Cancer and Chemotherapy

[Sinestro]

So to cut a long story short, this July I was diagnosed with Testicular cancer and had the affected testicle removed not 3 days after my birthday in August. A few weeks later I found out that it had spread to a few lymph nodes in my chest and am going to be starting a chemo regimen tomorrow Monday September 18th. And naturally I'm nervous, anxious and scared. I mean I'm glad we're getting to it in a timely manner but up until July I hadn't had any major diseases or sickness' in my (as of now) 29 years of life.

So my brothers, what can I expect and how frequently can I expect it? How soon would the chemo side effects start? And is there anything I can do to waylay my fears?

 

[KaraBulut]

There's another member who had a similar experience- his discussion thread is here:
http://www.justusboys.com/forum/threads/418839-Testicular-Cancer-Patient-Questions

He's still active on the site and I was hoping he would see this thread but but his last visit was a couple of months ago.

So far, the course of your treatment is the usual protocol- surgical removal of the affected testis followed by chemo. I'm not going to bullshit you- the usual chemo regimens for testicular cancer are in no way a picnic... but they are effective and most guys come out of it with good chances of full remission.

Let us know how you're doing.

 

[Sinestro]

Thank you for that link Kara. I just finished my third day and not to invite worse, but I'm doing pretty well so far. But I know that can drastically change especially the longer it goes on but I have a decently good support network and I'm informing my nurses with every new symptom I happen to experience that night.

I'm also still trying to figure what's going to be my better options while my stomach and kidneys are flipping all over too and as a picky eater that's easier said than done. I'll update when I can, probably this weekend after my first full week is done.

 

[KaraBulut]

If they haven't warned you, chemo can affect your sense of taste and smell temporarily. In addition to the affects that chemo can have on your gastrointestinal tract- from beginning to end- it can be a struggle to find foods that are appetizing. Most cancer centers can refer you to a nutritionist that can make some suggestions to help with diet.

 

[Sinestro]

They did warn me but they haven't mentioned if the Nutritionist would be out of pocket or what-not. And I'm not well off atm so even if it were out of pocket I couldn't take advantage of it even if it would probably help.

As for the taste and any gastro-troubles they did mention those too. But so far I haven't noticed any changes, but it is still my first week and I have more yet to come.

 

[scooter63]

Sinestro,

You have my prayers for a full recovery with minimal effects. The big C is a word that seems to affect too many people that I am associated with in some way. Science, doctors and medical science seem to be making big strides every day in the treatment of it. Please take care of yourself - mentally, nutritionally, and physically - and if you need funding sources to help with paying for services, make sure that you look into help from social services, county, state, gay men's organizations, religious services, Salvation Army, and maybe even look into HIV organizations that seem to have a wealth of sources for funding that may know where you could turn for financial help if needed.

Keep looking up and stay positive and also stay focused on your goal - recovery.

 

[Sinestro]

Sinestro,

You have my prayers for a full recovery with minimal effects. The big C is a word that seems to affect too many people that I am associated with in some way. Science, doctors and medical science seem to be making big strides every day in the treatment of it. Please take care of yourself - mentally, nutritionally, and physically - and if you need funding sources to help with paying for services, make sure that you look into help from social services, county, state, gay men's organizations, religious services, Salvation Army, and maybe even look into HIV organizations that seem to have a wealth of sources for funding that may know where you could turn for financial help if needed.

Keep looking up and stay positive and also stay focused on your goal - recovery.

Thank you Scooter, that means a lot. I appreciate the sources to look into in case I need anything else.

Now as it is the weekend, my first full week of treatment is done. So far I've spent most of the day in bed napping and naturally going to the bathroom as they want me well hydrated to keep my kidney's flushed. I'm only mostly feeling a general lack of energy and maybe some heartburn. Which the nurses said was from the steroid they give me before one of the drugs.

 

[KaraBulut]

...some heartburn. Which the nurses said was from the steroid they give me before one of the drugs.

The steroids (corticosteroids) will trigger heartburn and reflux. You can take over-the-counter medicines for it- ranitidine or famotidine with an antacid like Gaviscon or Tums. Snacking also helps as an empty stomach seems to make it worse.

It's good that you're napping. A common complaint with steroids is insomnia.

 

[bankside]

Sleeping on your left side can often help with heartburn too.

 

[Sinestro]

Sunday update: Having a major bout of energyless-ness. I had to stop and take a break while making myself food. I was even making a simple food too, hot dogs. Any ideas on how not to overexert myself during these days, if it all?

 

[Sinestro]

Third Monday update: My White blood cell count was low today. Doctor gave the okay to give me one chemo-drug anyway but tomorrow through thursday I have to go back and get a shot to help bring that count back up for the big week that follows. Oh and my facial- and body hair is beginning to "fall" out. It's not really falling as when I just lightly pull I get about 4/5 hairs too. On the brightside I won't have to worry about shaving my face or manscaping for another while it seems. The only thing that bothers me is idk how long it'll be before my normal hair will start too, not that it's long at the present anyway but still.

 

[KaraBulut]

Third Monday update: My White blood cell count was low today. Doctor gave the okay to give me one chemo-drug anyway but tomorrow through thursday I have to go back and get a shot to help bring that count back up for the big week that follows. Oh and my facial- and body hair is beginning to "fall" out. It's not really falling as when I just lightly pull I get about 4/5 hairs too. On the brightside I won't have to worry about shaving my face or manscaping for another while it seems. The only thing that bothers me is idk how long it'll be before my normal hair will start too, not that it's long at the present anyway but still.

