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Biochemo Experience
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Biochemo Experience

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  • Post
    • November 23, 2012 at 5:49 pm
    squirrell68
    Participant
      My brother John has just completed his 4th round of biochemo, so far (everything crossed) he has a good response to the treatment. He has developed vitiligo and experienced the usual side effects once he is home. My question to all those who have been through the treatment, is whether it is normal to have such a variation in the side effects during the treatment? Treatment one was tough, treatment two was a bit better, treatment three was loads better but treatment four was really tough again. Is this normal?

      My brother John has just completed his 4th round of biochemo, so far (everything crossed) he has a good response to the treatment. He has developed vitiligo and experienced the usual side effects once he is home. My question to all those who have been through the treatment, is whether it is normal to have such a variation in the side effects during the treatment? Treatment one was tough, treatment two was a bit better, treatment three was loads better but treatment four was really tough again. Is this normal?

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    • Replies
        • November 24, 2012 at 1:51 pm
        Phil S
        Participant
          I don’t think there really is a “normal” reaction when it comes to melanoma treatment, especially a very difficult one like biochemo. Everyone bodies and what they can tolerate are so different. But, its cumulative, especially the cisplatin, so I think Phil felt a like worse after his last two rounds. However, I learned never to read too much into how he was recuperating after each individual treatment, they set our goal at six rounds and he made. Just take one day at a time, when he isn’t felling well, let him get plenty of rest. Phil slept a lot, which was good for him. God bless, Valerie (Phil’s wife)
          • November 24, 2012 at 1:51 pm
          Phil S
          Participant
            I don’t think there really is a “normal” reaction when it comes to melanoma treatment, especially a very difficult one like biochemo. Everyone bodies and what they can tolerate are so different. But, its cumulative, especially the cisplatin, so I think Phil felt a like worse after his last two rounds. However, I learned never to read too much into how he was recuperating after each individual treatment, they set our goal at six rounds and he made. Just take one day at a time, when he isn’t felling well, let him get plenty of rest. Phil slept a lot, which was good for him. God bless, Valerie (Phil’s wife)
            • November 24, 2012 at 1:51 pm
            Phil S
            Participant
              I don’t think there really is a “normal” reaction when it comes to melanoma treatment, especially a very difficult one like biochemo. Everyone bodies and what they can tolerate are so different. But, its cumulative, especially the cisplatin, so I think Phil felt a like worse after his last two rounds. However, I learned never to read too much into how he was recuperating after each individual treatment, they set our goal at six rounds and he made. Just take one day at a time, when he isn’t felling well, let him get plenty of rest. Phil slept a lot, which was good for him. God bless, Valerie (Phil’s wife)
                • November 24, 2012 at 2:44 pm
                squirrell68
                Participant
                  Thank you Valerie, I think your advice makes sense, you can get hung up on what you read and then you end up worrying if it doesn’t match. I also think we need to encourage John to rest, he pushes himself hard and then gets down because he is so exhausted. All the best Tracey
                  • November 24, 2012 at 2:44 pm
                  squirrell68
                  Participant
                    Thank you Valerie, I think your advice makes sense, you can get hung up on what you read and then you end up worrying if it doesn’t match. I also think we need to encourage John to rest, he pushes himself hard and then gets down because he is so exhausted. All the best Tracey
                    • November 24, 2012 at 2:44 pm
                    squirrell68
                    Participant
                      Thank you Valerie, I think your advice makes sense, you can get hung up on what you read and then you end up worrying if it doesn’t match. I also think we need to encourage John to rest, he pushes himself hard and then gets down because he is so exhausted. All the best Tracey
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