January 3rd 2006 Chemo Begins…

Nutrition Notes:

No fresh fruits or vegetables (i.e. salads); no Chinese food, Thai food, stir fry, no sushi

Food must be fully cooked

OK for small cans of fruits, applesauce, Jell-O, juices (pasteurized) – little containers. Anything that is processed is usually ok.

All milks and juices must be pasteurized

What about cooked shrimp – this is OK

Be careful on fresh fruits and vegetables – bacteria we are not familiar with – stay away for three months – gradually introduced after three weeks.

Chemo impacts from mouth to bum – cold is better than warm. Pills start on Thursday – four different anti-nausea and vomiting meds.

This week will be OK; next week and week after will be feeling the worst.

Imodium AD – pick up at Target

Pick up pill box at Target

Don’t start Imodium until after a stool sample is collected. Ask for collection tools later.

Other Notes:

Day +8 Fatigue really kicks in – fluid can be high – BP can be a concern – watch for light headed feeling. Will be a balancing along the way the amount of Lasix.

Day +9 Cells start to come back – start to feel better / different. Day +14 Could be every other day and be based from home. Can’t promise anything, but this seems reasonable right now.

Recovery at home is the biggest challenge – fatigue from laying around. Recovery from chemo – a good three months is what your body needs. Be patient with yourself.

Contact with “The Others”:

Hand washing is important – If anyone has coughs, colds, stay away – keep 3′ of distance away from infected person(s);

Masks? Yes, where one at home in same room with Tom and where one in public – this is for three months. Kate will get some.

Medication Notes:

Stop Lipitor; Continue with all other medicines; including penicillin

Start following additional medication list from Kate

Oral Care:

Mouth care is important – make fresh baking soda rinse each day

The toothpaste that dentist gave – yes, this is OK.

Dry taste may last for several weeks – do not floss!

In Patient Stay

Kate will note that blood draws will be done by her – George will be in 7 North.