 30 Dec 2008
Posts: 45
Location: Missouri
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: Update on my mother-in-law |
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She is on the Gemzar. She use to be on those pills months ago. She did make the comment that she wondered why he didn't have her on the pill this time. I think it's just for the pain control now.
She is battling thrush in her mouth. I think that is better and the swallowing is better now. |
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wannaknow
Senior User
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:03 pm Post subject: Chemo Mystery |
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Yeah, the Oncologist started with Gemzar then added Xeloda down the road...during 1st round it was 2000 mg a day for 14 days but the side effects really kicked in. I questioned the amount & he just blew me off. This round he cut back to 1500 mg and claimed it did not matter with regard to the disease but it would minimize the side effects and it has.
Thrush - yup, been there too. There are some holistic treatments available that can help speed recovery. Lots info available via search |
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