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Wife's Diagnosis SCLC- Chemo Next Week-What Should I Do?

Posted by bovic21 @bovic21, Feb 11, 2025

Hello, my wife had a biopsy of a lump on her neck on Jan. 31,2025. It was determined she has SCLC, An xray revealed a mass in our right lung. Met with an oncologist and he ordered a PET scan and MRI of the brian. The results came back and no other cancer locations were found, PTL!
A port was put in today and chemo starts next Tuesday. We meet with a radiation doctor Friday. Radiation treatments will start soon. Chemo treatment is carbopatin/etoposide.
Is there anything I can do to better help her with the chemo side effects? Anything I should get prior to treatments? And any other suggestions or comments on our journey?

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Profile picture for Lisa, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Aug 16, 2025
In reply to @bovic21 "@mamajite That is a great idea to ask about pre-meds before her next treatments. We will..." + (show)
Profile picture for bovic21 @bovic21

@mamajite That is a great idea to ask about pre-meds before her next treatments. We will do that.
My wife made a statement last night that I thought I would never hear from her. She said she is finally adjusting to the fact that she has cancer. After six months of chemo and radiation appointments, scans and MRIs, and all the rough side effects, she's come to a point where she sleeps better, enjoys life a little better and does not worry as much about what's around the corner. Surprising, I feel better now also.

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@bovic2, It took me a couple of years before I really got to that place of adjusting and acceptance. People ask how to get there, how to relax a bit, and learn to enjoy life again, and there is no right answer. It just takes time, and everyone will be different. I'm glad that you are both feeling a little better. Thanks for sharing.

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bovic21 | @bovic21 | Mar 31 8:41am

Update and question. Back in August 2025 my wife was fighting a rash and itching from her first immunotherapy treatment (Imfimzi). After getting the rash emilinated, the doctors decided to not continue that treatment.
Then in early January the cancer returned and had spreaded, The doctors then started her on a different immunotherapy treatment, Tarlatamab (Imdelltra). At first she was tolerating this very well and seemed to be improving.
But about 10 days ago her sense of taste completely changed. Now everything she drinks tastes like salt water.
This has caused her to have trouble with fatigue and balance problems. The doctors gave her a hydration IV yesterday and today she is better. And she has another IV scheduled Friday.
We are trying everything the dotors and our family can think of to fight this. She sips cherry kool aid now.
The doctors suggested trying zinc supplements ands eating cantaloupe, Just starting those today.
Just wondering if anyone else has had anything like this and what might have helped.

REPLY
3 replies
Profile picture for Lisa, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Apr 1 3:30pm
In reply to @bovic21 "Update and question. Back in August 2025 my wife was fighting a rash and itching from..." + (show)
Profile picture for bovic21 @bovic21

Update and question. Back in August 2025 my wife was fighting a rash and itching from her first immunotherapy treatment (Imfimzi). After getting the rash emilinated, the doctors decided to not continue that treatment.
Then in early January the cancer returned and had spreaded, The doctors then started her on a different immunotherapy treatment, Tarlatamab (Imdelltra). At first she was tolerating this very well and seemed to be improving.
But about 10 days ago her sense of taste completely changed. Now everything she drinks tastes like salt water.
This has caused her to have trouble with fatigue and balance problems. The doctors gave her a hydration IV yesterday and today she is better. And she has another IV scheduled Friday.
We are trying everything the dotors and our family can think of to fight this. She sips cherry kool aid now.
The doctors suggested trying zinc supplements ands eating cantaloupe, Just starting those today.
Just wondering if anyone else has had anything like this and what might have helped.

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@mimicmckay, did you end up starting Tarlatamab? Have you experienced taste side effects? Anything similar to @bovic21's wife (see above)?

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1 reply
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mimicmckay | @mimicmckay | Apr 1 7:37pm
In reply to @lls8000 "@mimicmckay, did you end up starting Tarlatamab? Have you experienced taste side effects? Anything similar to..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa, Volunteer Mentor @lls8000

@mimicmckay, did you end up starting Tarlatamab? Have you experienced taste side effects? Anything similar to @bovic21's wife (see above)?

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@lls8000 Tarlatamab was FINALLY approved by my insurance company but I ended up in the hospital with a chest tube. So far 5 liters of fluid and counting. The good news is they are able to start the Tarlatamab while I’m already here so VERY grateful about that. I will keep you posted. Fingers crossed I get my first dose tomorrow.

