Coping with treatment and side effects

Hi thank you so much for sharing this with us. You are right, self talk and keeping a positive mindset is so important. Each day is a blessing! I am so glad that you have hobbies that make you feel good, even if it is tiring. Sending you lots of strength and peace. Jill (Team Member)

Thank you so much,Jill.
It's been a long road for me to get to this point. When I was in the hospital for the biopsy my lung collapsed. They kept me 4 nights. The tumor was now compressed against my esophagus and all I could do the whole time was throw up into the green bags. That was December 2022,
Chemo sucked, and after the four infusions over 12 weeks, my constipation turned into a painful bowel obstruction. I directed my friend to call 911.
In the ambulance they were grilling me about whether I was doing narcotics or opiates . I finally told them I was a chemo patient and the all put on masks and got very quiet.
In the hospital they gave me ice chips and IV painkillers. I left AMA. My same friend drove me home.
The following week a nurse from my primary care called and convinced me to go into hospice . I did. Stayed for two weeks. The entire team came to my house.
I let people know what I was doing, and a couple of them who love me, talked me out of it .
So, I called my oncologist and said I would start Keytruda. That was over two years ago.
And here I am 😀

Hi

Hope you are doing much better now, brother!

Of course, yes, chemo for lung cancer or any cancer for that matter – it's no walk in the park. It took me a while to adjust to the whole "hospital visit every few weeks, get pumped full of drugs" routine. But hey, gotta do what you gotta do, right? Especially when you're facing a beast like stage 3 lung cancer (Though it is easier said than done…)

Now, my chemo cocktail included a little something called Carbowel—a fancy name for some seriously potent stuff. My oncologist explained that it disrupts the cancer cells' growth, which sounded awesome. Yeah, it really is a very effective medication. However, the not-so-awesome part? The side effects.

Waking up in the morning and literally almost all day with a lingering feeling of nausea and vomiting was extremely tough to deal with (No amount of words can do justice to what I and you were feeling, bro). They'd show up right after, and let me tell you, it was a tumultuous time. Thankfully, my doctor wasn't about to let them crash the whole thing. They prescribed some anti-nausea meds that became my allies in this fight (seriously, those little pills deserve a medal!).

So, here's the thing: I learned the hard way how preparation is key. My biggest mistake in the beginning? Showing up to chemo with a rumbling stomach. Turns out, an empty belly is not your friend when these drugs are coursing through your system. So, I started listening to my body – small meals throughout the day, especially before treatment. It wasn't a feast, but it did the trick.

And fatigue? Oh boy, the fatigue…It was more like "Siestas All Day". Some days, just getting off the couch felt like climbing Mount Everest. Forget work; even simple tasks like making dinner felt like running a marathon. It was frustrating, but I also knew pushing myself wouldn't help. So, I embraced the art of the nap—short breaks here and there, maybe even a full-blown siesta in the afternoon. My body was working hard, extremely hard, to fight, and it needed ample and optimal rest.

In addition, eating became a bit of a negotiation with my body. Some days, everything smelled and tasted a bit...off. Bland foods became my lifeline. Toast, crackers, maybe some plain yogurt—that was my new culinary adventure. But hey, when pain doesn’t let you feel even hunger, sometimes even a bland bite of something is better than nothing.

There were good days, though. Days when I could actually enjoy a meal without the fear of it coming right back up. Those days became little victories, a reminder that even amidst the chemo, surgeries, and powerful medicines, there were still few moments of normalcy.

The whole experience was a lot to handle, mentally and emotionally. Luckily, I wasn't alone in this fight. My family and friends became my rock. They'd listen to my rants about fatigue, celebrate the good days (like that amazing bowl of soup I could actually enjoy!), and just be there. Talking it out, and venting those frustrations, made a world of difference.

There were moments when fear would creep in, the "what ifs" swirling in my head. That's when I found solace in online support groups. Connecting with others fighting similar battles, sharing experiences, and offering encouragement reminded me that I wasn't alone in this journey and there were people in worse situations out there fighting their own battles.

Look, chemo is tough. There's no sugarcoating it. But here's the thing: I'm still here. Still fighting. The side effects were a challenge, but I learned to manage them, to work with my body, and to find ways to feel a little more like myself again. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Some days are tougher than others, but each day is a step forward. And hey, if I can conquer the side effects of chemo, I can conquer just about anything, right?

I am here manifesting healing, peace, and growth for me and all of you. It is all about not giving up and staying in that race, even if you are barely walking, let alone sprinting.

This is just my story, and everyone's experience with chemo, just like yours, Rick, is different. If you're going through something similar, remember we are together in this. Talk to your doctor, find your support system, and most importantly, listen to your body.

Get well soon and emerge stronger, buddy!

Hi Tina Walker. Yes you're right, if you can stand up to chemo and beat back cancer, you're capable of anything!
God bless you and keep fighting.