Your advice on getting through Chemo for lung cancer

I can only speak as my husband’s caregiver during Chemo for inoperable NSCLC. His doctors kept stressing that he not lose weight during this process. He’s a big guy and he laughed because that was the first time in his life any doctor told him that. He had 30 infusions over a ten week period of Pemetrexed and Carboplatin, but he was also given radiation. They did frequent blood draws to make sure his blood cell counts and platelets were acceptable for the infusions. A couple of infusions were postponed for a few days for low platelets. At that that time he was given a Neulasta Onpro patch to ward off any infections. During the infusions he took headphones to listen to his music, some people took reading material, and some even took snacks. He did complain about fatigue and some Nausea and they prescribed meds for the Nausea. Some foods tasted a little different to him. I tried to make foods that were easily digestible and not too spicy or acidic. With the chemicals going through the system you can expect some orange urine too. Anyway you can reduce stress and anxiety will be helpful. His Chemo doctor talked about doing Immunotherapy after Chemo, but then later decided he didn’t need it and we’re not sure why he changed course. Possibly for his age (67) and health. At the end of the infusions and radiation his scan was all clear of cancer and is now nearing the two year remission mark. I will pray that you have the same all clear outcome.🙏

Thank you for sharing your story. It actually puts me at ease on a couple different levels. One -that it doesn’t sound like his chemo experience was horrible (although I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant) Two - he’s been in remission for two years. That’s fantastic and hopeful news. God bless you and your husband and please say a prayer for me 🙏

We sure will. Hope your experience is tolerable and with rewarding results.

@detroitmom23, what type of chemotherapy are you getting? How often? How are things going so far?

Hi Colleen ,
I’m getting Carboplatin and Penetrexed. One infusion every 3 weeks for total of 4 treatments. I’ve only had one infusion so far and that was 3 days ago. Lots of fatigue, little nausea , overall not too bad. So far for me it’s been more of a mental stress than physical, but I’m sure the rest is coming. Trying to stay strong and positive ❤️

This sounds a lot like what I went through at the beginning and always expecting it to get worse but you know? it never did.

Day 4 after chemo. Today comes the nausea… combatting it with medication, tons of water and keeping some food in my stomach. No big meals for me- Mac and cheese, oatmeal with fruit, etc. it’s such a beautiful day outside, sunny for the first time in days - maybe take a walk outside and force myself to move a little bit. Pushing through and hope you all are too. ❤️🙏😇

Sounds like you are doing your best right now.

@detroitmom23 @katiesue That also sounds like me. And I also did not get worse. I hope you got your walk outside. My rounds had started in May, just when we had plants we wanted to get in the ground, moved around, etc. Although I was dragging, we got out for a while the day after each return home, and I really found it helpful. I was doing it so that I had some say in how we set up that season. But I learned that nudging myself was also the most appropriate for me in that situation! Meanwhile, enjoy the kind people who help you during the chemo. I was always amazed at the good souls both who administered it and the volunteers who came around.

Yes - kudos to the health care workers whose compassion and expertise we all rely on 🙏❤️