Husband's Cancer

Just started his 3rd round of chemo today, colon with mets to lungs and
lymph nodes in trunk. Dr. is surprised has to how good he is doing. After
the 1st round had 15% shrinkage. She didn't say today what percentage of
shrinkage but all the tumors are shrinking. Cancer markers in June was 179,
in September 119, 2 weeks ago they are 18.2. We have something to celebrate
tomorrow. I know there is no cure but I do think they are buying him more
time. So far the chemo hasn't knocked him too much. More tired, rests more
but still working majority of the time. Outside of treatments and tests I
think he has missed 4 days since he started chemo. Even managed to gain 4
pounds the last 2 weeks. The Dr. is hearing wheezing in his lungs. Is there
anything I can do at home to help this? Hope everyone has a Happy
Thanksgiving. Sorry about your uncle J.

I have mesothelioma and suffered badly from lung congestion , I find it is
relieved greatly by using a Ventolin Puffer three times a day and Half a
Prednisolone tablet 15mg every morning. The things which make my lungs more
congested are in order of worst. 1. Cigarette Smoke from any sauce .2. Fly
Spray in any form. 3. Aspirin , more than one per day causes more congestion
and requires more Ventolin to relive. 4. Stay indoors on Hot Dusty Days or
when pollen levels are high. 5. Motor Vehicle Exhaust Smoke as I live next
to the Highway. My breathing has become much easier and coughing of Phlegm
has almost stopped, making sleep at night much easier, I do hope my advice
helps in some way. I am still waiting for Chemo to begin Hopefully with
Alimpta.

--------------------------------------

Robin at Crystal Brook. S.Australia

Gloria Koshinski wrote:

> Just started his 3rd round of chemo today, colon with mets to lungs and
> lymph nodes in trunk. Dr. is surprised has to how good he is doing. After
> the 1st round had 15% shrinkage. She didn't say today what percentage of
> shrinkage but all the tumors are shrinking. Cancer markers in June was 179,
> in September 119, 2 weeks ago they are 18.2. We have something to celebrate
> tomorrow. I know there is no cure but I do think they are buying him more
> time. So far the chemo hasn't knocked him too much. More tired, rests more
> but still working majority of the time. Outside of treatments and tests I
> think he has missed 4 days since he started chemo. Even managed to gain 4
> pounds the last 2 weeks. The Dr. is hearing wheezing in his lungs. Is there
> anything I can do at home to help this? Hope everyone has a Happy
> Thanksgiving. Sorry about your uncle J.

Thank you, Gloria.
Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Some places say to have a fan blowing nearby to help breathing.
Some heating and cooling thermostats have a switch for "fan - always on".
It costs more, but what it's supposed to do is a) bring in fresh air more
frequently (if the air outside isn't near a busy traffic area) and
b) have the air filtered through the filter on the furnace or A/c more
frequently, so there's less dust and irritants (floating around the room).
There's often lots of irritants at work.
Most hospitals and doctor's offices are very clean (air).
Some offices have machines (printers and photocopiers) too close to personnel.
Lot of paper = paper dust
Cleaning personnel comes in after hours ; some don't do their jobs well
(vacuuming carpets).
Black mold can cause breathing and other problems. Sometimes hidden under or
behind clutter.
"Return vents" (often in the ceiling) are not regularly cleaned out.
Some printers and photocopiers have ozone filters and if they're blocked and
nobody orders up a new one to replace, can cause breathing irritations.
Sometmes sleuthing out sources of irritants can help, but I can't cover
everything, not being there.
Maybe he needs an expectorant - to help clear (cough) phlegm out?
There's some OTC's at the drug store (OTC = over the counter, not prescription).

Get a liist of some but check with doctor before trying.

Might just be the cancer.
I hope you have a good day today and many more good tomorrows.
J