Hello there
My husband was diagnosed on 2 October with a tumour just above the stomach. He was 72, very fit and has never smoked or had acid reflux. He hardly drinks alcohol. At first the doctor mentioned an operation but subsequent tests showed the cancer is in the lymph nodes so he was offered chemotherapy.
He had oxaliplatin by infusion and capecitabine tablets but could not tolerate the nausea. He couldn't eat or keep water down and spent five days in hospital. The second chemo was Folfox and is intended to be six cycles of two weeks. Oxaliplatin by infusion and a pump for 46 hours. He has a PICC line in his arm. This second cycle caused ulcerated mouth and thrush and again he couldn't eat and spent five days in hospital. The next chemo was delayed for two weeks as he had zero white cell count. On Friday he had another infusion and pump and so far is fine. They reduced the chemo to 80% and we are hoping this will mean the side effects are easier but we also have lots of mouth medicine if the ulcers start again. Fingers crossed.
My husband has lost his hair and it surprised my how aging that was. He wears a bandana in the house and a beanie when we go out. That means he looks like himself but thinner as he has lost weight. The chemo must have shrunk the tumour as he is able to eat almost normally at present.
I am wondering if there are people going through the same experience or have been recently. What can we expect was the chemo goes on? Does it get easier?
