Chemo: Not Going As Smoothly As We Hoped

Temodar is the chemotherapy drug of choice for brain tumors and is generally well tolerated compared to some other chemotherapy drugs. It's biggest side effect is nausea and vomiting with only 4% of people experiencing severe symptoms. Steve is on a relatively high dose of it at 180 mg based on his height and weight. He takes an anti-nausea pill before the Temodar. Terry said the first days went well with no side effects..... until after his second dose. Tuesday, Valentine's Day, when I talked to them at 7:00 PM, Steve had been nauseated most of the day and had only eaten a yogurt and an english muffin all day. He was also generating an excess amount of saliva which probably contributed to his upset stomach. He felt more tired than before and didn't exercise that day. He also is dealing with constipation problems thanks to the drugs. The Colace pill he takes every day isn't doing the trick just yet.

Today, Wednesday, Steve threw up in the afternoon, unfortunately just after walking on the treadmill (it can't be good for your motivation if vomiting is associated with exercise). Today he ate cereal for breakfast and a yogurt for lunch. Terry went to the store to buy some goodies to try to entice Steve to eat more, but he wasn't up to it yet. They called Dr. Hu today and he said to skip tonight's chemotherapy dose and to increase the Zofran, anti-nausea pill, up to three times a day as needed. He also is having Steve take Miralax for his constipation. He said Steve's system was reacting quickly to the Temodar. They are not scheduled to see Dr. Hu until March second.

I hope this passes quickly and Steve's system gets used to the new drug regime without any further nausea. It's so unpleasant to be nauseated, and then you don't eat, and then you don't have any energy. And then your body doesn't get enough fuel to keep working well to build antibodies to fight germs like pneumonia bacteria and tumor cells which might try to grow. Everybody send out your good vibes, prayers and wishes to help eliminate nausea.

Steve said the radiation is quite easy. He goes in to the clinic Monday through Friday around 10:30 or 10:45 in the morning and lies down on a table. The technician places the form fitted, hard mesh mask with solid eyes, nose and mouth parts over his face and fastens it to the table. Steve closes his eyes and relaxes. He hears a low noise as the machine moves from left to right, then top to bottom. It seems bright through his closed eyes. He doesn't feel anything. Then he is done in about seven or eight minutes. They unfasten the mask and he leaves.

If only the chemo was so easy.