2 weeks down and on the road to feeling better for my husband. First chemo treatment brought nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, change in taste, and a very sore mouth. Also to date he's lost 15 pounds. I'm very concerned about that big of a weight loss in such a short amount of time. He has one more week off before doing it again, chemo #2.

That's a lot of weight. Is he heavier and has it to lose? If not, somehow he has to start getting more calories. Either way it's not good because it's muscle they lose, not fat. Protein. Kevin ate scrambled eggs every morning. Even when they tasted like crap. They still slid down ok.
Kathy

2nd Chemo usually worse to much worse than the first assuming he's also receiving daily rads. Must consume 3000 cals and 48 osz water each and every day. It will be harder to do that shortly so it's best to get in that practice early on.

Kathy- He does have the weight to lose as he's been very overweight for quite awhile. He usually has a couple of protein drinks during the day made with fresh fruit a protein powder in addition to homemade soups. He got his appetite back on Saturday, but today its gone again. His chest feels funny like he has a chill in it. Little to no fever though. I was so hoping he'd have a good week.

David- He hasn't starting rads yet. Not until after 3rd chemo. That's why I'm so concerned. It's only been one chemo so far.

Maybe they, Paul and Kevin, lost more quickly because they had it to lose? It will be in the form of muscle though, so get him eating protein somehow. Like the scrambled eggs. Heck, he could plug his nose and slide em down!!

I don't have any experience with chemo only as the first part of Tx but I have to think the 2nd will be harder to take than the first. Is the chemo Cisplatin? It would be helpful if you update your Signature Line to include more details.

Thank you David. I just updated it.

Off to ER with hubby. Bad chills and fever yesterday of 101.5. Feels better today but still has 101 fever. Doc want him in ER.

Hope everything is ok!

Nutrition is a HUGE part of this and will affect his health more than anyone ever thinks. Its all about nutrition, the better the hydration and nutrition, the easier this will be for him. Every single day he MUST take in a minimum of 2500 calories and 48 oz of water. With losing so much weight so quickly he will begin to feel awful, if he hasnt already begun to feel very sick. I am a broken record about nutrition and hydration as I landed in the hospital several times for malnutrition and dehydration. I honestly thought I was dying I felt so bad.

Does Paul have a PEG tube? If not you may want to have him consider this tool or a nasal tube for a more temporary measure. I hated having a feeding tube but it was necessary to help me take in enough.

Please keep us posted about the ER visit. Hoping everything is ok!!!

Paul's been in the hospital since Tuesday. He has a bacterial infection, they think from the port. Port was removed yesterday and next chemo that was scheduled for this Monday has been postponed. He'll either have to have another port put in or a pic line. Does anyone have experience with pic lines?

We both thought the first chemo wouldn't be a problem. Guess we were wrong.

I had a picc line. PICCs are for more short term use, I had mine for 6 months though. Mine had 2 lines hanging out of my arm. You maintain it just like you would a port if the port is accessed. You still flush and heparinize it daily, clean the site weekly with a sterile kit. I instructed my husband on how to do this for me since I use to be a nurse. The big pain with piccs in your arm is that you have to bag it and wrap it as best as you can to prevent direct water contact when you take showers. I would use the cling Saran Wrap, some use plastic trash bags with tape. Piccs are something you visibly see and can get tangled in clothes when your changing so make sure it's got a protective sleeve over it so it doesn't get caught up.

Hope this helps, if you have any other questions, please ask away.

Oh my goodness.....Can they do another port on the other side? Kevin has his on his left side so he could shoot his rifle from his right shoulder. What a bummer. So sorry you are dealing with this. I think in the long run the port would be easier...but that's when they are done successfully!
Kathy

Ports need to be close to the heart.

Ive had a picc line for 8 months and it wasnt a big deal. I had a visiting nurse come weekly that took care of changing my picc line dressing. I gave myself the 3 daily doses of antibiotics. Mine was such a long term thing as I had some pretty serious issues after a mandibulectomy.

Best wishes To Kevin!

That's what I thought Christine; about the port placement. I was a little confused as to why there was even a choice when Kevin got his.
Anyway...Diane, please keep us posted on Paul.
Praying,
Kathy

My understanding is that they can do a port on the left side but they prefer the right where it was. Because of the bacterial infection, I'm concerned from that standpoint as to which one is least likely to cause the same problem, another port or a picc line. The doctor says they can leave a picc in for 6 months which should get him through the remaining 5 chemos. My thought is that anytime anyone accesses the port or the picc there is a chance of introducing bacteria.

Kevin's is on the left. I don't know much about a pic. So sorry you are going through this.
Kathy

Paul came home from the hospital after 6 days. There are conflicting opinions as to what caused the bacterial infection because of the timing of the testing. Port culture was negative but they had been using it to run antibiotics. Urine was negative but they didn't test it until after antibiotics were given. Guess we'll never know. They ended up postponing his 2nd chemo treatment for one week and removed the port. He had another one put back in today on the left side and will have chemo on Monday. The good news........After only one chemo treatment, Paul's tumor shrunk by 80% !!!!