Chemo treatment journey: He's so tired. Hard to be cheery

My mother had pancreatic surgery and it is a stressful process.

Though there was not much I could do for her medically, I tried to keep her spirts up. If she craved a milkshake, I got her one. She liked to listen to music. We went for short drives to get out of house. If she fell sleep on sofa while watching a movie, I sat with her.

She was a spiritual person, and her pastor was kind enough to visit.

She actually did not not want many visitors, it would make her more tired.

Like any illness that takes away your energy, you prioritize the important things and not worry about other things.

My thought are with you.

Laurie

I had my first chemo (pump and 4 hour infusion). I thought I would be dysfunctional after. To my surprise I felt just like before the infusion, fine. Later in the day I got more tired than usual but not for laying down. Did go to bed by 8:30pm. I also felt a subtle metalic like feeling on my tongue but not yet sensitive to cold as is predicted/expected. I guess all the more invasion and disturbing side effects will kick in later and with subsequent infusions. I am just grateful I'm okay today. they did say it could take a couple of days before effects may start (like the runs, mouth sores etc). So far so good. At least it's a nice way to start. I'm sorry the other person was sooo tired right away. I have ampullary cancer (rare) and treatment like colon cancer. I wish I could communicate with others who have had the Whipple surgery (I had it in jan, 2022). Any one out there with it? Vera

Thank you, Laurie, for putting into words,
“ you prioritize the important things and not worry about other things.”
You have no ideahimuch you just helped me.

Using plastic eating utensils I found helped me with the metallic taste--no more metal/chemical interaction. I used stationary bike to exercise in order to keep blood flowing/moving in my body. Less pain as chemicals had no place to congregate. Tough go all the way around.

Hi Ann,

thanks for the plastic utensil tip and stationary bike tip. I like that keep the blood flowing . It's great to get a response. I appreciate it.

Hey Vera, you might be interested in connecting with other members who have had Whipple surgery here:
- Whipple procedure and follow up chemo https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/whipple-procedure-and-follow-up-chemo/

How are you feeling now that a couple of weeks have passed? When do you get your second infusion?

Hi Colleen,
thank you for responding. Overall good. I have a slight tongue tingle/metalic like as I heard this happens with the chemo I have for ampulary cancer, similar to what they give coloncancer people. I very slight finger tip tingle.
I worry about the overlay of chemo on eating for the whipple surgery. I worry about deteriorating with side effects I wonder if I can handle. Second infusion with the pump will be this Wednesday 5/18.

Husband was in the hospital for 5 days to bring his white cell count up. Chemo started again yesterday. He was disappointed to find out rounds of chemo will take 12 weeks and then be evaluated.
I no longer complain about him leaving his knife in the butter.

The second infusion included the 46 hr pump taken home. I felt a lot sicker the day after the infusion side effect meds wore off. I also felt sick for days and days before I felt I could really eat and do things. If tis is what it is like after 2 infusions, what about 10 more? It was like being seasick (yes I took the Rxed nausea pills) without being able to get off the boat/ship everyday for 8 days. It was just yesterday that I could eat with some enjoyment and not feeling so queasy and more clear headed. I'll look at the whipple website your gave; thank you, Vera in DE

@anto1nette, how is your husband doing on this second round of chemo? How are YOU doing?