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NaturalBel's avatar
NaturalBel
Member
13 years ago

2nd Chemo Round

Day 9 since I had the second round of chemo. It was twice the affect of the first one, but all drama aside, it was mainly just nausea and no energy at all.  

I slept my way through 7 days fairly well, and have done little exercise, just a couple of laps of the garden at the moment.  My wound site and port flaired up and became annoying again, back to sleeping on back.  I have avoided all the thrush symptoms by total removal of sugar from diet.  The Nilstat that treats oral thrush is enough to make you gag by the end of the bottle, so I was very keen to not touch sugar this time.  Started to get nail infection, and found out that you cant treat it when on corticosteroids.

Will ask the Dr when I see him.  Besides feeling like I needed to sleep and the fowl taste in my mouth, I so far have been reasonabley ok.

Fires were 2 hours away from us, on the East Coast, but most of the fires in Tas were down South, too far too worry.  Did get smoke here from the East though.  Had a nurse visit me for the 2nd injection, I organised it from the other direction, George Town, as apparently we are closer to there.  They were great, at last some-one came through my door!  They are happy to return for the next couple so I have some company when my parents go on the 22nd. 

Will be stepping up and asking for help when they go, as needed.  Whether it be councilling, or meeting people via the new Cancer Wellness Centre in Launceston.  We are definately on our own - in a new place, without friends to call on us or help.

My husband has had to have a shake up with his adjustment to being the carer, as Ive always been the one who has done everything for him. I think it will do him good to see how much Ive been doing, and he has had some awakening conversations with me, that has enlightened him to be ready to learn and do, once my parents go.  The experience will do him some good!  After all - love is more than earning money and paying bills! 

I would love to hear some stories of how your husbands adjusted!  

4 Replies

  • NaturalBel's avatar
    NaturalBel
    Member
    13 years ago

    Ah at last some-one else who has a strong minded husband who knows how to work hard, pay the bills and......mmmmm cook the odd meal....hahahahaha!  But I appreciate an honest response, and it certainly has made me feel Im not the only one who's man needs some training!  Hooray!  So over hearing about all these perfect met kissing feet!

  • Janet_Plummer's avatar
    Janet_Plummer
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Bel, I found each successive chemo got a little bit harder than the previous one - just more tired, less energy each time. I only had to have four so it was bearable. I had a few days where I just lay around reading and dozing, specially after number 3 & 4. Just take the rest that you need is all I can advise and be kind to yourself.

    My husband wasn't that good at taking on the carer role either. I think with some men, they just don't know what they should be doing. It doesn't come naturally to them. I found I had to tell him quite specifically what needed to be done. It's not that they don't want to help or don't care - it's just that they have no clue about fulfilling the carer role. Perhaps make a short list each day of what is really essential and ask him to get those tasks completed. He may even feel happier when he has a clear set of goals to complete. I know it feels a bit hard to do when he is working but it's not as hard for him as having cancer is for you.

    I think the other thing is that on chemo, your energy levels rise and fall. So some days when you're up and about and feeling ok, they see this and think things are getting back to normal, you can take over again, even though you might still be feeling very tired. I think you have to be direct about asking for what you need and not feel guitly about it. Perhaps us women are not always so good at that. I know I'm not.

    I'm glad too that you are getting some outside help. It sounds like you feel a bit isolated where you are. Hang in there Bel, you'll get through this. Janet :)

     

  • Janet_Plummer's avatar
    Janet_Plummer
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Bel, I found each successive chemo got a little bit harder than the previous one - just more tired, less energy each time. I only had to have four so it was bearable. I had a few days where I just lay around reading and dozing, specially after number 3 & 4. Just take the rest that you need is all I can advise and be kind to yourself.

    My husband wasn't that good at taking on the carer role either. I think with some men, they just don't know what they should be doing. It doesn't come naturally to them. I found I had to tell him quite specifically what needed to be done. It's not that they don't want to help or don't care - it's just that they have no clue about fulfilling the carer role. Perhaps make a short list each day of what is really essential and ask him to get those tasks completed. He may even feel happier when he has a clear set of goals to complete. I know it feels a bit hard to do when he is working but it's not as hard for him as having cancer is for you.

    I think the other thing is that on chemo, your energy levels rise and fall. So some days when you're up and about and feeling ok, they see this and think things are getting back to normal, you can take over again, even though you might still be feeling very tired. I think you have to be direct about asking for what you need and not feel guitly about it. Perhaps us women are not always so good at that. I know I'm not.

    I'm glad too that you are getting some outside help. It sounds like you feel a bit isolated where you are. Hang in there Bel, you'll get through this. Janet :)

     

  • Janet_Plummer's avatar
    Janet_Plummer
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Bel, I found each successive chemo got a little bit harder than the previous one - just more tired, less energy each time. I only had to have four so it was bearable. I had a few days where I just lay around reading and dozing, specially after number 3 & 4. Just take the rest that you need is all I can advise and be kind to yourself.

    My husband wasn't that good at taking on the carer role either. I think with some men, they just don't know what they should be doing. It doesn't come naturally to them. I found I had to tell him quite specifically what needed to be done. It's not that they don't want to help or don't care - it's just that they have no clue about fulfilling the carer role. Perhaps make a short list each day of what is really essential and ask him to get those tasks completed. He may even feel happier when he has a clear set of goals to complete. I know it feels a bit hard to do when he is working but it's not as hard for him as having cancer is for you.

    I think the other thing is that on chemo, your energy levels rise and fall. So some days when you're up and about and feeling ok, they see this and think things are getting back to normal, you can take over again, even though you might still be feeling very tired. I think you have to be direct about asking for what you need and not feel guitly about it. Perhaps us women are not always so good at that. I know I'm not.

    I'm glad too that you are getting some outside help. It sounds like you feel a bit isolated where you are. Hang in there Bel, you'll get through this. Janet :)