They gave me lorazepam for anxiety and found that I had to take a quarter of a 1/2 miligram in the early cycles or it would make me real tired. I did work the entire time and couldn't stand being so tired! By cyle 5 & 6 I'd worked up to 1/2 Which was enough to take the edge off of the prednizone crazies (my term for it).

I am so sorry about the diarrhea. Not feeling comfortable ranging far is just one more restriction. Darn, gotta keep some of that food in for nourishment. It's hard enough sometimes to get it in!

Keep your chin up, CHOP's not the gold standard for nothing. donna

Never had any nausea or vomiting but had horrendous heartburn/acid reflux which was stopped in its tracks as soon as I started on OTC acid reducers (such as Prilosec). When I was off the pred, I could stop the scid reducers. If I didn't take it though, I couldn't even drink water without having heartburn.

I know it seems hard right now, I was there in July and I too feared that the changes would be permanent. Now that I'm 3 months out I can see tangible improvements, consequently my mood has improved greatly.

So sorry that your onc is not more supportive and thankfully you've a gp to take up the slack.

Pulling for you up here.. <<Hugs>> Donna

I understand all about the "mixed feelings" of the final chemo treatment. You're glad it's over but then.....what? While on chemo I think we all feel some measure of control and we're doing "something" to fight it/beat it back. But then the chemo is over...and we have to wait again. For the next test, the next scan, the next...what?? It's the damn uncertainty of it all that is so annoying (at least to me). But little by little, we each learn in our own way to deal with it.

Donna

I can so relate to your being cold! My heating pad became my best friend It's one of those microwaveable ones and it was a blessing to keep me warm.

It took me some time to get my head around the last infusion not meaning it was over; still had the cycle going, blood cells plunge and the whole nine yard.

In a previous post in another section, I asked about hair loss. Thanks for your replies. Well, right on schedule - day 15 - it started falling out by handfuls. Scarves and caps this week; I pick up wig on Friday. Need a little variety!

My S.O. (or would you call him DO on this board ?) lives out of state and will be arriving tomorrow to stay through Christmas. He'll take me to chemo on Thursday. It's good he sees (in person) what's going on!

You poor dear...getting a virus and dealing with side effects too! This time will probably seem like a walk in the countryside. Over the shock of the hair loss yet? It gets easier. For the first couple of weeks, when I saw myself in the mirror I almost startled myself! lol And I agree that it's good for your SO to have a little personal experience with what this is all about. Hope you'll be up to enjoying Christmas with him.

Speaking of hair - Newt, the little fuzzies are a great thing to see! Feels almost like a downy chick. :-) Most often though it doesn't come back quite the same texture as before. Mine has always come back really kinky curly (was just wavy prior to chemo) but gradually relaxes.

I thought it was over at that 10th day. Unpleasant but not the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. However, day 15 brought massive diarrhea and projectile vomiting…but then it cleared off about two in the morning. Yesterday it hit again. My stomach was so bloated it looked like I was smuggling a basket ball. Once again after many hours of bowing to the porcelain god, it pretty much cleared off. But not before the wife had called Onc. about my very pronounced heart arrhythmia and labored breathing. Went in for EKG today to verify it was (probably) caused by stomach pressure and electrolyte problems.

Finished up my last round of CVP in July and I had only one mild bit of nauseau, though I did have regular stomach ache's for which I took the anti-nausea meds and it worked fine.

I can understand your onc being surprised. Donna

I'm counting my blessings I haven't had the nausea I've read about, so far just sore mouth, hair loss, prednisone weirdness :-), heart iffy-ness, and fatigue.

Thank you all for your posts. Makes one feel less crazy.
-bonnie

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And on the "low" day I just couldn't get warm, no matter how many layers I put on. A warm bath finally helped.

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Oh yes, Bonnie, I know just what you mean! Began using a microwaveable heating pad, alot.

Thinking of other "coping with CHOP" issues: Had follow-up with onc nurse last Friday. Since Prilosec relief has been iffy, she gave me samples of (prescription) Prevacid. Much better results, and I take only one in the morning. I also told her about my emotional crash around Jan 1, she suggested a meeting with a counselor, since there's just a lot of stuff going on right now. I think it might be good. Anybody taking that route, too?

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Originally posted by bjm:
...I also told her about my emotional crash around Jan 1, she suggested a meeting with a counselor, since there's just a lot of stuff going on right now. I think it might be good. Anybody taking that route, too?

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I'm reminded of a TV ad I've seen -

"Being able to talk with someone who knows how to listen and won't say stupid things back: priceless."

I guess it depends a bit on your personality, but if it seems to you like it might help, there might be little harm in trying.

Mike

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Originally posted by bjm:
I also told her about my emotional crash around Jan 1, she suggested a meeting with a counselor, since there's just a lot of stuff going on right now. I think it might be good. Anybody taking that route, too?

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Bless your heart, Bonnie. Emotional crash? Oh, yes, been there and that predinose crash, for me, kicked off crying bouts, crying at the drop of a word, the list is too long to type :0!

I was fortunate when dx for having an already established counseling relationship. I'd not seen her in awhile but she was the first non-family member I told, knowing that I would need support for journey. That was nine years ago and it was very helpful.

A difficult thing for me to remember was that the predisone wacked me bad. Chemo brain stikes again!

So, in conclusion, yes counseling can help, is vital in some circumstances with the right therapist.

My good days, in the begining were the prednisone days that allowed me to plow through the time with energy to keep chores done. LOL

Thats the one my mom has...