› Forums › General Melanoma Community › update on Will
- This topic has 10 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 2 months ago by
Lori C.
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- September 22, 2010 at 11:07 am
Will had his fourth round of Carboplatin & Taxol. I'm still nervously awaiting his brain scan (MRI) results. He had the scan at one hospital (local) and they were to fax the results to Rush (his treatment hospital). I thought it would be there yesterday but nada. He has not vomited in a week now, which is good. The fatigue remains serious. I talked to the chemo nurse about it and she thought that it might be in part from weakness and walking more might help. That makes sense as he has been somewhat resistant to doing much and has
Will had his fourth round of Carboplatin & Taxol. I'm still nervously awaiting his brain scan (MRI) results. He had the scan at one hospital (local) and they were to fax the results to Rush (his treatment hospital). I thought it would be there yesterday but nada. He has not vomited in a week now, which is good. The fatigue remains serious. I talked to the chemo nurse about it and she thought that it might be in part from weakness and walking more might help. That makes sense as he has been somewhat resistant to doing much and has indeed gotten weaker as a result.
In 3 weeks he has another CT scan to see how the chemo is going and if all is okay, 2 more rounds. No idea what might come next, though. I guess it depends on many variables. Prayers & good thoughts for the various scans much appreciated. I'm bringing him back to my house again today. It has become very difficult to care for him in his own place.
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- September 22, 2010 at 11:52 am
Lori,
How many days has Will been waiting for the brain MRI results? It's amazing to me that when someone is having a test like that due to side effects that they have to wait for the information! I'm glad that the oncologist went forward with the treatment.
Prayers and hugs are coming your way for good scans. Hope Will is able to build up his strength.
Linda
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- September 22, 2010 at 11:52 am
Lori,
How many days has Will been waiting for the brain MRI results? It's amazing to me that when someone is having a test like that due to side effects that they have to wait for the information! I'm glad that the oncologist went forward with the treatment.
Prayers and hugs are coming your way for good scans. Hope Will is able to build up his strength.
Linda
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- September 22, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Lori,
I tried a few medications trying to combat extreme fatigue. I have been on Ritalin for the past month and i has made a big difference. I am no longer sleeping 18 hours a day and down to ten. A side effect is that I am always hungry now, but in many situations that would be a good thing. When you have extreme fatigue, all excerise does is make you more tired. I frced myself to walk but really felt no benefit.
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- September 22, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Lori,
I tried a few medications trying to combat extreme fatigue. I have been on Ritalin for the past month and i has made a big difference. I am no longer sleeping 18 hours a day and down to ten. A side effect is that I am always hungry now, but in many situations that would be a good thing. When you have extreme fatigue, all excerise does is make you more tired. I frced myself to walk but really felt no benefit.
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- September 22, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Hi Lori,
Have they checked Will's red blood count lately? My friend David experienced severe fatigue after chemo when his red blood cell count dropped off. He had transfusions twice and this was most helpful in relieving the fatigue. Will might also start to feel better now that the vomiting has stopped. David was always more energetic when he was well hydrated and could enjoy a good meal. And I think you are right about walking. Try to keep him moving, going out for walks while the weather is still nice is a good idea. Good nutrition and exercise combat muscle weakness, and exercise causes the body to release norepinephrine, serotonin and endorphins which make us feel better.
Sending good thoughts your way. You are doing a great job, and I think that Will's response to his current treatment is reason for hope.
Best wishes,
Julie
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- September 22, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Thank you all. Will's hemoglobin was good yesterday so he didn't need more transfusions but before, it was low and he did. I will ask about ritalin. The fatigue is a definite issue.
He had the brain scan on Monday afternoon. I assume the delay may be because we had the scan at a local hospital and the treatment at Rush in Chicago, but how hard is it to fax results??? I am trying not to go nuts with anxiety. Will is eating and showing signs of appetite, fortunately, because that has been a problem (so maybe ritalin, if okay, would help that too).
Thank you for all your kind words. I love Will. I get very discouraged at times because people are often so very bleak about his prognosis and wonder why we are bothering to treat this, to continue to fight. Today my boss casually said, "the melanoma has spread to his liver? Oh, it won't be long then." (She has had in-situ mel. 3 times). I know she is speaking out of ignorance but it was very upsetting. Will has so much courage in fighting this disease; I want to support his efforts and not get completely disheartened.
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- September 22, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Thank you all. Will's hemoglobin was good yesterday so he didn't need more transfusions but before, it was low and he did. I will ask about ritalin. The fatigue is a definite issue.
He had the brain scan on Monday afternoon. I assume the delay may be because we had the scan at a local hospital and the treatment at Rush in Chicago, but how hard is it to fax results??? I am trying not to go nuts with anxiety. Will is eating and showing signs of appetite, fortunately, because that has been a problem (so maybe ritalin, if okay, would help that too).
Thank you for all your kind words. I love Will. I get very discouraged at times because people are often so very bleak about his prognosis and wonder why we are bothering to treat this, to continue to fight. Today my boss casually said, "the melanoma has spread to his liver? Oh, it won't be long then." (She has had in-situ mel. 3 times). I know she is speaking out of ignorance but it was very upsetting. Will has so much courage in fighting this disease; I want to support his efforts and not get completely disheartened.
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- September 22, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Hi Lori,
Have they checked Will's red blood count lately? My friend David experienced severe fatigue after chemo when his red blood cell count dropped off. He had transfusions twice and this was most helpful in relieving the fatigue. Will might also start to feel better now that the vomiting has stopped. David was always more energetic when he was well hydrated and could enjoy a good meal. And I think you are right about walking. Try to keep him moving, going out for walks while the weather is still nice is a good idea. Good nutrition and exercise combat muscle weakness, and exercise causes the body to release norepinephrine, serotonin and endorphins which make us feel better.
Sending good thoughts your way. You are doing a great job, and I think that Will's response to his current treatment is reason for hope.
Best wishes,
Julie
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