Hi All,
Today I had my first treatment. I started with a visit to the Specialist who read my results of the Blood Test and then sent me off to the Chemo Suite for my Councillor to explain the treatment. Started at 3.00pm with Entre of a Saline Salution(60 minutes) and then had my RT treatment at 4.oopm (had it all explained and made sure the settings were spot on) the mask was tighter on me as I had put some wieght on about my face and neck(but it still fitted) I then went back to the Suite for the Main Course Manitol(30 minutes) then a Saline Drip(5 minutes)then Cisplatin(60 minutes) then for Desert Potassium/mangonese(80 minutes)then a final flush and left the suite at 9.00pm, Boy what a day? and to cap it off Deb and I had our car locked in between two security gates and had to get the Security Guys to come and release us.
Now I have to have RT for the next 33 days with Chemo every Tuesday.
Will keep you up todate on the side effects
Thanks again TREV

Phew Trev, what a day indeed, then getting your car locked in. I do not doubt you took it on the chin (pardon the pun) but bet you felt like screeming. Very stressful. Can't pretend it is going to be a walk in the park but you look hardy and tough. Keep focused and positive.

Angie

Hey Trev!
Well done! That's one under your belt. You'll be a pro in no time!
i hated all the fluids that came with Cisplatin. I had 3ltrs - 2 before they start, Plus diuretic, The ltr suspension of Cisplatin & then another ltr to flush it through! Thankfully i often had my own room on the ward with its own toilet because i was constantly up and down for the loo. But where i had a Groshong fitted in my armpit, the drip would start beping every time i got up to go! So embaressing when the nurses came dashing to see what was wrong and it was just me needing another wee!
My Cisplatin cycle was 12 hours from start to finnish so i'd have to stay over night. I think because of the large dose they were giving me.
Good luck for the treatment to come! Keep us updated.
Michelle

Hi Trev,
My husband and I wish you the best of luck for the road ahead. I wanted to let you know that a hint was, we would have Radiation before the Chemo, because the amount of fluid they would pump in before and after the Cisplatin Darrel's face would always be puffy. So we made sure they scheduled the Chemo each week after r/t. This might help you as well to avoid the mask being a bit firm.
Once again the best of luck and we look forward in hearing of your continued treatment and how you go with it all.
Tracey

Thanks Tracey,Angie and Michelle.
It is all a bit of a game at present as nothing seem s any different than before except a bit of tingling, and off course the bloody hiccups, however I think that the reason the Mask is tight is because prior to finding the initial Lump I had been going to "Wieght Watchers" and to the Gym regularly and had lost about 25kls, which was mainly around the Face and Neck, and then I had the Mask fitted, anyway it still fits and it will always get looser.
One other Question? do the Side effects start early? as I feel that I am not getting the true taste and my throut is having slight Coughs
and there is no mucus being coughed up
Any Sugestiohs would be appreciated.
Trev

We were told that things would start to feel different after 10 days to a fortnight. They actually started on day 10 then the dreaded phlegm started to gurgle at first. A few days after a very sore throat. You will probably feel weight watchers was a better option!

Hello Trev

You might want to look at using mankua honey for the throat lots of us have used it. You can add it to some warm water and even gargle with it.

There was a very interesting article in the papers in the UK regarding a honey called Life Mel honey supposed to help with the side effects of Chemo etc. I copied the report and posted under medication, treatment,procedures.
if you want to check it out.

Side effects seem to kick in second or third week.

Hope the above is of help.


Regards


Tony

Well done Trev

we hear if you need us

Dave and Sue

Hi Trev,
Side effects seemed to start in about the 10 day mark, everything seemed quite good until then. Once it starts you know your journey really begins.
Good Luck,
Tracey

Trevor

Whenever I drank water ,even at the height of the trauma ,I made sure it was tepid.This aided my abilty to get it down.I also did this with with milk and any supplements(fortysips for example).In fact even at this stage of recovery I am still doing it

You sound like a man of strong character and I am sure you will take it in your stride

all the best

Robert