Posted 4/13/2016 4:41 PM (GMT -5)
Hello CADguy,
Had been thinking about you, wondering how your treatments were going, and how you were faring ...
You've started a great topic thread that I don't think has ever been fully addressed straight-on ...
I gleaned some background some years ago when my dad was diagnosed with leukemia --- he was hospitalized for 100 straight days, with chemo infusions CONSTANTLY to save his life --- a few years ago, he was then diagnosed with prostate cancer ... then came my turn with prostate cancer, followed by my experience with Taxotere chemotherapy infusions ... which brings us up now to your question and this new thread topic to explore ...
With the new recommendation of frontline chemo treatments now implemented across the country for advanced cases, we have a lot more fellows here who have joined our "Chemo Club" --- and I have been thinking about you lately, CADguy ---
So --- with some of my past experiences coupled with a bit of research, I'll add my thoughts to this thread topic ...
Those of us in the "Chemo Club" have all extolled the importance of drinking water in the days BEFORE each chemo infusion and the days AFTER each chemo infusion --- it honestly DOES help the kidneys flush out the toxic properties of chemo --- and I honestly believe that continuing to drink water all throughout the weeks and months that it takes to get through an entire series of chemo treatments continues to pay dividends --- even today, I still try to do my best to keep DRINKING THE WATER ...
Real life example during the course of my chemo treatments ... 'round about the third treatment, I slacked off in my water consumption ... I could DEFINITELY tell I didn't rebound as quickly during that treatment and learned my lesson ... and have shared it with my other friends who also share my same diagnosis ...
Sounds like you've got some side effects ... if you wish, list a few for us here and maybe some of us can help you trouble-shoot ...
Yes, the treatments are timed so that your blood counts have a full chance to restore themselves --- that's why before the NEXT chemo treatment, they always have to perform lab work, to test your blood levels --- to see if your body is restored enough to endure the next treatment --- a cousin of mine used to travel out-of-state for his chemo treatments, only to find out that sometimes his blood levels weren't restored ... and he'd have to return a few days later ...
A bit of research tells me that the chemo itself has its toxins ... but the body also has additional toxins that come from the dying cancer cells after the chemo begins its attack, as well ...
I tolerated chemo well, but internally, the chemo was trashing my immune levels, as evidenced by the detailed blood tests they took before each chemo treatment. I work in a very public job and so to restore my immune levels and keep my chemo schedule on track, my oncologist prescribed the immune restoration shot known as NEULASTA --- most fellows don't need it, but my immune levels crashed after each chemo infusion and NEULASTA shots restored my immunity and I stayed on track for all my chemo treatments --- the price tag for each shot is high, but in my case, insurance kicked in completely ...
Your doctor is likely tracking your blood levels and immune levels along the way ... but some of the side effects you might be experiencing are often just a natural event during chemo treatments.
My dad warned me about this phenomenon in advance, so I was prepared ... a night or two after each chemo infusion, I would wake up in the middle of the night and would realize that the chemo was literally "sweating out of my pores" --- my body's attempt to rid itself of the toxins --- so, I'd jump into the shower in the middle of the night and then head back to bed.
A friend of mine experienced the same thing --- he asked me about it and I compared it to a night spent at the pubs, drinking whiskey throughout the night ... and then the whiskey comes "sweating out of your pores" afterwards. It can be the same with chemo treatments ...
My oncologist timed my chemo infusions so that my "Chemo Crash" days always hit during the weekends, so that I could rest up on those weekends and rebound for the work week afterwards --- on those weekends, I REALLY drank a lot of water --- morning, noon, and through the night.
Even on those notorious "Chemo Crash" days that occur a few days after each infusion, I stubbornly did a bit of exercise --- even if my tail was dragging --- if nothing else, at least a walk around the block, if that's all I could muster. I did a bit of research and found that there IS something valuable in exercising during chemo --- first of all, it boosts your energy levels and spirits.
Second of all, exercise gets the heart pumping and the circulation going and then the perspiration rolling --- all healthy factors in getting the toxins out of your system.
Many of us here in the "Chemo Club" have also agreed that focusing more on fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, and fiber have made us feel better during chemo treatments --- a bit of research tells me that this helps the digestive tract do its work in cleansing out the toxins in your body after chemo treatments, too.
Some find that water with fresh lemon wedges or fresh lime wedges, herbal teas without any caffeine, and FRESH fruit blended into juice seemed to help their bodies rebound after each chemo infusion. Yep --- no substitute for that magic elixir, it seems ... WATER !
Last of all, hot water baths or showers are said to help open up pores, allowing perspiration to continue its work in taking the toxins away after chemo treatments.
So --- to sum it all up --- plenty of hydration, combined with exercise and healthy foods, seems to help the body rebound during a series of chemo treatments --- along with some healthy sweat and hot showers to open up the pores.
Wanted to reach out to you today, CADguy --- you've ALWAYS been a trusted comrade of mine here on the forum, since the "get-go" when we both joined about the same time --- we've had lots of common experiences over time, and I want you to know I am rooting for you and thinking about you, knowing that you are pursuing chemo treatments. You've got my unwavering support ...
Keep in touch --- I always follow your posts --- and thanks for being a loyal "Battle Brother" of mine, every step of the way, CADguy !
Handshake of friendship,
"Cyclone" From Iowa State