Chemo honeymoon is over

I needed regular  nexium morning and night for my gut and  sometimes zantac  in between. It is really hard going.

Hi @Lynda01, I just wanted to jump in to see how you were doing? You are doing such an amazing job supporting your mum, I just wanted to make sure that you have the support you need as well. Let us know if you need anything ~Ann-Marie

Thanks so much ladies. It's been an interesting journey - my mum is now at the end of her second treatment and what a rollercoaster ride it's been. She developed cellulitis in her leg after brushing against the side of her bed - not breaking the skin - and just rubbing the spot - apparently it's enough to transfer bacteria from your hand through your skin. She came good at the end of the third week after her first chemo despite having to take an extra course of Keflex to deal with the cellulitis. The second round has not been so much fun. We're at the end of the second week and last friday it all went to hell in a hand basket as she developed deep vein thrombosis! Two clots in her left leg. She nearly lost her way mentally upon hearing she would have to inject herself twice a day. Plus her gut is giving her a lot of trouble - only today at the end of the third week is the foul taste at the back of her throat abating. She still feels yuk in the stomach though - not  nauseous but just off. I'm imagining the third and fourth rounds beginning Monday will see things deteriorate further - is that right? She is my absolute inspiration - I'm so proud of her and the last week has brought me to the brink wondering how much she can take. Some days its so hard to watch the toll this treatment takes on someone you love. Thank you for just being there to listen and provide support. It can be a really lonely journey x

I needed movicol for constipation as 2 x strongest coloxyl twice a day didn't help. The mvichol was wndrous.. drink morning and night and all good.

Hi Lynda!
Goodness! thats awful news! Well Chemo is NO PICNIC! I can say I was allergic to Maxolon anti nausea so Ativan was the best thing I could use...so she can use that daily as needed, I wouldnt stop if it helps. Constipation? Coloxyl tablets, the hospitals will recommend that above everything, they were the most gentle and oh boy helped the most. Heartburn? indigestion uuugh Nexium...dont both with Mylanta or Gaviscon, let the Team know everything!!! with all the right meds in place she will be comfortable. Tell her to rinse her mouth daily with salt water, as unfortunately ulcers will happen if they get bad Kennalog a cortisone paste is great at night! So hard to drink water feeling ill, I couldnt hydrate at all and was put in hospital after each infusion for a few days to hydrate. So there are ways around it, keep talking with your team! 

Melinda xo

Hopefully your Mum will skeep better once of the dexamethasone. I found I never slept the day before or a couple of days after it properly. Just spent my days dozing. But the dexamethasone really helped the nausea, mine was extended to 4 days at reducing doses. Made a huge difference. I also took stemitil and ondasetron. The stemitil regularly and the ondasetron 1/2 before meals. Seems a lot but it worked. Maxalon made me restless. I alsi foubd a trick with the ondasetron, I'd put a sugarless mint on my tongue before I put the wafer as I detested the taste...but it was extremly effective. Keep up the salt water mouth washes and hope the next round is kinder. Kath x

@Lynda01
 
I just realised none of us have suggested Ginger if your mum likes Ginger ... give her ginger ale/beer or eating ginger biscuits or those crystalised gingers ... I also made smoothies .... 
IF she gets thrush ..... the best thing for mine was COKE yes after meds from the team and mouth washes etc nothing was working a friend suggested a bottle of coke 300ml said it dealt with it for her.... Well lo and behold kids got  me bottle as I drank it I could literally feel the thrush being stripped off my mouth...... 
sometimes its the weirdest things that help. 
My mum made me soups with lots of lentils in it until it was all soft and full of good things ... they still had to force me to eat.... I just didnt want to...
HUGS and energy to you both.... 
Alice 

Thank you ever so much all of your amazing ladies! I am so grateful for your support! We got onto her team and they added another medication just to get her over the nausea and she has been feeling slightly better since late yesterday. She's very anxious about starting the antibiotic today difloxacin as she gets nauseous on these too! Ive just got her a probiotic to take - does anyone take this? She's going to check with her team before starting them but I thought it might help. The poor thing now also has a mouthful of ulcers along with constipation! She's getting the full gamet of side effects including trouble sleeping. I've booked her into the psychologist as she missed her first appointment due to her chemo appointment clashing but I think the emotional side of this journey is so difficult and it takes time to come to terms with everything that's happened. It's such a whirlwind...

Thank you @primek for your advice on the zantac - she's taking losec which is helping slightly. Cath, I agree we are very lucky it was found at all - I am eternally grateful to the doctor who was so tenacious with her fight for diagnosis. We had no idea like many other women that this would be the outcome. 

Thanks Lipsy - the nausea is no fun as you know and unfortunately it was my mums biggest fear about chemo. Days seem to last forever when you feel like that. I"m glad to hear you at least get a few days break - we'll hope for that!

Thanks Tracey62 for your diet ideas - it's hard to know what to eat and what options there are. I've been trying to include lots of protein but its hard when you just don't feel like it isn't it. I'll try some of your ideas. 

Thanks Soldiercrab - I'm realising how important it is to keep the team updated so changes can be made particularly for the next round. I really appreciate your advice. 

Oh...the other thing is reflux issues which then make you feel nauseas too. Zantac is good or the oncologist or the GP may order nexium. I needed it twice daily on AC.