6th Cycle started (with modifications)

I arrived at the clinic and after having blood drawn, they took my temperature, blood pressure and had exam. I was running a slight fever of 99.5, if it is 100.5 I wouldn't have been able to start the cycle I was told.

I spoke with my oncologist and he suggested that we go ahead with the treatment, but he was going to not give me one of the meds that caused the neuropathy. He said that it would not prolong the treatments, as I've already got a good dose of the oxaliplatin running through my system from previous cycles.

Because of this, I didn't need the anti-nausea meds either :)

I asked him about a flu shot and he thought for a moment, then decided that it would be okay to get the vaccine today also. I have had a runny nose, sore throat and cough for the past couple of weeks, but it seems as if it peaked when I woke up this morning and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get my tratment.

Everything worked out okay though and I get 14 more days to let the neuropathy subside. They hooked me up to the portable pump of 5-FU and I'll be back again tomorrow. I was also able to book my next cycle (my 7th) beginning October 14th.

Thoughts & Observations

First of all, my prayers are with a friend, a fellow musician/guitarist, who I've never met but has been a huge inspiration for me. I've been communicating with Rob for about four months now since my diagnosis. Today is his follow-up colonoscopy.

Rob, from the Detroit area, had a similiar diagnosis and went through the same treatment (Folfox) that I'm currently going through, but he also had radiation. He has now had his mediport removed and is cancer free and I'm hoping that he gets a good report today! This is the link to Rob's blog : (thanks again, Rob!)

http://rocamata.com/news.aspx

I'm starting my 6th cycle if all goes well. The "tingling" sensation (neuropathy) in my fingers is not subsiding as in the past. It seems that many of the side effects are a bit more intense than in previous weeks as well.

I know that the treatments have a cumulative effect and I expect that it's going to be a bit tougher to be comfortable from here on in. So far, there have been some tough stretches, but it's been tolerable for the most part.

The little things seem to be getting worse (i.e. headaches are bordering on migraine, the metallic taste of food and beverages are lingering longer, fatigue is more intense, nausea feeling is happening more often.)

When I do finish this next cycle, I will be halfway through my chemo treatment.

I can't stress enough to everyone that if you're due to get "the test" go and have it done. The prep for a colonoscopy is like having a cold beer compared to going through chemotherapy!

Finished 5th cycle today !

It has been a trying week, but today's treatment finishes my 5th cycle and I was able to go ahead and schedule my next cycle for the week of September 30th - October 3rd, 2008. After this next week of treatments, I will have half of my treatments completed.

I heard from one of the oncology nurses that a new anti-nausea patch has recently been approved by the FDA...

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jzTSB0ffFGHcV9CLa5kt8sTg3LGgD937BU4O0

There are always new meds, methods and treatments coming along to help those afflicted by this horrible disease.

All went pretty good today. The senna is helping with digestive issues more and the redness in my face is from the prednisone which is part of the anti-nausea IV that I currently get at the beginning of each cycle. They told me to keep on the B-Complex and Folic Acid and it would help with neuropathy, but won't take it away. I'm getting used to the routine and know to use gloves and dress in layers when necessary.

Nausea feeling

For the first time since beginning chemo, I woke up early this morning with a feeling of nausea. I didn't throw up, but just feel kind of sick.

Maybe this is an indication that it's going to start getting a little harder and uncomfortable or maybe just a "bug" I might have picked up from some of the other patients yesterday? Some of them were coughing pretty steady and not looking too well.

I didn't take anything because today's session is just a short session of about 2-3 hours of leucovorin and fluorouracil and I think I'll be okay.

http://www.chemocare.com/bio/leucovorin.asp

5th Cycle Started

I had my bloodwork done and the pathology reports indicated some low levels, but still in range, so I began my 5th cycle today.

As soon as I got home, I reached into the fridge without a glove (I forgot how quick that Oxaliplatin works!) and it felt like my hand was on fire.

I was told to use folic acid and b-complex again for the neuropathy. I questioned about it contributing to the constipation problems, but was told that it wouldn't by a physician's assistant oncology nurse. I DO have some b-complex w/folic acid, but I'm going to try upping my fiber intake, metamucil and sugar-free Jolly Rancher hard candies with "Isomalt" and see if that helps any. I also heard that "Sucrose", another ingredient in sugar-free candies might help.

My doctor said to use the sennecot (vegetable laxatives) if nothing else worked. He feels that it is caused by the anti-nausea meds that I get through the IV and asked if I was using the prescribed anti-nausea meds (zofran & compazine...I'm not). I'm hesitant about using laxatives because I don't want to get dependent on them. I'll see how things work out (no pun intended) during the week.