Always something to worry about...

[LemonDropsDreamToo]

I'm driving myself mad here, mum had her first chemo on Monday, and we prepared ourselves for a really rough week, apart from Monday night having been taken into hospital following a funny turn, my mums has been quite ok, feeling very tired and not quite right, but eating and resting in bed, I'm worrying myself sick thinking maybe the chemo isn't working which is why mums side effects aren't so bad? She's having chemo once every 3 weeks, and I'm worrying thinking why isn't it being given sooner... my minds been doing overtime this week, I really hope there's someone who can put my mind at rest.

[PegD]

It’s normal to worry in the beginning as this is a totally new experience for you and your Mum. Chemo side effects can be cumulative and you might notice that she might respond differently after each treatment. Most chemo treatments are given every three weeks. Personally, I had 23 rounds of chemo and no two were the same.

Wishing you and your Mum the best.

Peg

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

PegD has given you some great advice and insight. The effects are cumulative. The treatment is every 3 weeks because it is very hard on the system.

Chemo works because it kills fast growing cells a tiny bit faster than normals cells. It can’t distinguish between normal or cancer cell so it destroys the body’s fast growing cells like hair follicles, bone marrow which produces red and white blood cells, and taste buds. If the patient is not properly hydrated the chemo can build up in the kidneys and cause damage. The break gives the drugs time to work and the body time to recover.

During this time her immune system is highly compromised. For that reason they will do blood tests before each treatment. If her blood levels are too low they will wait a week and retest. If they’re still too low they’ll give a blood transfusion or a shot of a med that stimulates blood cell production. The chemo drugs have a half life in the system. They continue to work for several weeks or months after they’ve been given.

I hope that learning some of this brings you comfort. Knowledge is power.

[Stillbiking]

Every 3 weeks is quite the standard with some treatments. It gives time to kill off the nasty cancer cells and right when they want to regroup and start to reproduce you get another treatment. Best wishes to you and your mum!

[Feelingblessed2013]

You have already gotten some very sound advice, so all I can think to add is to make sure your mum is eating and drinking plenty of fluids.

Keep in touch.

[Steph60]

For me it was good that the chemo was 3 weeks apart since it allowed me to get as much any back as I could. I was nausea and fatigue, but after each round, I only had 4 rounds, the fatigue got worse. I talked to my oncologist about it and he said it was “normal” that the fatigue would get worse after each chemo treatment.

[Ncpoet]

I received treatment every three weeks. Your body needs that time between treatments to recoup. Side effects don’t really show up in the beginning. They are cumulative.

[JeanE41]

You have gotten some excellent advice and information. Take this one step at a time. Let us know how things are going.

Jean

[ynkefan08753]

I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this at all but be assured that it’s a good thing if she’s not getting sick from the chemo. The stronger she is, the easier it is to deal with the effects of the treatment. Not once did I get sick from the chemo (radiation is another story 🙄) and for that I’m grateful. No nausea, no vomiting. I waited for it but it never happened. It doesn’t mean it’s not working. It just means all the pre chemo steps they are taking are working. Good luck and God bless.