The bad part is yes you will learn to live with some of these symptoms but like we have said they will be temporary. Although they will seem to stick around for a life time and time drags by at a snails crawl. One thing to really watch out for and talk to your Dr. about is getting the worst symptom of depression. This is one you can do something about with medication and trying to stay busy and keep your mind occupied.
I finished my treatment mid wasy through may and still have the tingly fingers but it is getting better.
My ears too caused me great discomfort during and after the treatments but the Dr. would look in there and say everything is just fine and I would allways dispute him,"there feels like a gallon of water way in there". But that too has past and 0 ear pain for me since mid june.
Gateraid was my favorite through the tube also but i will warn you if you are vomiting alot it can really sting your throat, I was in tears many times from the acids burning and went back to water for those times I felt nausiated.
Good luck to you and were all here and have been there and done that, I know it doesnt take away what your going through but it does let you know it is doable.

michael hang in there it will get better i remember when i thought things would never get better but they do take care and god bless

Michael, You will get through this (and Seth, you will too--we do all know here that this treatment is hard on caretakers too), even though you'll have moments where it seems impossible. The main thing is to learn the trick of taking one day at a time and not trying to look ahread too far. Especially when you're at the beginning of treatment.

It's very possible that if your docs and nurses keep fiddling with your nausea meds, you won't have it so bad in the future. Don't give up on that--keep talking to them about what is working and what isn't! FWIW, I had ear ringing and pins and needles after each cisplatin treatment but only very rarely have some ear ringing now--and not bad (loud or long) at all. Also, I never had pain that got too severe all through my treatment (I did take--and am still taking--oxydose but it's a pretty low dose and I never needed the stronger patches or anything).

OTOH, you don't want to know how long it is taking for me to get rid of this painful mouth and mouth sores! Every day I wonder WHEN I will ever be able to get off my tube! We all go through the treatment and recover in our own way, I guess, is the moral of all that and you can't really predict how it will be for you (I was sure I'd be in more pain during treatment but definitely off the tube and with less mouth pain this far after--how's that for accurate forecasting?), so don't "borrow trouble" as a friend of mine says, just concentrate on this day and try to find something to enjoy in it, regardless of what else is going on.

We're all here for you.

Hang in there Michael, I am right with you. 8 treatments and a cisplatin chemo which has knocked me for six. (Cricket term for you baseball fans out there) I am trying to continu working all Night and sleeping during the day but with two kids that appears to be a no no and now it seems like they are coming down with things caught at Daycare which will put me at risk of infection too. I did not realise it was going to be this miserable so quick either and too think they may be a little more to come. Keep your spirits up we will get there.

As always I am indebted to each of you for the compassion and caring you exhibit in your posts to me. Thank you!!

Well...I made it through another day.

Today was in some ways the best and worst so far.

The extreme fatigue is immeasurable. I have so little energy I can't even put it into words.

Hydration helps, and I used the PEG a couple of times today.

The ear ringing is a nuisanace, but that's the limit of it. It troubles me, but I try to ignore it, and frankly am so tired mostly don't give it much attention. Is there a point at which I should bring it to the Dr's attention?

The weekend break from radiation seemed to help with the neck tenderness, and overall mouth issues, so I can tell I am going to look forward to Fridays again!

My skin is still like concrete and I have to force myself to move my neck. Is this ok? I am trying ROM exercises whenever I have the energy.

The saliva and gunk in my mouth is again, an irritation, but on it's own not yet debilitating.

The tonsil growth, which casues gag spasms, is more than just an irritation. It is distressing and a constant sensation.

The neuropathy in my hands seems to be limited so far to when I am sleeping, so I will just monitor this.

I stall haven't had the nausea really return, so I am greatful for this as well. I have some stomach upset, but not what I'd call nausea, and it's not too captivating. I think it may be a by-product of the chances in my sleep, diet and hydration patterns.

Food still tastes terribly bland. Even spicy food is blah. I suppose is that's the worst of the problems, It'd be ok.

Mostly, the exhaustion is what's bugging me. I feel like just breathing is a chore. I am only hoping that the total complete fatigue will get better between chemo.

My dad typically feels like a truck hit him the first week-week 1/2 post chemo. You'll get another energy boost. (may be short, but you'll get it...)
Thanks for updating, I think of you.

Spoke too soon.

Woke this morning with nausea.

Have been throwing up all afternoon. It goes in waves, but coupled with the shear exhaustion, and the gag in my throat it's pretty rough.

I've taken Reglan, but that doesn't seem to help much.

I have a couple Emend, does anyone know how well this works? I still have the Compenzine, but hate the way it makes me feel!!!

This is probably a real stupid question, but are you taking the nausea meds by mouth, peg tube or via suppositories?

Michael, I never tried Emend but I just wanted to say that I really hear you about hating how compazine makes you feel! Nonetheless, it may come to a decision between feeling compazine-fuzzy and throwing up nonstop. If it does, I'd advise you to tkae the compazine and get a lot of sleep. It's juts a couple of days probably -- remember that.

Have you tried Zofran yet? It worked for me when not much else did.

Amy, it's NOT stupid to ask. I have Compenzine suppositories (if needed), and so far I have been able to keep them down as needed.

I can take them via PEG when it comes to that too.

Nellie, I agree about the Compezine. I want to try Zofran and will ask for it tomorrow.