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2 replies
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artistrose | @artistrose | Apr 2 10:47am
In reply to @bovic21 "Update and question. Back in August 2025 my wife was fighting a rash and itching from..." + (show)
Profile picture for bovic21 @bovic21

Update and question. Back in August 2025 my wife was fighting a rash and itching from her first immunotherapy treatment (Imfimzi). After getting the rash emilinated, the doctors decided to not continue that treatment.
Then in early January the cancer returned and had spreaded, The doctors then started her on a different immunotherapy treatment, Tarlatamab (Imdelltra). At first she was tolerating this very well and seemed to be improving.
But about 10 days ago her sense of taste completely changed. Now everything she drinks tastes like salt water.
This has caused her to have trouble with fatigue and balance problems. The doctors gave her a hydration IV yesterday and today she is better. And she has another IV scheduled Friday.
We are trying everything the dotors and our family can think of to fight this. She sips cherry kool aid now.
The doctors suggested trying zinc supplements ands eating cantaloupe, Just starting those today.
Just wondering if anyone else has had anything like this and what might have helped.

Jump to this post

@bovic21 Sounds like me with my chemo. Could barely get water down. My first cycle I put a small amount of 7 up in my water and it helped. Didn’t help this cycle. I’ve also put lemon, which helps a little. My dietician suggested cucumbers in water but ai didn’t have any. I haven’t tried koolaid. I will speak with dietician again today and see if any new ideas. I sympathize with your wife.

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1 reply
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mamajite | @mamajite | Apr 2 1:56pm
In reply to @artistrose "@bovic21 Sounds like me with my chemo. Could barely get water down. My first cycle I..." + (show)
Profile picture for artistrose @artistrose

@bovic21 Sounds like me with my chemo. Could barely get water down. My first cycle I put a small amount of 7 up in my water and it helped. Didn’t help this cycle. I’ve also put lemon, which helps a little. My dietician suggested cucumbers in water but ai didn’t have any. I haven’t tried koolaid. I will speak with dietician again today and see if any new ideas. I sympathize with your wife.

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@artistrose lemonade was what worked for my mom during chemo. she normally had cut sugar out of her diet. but in the week after an infusion, that was what worked for her. I hope they can increase your nausea meds to help with that, too. hugs!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for mamajite
mamajite | @mamajite | Apr 2 1:59pm
In reply to @bovic21 "Update and question. Back in August 2025 my wife was fighting a rash and itching from..." + (show)
Profile picture for bovic21 @bovic21

Update and question. Back in August 2025 my wife was fighting a rash and itching from her first immunotherapy treatment (Imfimzi). After getting the rash emilinated, the doctors decided to not continue that treatment.
Then in early January the cancer returned and had spreaded, The doctors then started her on a different immunotherapy treatment, Tarlatamab (Imdelltra). At first she was tolerating this very well and seemed to be improving.
But about 10 days ago her sense of taste completely changed. Now everything she drinks tastes like salt water.
This has caused her to have trouble with fatigue and balance problems. The doctors gave her a hydration IV yesterday and today she is better. And she has another IV scheduled Friday.
We are trying everything the dotors and our family can think of to fight this. She sips cherry kool aid now.
The doctors suggested trying zinc supplements ands eating cantaloupe, Just starting those today.
Just wondering if anyone else has had anything like this and what might have helped.

Jump to this post

@bovic21 that is rough. I wonder if using a straw might help keep her hydrated?

A quick internet search suggested this product. I don't have any experience with it, but it might also be worth a try.
https://metaqil.com/

REPLY
Profile picture for artistrose
artistrose | @artistrose | Apr 2 2:29pm
In reply to @mamajite "@artistrose lemonade was what worked for my mom during chemo. she normally had cut sugar out..." + (show)
Profile picture for mamajite @mamajite

@artistrose lemonade was what worked for my mom during chemo. she normally had cut sugar out of her diet. but in the week after an infusion, that was what worked for her. I hope they can increase your nausea meds to help with that, too. hugs!

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@mamajite I have enough nausea meds. My second chemo cycle knocked me on my butt. Spent 5 days in bed, no shower until today. I can’t do lemonade as I have reflux and have to watch acid. But, I’m going to discuss with my dietician today.

REPLY
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bovic21 | @bovic21 | Apr 3 9:18am

Thank you for your suggestions. My wife has tried many of these suggestions and others, but none seemed to alter the bad taste.
She has been taking zinc everyday and eating cantaloupe, and this morning the taste seems to be improving. Too early to declare a success, but will continue down those paths and others that come along.
I'm so thankful for this community and the chat line.

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1 reply
Profile picture for mamajite
mamajite | @mamajite | Apr 3 1:58pm
In reply to @bovic21 "Thank you for your suggestions. My wife has tried many of these suggestions and others, but..." + (show)
Profile picture for bovic21 @bovic21

Thank you for your suggestions. My wife has tried many of these suggestions and others, but none seemed to alter the bad taste.
She has been taking zinc everyday and eating cantaloupe, and this morning the taste seems to be improving. Too early to declare a success, but will continue down those paths and others that come along.
I'm so thankful for this community and the chat line.

Jump to this post

@bovic21 I wish you both the best. Living with cancer (treatment) can be so difficult. I hope you find some options for her that will help alleviate the bad taste.

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