Along the theme of making lemonade from lemons... you'll be able to skip the shaving for a while and you'll save on haircuts for a bit. If you've ever wondered if you would look good in hats... well, now you'll know.

You may get a few Neupogen and Epogen injections during your chemo to help with the bone marrow suppression to keep your white cell and red cell counts higher.

Hang in there- the next few chemo treatments can be butt-kickers but once you're done with your course of chemo, you will begin to feel normal (even if you look a little over manscaped for a while).

 

[Sinestro]

Along the theme of making lemonade from lemons... you'll be able to skip the shaving for a while and you'll save on haircuts for a bit. If you've ever wondered if you would look good in hats... well, now you'll know.

You may get a few Neupogen and Epogen injections during your chemo to help with the bone marrow suppression to keep your white cell and red cell counts higher.

Hang in there- the next few chemo treatments can be butt-kickers but once you're done with your course of chemo, you will begin to feel normal (even if you look a little over manscaped for a while).

Thanks for your insight as always Kara. As someone who has only ever shaved my face and kept the rest au natural it's definitely going to be a change becoming and staying smooth for the next few months. But hey it's like you said, some extra saved cash is going to be fun to have. I'm mostly worried because I'm already not a fan of hats except for maybe beanies so there's that. But as it's getting to be Autumn and Winter more beanies will be on sale so yeah...

 

[bankside]

Sinestro, I’ve got a friend who has just finished a few rounds of chemo. Knocked her on her ass a bit, but the doctors kept checking and making adjustments and she completed all the intended doses. One day at a time and you’ll get there too. One thing she said was about her sense of taste. It would fade out for a few days after a treatment, as Kara mentioned. Happy to say it comes back. Anyway lots of rest and keep us updated.

 

[Sinestro]

So I had my first few really bad days last weekend. One of the nurses tried to quicken (a little bit) my last drug but I apparently didn't like that and started getting queasy. Happy to say though it did only last the weekend and I'm doing my second easy week this week so I can still relax and recover.

About my taste, yeah it unfortunately lasts till the end of the second easy week in which then I start the long week all over again t o lose it again. Oh well as long as I get well I can live with deflated taste buds for a bit.

 

[KaraBulut]

You can expect each treatment to hit you a little harder than the last. That is normal. Many patients that I've talked to have said after the first treatment, they thought, "Oh, this isn't as bad as I thought" but after about the third treatment, they begin to notice that they are very tired the next day. It's also not unusual for the nausea and the gastrointestinal effects to be more noticeable with each treatment. It's a good idea to get things like grocery shopping and errands done before the treatments and to plan on a day of rest the day following the treatment if possible.

And one suggestion: avoid your favorite foods if possible during the treatments. You'll enjoy them much more once your sense of taste is back to normal and once you don't have to battle the association between foods and nausea. It's a good time to eat bland foods and things that don't have a strong smell, too.

 

[Sinestro]

So another update, I had a good week this week as it was only a monday for my treatment. And this upcoming week is going to be a long and full one so I don't expect to feel all sunshine and rainbows by the end of it.

But I saw my Oncologist on Tuesday as well and said that I am responding quite well to treatment. I had two markers that should like 6 and 5 that were over 4000 and one dropped down to 4 while the other is still 300 something I believe so I shouldn't need any more treatments after I finish these last sessions like he wanted. The only bad part of it all is that my family left today so I'll be missing them terribly for the next week.

As for the food stuff, I am trying to avoid my favorites but being a picky eater kind of severely limits what is or isn't a favorite let alone a staple in my diet. But all the same I am trying.

 

[bankside]

Glad to hear. Must be a relief to have a good response so far. i'd feel happy to have a bit of a "buffer". Take care!

 

[mikey3000]

Sinestro, attitude is everything.

*Remember that thousands and thousands of people in this country beat cancer every day; you will be one of them, just take care of yourself, and let others help you.
*Also seek out a cancer support organization in your area. I have Wellspring in my area, I bet you have something similar in your area. Use it.
*Also find financial counselling, don't let cancer ruin you finances too.
*No guilt trips allowed, it's not your fault.
*Try to get out of bed every morning and prepare yourself for the day. Shower, shave, brush your teeth, even if you won't be leaving the house. If you look good, you feel better, even if you climb back into your PJ's for the day.
*Try to get out of the house if you can, even if it's just to walk down to the corner store to get a newspaper.

And don't forget, be good to yourself.

 

[Sinestro]

Another update: I only had a single drug this monday and another follow up on Tuesday. The one blood marker that was still higher is still going down. So we're thinking the week after next will be my final treatment week. We're not doing next week because we don't want to break up the treatment with Thanksgiving happening. I also had to get 3 Granix shots this week just to make sure my WBC's are going to be tip top for that last week. Oh and my oncologist prescribed me some potassium pills to make that's consistently topped off as we agree that may have been part of my energy issues.

Other than that everything is progressing as well as one expect. I still have bad days and some good ones but with the weather changing I can't place if it's just the chemo or weather or sometimes a combo of both.

Thank you Mikey for that advice.