I am writing because my sister is having great difficulty with her chemo. She was diagnosed with stage 4 espohageal cancer and has completed two courses of chemo. The third is supposed to begin tomorrow. Her chemo has been including Decadron as a steroid. It has an amazing positive impact at first, but then about 1 week after the steroids have been given, she is experiencing severe diarrhea, belly pains (waves), inability to sleep, and irritability. After her first chemotherapy course, with these symptoms, they gave her infusions including more Decadron during week 2 to help her. And after her second course, they did additional infusions during week one, but week two they offered northing. I am afraid for her as when she is in these low points, she is si miserable, feels utterly out of control and helpless. Have others experienced this? Does this get better over time? Or is this just part of the cycle every time you are given Decadron? Experiences and advice are appreciated.
