@Dee58, I can't answer your question. But how did your Thursday oncology appointment go? Did you get any of the answers you were looking for? ... View more

Well, this past week has been a bit up and down. I've passed halfway point of this stage of treatment. But the chemo seems to be starting to really take it out of me. Yesterday was an absolute downer. Woke in the middle of the night and started to cough and dry retching set in. Ended up sitting up in a chair for the rest of the night. The nausea wouldn't go away, even after taking the nausea medication (Metoclopramine HCL 10mg). Tried to eat but it only ended up bringing on vomiting.   Last night was better. Still woke very early, around 2am. Not much nausea and only on the verge of dry retching but never actually had it. Daytime feeling a bit better but still tired. Yesterday did a rubbish run (we have to cart our own rubbish to the tip here) and shopped for groceries. Can't see how that might have adversely affected me later in the day as I spent most of the rest of it laying down. This morning I did a little work but am taking it fairly easy the rest of the day. Fingers crossed...   I've developed a theory. Seems the chemo is coming out in my saliva (as well as wherever elsewhere) and causing that foul taste in my mouth. Swallowing the saliva puts that into the stomach which doesn't take too well to it. End result is the nausea, dry retching and vomiting. I'm trying to gargle my mouth regularly and spitting everything out. Hope it works. I'll try anything. ... View more

@Janine3220, thanks for you kind words and all the handy tips. Always good to get as much information as possible.   Any kind of cancer isn't good, hope it works out well for you. A friend of mine went through therapy a couple of years ago for breast cancer and she's still clear today. ... View more

@Budgie, they have given me anti nausea pills but I have an aversion to drugs. I tend to put up with small discomforts if possible. Saw my GP for the first time in a while last Tuesday, He'd been away on study leave. But we had a good discussion. He wasn't happy I got Astrazenica instead of Pfizer, but past history now. He's very much into drugs (for me, not for him). Because things had mostly improved just recently he wants to attribute it to the drugs. That's except for sleeping. Some nights not getting any sleep, others only an hour or two. This is my biggest worry.   Works out Thursday evening I dozed off and missed my Melatonin tablets. Didn't feel I needed the Ventalin so gave that a miss. And never took the cough syrup, Duro-Tuss, as the oncologist said the coughing was from the radiation and the cough syrup wouldn't help. Basically, I went to bed without any drugs. Slept for about four hours. Woke and laid in bed another few hours without coughing. During the day there were bouts of coughing but all in all it was a pretty good day without nausea or indigestion. Eating reasonably well, although there are some things I don't seem to like any more. But best night/day in a while.   GP is concerned with me driving myself to the treatments each day but I'm monitoring it carefully and will get help if necessary. Meanwhile, I've done three chemos, only another three to go. Radiation is everyday, so still a few to go. But I am basically halfway there. Soon I'll be onto the next stage. Thanks for your advice, it's always very helpful. Take care yourself. ... View more

Do you have a GP? I found my GP  gives a complete answer. Oncologists seem vague and if you mention GP they say to follow GPs advice. If you can't take Astrazenica then you're entitled to Pfizer. My GP said Pfizer but I already had the Astrazenica. I'm half way through chemo/radiotherapy for lung cancer and no issues with the AZ.  But I didn't have any blood issues during therapy.  Best speak to your GP. ... View more

@Hannah30, it can be a confusing time after diagnosis. You feel vulnerable and insecure. Try ringing the Cancer Council number on this site, 13 11 20. It's good to have someone to talk to. They can also advise on other support that may be available to you. Best wishes. ... View more

