Hi all --

This is a new topic since the old one "About to start treatment" didn't quite fit anymore, since Barry started treatment yesterday!

Barry had his amiphostine, and had no problems with it -- of course he had drunk about 32 oz. of water in the 90 minutes beforehand like they recommend, and took a Zofran and 1/2 an Ativan. In fact, after the injections (2, one in each arm) his blood pressure went up very slightly (but still fine) which was a relief since BP drop is one acute side effect. Put cortisone cream on the two injection sites and no skin reactions. He did feel a bit queasy later in the day and took a Compazine; also one this a.m. He didn't get amiphostine today as he got his first chemo and they are trying to avoid his getting sick.

The radiation went OK -- yesterday it was long as they rescanned to check adjustments made Tuesday (rad oncologist said it was "perfect") and today it was only 20 minutes in and out. He put radiacare gel and biafine cream on neck afterwards and swigged some cold aloe vera. Barry brought CDs (classical blood and thunder) as he doesn't want to fall asleep -- afraid he will wake up and not know for a second where he is and have a panic as he's a bit claustrophobic. They pipe in whatever music you want...

The chemo went OK too, he fell asleep with his CD player and never turned a hair -- he had eaten a good lunch beforehand. Of course the nurse gave him an IV anti-nausea drug as the carboplatin is a powerful emetic. When he got home he felt a bit queasy so took a compazine. I think some of this is adjusting to the PEG as he felt a bit "off" in the stomach earlier in the week -- before treatment -- not really nauseous but burpy.

We got the thera-bite system and he's been using it, to get familiar with it and also for baseline.

Well, that's enough for now -- will update every so often and Barry will also chime in -- but right now he's trying to rest. We are both pretty tired as it has been 4 very long days this week...

Gail