Can you offer any advice on what has helped with getting through treatment?
Hello everyone, Starting chemo on Mond... - My Cancer Community
Hello everyone, Starting chemo on Monday! Feeling really quite scared!
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Mitch11
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Hello there, yes I can but do not want to rush and off to work in a jiffy, will put together my guide to survive for you when back again! Sorry to hear you have to go through this but want to tell you that time seems to go fast forward through treatment and you will soon be out the other side. Biggest help? Stay positive, easier said than done I know but the biggest thing you can do to help yourself. S xxx
Hi there,
Don't think there is a right or wrong way to cope its more a question of what works for you. People respond differently and you won't know how it will be for you until it starts so the waiting, as always, is the hardest part. Presumably your hospital will have given you info on possible responses but really it's all an unknown until
Monday. It's sounds trite but if you can try to stay mentally calm, trust that you are being looked after, let the process happen, that will reduce any physical tension. Chemotherapy is a strange business and in a way you are your own expert in establishing what will support you best, apart from the obvious stuff about anti emetics etc. I wish you well, take heart, many have travelled the same road.
Hi there,
All I can say is a repeat of what has already been said - stay positive and as calm as you can be. I had 12 cycles of chemo for colon cancer two years ago and am in the middle of chemo for breast cancer at the moment. Every person reacts differently to their drugs and every cancer has different drugs dependant on the nature of their cancer. The chemo days themselves tend to be long and boring. The after effects can be totally debilitating or resonably easy to live with. Do be totally honest with the oncology team when you see them for cycle two. You need to tell them about any small changes in you, even if you think you can explain them. You are the only one who can detect these changes. I had what I thought was problems from wearing shoes that had previously been fine making my feet hurt as though they were too tight. I thought it was because my feet were a bit swollen, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. It was a sign of nerve damage, which has resulted in me having peripheral neuropathy which at 18 months after the end of treamtent is showing no signs of improvement.
Try to do as much as you can without overtiring yourself. Try to keep to your old routine if you can. Seeing friends (without bugs) really lifts the spirits. I was recommended to try to get out for some light physical exercise each day and I have to say on the days when I make the time to do it I feel much better.
I do hope everything goes well for you.
Patsy3cats
Thank you and I wish you all the best with your journey. Best wishes Mitch
Hi Mitch11,
Welcome to our online community. There is support for you out there, through us here at Penny Brohn Cancer Care and many other organisations.
If you'd like to talk things through, find out about our services or other organisations that can support you, please contact our helpline (weekdays 9.30 - 5pm) on 0845 123 2310.
Our website has lots of information also pennybrohncancercare.org
Very best wishes Penny Brohn Cancer Care
Dear Mitch 11 - If you are in the Bristol area, you can come to our Treatment Support Clinic, held here at our national centre in Pill every monday morning. It includes information and advice from our Doctor and from visiting specialists, guided relaxation, gentle exercise and optional acupuncture sessions. There is time for questions and support and sharing with others going through the same thing. You can book in for the days you can make - no need to come every week. Supporters welcome too. Next one is January 6th.
If you can't make it here, are the ways you can bring relaxation and gentle physical activity into your life? Some people do find acupuncture helpful to manage symptoms - check with your oncologist and make sure any therapists you see are properly registered.
Most important of all - be kind with yourself!
Good luck and good wishes!
Sarah
Thank you Sarah. I will try as it sounds good. My chemo session are on a Monday as well as the follow up in clinic. Best wishes
Hi Mitch 11, how did it go on Monday? Very much hope better than expected! We were thinking if you. BM xx
Hello there, thank you for asking. It went OK,much less traumatic than I thought it would be.
Not feeling too good today, but that I know us to be expected. Just taking it a day at a time!..hoping tomorrow will be better☺☺
The support means a lot thank you again! Mitch11 xx
Dear Mitch 11...I am thinking of you and sending healing thoughts. I have not had chemo but I have heard positive things about it Have faith and trust the process.
Love of love and good wishes
Jean
Hello! Have read the other posts and agree, you are the only one that can feel the changes that may come with chemo. All the side effects can be helped, I found so please do discus them with your team. For me it brought constipation for the week after, easily sorted with senocote tabs, wish I had known that from the start! Found a mouth gel fab for dry sore mouth, loved my silk pillow cases, easy on itchy head after hair loss, also loved my Hip Headware night cap (bald is cold!) and snug scarves. Handy having Galvistan or something for indigestion in the cupboard, my poor husband went to 24 hour supermarket at 3 in the morning and -5 degrees! My talking ear themomiter was my new best friend and savedy bacon by warning of an infection I had and getting me heading for A&E sooner rather than later. Mitch 11, very best of luck with your treatment, keep your eye to the horizon and yourself as upbeat as you can. BM xx
Thank you all for the support and encouragement! And all the helpful tips. I feel stronger for it. I will try and get to the treatment support clinic on the 2nd or 3rd week after chemo as it sounds really good. See u on the other side! ☺
Dear Mitch 11
You have been in my prayers today as you have your chemo. I agree with everyone's comments above. Everyone is unique and reacts in varying degrees. The hospital in Bristol, especially the nurses, were fabulous and I felt I could be honest there. Penny Brohn centre and helpline are FANTASTIC! Do use them. There is also a community group at Penny Brohn that meets regularly. Make sure you have someone you can trust to speak plainly and honestly, this helped me as I did not feel I could talk to family- too close, too emotional.
Best of luck. I am happy to share and chat over the phone if you want to ask direct questions.
Hello there, thank you for your prayers and advise. The first chemo went OK, yesterday was OK,but today I am not feeling very well, but hoping tomorrow will be better. I'm seeing the psychologist at the oncology centre. I will be hoping to access the treatment support clinic at Penny Brohn centre in Feb. Thanks again!!!