CHEMO RAD

[PONDYMAN]

I'm about to start 5 weeks chemo rad and has anyone any tips for side affects?

[haward]

I suspect we're all different. Some have a bad time. Others tolerate the chemo quite well. My advice was to keep away from possible infection and I followed that. My white blood cell count collapsed for a couple of days late on in the sessions but recovered. I tended to sleep during the treatment; waking up and wheeling myself off to somewhere to relieve the pressure caused by all the liquid intake.

[Hidden]

Hi Pondyman

First good luck with your treatment. I had the same two and a half years ago. Yes there were side effects but the hospital were brilliant and managed them very well. The chemo is managed by the nurses and i was given anti sickness medicine. The dieticians came and saw me each week during the chemo session. They provided me with supplements when needed and useful advice. As the radiotherapy was daily I was also able to ask for a bit of advice from their support staff when a couple of issues arose. It is a daunting prospect and a bit hard when going through it but then suddenly its all done! I did feel rough at times but a couple of weeks afterwards I started to get better and took myself off on bit of a break before my surgery.

I found the chemo the worst but the journeys for radiotherapy tedious when I wanted to be at home.

So my advice is, ask for help if needed. Do what you can but rest if needed Enjoy your family and friends. Allow for disruptions to eating sleeping etc. If it gets tough remember it's necessary and doesn't last for ever! Treat yourself if you can to something a bit nice at times! Don't be shy about asking the hospital to support you I was given the dieticians number and a support nurse to phone if needed.

Here I am now back to all my normal worries . At the moment its about tackling the weeds in the garden. I now appreciate being exasperated by the usual things.

[PONDYMAN in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for such positive words .

[Npride]

Hi Pondyman, my hubby had both separately so I am not sure about together, however, radiation continues to work after you have finished, he was worst about three weeks in and when the sessions were over. Liquids and food are obviously really important and mine struggled with both ending up with a massive kidney stone blocking the urethra. Please take care.

[grandylynda]

I had chemoradio in june last year. I was given antisickness and steroids plus dietician saw me each week. I agree with others, do what you can, listen to your body and keep away from infections. Its summer so, if you cant sleep just get up and read or watch telly. Everyone is different and there is different chemo drugs. At the end of my treatment i still had all my hair, then it came out in handfulls till it was very thin. Hope all goes well