@Hannah30, your feelings are quite understandable, I've been riding that "wild roller coaster" as well. You often can't help think that everything is out of control around you and you're powerless to do anything about it.   A while back I met that head on by going to the cemetary, picking out a plot and paying for it. Also organised the headstone. That was "Plan B", 'Plan A" was to live happily ever after. It made a big difference psychologically, I was no longer just a helpless victim.   And then there's the project to build my house. At times it didn't seem I'd live to see it completed. But the plan in my mind shows how it will all look when finished. You'll be only too well aware, having a rural block is a full on job. There's a lot I've had to abandon but I'm still picking up little bits. I try to focus on what I can do, not on what I can't.   Everyone's circumstances are different. We all have to find our own way through as best we can. There'll be good days and there'll be bad, I've had them all. Just gone through three consecutive bad days, and hoping today is not going to be a fourth. But it is what it is.   The main thing, I believe, is to set plans or goals (or whatever else you might call them). Doesn't matter how many. The future is uncertain, there are many possibilities. And don't hesitate to reach out for help. The Cancer Council is a tremendous asset, just a phone call or even a face to face. They have helped me a lot. There's also this forum where you can see how others are dealing with their issues, and where you will get support.   Remember, you're not only a cancer patient. You're a whole human being, with history, memories and experiences, with likes and dislikes, with strengths and weaknesses, with family and friends who are part of your life, and for whom you are a part of theirs. That's all still there. It's something to hold onto. My headstone has this carved into it: Carpe diem Get the facts Get real Deal with it ... View more

@Budgie, don't envy you chemo every day. I get it once per week and have only done two so far. But it's getting at me already. From the day after the second dose I'm nauseous most of the time, some things taste bad and I find it difficult to eat although forcing the food down adds to the nausea. Guess that's my life now, for a while at least.   The vaccine was Astrazenica. I did full disclosure on my treatment so there wouldn't be any surprises. Second dose will be in mid September. They said side effects were variable and unpredictable. A friend got the Pfizer (both) and had issues for a while after each one. Thanks for your support, take care yourself. ... View more

@Budgie, thanks. It must have been difficult with that commute on top of the treatment. Were you driving yourself or using public transport? I live further out than Humpty Doo but Cancer Council will only pick me up from there. As of last Friday I'm driving myself as the side effects are negligible and not likely to be a problem for a while yet, if at all (hopefully).   So now I've had one chemo and three radiation treatments, it still seems unreal. Friday I also had my first Covid-19 vaccine. Only felt the jab and no other effects. However Saturday there was some nausea and slight pain around the jab site. I put it down to the vaccine and not the treatment, although the listed side effects for both have a lot of similarities.   This coming Wednesday I get the second cycle of chemo. During the anaphylaxis last week they tagged me with a body label and were ready to ship me off to RDH. But they managed to work their way around it and all was well. So, with that and five radiation treatments lined up for during the week I'm well and truely on the way. ... View more

Now I believe it's going to happen. Wednesday I had my first treatment, finally! Had a morning appointment for chemo which turned out taking most of the day. Gave me four pills that had to be taken an hour before the chemo starts, some were antihistamines. Meantime they had a saline drip in my arm. However, after they plugged Paclitaxel in the drip line things rapidly began to happen. First it was hot flushes, then a bit dizziness and tightness in my chest. This only took a matter of minutes. There was intense pain in the lower back around the kidneys which started to shoot down through the glutes into the upper thighs. My head began to spin and I saw 'stars'. Breathing became harder and I started to black out. Told the nurse I was in a bad way and going down fast. She immediately cut off the drip and pressed an alarm. People began running in from all directions. Ended up with over 20 crowded around. They hooked me up to an ECG. Blood pressure ran amok. But surprisingly, to me, blood oxygen level was 100%. I managed to not black out and was able to tell them what was happening.   Only 7 ml of Paclitaxel had got into my veins before they cut it off. Worried me as I thought they may abandon my treatment. After a half hour I'd stabilized and they said they'd continue with the Paclitaxel but at half the rate, I'd get it over a period of two hours instead one hour. They pumped some more antihistamine into me before continuing. Once there was 40 ml in me I relaxed and the rest of the two hours passed without any side effects other than a slight headache.   Carboplatin was then plugged into the dripline for one hour without any side effects. The whole process took much longer than had been anticipated. There was still the radiation to go through, so it was a long day. Next chemo is Wednesday, radiation is daily on week days. It may be psychological but I'm already feeling better knowing the cancer is no longer just running wild. So the show is finally on the road. Fingers crossed. ... View more