FLOT chemotherapy? How many rounds?

He’s not doing any radiation but has been using the mouthwash. He had his first chemo last Wednesday and just noticed a couple of sores in his mouth this morning. 🙁 I suggested he start using it more; hopefully it helps. He has been really tired though, and feeling really bad. I’m not sure they didn’t dose him a little too much because he’s having some serious cognitive issues.

Hubby went through round 1 and it was a little rough, though maybe not as bad as for some people. He’s having issues with the j-tube leaking and now his skin around the disc is raw; the doc gave him an antibiotic to prevent infection or resolve it (surgeon says it’s not infected). His white blood cell count has gone from being high to being almost nothing and he’s doing three shots to help boost them. Is it normal to feel this weak after the first cycle? I’m very afraid of what the next will do to him. This is for sure not for the weak of heart. Last night he spiked a fever of 101.4 and I was out looking for a new thermometer at 10pm because he didn’t feel that hot to the touch. Got home with the new one, still 101.4 . Called the on call doc, after a glass of water and a cool compress took his temp again:98 degrees. I hope my new job can understand that my life is not going to be stable for a while. We vastly under estimated all the things that can go wrong just during treatment alone.

The first 3 rounds on my dad were not to bad. First 2 days he was fine. It was day 3 thru 5 that was the worst. Laid on the couch most of the day and then seemed to come around just enough to go back in for another round. Completed round 5 and worst I have ever seen him. Almost thought he was dying. Hallucinations, so weak, couldn't even talk, coming in and out. Stayed like that for 2 weeks. That was his last round until after surgrey. Thank God because not sure he could handle more. He's starting to talk and move around more now. Radiation is starting to make it difficult to eat again so it's hard to keep nutrition up. We asked for PPN to help keep nutrition up since hes so fatigue. I think that will help. Mouth sores have gone away. It's a rough road.

My husband will be having his first treatment May 6 any advice of what I should prepare ahead of time or what I should expect as a caregiver?

My husband was just recently diagnosed, and he will start the PHOX regimen as of May 6. He will have two months of chemo then three weeks of a combination of chemo radiation and then surgery.

Yes, this caregiver what would be the main thing or piece of advice you can give me to help him through this?

Make the baking soda/salt water mouthwash to try to stave off mouth sores and heal them. Make sure you remind him to take the anti nausea medicine prescribed. That’s helped my hubby to be able to eat. It’s hard; I’m having trouble, hurting very badly seeing him this way.

I’m glad to hear he’s starting to do a little better. That’s scary! Sometimes I think these docs don’t look at the human element of how hard this is. No way is my hubby doing more than 4 ahead. I’m afraid of what cycle 2 is going to be like. Did they do a scan on your Dad? My hubby isn’t doing radiation, thankfully. The mass is small enough that they don’t think it’s necessary with this protocol. I feel like, at some point, we’re going to see if a lesser dosage will still be effective, maybe after the surgery (🙏🏼 we get there).

Hi - 🙂
For me the FLOT has gone pretty well. My 4th treatment May 2 then Folfox and Proton. Some slight nausea (additively increasing), neuropathy (soles of feet, fingers, tongue - taste) - all tolerable.
- Bring ice-ice packs for feet, and hands- fingers. Use compression socks. They can provide ice chips for your mouth. I also double up a size too small latex gloves.
- I believe that the supplements I take helps with energy and side effects. ( Bromelain and Ellagic acid powder ( mixed with Gatorade), Magnesium, Curcumin, Iron, B-complex, Ginger root and Lutein. It seems like every positive study on supplements has an opposing one. Check with your Oncologist.
- Don't loose faith. There seems to be so much sadness and negative vibes but there are many positive outcomes. Try not to get hung up on survival rates its a dark side.
- Get as much exercise as possible.
- Eat-Eat-Eat... We will loose weight through our journey!
- Keep a journal
- Checkout Zoom support groups here is one that I regularly follow.
- Ok...EC Zoom info: Call times never change.
Sundays, 9am Eastern
Wednesdays, 6pm Eastern
Here's a one-touch Zoom link to pop right in:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4550284795?pwd=UjBHQ0J2V1pOc21SOExTR2N1UXNpQT09
If this link doesn't work for you... use the Zoom app. Open it and use these codes:

ID - 455 028 4795
Passcode - tuiBE5

All my greatest prayers and wishes, I'm sure we will cross paths. RickK

They haven't done a scan since starting chemo. They said once radiation is done and settled they will. Radiation inflammation will not show a true scan.