1. < Lung Cancer

Freaking out. 2nd chemo cistoplatin and sinus bradycardia. what to do

Posted by julie67 @julie67, Nov 8 12:26pm

Had second chemo of cisto and carboplatin Tuesday. Heart rate went from 110 to 45 yesterday. EKG showed sinus bradycardia. I had prvious heart failure in 2017. Hands are numb and cold. Have raynauds also. Could be stress. So was told now to go to ER. not going. pallaitive care woudn't call me back yesterday. Just got back from Doppler on left arm where there is a blood clot from last month's chemo done through a vein oct 15. Found last saturday. Following up today. Guess my question is what do I do? Heart rate seems to be back up today. was 60 upon waking and now panicking up to 80-90. Very confused and irritated. Could be chemo, steroids or heart, right? i am so tired. all alone. called onco, primary, cardio, palliative care -no answer. Do u guys have this? this is second chemo and it did it after first chemo also which is why i couldn't get the port they scheduled me for TWO days after first chemo. I am lost and scared. Cardio just said go to hospital since handss are cold and left leg was hurting yesterday standing on it. Told her I am not going. Will I probably live through this like last month i guess? Do i continue chemo. just gonna sit here and die i guess. freaked out.nobody else to ask now

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julie67 | @julie67 | 4 days ago
In reply to @flusshund "@julie67, I'm sorry to hear you're freaking out. In answer to your question, no, I did..." + (show)
@flusshund

@julie67, I'm sorry to hear you're freaking out. In answer to your question, no, I did not have a strong negative reaction to chemo even though I had radiation at the same time.

Why aren't you going to the hospital? Ever since I was diagnosed with lung cancer, I've done everything my doctors tell me to do. I believe that's why I'm still here after 6 years, 4 of them at Stage 4. As a former EMT, you need to get a blood pressure reading and probably an EKG as well. Since it's a weekend, the closest ER is your best bet. I've had circulating blood clots that lodged in my lung. Pulmonary embolisms are very serious and can kill you. I strongly urge you to go to the nearest ER as soon as you possibly can. If you live near Huntsville, AL, I will drive over, take you in myself, and wait with you. Please, please, please take care of yourself.

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I have no faith in mine now especially after trying to put a port in TWO days after chemo when my heart rate was in the 40s and the nurses wouldn't listen to me that something was wrong. They also said my STITCHES were SCARS...lol. They all need to turn in their licenses here in Evansville

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Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | 4 days ago
In reply to @julie67 "Thank you , Lisa. As I just wrote above, I think I'm done if I live..." + (show)
@julie67

Thank you , Lisa. As I just wrote above, I think I'm done if I live through this round. I couldn't move or breathe well today from the lobectomy incisions/stitches still. Hell feeling that suffocating feeling again. They 'rile up' or whatever I mean sometimes. The pain from the stitches was unbearable , my feet were hurting/throbbing and my heart is so uncomfortable I am ready to go. I kept checking my vitals . Heart rate ranging from 80-120 just lying down all day. I looked at recordings of it. Yesterday my heart ranged from 45 to 130. All just lying/sitting. Guess it's damaged. Don't even have anyone to ask if it MIGHT return to normal. whatever. Thanks for thinking of me. I realize WHY am I doing this to myself? I have no family to miss me. No good works/volunteer work that will miss me. I've been miserable for years and this is certainly no life going to doctors. the pain, anger. I wish I would have never had the lobectomy and just spent the past few months having the fun I was having in July. Swimming laps, climbing hills, chasing rabbits uphill. Boating. I was FINE before all this. It would be good if I left now. My house I am leaving to a rabbit rescue (NOT Indiana House Rabbit Society now. HA! ) so the sooner I am out of pain the sooner rabbits can be helped.

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@julie67, Try to remember those good times. It can happen again.
The story of the bird made me laugh, what else could possibly happen?! Hugs.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 4 days ago

@julie67, I encourage you to enlist the help of an oncology social worker. That is an often overlooked service offered at most cancer centers. You may find this blog post, written by the Mayo Clinc oncology social work team, helpful to learn more
- How an Oncology Social Worker Can Help https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/how-an-oncology-social-worker-can-help/

Another option is to look into My Help Navigator https://myhelpnavigator.auntbertha.com/ It is a social care network that connects people and programs — making it easy for people to find no-cost and low-cost social services in their communities. Through My Help Navigator, you might be able to find a social worker who could help coordinate services for you.

@julie67, I can imagine that you were freaking out with the symptoms you were experiencing 3 days ago and I'm grateful that members were able to be there for you. But, I worry when you experience significant and serious side effects like a blood clot, low heart rate and cold extremities that you don't seek professional medical attention and go to the nearest ER.

Please, please, please, let the oncology nurses and your oncologist know what happened this round of chemotherapy so that they can a) take steps to mitigate side effects, b) monitor you more closely and c) discuss options for not being home alone.

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loulou2023 | @loulou2023 | 3 days ago

Don’t give up on life!!!!
This is going to sound silly But I promise it helps!!!
Go into the bathroom and look yourself in the mirror and have a talk to the woman you see! Tell her your fear, anger, despair but also be encouraging!!! Tell her how much the rabbits love and need her.. Appreciate her!!!
Don’t give up on life!!!!! make it give up on you!!!!!

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