Caregivers

KTsSupport

My Partner just received her first AC Chemo treatment on Thursday and a Neulesta shot on Friday. I definitely want to find other caregivers and how they got through this. Is there anything that I can do to help besides tasks? I feel so helpless.

eric95us

Emotional support... I know that sounds vague. It's possible to hide behind behind doing things, so don't go too crazy with tasks.



I listened to my wife and to my heart and combined the two...and did what I could to help. Sometimes it was listening, sometimes it was doing a task, sometimes it was holding her close and telling her she was beautiful and meaning it.



I know that helpless feeling and I hate it.



As for getting through it, I just kept view of what was waiting at the end of all of this and counted each treatment as another milestone that was met.



Eric

KTsSupport

Thanks Eric. That is really helpful!!

eric95us

One more thing I remembered. If she vents some frustration or fear toward you, don't worry about it...it's the treatment and cancer talking...not her.



Remember the love and understanding and let the vent pass...



Eric

KTsSupport

Eric- That is great advice and I have already experienced lots of that. Lol I would be lying if I said that it didn't get to me but I am slowly learning to work through it. Did it happen at certain times for you?

eric95us

Yes... 

Don't make the assumption that since the "venting" is toward you..that it is directed *at* you.

If she gets angry and it's about something that can be fixed, go ahead and fix it and hug her.. If it can't be fixed, hug her....

MzDiva

I am the daughter and caregiver of my mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago. She has since undergone her mastectomy and now has gone through her first  of four rounds of TC chemo. It's been nine days since her first treatment and she just started eating solid foods. She is so weak , tired, and aching in her joints. This concerns me, because she is usually more independent and strong. Will she continue to be tired and in pain for the rest of her time on chemo? We don't really know what to expect.

eric95us

I think it depends on the chemo. You might get more specific information from one of the chemo sections.



My wife was given AC and Neulasta every other week for 4 doses, followed by Taxol every other week for 4 doses.



She was tired and had bad heartburn for about a week after each chemo. She ate OK, but with little enthusiasm.



When a side effect was a problem (heartburn, for instance), we'd tell the doctor about it and they would usually have a solution.

MzDiva

Thanks Eric,

She was given TC and 2 days later she got Neulasta. The next day following the Neulasta, her bones was started to ache. I did talk with her Oncologist and she called in some meds for pain, which has helped some. Now my mom is concerned about continuing with chemo.

eric95us

My wife's oncologist had her take a Claritin (the antihistimine) for the Neulasta bone pain.  It worked wonders.

Eric

KTsSupport

Claritin helped her!!!