naunie's Cancer Blog
February 6, 2008
| Bump in the Road | Views: 405 |
WEll my mom went for chemo last Wednesday and everything went crazy! She passed out in the waiting area, her blood pressure went way down, threw up, and was brought to the ER. She stayed for fluids for two days and scans. What a rough couple of days. She seems back to “normal” now (exhausted and not really hungry.) SHE IS HOME that is the good news. They went today and the doctor said there is really no major change that they see that caused this. She got chemo again today. The scans showed more nodules in her lungs but their main concern is the liver which they see as having no change (that is good they said). They are going to keep an eye on the lungs. The Cancer Numbers went down—what does that mean? I have been looking it up but wasn’t sure I was following. I guess going down is a good sign. So she will stay on the same chemo for 6 weeks and see what is new. I am praying that this is working!
The doctor said that her nerves are very high when she comes into the office which leads to her feeling worse when she is there. I see it. Sometimes she will be ok all week and then the day of the doctor she is sick. They suggested taking a valuum(spelling) to calm her nerves before she comes which I think will help her. I know that I am a lot like my mom and your mind is a tough thing to deal with!
06.22.08 - 
Thanks for your support -
Yikes that sounds like a tough couple days. Glad to hear your mom is back home.
Hi Naunie
I’m so sorry, I would be freaking out.
The cancer numbers that went down are probably her CEA levels which is her blood antigen level or tumor markers. My Mom’s have been up to 300 and are now down to 60 but we want them down to about 15. A normal cancer-free non-smoker should have values around 3-8.
Has your Mom tried MegAces? It is this great medicine they gave my Mom. It is a white liquid that you take a teaspoon and it made my Mom gain 20 pounds back! It is great stuff but it is a little expensive and I don’t know what her insurance situation is. But if you can get it, I highly recommend it. It is so nice to see her eat and eat. And she looks healthier.
My mom also got put on antidepressants and they made a HUGE difference for her. It doesn’t make everything go away but Mom was starting to seem like someone else. They have allowed her to cope in a much better way and we got our mom back.
My mom would also have problems the day of her doctors appointments but hers was more of an anxiety and they gave her some xanax for it which really helped. She would get really anxious from having to sit still for so long with the chemo as well.
I hope she feels better!
Naunie,
Could you get your mother to a yoga class they have them for cancer patients they could teach her relaxation techniques I know it helps me.
Cheryl
Thank you for your comments. She is not really strong enough to stand for a long period of time—I mentioned the yoga but she said she just isn’t ready… The anxiety is always going to be an issue that we have to try to conrol I guess.