Start of day 4 of 5 of my first chemo drip in hospital. Going mostly ok. This morning tummy feels 'fragile' but stable, no more 'mild hangover' feeling, no more acid reflux. Hoping yesterday was the worst of the Cisplatin side-effects (administered first night). Slept well. 36 more hours of the 5FU drip and then I go home.

I am surprised you are in the hospital to get the 5FU drip. I am doing induction TPF and get fitted with a mobile drip infuser and it just sits inside a small pack I put around my waste. I am sure it is far less expensive this way as well as I have full freedom of movement. Does not necessarily do much to alter the side effects though. LOL

I've heard that from a few angles, Donfoo. It may be down to the gold-plated private medical insurance I enjoy through my wife's work, or it may be out of caution because I reacted badly to *something* at the end of my first cancer treatment three years ago. In any case, evidence suggests that people do better when they are in hospital, as the professionals can deal quickly with anything that comes up. Although being tethered to this damned pump stand is not ideal.

Evening of day 4 of 5, things seem to be settling down, so primary side effects seem to have been from the Cisplatin and peaked yesterday (note that by Donfoo's model, I would have been home for that).

ONWARD THROUGH THE FOG! And I don't mean the chemo fog. Hoping to avoid that.

It may depend on the hospital. When I had induction chemo, in 2009, I was in the hospital 5 days. I know if someone now having IC in Hawaii, 3 cycles, and is doing it in the hospital also. There are probably pros and cons with both. One concern for in hospital, I think, is risk of hospital acquired infections.

Update. Just shy of one week from end of chemo round 1 and I feel better than I expected to. It was far from pleasant, but at its worst on Friday, 15 March amounted to nausea (quickly medicated), low grade 'hangover', and heartburn. I completed round one on Sunday night, and by Thursday evening felt almost normal. My digestion is 'slow' so I need to avoid large meals, but I can taste and enjoy food, and I returned to work late last week.

The debate of in-hospital vs. go home for chemo drip, debate, has some interesting angles. Depending on one's insurance, there could be a clear cost implication, but that (so far) is not a worry in my case. Regarding hospital acquired infection, yes, fair point, but would you rather be in a hospital where they can immediately put you on IV antibiotics if needed, or home, where you'd have to slam yourself back into hospital in crisis mode, to get on the same IV antibiotics? Of course, the lowest immune system point was probably yesterday anyway, when I'm home.

So far so good. Three more to go.

-Seth

Seth, hang in there! It sounds like you are doing much better than expected with this second round. I know its not easy but keep doing what you are doing as it seems to be working.

Best wishes!

Thank you Christine and everybody.

In fact by now, two weeks post chemo, I feel quite good and we even got away for two nights in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to a lovely B&B in Slad.

I go back in for chemo round 2 on Thursday. Oh well, the alternative is not acceptable, so bring it on.

-Seth

I'm now two weeks post second chemo and again, doing quite well. Eating pretty much what I want, back to work, back to bicycling to work, back to the gym (gently). I'll risk it and say that this treatment (if it's working) is much easier than my original tonsil SCC treatment was.

I should learn the results of last week's CT scan Thursday night. Hoping it will confirm that this is working!

The one more round of chemo starting Friday afternoon for 5 days.

-Seth

Seth, you are doing great!!!! Wow, I am impressed at how well you are handling everything. You must be doing great with your nutrition to be holding up so well. Keep up the great work!!!

Hi Christine, I think for me, in this treatment, for one it's just much less harsh, only being chemo, no radiation so far (that will come later, but will be to my chest, not my head/neck) but it's been being active that has helped the most. Walking, and now bicycling and even lifting, though reduced weight. The chemo principally effects my digestion, and the anti-nausea medications likely don't help that, either, and I've found that being physically active helps my body, well, get things moving again, and probably repair itself, too, since exercise triggers repair (sore muscles). The body works best when it......works. Within reason, of course. As we know, every body, and every chemo, are different.

Amazing orange moon setting this morning here in London.