I’m getting near the end of chemo-radiotherapy. It’s the second time I’ve had to through it in the last five years - the last time was for anal cancer - and nothing really prepared me for how tough it has been. One more chemo to go (cisplatin and etoposide) and I’m starting to think about how best to get back on my feet to welcome in 2025 and celebrate getting my state pension in March!.
My main problems are fatigue, fitness levels at zero, regaining the weight I’ve lost and getting rid of that terrible metallic taste in my mouth. Any hints and tips very gratefully received.
Regards
Michael
Written by
Warham
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You have been through a lot over the last 5 years and will be relived to get your last chemo over with. Everyone’s journey to recovery is different, our bodies respond to treatment in different ways this also applies to recovery. Fatigue after treatment can last for a long while, energy levels will take a while to recover, it is important not to be too hard on yourself and to listen to your body.
The metallic taste in your mouth should lessen once your chemo is completed, some suggestions are using plastic cutlery using ceramic or glass pots for cooking, adding sauces to meals to increase the flavours. If your mouth is not sore stronger or tart flavours such as citrus lemon, orange etc.
Eating small meals and little and often and if needed supplements to increase your calories.
Macmillan have a lot of resources and booklets which cover the road to recovery you can view or download them here macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf...
It is not unusual to lose your self-confidence after treatment or feel anxious regarding the future Maggie's centre's have lots of resources including counselling services for patients after treatment is complete. maggies.org/
You are welcome to contact us if you would like to discuss anything on our ask the nurse service, 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email us at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org
I too have one more set of chemo to go. I completed radiation therapy already. I too have the metallic taste in my mouth. This time on chemo (carboplatin and eptopside) I felt fatigued whereas the last 2 cycles I didn't. Even with the steroids it's not making me hyper, I could sleep through anything. I would suggest a nap if you can with your treatment, Sleep is restorative. I have to have a nap at least the days following the last (3rd day) chemo day. As far as the metallic taste, it'll fade away after chemo is over. I ate sherbet ice cream and that helped me. Also thigh carb food will help one gain weight. There's healthy carbs one can do. As far as fitness, I just walk since I have neuropathy in my left arm and hand from stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (I have two primary cancers at the same time). The tumors were pressing on nerves and it looks like a permanent condition now for me. I tried physical therapy but it didn't do anything for the neuropathy. If you can lift gentle weights, those small dumbbells (I do stretching sometimes but no weight lifting). These are the things I have done for myself and maybe one or two suggestions might help you. I start immunotherapy, the drug imfinzi in November. Are you going to do immunotherapy after chemo/radiation?
It’s limited SC lung cancer so I’m hoping not to have to make a decision on immunotherapy. Thanks for the tips. I noticed that when things were really bad iced drinks were palatable so your ice cream idea is definitely one I’ll try.
I too have limited stage small cell lung cancer. So my oncologist wants to do the immunotherapy, she's going for a cure. I hope that that is fully possible.
another alternative for eating utensils is bamboo cutlery. Lemon drops helped me lessen the metal taste between meals.
Try making shakes with Boost or Endure and add some protein powder to it.
Walk a little bit every day. I would make myself walk around the inside of the house as much as I could. I used a rollator so I could sit when I needed to. I pushed myself a bit further each day. My chemoradiation with Cisplatin and etopicide was for NSCLC but the debilitating fatigue is the same.
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Treatment for small cell 
Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer
Small cell lung cancer 
