Dear Everyone-Again, thank you for taking the time for me (us). I'm in KC now and was just able to log in. Just read Gary and Amy's post-had to chuckle even though it is not funny. Dad is fudging already on the "eating." Tactic: he went to use the restroom when we got to chemo this a.m. & I gave my pre-written secret note to the nurse stating: severely constipated, taking 1/4 of what the recommended supplement dose is & don't know about the urine outflow-Talk to him about it & don't let on that I brought it up. (I am the child, not a medical professional after all.........) you all have been there and know what I'm talking about. That being said, his first chemo & radiation treatment went well. It gave him an emotional & mental peace of mind instead of just dwelling on the unknown. He was positive & it gave him some hope. We were driving back & he said, "I feel good. I believe this is the first day of the rest of my life." My dad doesn't just spout stuff like that for anyone's benefit. This is going to be-wow-an uphill battle-but, I believe it can be done. Amy, I'm prepared to borrow your "nurse from hell" hat. Heaven knows I had to use it with my mom a few times...We made it through today, made an "X" on the calendar & we're going for tomorrow. It'll be a new day, Scarlet. Please continue your encouragement & support. It means so much. GAIL, he is having 4 treatments of Taxol/Carboplatin. Any comments/information in this regard would be appreciated BY ANYONE. I fully understand this is just the beginning-again, anyone give your experiences. Goldlox.

Dear Goldlox - Such good advice everone has given you! Please don't hesitate to borrow Amy's "nurse from hell" hat. I borrowed it a few months ago and I can tell you it really worked for me when my son and I were going thru some of the very difficult days. It's really important to keep records of the meds and liquid / food intake and outgo. Your secret note to the nurse is great! I wish I had thought of doing that for my son! I went with him to all his radiation treatments. At first he had said he wanted to go by himself but changed his mind early on when the effects of the radiation started getting really rough. I'm glad your Dad's first Tx day went well and I'm sure it meant a whole lot to him that you were there.

Goldlox,
if you really believe what he told you I have a bridge for sale in NYC.

Nice job with the "secret note"!

My experience is pretty much what I mentioned in the second paragraph of my earlier post (except I had chemoradiation only).