mysecondchance's Chemotherapy Experience

Chemotherapy

I had three rounds of chemo before surgery. Dr. Kado had told me frankly that the progression of the cancer made surgery impossible unless chemo shrank the tumors. I had intravenous infusions of carboplatin/taxol three times, three weeks apart. I felt fine after the first infusion, but on the second day I was in a lot of pain and called Kaiser. They told me to monitor the pain and if my temperature went higher than 100.4 I was to go to the ER. By late afternoon I couldn't take the pain anymore so my family took me to the ER. I underwent tests including another ct scan. The ER doctor was not sure what was causing the pain. She said it could be the chemo working, the cancer growing (oh great) a bladder infection, to name a few. I preferred to think the chemo was kicking the cancer's tush. She settled on a bladder infection. I have never had one and really don't believe I did then. It probably was the chemo doing its work.

I was sick a lot during this time. I infuriated my family and friends because I couldn't eat, drink or get out of bed much. They infuriated me as well by trying to force-feed me and insisting I get up. Thankfully we were all patient with each other and made it through.

The chemo I had after surgery was a whole different ball game. I was scheduled for three rounds again but each round consisted of three infusions. Day one was intravenous taxol. Day two was cisplatin through a port in my abdomen. Day eight was taxol through the port. I got so sick after the first cycle, I ended up in the hosptial for eight days. I had gone in to see my oncologist because I felt so sick and she sent me to the ER in a wheel chair. My white blood count hit bottom. They got me well and postponed my next infusion for a week. I made it through the second cycle although I was very sick. After the second infusion of the third cycle I ended up in the ER. My feet and hands would seize and I was lightheaded all the time. I had horrific bouts of diarrhea. I was on my way to see my oncologist because of these symptoms and I told my son to drive me to the ER instead. By the time we got to the ER, I could hardly speak. I thought I was having a stroke. They took me in immediately and determined it was not a stroke. It was determined my electrolytes had tanked. I was given intravenous potassium among other things and my speech returned to normal and the seizing stopped in my hands and feet. That is except for when the nurse would check my blood pressure. When the cuff tightened on my arm my hand would seize. The ER doctor was intrigued by this. This doctor thought they could get me well enough to go home but kept me in a 24-hour limbo room where it would be determined if I was to be sent home or admitted to the hospital. My oncologist told me later she knew I would need to be admitted. That evening the ER doctor came to my bedside with a colleague to see a demonstration of my hand seizing. She put the cuff on my arm but nothing happened. I said I guess I can't perform under pressure. I told her to try again and this time it worked. I looked at the two doctors and they had goofy smiles on their faces. The ER doctor said they had read about this in text books but had never seen it in person. Gee, I am always glad to help.

I was admitted and spent five days. My oncologist decided I would not get the final infusion. I was elated and called family and friends who were also happy to hear this news. I was happy that they were getting me well so I could go home feeling healthy and not have to get sick again with that final infusion.

Easy to Do:

Disagree

Minimal Side Effects:

Strongly Disagree

Minimal Impact to Daily Life:

Strongly Disagree