2nd day at home

[Uben]

Carol is extremely weak and short of breath. Any activity is very difficult. Is this normal or symptomatic of rad treatments or chemo (Taxol and Carboplatin)? This scares the bejeezus out of me! She was really no better when she left the hospital, so I assume it is, or they would not have released her. I have a potty chair bedside so she doesn't have to make the 10 steps to the bathroom toilet.
When she does get up, she is very wobbly on her feet and needs assistance. I am trying to get her to drink at least two 8 oz bottles of Ensure daily. SHe drank 1 1/2 yesterday, but she does drink a lot of water. I'm going to try and get her to eat some soup today.

If anyone here has gone thru this, I would truly appreciate your response.

She still hasn't thrown up yet, but I know those days are coming too, along with the other SEs of chemo.

[Tracer]

1. I'm so sorry for your situation.

Carol's weakness must be from the radiation.

I've had Taxol and Carboplatin in two separate rounds of chemo and the side effects take a few days to show themselves.

Those drugs are really rough on a person, especially one in a weak state.

I'm no doctor, but the shortness of breath is worrisome to me and I would definitely call her physician ASAP.

[Irishonly]

2. I agree with Tracer

Call the doctor. Taxol made me very weak but it's been so long since I was in treatment I don't remember shortness of breath. Chemo drugs and radiation affect people differently so what Carol is experiencing may be a side effect that only a few people experience. Don't be afraid to call your doctor with any questions. When you don't understand something, ask.

[Uben]

3. After reading up on it........ I had planned on calling her primary physician tomorrow

She has some distention in her abdomen (fluid build up), and I have read that the fluid can put pressure on her diaiphram, causing shortness of breath. It can even put pressure on the exterior of the lungs, making it harder to breath. One remedy might be diuretics, or she might have to have it drained off again. Either way, I'm gonna get her some relief.

[Irishonly]

4. Please let us know what you find out

We all care about you and Carol. I hope you can both rest this evening.

[Uben]

5. Called her chemo doc.....

.....she just said if she experiences shortness of breath while not exerting herself to take her to ER. SHe said it was okay for me to give her a daily multi-vitamin, too.

[Ecumenist]

8. Uben, You and your lovely wife are in my prayers..I'll light a candle for you and send healing

thoughts. I am still taking chemo and although it makes me AWFULLY tired, I don't have problems with breathing. I agree with the others as to taking her to the ER if things don't get better soon.

[JohnnyLib2]

6. Tues.

I hope this is a better day. We're keeping you in our thoughts.

[KC]

7. Thinking

About you both everyday.
Keep us posted on how y'all are doing.

[Ecumenist]

9. Doctor doesn't have her on antinausea meds?

I'm on Ondansetron orally dissolving meds that keep tummy troubles at bay....BIG TIME! Also, ask doctor about megace for her appetite. If you're in California, or any other medical marijuana state, check into getting her a licence and look into pure THC extract capsules. THEY WORK!!

[Uben]

10. She has Ondanestron.....

....I gave her one yesterday for a bellyache and it subsided pretty quickly. She also has Prochlorperazine 10MG tabs for nausea.

She got out of bed last night to go to the bathroom, which shocked me because she has been so weak. She needed help getting off the commode, and fell going back to bed. Luckily, no damage was done and I told her not to try that again until she gets stronger. There was a potty chair right there beside the bed, but for some reason she decided not to use it.

Our bed is pretty high off the ground and that makes it easier for her to stand up. Since she has not been able to get up from the sofa (where she lies most of the day) by herself, I'm gonna find a way to raise the heighth of it about 6 more inches. That should make it much easier to rise from.

I got some Ensure muscle strength formula for her yesterday, so hopefully she will drink a couple of those today.

[Irishonly]

11. If she likes tea there are some good ones that help sooth the tummy

You can get peppermint tea almost anywhere. Ginger tea can be found at Trader Joes and health food stores.