question concerning withdrawal

[onethatcares]

my wife is currently coming up on what we hope is her last round of chemo for cholangiacarcinoma. She has been on a regimen of one infusion every three weeks of cysplatin and a 4 pill a day zeloda consumption for 14 days, with a 7 day break in the routine. She also takes folic acid, dicyclomine, warfarin and when needed a anxiety reducer.

I'm wondering what withdrawal from these drugs might entail after she is finished with this. I understand that it will take a few weeks or more for the chemo head syndrome to fade but I am worried more about the physical aspect.

thanks again,

[ion_theory]

1. I'm a an oncology RN..

Just wanted to say that so you knew.

First off CONGRATS to the both of you. I say that because I know this has been an ordeal for you as well. Hoping it's her last round.

As far as what to expect after chemo, it can be alittle slow at first to get back to a normal state. Chemo-brain is a real thing IMO and can potentially last months after the last treatment. Cisplatin is a pretty rough drug, which mainly hurts the kidneys as I'm sure your Dr/RN told ya.

The kidneys are how the body filters out the stuff it doesn't need. What Cisplatin does is attach to the cancer cell and kick off atoms from the DNA of the cancer so it can't duplicate and grow. Then we now have atoms that need to be filtered out of the body, which (sort of) clogs the kidneys.
Always like to tell my patients what the drug is doing so they know why I'm telling them to do certain things and why they are so important.

She'll pretty much just need to do the same things during treatment. Small frequent meals and Hydrate Hydrate to make sure those kidneys filter out all this Cisplat. Also wash hands often and don't let kids climb all over her (full of bacteria and I'm sure her counts drop) As far as the rest, as long as the anti-anxiety was taken as prescribed the other drugs shouldn't be a problem stopping, unless there are factors I'm not aware of.

Hoped this helped. Let me know if u want more specific answers because every patient is different and unless I know a specific side effects she experienced all I can give is pretty much what u can find online. Chemocare.com is a great site I use for my patients. GOOD LUCK brother and I hope the bastard is gone forever.

[onethatcares]

2. thank you very much for responding.

august 10 will be her one year anniversary of diagnosis. We were hoping to hit a stretch where things were easier. She does hydrate hydrate, hydrate.

Specific answers right now aren't needed. She has an excellent oncologist and he's helped a lot. two months ago her counts dropped and she developed acute colitis, right now she's got a fever and we're waiting for her onc to call us back and make the call whether to take her to emergency or what.

again, thanks.

[enough]

3. Thanks to you and all wonderful caring nurses. You all are the

foundation of true health care, with all your knowledge and compassion. Not just in oncology, but every field and every day.

[ion_theory]

4. Thank you. And I agree,

my RNs don't get nearly enough credit for the work they put in.

[slipslidingaway]

6. The onclogy nurses are saints and deserve ever praise, and pay raise, that can be bestowed upon them

after many months and nurses we are so thankful for their care, encouraging words and acts of care that go well above their duties. Our last nurse after my husband's second allo transplant brought us ginger ale, orange juice, plastic champagne glasses on the day of discharge and then went on to hail a cab in NYC. I mention the fluff, but they were always right there checking in whenever needed and there with the needed meds right away.

Thank you so much for all you and your teammates do, there are not enough words to describe the role you play to recovery

[ion_theory]

7. That's actually a great idea with the champagne glasses.

Think I may have to steal that one. My usual gig is we roll out this red carpet and have a song we sing for everyone who doesn't mind getting the attention. Always have those patients you inevitably become closer with and try to do something more personal.

[slipslidingaway]

8. Borrow at will ...

this came about as it was a few weeks after the New Year and there were some extra plastic champagne glasses, plus at some point we had talked about normally having mimosa's for Christmas brunch instead of starting chemo. But she remembered, brought the glasses, ginger ale and OJ to celebrate. Chemo started on Christmas Day and first dose of transplant on New Year's Eve, trial of a fractionated transplant, the holidays were something to remember!

But the nurses were always right there and so attentive and caring, honestly the nurses are underpaid and underappreciated, thank you So Much for all that you and your fellow care givers do!!!

[slipslidingaway]

5. Hope you and your wife are doing well ...

I think the effects of certain chemo drugs linger, I can only point to the need to use protection for 6 months after a certain chemo drug, not one of the drugs you mentioned. These are powerful drugs, both physically and mentally, but I hope the transition will be smooth and not too inconvenient.

More importantly I hope these drugs were effective!!!