Chemotherapy Updates!

Nighthaven

Hi everyone. It’s been a while and I wanted to let y’all know how I’m doing. I’ve been through three infusions already and my oncologist says I’m taking to the treatments “better than average” so he’s going to put me through the whole six infusion regimen instead of just four. I’m both glad and upset because I hate chemotherapy with every fiber of my being but he said that men react differently to the chemo drugs than women do so despite me being “cancer free” I still get six infusions and then a year’s worth of Herceptin every three weeks after the current three drug cocktail I’m on now.

I will say that the chemo lays me out for at least the first week with bone pain (Neulasta shot) but the vast change in my sense of taste and the NAUSEA are the worst!!! ANY smell that even remotely resemble the aromas I smelled in the chemo ward will instantly make me want to run to the bathroom and pray to the porcelain god. I already had a very sensitive nose prior to chemo but now it feels like it’s in overdrive as I can pick up even the most minute of fragrances and my head will always do a cross check of “is this smell related to those at the chemo ward?” And if so, pray there is a bathroom very close by. I’ve been given the steroid pills as well as two different anti-nausea meds but my smell-memory is always on and waiting. It’s absolute hell for about 7-10 days after chemo. If I knew it would be this bad I’d have worn a surgical mask or something to block the smells from reaching me. I usually am back to normal just in time to go back and start the torture yet again. I can’t believe there are people on chemo for much more than my regimen. To those who are, I definitely salute you.

I’ve come to grips with the mental anguish for those of you who are curious. It’s just part and parcel now. My family continues to support me and unfortunately, my GoFundMe fundraiser dried up weeks ago but not before I was able to raise $2,100. That has helped a tremendous amount.

I hope you are all well.

Anonymous

Nighthaven, thank you for allowing me to see a man's struggle with this disease. Chemo is utterly brutal. Physically and Emotionally. After awhile even just sitting in those chairs is triggering because you know whats coming. This is an idea and I don't know if it will help you BUT have you thought of getting an aroma therapy necklace to wear around your neck? Amazon has them and the boutique at a couple hospitals I've been to have them, probably more manly looking ones on amazon tho, but it might help with your struggle with aromas. You can fill it with something you like to kinda distract or mask what your trying to avoid. Can also help with not smelling the saline when things are flushed after accessing your vein or port. I've also been using roll on aromatherapy on my wrists at night when I go to sleep in lavender scent, it helps relax me. This might not help, but i thought I'd offer you an option Halfway there soldier

Nighthaven

Hi Radagast Rabbit!

I will definitely look for one of those necklaces on Amazon. I have found that peppermint seems to help alleviate some of my smell/nausea issues so that’ll be my first avenue of refuge.

I hope you are doing well. Take care!

Anonymous

Hi! I’ve been having a rush of memories of things that helped me with the nausea

https://www.amazon.com/UpSpring-Stomach-Settle-Bloating-Sickness/dp/B074MJCC1H/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=ginger+losengers&qid=1559937229&s=gateway&sprefix=ginger+lose&sr=8-1

Highly recommend those worked for me and they do taste good.

Since you like mint you might like mint hot tea. I get the bigelow plantation mint you can get at the grocery store, the aroma of the mint is relaxing and I did find it helped settle a queasy tummy. My mother in law got me an essential oil diffuser kinda like a humidifier that gives off scent with a gentle mist and you just put a few drops of essential oil in it peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus are my go to’s makes the whole house smell nice.

I’m glad I could be helpful alittle to you. Hoping the next three tx are kinder to you in terms of SE but hope inside it’s like king Leonides and the 300 going to war against the cancer keep us posted!