Did you do icing during chemo? Did it help?

Hey Sandy!
You and I are having the same treatments. I start June 5th.
Lung cancer, squamous in lower left hilar lymph. I am unable to have surgery as I had my upper left lung lobe removed in 2015.

Hi Loulou...mine is nsclc adenecarcinoma, upper right lung and 1 lymph node on same side. I've got 6 weeks of radiation, every day 5 days a week and 6 weeks of chemo 1 day a week. I'm hoping this treatment will shrink the node and tumor and I am able to go forward and have the robotic surgery to remove the cancers. Guess I'll know in a few weeks with a CT scan to see if shrinkage has occurred. Just starting this process, so have no evil side effects yet...hoping I don't have any bad side effects, but I'm aware of what they can be.

Good luck with your treatment, please keep us posted!
Sandy

Hi Sandy, I added your question to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group too. Fellow members @ncteacher @cjs123172 @val64 @lhwoz @marciapell have mentioned icing with chemo infusions and may have tips to share.

You might also be interested in this related discussion:
- What are some ways to try to minimize neuropathy during chemo? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-are-some-ways-to-try-to-minimize-neuropathy-during-chemo/

How are you doing? How are the side effects?

I didn't learn about icing until I had started Chemotherapy infusions (Gemcitabine - Abraxane for "inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma") so cannot speak to prevention.
For later infusions I've tried the socks that have inserts that can be frozen before wearing during an infusion.
Eventually I found that simply leaving my feet uncovered during infusions seemed to work as well as icing. This discovery was not something particularly welcome since the lovely toasty blankets fresh from their incubator is the only enjoyable part of these treatments.

I sleep all the time now with my feet uncovered. This also seems to help to reduce persistence of "chemo feet" symptoms. This is much easier now that our old farmhouse has warmed up as warmer, sunnier weather has finally put in an appearance.

These worked great for me and I never got neuropathy. I slipped my hands out of the mitts when my hands started to hurt from the cold and slipped them back in as they warmed up. I kept the booties on without any pain.
NatraCure Cold Therapy Mittens - Small/Medium - (for Sore, Aching Hands, Arthritis, Neuropathy, Chemotherapy, and Hand or Finger Pain) https://a.co/d/2Prq0Ms
NatraCure Cold Therapy Socks - Reusable Gel Ice Frozen Slippers for Feet, Heels, Swelling, Edema, Arch, Chemotherapy, Arthritis, Neuropathy, Plantar Fasciitis, Post Partum Foot - Size: Small/Medium https://a.co/d/gsLxQd7

I drank ice water during my infusions. I didn’t ice my hands. I only had two infusions though because I wasn’t able to tolerate the diarrhea and nausea. I was able to avoid a lot of the first bite symptoms that come with oxiliplatin. I wanted to make sure I could continue to drink ice water because I’m a water snob.

It would be so wonderful if our bodies all reacted the same way. And there are so many factors to consider. In other words, we are each unique, and the factors "giving us grief" are also unique combinations.
In my case there was a period when ice water actually precipitated diarrhea, and I assumed that what was going on was worsening I B S. Now I'm not so sure...

Hi Colleen...I'm doing okay so far. The only real chemo side effect for me has been constipation 🙁 The stool softeners and Miralax don't work and the Decadron for 2 days post infusion is the major cause. I have found that Milk of Magnesia is the best for me so far. I have not had nausea but I'm only getting a small dose of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel. They are also infusion me with the Decadron, Benadryl, Pepcid and Aloxi...I think my body is too frightened to do anything else!! The chemo is only 1 day a week, but the radiation is 5. No ill effects from the radiation - yet. I have also not had an issue with hair loss or neuropathy - yet...(not looking forward to it).

Sandy

Hi Sandy,
Has the chemo and radiation been tolerable so far? Are you having all your treatments at Mayo? I just had surgery for rll lobectomy but am probably looking at chemo/radiation as well.

Hi Loulou...how are you feeling after the surgery? Good I hope. I've had 4 chemo sessions and 4 weeks of radiation (5x/week). I finish up the end of this month so really hoping it has shrunk my tumor and the lymph node so I can have surgery as well (looking at robotic surgery). I have not had any bad effects from the radiation (other than some acid reflux - the lymph node is behind my esaphagus), but I'm taking 40mg Omeprazole and Sucralfate and it helps greatly. The chemo caused some constipation at first but that has been resolved with Miralax! I would have to say I'm very fortunate to not have the nausea and vomiting and the diarrhea that happens with some. I did have fatigue, but nothing that was unbearable, and this week was the first week that I did not get tired...go figure. I'm having my radiation treatments at Dana Farber/Brigham & Womens in Milford (not Boston) and my chemo is with Reliant Medical in Worcester Ma..I adore my Oncologist, Pulmonologist and the Radiation/Oncologist at DF/BW...she is great. I also like the thoracic surgeon, so I'm hoping things have shrunk enough to have the surgery. I am 77 years old, so I hope that doesn't prevent me from having the surgery. No sure of next steps if I can't have it...guessing Immunotherapy.

Hoping you have a speedy recovery...
Sandy