Thank you so much for all the kind replies

[yellowtulip55]

I haven´t been able to visit the forum over the last two weeks as my husband had now had his first chemotherapy treatment. I wanted to say a big thank you to all the kind replies to my first posts. I really appreciated all the support and kindness in what is a difficult time. We are now nearly two weeks into the first cycle of treatment and there have been ups and downs. The first couple of days my husband seemed okay (if a little tired - which is very understandable). Since then he has had good days and days where he has been exhausted and quite down in the mouth. We didn´t really know what to expect as everyone can react differently. I feel quite inadequate in so many ways as apart from doing practical things and just ´being there´ I hate to see him going through this. We have been out walking most days (not a lot more we can do during a ´lock down´) and Face Timing with friends and family and trying to do lots of gentle but positive things so this certainly helps when he feels up to a chat or exercise. I guess - like most people in the same position - we all go along and try to remain positive and meet each ´dip´ as it happens. I just wanted to say again - thank you for all the people who responded to my posts on the forum and how grateful I am. Even in the worst times there is so much kindness and thoughtfulness from so many.

[flatterycat]

What a lovely, positive post. My mum found the fatigue was her biggest (and worst) side effect of treatment. She accepted it eventually and instead of fighting against it, recognised that her immune system was taking a bit of a battering and she needed to listen to her body. She has found incorporating little breaks throughout the day helps, even though she’s still working (albeit from home!) I hope your husband continues to have more positive days and that he gets a good response to treatment.

Sarah x

[simlut]

I’m so glad your husband has started treatment and is doing ok. Focus on the good days and that the treatment is doing it’s job which is why you have some bad days. When my dad lost his lovely thick hair I said well at least that means the treatment is working.Hopefully with this vaccine for Covid we can all start seeing more people and getting out more.

I keep saying to my dad well everyone’s stuck in so you aren’t missing much.

Sending prayers for your husband to have minimal side effects. Stay positive and look after each other xxx

[JanetteR57]

Thanks for posting your experiences - so important to realise that as we start to deal with the reality of treatment, we can do different things to support our loves ones or ourselves.... recognising there are ups and downs and that every day is a new beginning is a good start on what can be a long journey, but your positive and realistic attitude I'm sure will give you strength. You may find the book 'what can I do to help? by Deborah Hutton helpful - filled with hints and tips from many different people who've had or supported those with cancer. Its author had lung cancer. good luck and hope he responds well to the treatment.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello yellowtulip, I am so pleased to hear that this forum has been a support to you in what must have been a difficult time. During chemotherapy treatment there will be up and downs and just by you staying positive this will be a great support for your husband and as you have said meet and deal with each dip in the road as it comes along.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discuss anything, either by email at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200- Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Sixtygirl]

Hi sorry to hear of your husband is cancer and hope he is improving with chemotherapy treatment. I myself started my first chemotherapy this week and found that that I'm really tired and very weak I'm having good days as well as the bad but finding it hard to communicate with my husband who is looking after me I seem to be snapping at him which is not like me so I m finding it hard enough as it is. So I've decided I need to go to a positive place and be more grateful for the love and care I get.. Instead of moping I think each and every one of us is going through different ordeals and this illness is one of the worst we have to endure. Sending positive messages to everybody keep strong and may we all stay together. And sending you loads of hugs x