Wellness

[JackieHN]

Just go to the best Dr at Kaiser. But for now, enjoy the holidays. A strawberry margarita does sound good, doesn't it.

Jxx

[Lyn08]

I had lunch yesterday with my cousin who has stage 4 esophageal cancer. It was good to see him again, but he has lost so much weight. He ate very little, and very slowly. I didn't say anything to him about eating, just that he should take his time. We had a nice visit, and talked about things we were both interested in. He is going through his things and getting rid of stuff he no longer needs (donating or recycling or throwing away).

His last scan showed that the tumor has increased in size. The oncologist wanted to put him on a new chemo plan, but it wasn't covered by his insurance. I spoke with him today, and they are putting him on another chemo plan starting the first week in January. The chemo is epirubicin and oxaliplatin (4-5 hours). The chemo will be covered by his insurance. However, he also needs to take capecitabine pills (two in the morning and two in the afternoon). The pills will cost $450/month and will not be covered by his insurance. The oncologist is checking to see if there is some way to get assistance to pay for part of the cost of the pills. I hope this chemo will work for him, and the tumor will reduce in size again. I also hope and pray he will be able to tolerate the chemo, and won't have a lot of side effects.

[F1wild]

On 12/18/2014 JackieHN said:

Just go to the best Dr at Kaiser. But for now, enjoy the holidays. A strawberry margarita does sound good, doesn't it.

Jxx

I make a mean mango margarita! I'm thinking of trying to concoct a cranberry or pomegranate marg for Christmas. Yummmmmmm!

[rizzos2000]

Lyn08. I hope your cousins chemo works this time. I found out I start chemo New Years Eve. I wanted to enjoy the Christmas since it is my favorite time of year. Really nervous of the unknown but I will be a pro soon I suppose. I go one day and then one medicine stays in the port for two more days. I then go back after one week off. I work for a cpa firm so I am thinking of staying through Jan and then going on disability to work on going through the house, training my husband and kids on bill paying etc. I am the one takes care of everything. Enjoy the week everyone and enjoy family time. Hugs to all, Patty

[wagirl]

On 12/20/2014 rizzos2000 said: Lyn08. I hope your cousins chemo works this time. I found out I start chemo New Years Eve. I wanted to enjoy the Christmas since it is my favorite time of year. Really nervous of the unknown but I will be a pro soon I suppose. I go one day and then one medicine stays in the port for two more days. I then go back after one week off. I work for a cpa firm so I am thinking of staying through Jan and then going on disability to work on going through the house, training my husband and kids on bill paying etc. I am the one takes care of everything. Enjoy the week everyone and enjoy family time. Hugs to all, Patty

Rizzos--can I just tell you how terrified I was about the chemo----was ready to bolt during the whole getting ready process at the hospital. But it doesn't hurt due to the port. Do you have some lidocaine? I put a big blob of that stuff right on the port and covered it with saran wrap about an hour before my chemo. Didn't ever feel the pokey part go in. I went every 2 weeks for chemo. Went back the day after for a shot to boost the bloods cells. I was under the weather for about 3-4 days but felt better for the rest of the two weeks. Had 4 rounds of 2 week chemos and then 12 weeks of once a week.

Good for training your family. The more they can do the better you will feel. Just remember to drink as much fluid as you can and if something doesn't feel right CALL YOUR DR ASAP!!!!!!! Also please take care of working around other people---you don't want to get sick. Always carry a few face masks and hand sanitizer everywhere. The flu is supposed to be awful this year too, so ask about a flu shot. I got one during chemo.

Chin up girlfriend!!! You can do this!!!!!!

PAM

[Lyn08]

On 12/20/2014 rizzos2000 said: Lyn08. I hope your cousins chemo works this time. I found out I start chemo New Years Eve. I wanted to enjoy the Christmas since it is my favorite time of year. Really nervous of the unknown but I will be a pro soon I suppose. I go one day and then one medicine stays in the port for two more days. I then go back after one week off. I work for a cpa firm so I am thinking of staying through Jan and then going on disability to work on going through the house, training my husband and kids on bill paying etc. I am the one takes care of everything. Enjoy the week everyone and enjoy family time. Hugs to all, Patty

Thanks, rizzos. I also hope and pray my cousin's chemo works this time around. The other worked for several months, and the tumor decreased in size; but then the tumor started growing again. He's been on chemo for almost 2 1/2 years, and he's done well during that entire time.

Best of luck to you when you start chemo New Year's Eve. I don't blame you for wanting to enjoy Christmas, and not having to put up with chemo and possible side effects. I pray for everyone on the Cancer forum every night!

When you start chemo, make sure you are given anti-nausea medication. My cousin gets that with his chemo, plus he has pills he takes for nausea. He really hasn't had any problems with nausea so far. That may change with the new chemo. Everyone reacts differently to chemo. My mother had chemo 6 months for breast cancer, and she never got sick once.

[JackieHN]

Rizzo, New Years Eve?? I'm a nurse and didn't know what to expect with my first chemo. I don't know what concoction they are giving you or if they are giving you neulasta the next day. However you must take your anti nausea medication before you get the nausea. Then it's drinking tons of fluids. Rest, and be good to yourself. Tell anyone who is sick to call and not come over. Eat what you can tolerate. We'll be with you and will give you some helpful tips.

Jxx

[AkaGoldie]

Rizzo, how are doing? I hope you're able to enjoy your time with your family over the holidays. Knowing that chemo is coming, I'm sure will be on your mind, just try to not let it ruin the holidays for you, ya I know easier said than done huh? But like Jackie said, we will be here for you, you can rant if you need to, or ask any question you think we might be able to answer. Everyone here has a different story to tell and yours will be uniquely yours. But we will try to guide you. And help you any way we can. This board was created, for survivors to come together and support each other, in a way only another survivor would understand. Right now, you are new to all the cancer stuff, but when you finish your treatment, you'll be able to help the next person that's gets this lousy diagnosis. Stay strong! Goldie

[Lyn08]

My cousin (who has esophageal cancer) will start chemo again the first week in January. He will be given epirubicin and oxaliplatin in his port every 3 weeks. He will also need to take capecitabine (in pill form, every day, 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon). That drug is not covered by his insurance, and will cost about $480/month. His oncologist is trying to get some help for my cousin to cover part of the cost of the pill.

Are you familiar with or been given any of these drugs? I'm wondering about side-effects. He's lost so much weight, and I'm hoping he will tolerate the drugs, and be able to eat.

[JackieHN]

Lynn, I'm not familiar with any of the chemo that your cousin is going to get. However if he's not eating that well they may want to consider a peg tube. He can still eat but he will get better nutrition with it and maybe put on some weight.