Hello everyone
I finally have some dates
I will be starting seven weeks of radiation plus a regiment of chemo on Jan 2 03 I will be staying in the hospital but only overnight because chemo (cisplatin) will last about 5 hrs and make me sick. I'll have chemo once every 3 weeks for three treatments and radiation every day for seven weeks doctor said that should hopefully do it. And around Jan 17 will be having surgery to install a feeding tube In my stomach that will stay in for about 4 months, it will be a rough start to 2003 but with faith from all of you I will get through it. I'll stay in touch and try to share my experiences with you all.
God Bless
Ray

Raymond it is a long journey to take but you seem to have alot of faith and that can take you along way. I hope everything comes along ok. I am curious though my husband had Chemo for 6 hours and 48 radiation treatments everyday but weekends and his Chemo was every two weeks and they never put him in the hospital or gave him a feeding tube and he had some real strong Chemo the same as you and F five and something else and he only seemed to get headaches not nausea or anything Cisplatin and 5-FU AND Paclitaxel just wondering why they would do that? All though I wish they woudld have given him the peg because he lost alot of weight and because he has and office job he would go to work most everyday except when he got Chemo sometimes he would miss the next day because of the headache. You will be in our prayers.

Raymond,

I went through a similar treatment course with Cisplatin and radiation. Just a word of advice....take the anti-nausea medication. The chemo made me sicker than I ever had been in my life. Some people told me to start taking the meds 24 hours before my first chemo treatment. That really seemed to make a difference. Also, don't be afraid to speak up if one type of med is not working for you. They had to put me on stronger meds to stop the nausea.

You're lucky that you'll be staying overnight in the hospital. I used to have to spend 8 hour days getting the Cisplatin and then had to drag myself home. It was not a fun time.

I'll keep you in my prayers. It's not as bad as it seems. Once you get through this challenge, it's all down hill. Keep hope in your heart and you'll come out great!

Raymond......thanks for the update. I, too, had both cisplatin and 5fu. I was hospitalized because my chemo was a 5 day 24 hour drip, with radiation continuing everyday while I was in the hospital. One thing I wanted to mention is that you need to pay close attention to any hearing loss or ringing in the ears. If you experience either of those symptoms let your oncologist know ASAP so they can change either the dose or the chemo chemicals. You COULD experience a permanent hearing loss if don't mention it. Even though this is a tough treatment regime, it is doable and you will get through it. Continue to keep us posted. Sincerely, Donna

Good deal, Raymond! Having a definite schedule is a step in the right direction. Two important points have been mentioned here. First, follow nettypoho's advice about the anti-nausea drugs. I found these just about knocked me out, and people later repeated to me conversations we had of which I had NO memory, so do get someone else to drive you home if you are on these. Secondly, pay close attention to Donna's advice about hearing changes. That happened to me and fortunately, the chemo doc recognized the symptom for what it was and switched drugs. As he told me, they didn't want to cure my cancer by making me deaf. This happens in less than 5% of patients, but it is something to keep in mind. Finally, the seven weeks seemed to go pretty quickly for me, and I hope they do for you too. Keep us posted.
Joanna

Well here I am I've managed to get through one week of radiation (I

Thanks for the update Ray. It is good to hear that you are doing so well, and feeling even better. And just think: you are 1/7th finished! Keep up the good work, and good attitude, which I think is as important as anything else, if not more so.
Joanna

Hello Everyone
I am now 1 week past my first treatment of cisplatin and 9 treatments into radiation and as you mentioned above I have the ringing in my ears it starts in one ear then both. I was wondering what did the doctor do in your cases what medication can stop this ringing.
Thanks for the help in advance
Ray

Please be sure to tell your treating doctors as soon as possible about the ringing in your ears. While this may be nothing, there are reports of hearing damage during these treatments. Your doctors should be aware of every complication that you are experiencing, as soon as you are aware of it, so they can make the right call...

Echoing what Brian said. Part of my treatment regime with cisplatin is a hearing test by an audiologist every 2 months. They did a baseline hearing test on Tuesday. They told me to report anything out of the ordinary to my oncologist immediately. If you are hearing ringing they may change your chemo to something else. Cisplatin can cause deafness in a small percentage of patients.