I have been reading this forum for the past few months and have been helped a lot by reading everyones struggles and triumps. My husband just finished his rad and first rounds of chemo. He has a feeding tube in since April and has lost 33 lbs, but is finally keeping steady now. He still can't swallow with out pain and I am encouraging him to try. His dr. now wants to put him on a chemo pump for 96 hrs. 1 week per month for the next 3 months. He is so upset about this. He doesn't know if he wants to do this. It has been a brutal journy for him and for me. If anyone has experienced this it would be of great help to us. I told him I would stand by his decision. He is tired of being sick and tired! Thanks for listening! And God bless you all!

Hi, Ladyjoe, I'm sure you are both very eager to get back to normalcy! These treatments are indeed a rough trip. Has his Doc explained thoroughly why he is recommending the extra chemo? We did not have that, but I have a good friend who has been on a pump on a schedule much like what you described. He has not had any major problems, other than tiredness for the week following the tx. Good luck going forward. Amy in the Ozarks

Hi, I don't know if anyone on the forum has experienced it but chemo can be given that way. The pump provides a controlled dose and it's just a delivery method. Why are they recommending the additional chemo for him?

It's understandable that he is tired of being sick but I would still make sure that you both understand the reasons for this recommendation and the consequences of doing it or not doing it. After coming thru so much I'm sure he just wants it over. But what does that mean in terms of his response to treatment so far or his prognosis for the future? Make sure you have all the facts before making a decision.

It's great that you are encouraging him to swallow, it's the best way to build those muscles back.

Regards JoAnne

HI Jam, The Dr. told us for the patients who have had this treatment you have a greater chance of it not reacurring. But he still isn't convinced he wants to do this. He is afraid he will be sick the week on and the week after. He did not do well with the other chemo treatments.I am praying for discerment!

What chemo are they recommending for the pump method? Regards JoAnne

He said Cisplatin but at 180 instead of 200. My husband said it will still make me sick. He was so nuasuas with it and vomiting. Now they gave him Emend with the last two and he did a bit better.He lost 14 lbs the very first week (March) so we don't have fond memories!

In addition to the emend Jack had zofran ODT (dissolves under his tongue) twice a day, plus compazine for breakthrough PLUS I did IV hydration through his IV port for 5 nights when he was getting the cisplatin over the 2 days. The nausea can also be related to being dehydrated so we made sure that he got 3 quarts of water a day. Did they put him on any of these?

They wanted Jack to get 4 cycles of cisplatin because his lymph node involvement was so advanced. The last one occurred 1 month after radition ended and on the 2 day cycle it really did him in. Maybe if he had it over a longer time period it would have been better. Do they think there's another chemo that would have less problems with nausea?

Regards JoAnne

With his last chemo he did have IV hydration daily the week of and it did seem to help. He goes to his RAd dr. on Thursday for a 2 wk check-up so he is going to ask him a few questions also.

That's a good idea, it's another perspective on whether they think additional chemo is warrented. AlsoyYou can always get a second opionion from a medical oncologist at another facility if you are unsure about what they are recommending. It's a tough situation. If he didn't have the combined heavy duty anti-nausea drugs it is worthwhile to try that.
Regards JoAnne

ladyjoe
Sorry to hear of your husbands. I had the same type of chemo, cysplastin, I did get sick, and wanted to quit, then some in the waiting room told me, if you stop now and it comes back your going to kick yourself for not finishing. That was good advise for me at the time.
Good Luck