What to expect?

[sad1]

Hi, Everyone,

My mum had her 1st session of standard chemo carbol/taxol yesterday and i was just wondering what to expect as our meeting with the consultant on Monday terrified the life out of her with all the symptons?

[TrishLey]

Hi there. They have to give you a list of the full symptoms so you are informed properly. However not everyone gets everything and to some degree they can be more or less severe for different people. For example in my case I was never sick or had any bowel problems. I lost my hair but nearly everyone does on Taxol. I made sure to drink plenty of water and eat small amounts as often as I wanted to. I was really tired around 2-3 days after the chemo so spent a couple of days in bed watching movies and reading. I was more careful around people with colds etc but I still went out when I felt like it. After a couple of sessions I did get leg and joint pain but a painkiller took care of it. We are all different and react differently to the treatment. Try to get your mum to relax and focus on the chemo helping her. Strangely for all its side effects for most people chemo is a friend in my case an old friend. I hope this helps you can PM me or message here if you have any other questions for me. xxx Trish

[sad1]

Thanks Trish for your reply. My mum's been in great form but after reading all the stuff about chemo its a bit scary waiting to see how its going to effect her and when. Thanks again. Roisin xx

[TrishLey]

Hi Roisin. Your Mum sounds like a wonderfully positive and strong person and you sound like an amazing daughter. If you both can try, do not focus on things that may not happen at all and even if they do she will cope with them better than she thinks. My thoughts are with you both xx Trish

[Hidden]

We're all different and some sail through chemo whereas others don't.... who can say which we are? Always assume the best is my philosophy!

Carbotaxol was my 3rd chemo "menu" and of the 3 - for me - by the far the best.

Actually the thing I find really a problem is the anti-sickness meds....

Trish's advice is excellent.

I found epsom salt baths were good for the pains if your mum gets them.

Welcome to the site - you'll find it a source of wise support and experience!

Best wishes to you and your mum

[sad1]

Thank you both. I do my best to keep positive but some days its just so hard. You are all an inspiration on this site and only for it I don't know how I would get through this, its the only thing that gives me hope that we will.

Love & Best Wishes, Roisin xxx

[nicstoj]

Hi. My mom just had her third session of carbo/taxol on Monday. As of Wednesday she is tired and achy but in good spirits. She lost her hair a couple of weeks after the first session and was tired, a little more after the second, but still nowhere near as bad as we thought. The possible side effects are terrifying when you read them but the reality has been different for my mom. A good positive attitude can do wonders too as well as a bit of pampering! Please get in touch if you need a bit of moral support from a daughter's point of view xxx

[sad1 in reply to nicstoj]

Thank you for you reply. I am hoping and praying it won't be near as bad as we expect too!! If I can ever be of help or support to you please do send me a message and we'll get through it together xo

[fluffycloud]

Hi, I used to have my chemo on a Friday, and on the Saturaday I felt like I could paint the house, that was the steroids, by the Monday I gradually got more more tired and achy and then on Wednesday that was when I went down with a bump but by Friday I would slowly pick up and begin to feel reasonably well again.I found in my case they seemed to be a pattern.I was fortunate not to suffer any sickness but was very constipated for several days which eventually resolved itself with Movicol and prunes etc. While on the chemo I drank a lot of water and I feel this helped me. Hope you Mum feels better soon , take care of yourself too. Love Pam x

[daisies]

Hello. I can understand the shock the initial news gives someone, and then we are inundated with information /leaflet sheets/booklets and advice.... overload info sometimes, but the worst case scenario must be shown always. Often it is as treatment continues that side effects become more obvious... like fatigue, constipation and sometimes, joint pains and nausea. We all react differently. I would agree with Trishley about the delay of about 3 days before any side effects kick in. But eating small amounts of food and drinking plenty of water helps. Best wishes to your Mother, and of course yourself, as you cope with the treatments. I am just home from my treatment of Avastin, which works as a maintenance drug, so I always take it easy for a few hours, and I don't feel a bit guilty about doing nothing. Daisies

[Hidden]

Well they say everyone is different and react differently to the treatments. Your Mum may lose her hair so perhaps investigate best place to find a hair piece. I would also advise you to contact a local Cancer Support Centre, if in Ireland, it could be Arc Cancer Support house, you get free confidential counselling for your Mum and yourself and also light massage such as reflexology and they do Tai Chi. It would also be good to make an appt with your Mums gynae liason nurse if she has one. Also the nurses in the oncology units are just fantastic. I would suggest that you try and get your Mum to eat small amounts such as crackers and bovril and take plenty of fluids. I would find that my body would slump and then make up for what I hadnt eaten after a few days. If anti nausea doesnt work, there is always something stronger to get. Here in Cork we are free to ring oncology team on duty if we run into problems. I had to the first carbo taxol and the doctor kindly rang a stronger anti nausea prescription to my chemist. I find sucking strong mints helped with the nausea too.

[sad1]

Ladies thank you all for your kind words and advice. So far mum has been in good form apart from a bit hot at times and a wee bit achy but nothing too bad as yet!! We have read and heard about the side effects but weren't really sure when they would kick in. I have been telling her what you have all said and we both find great comfort from your replies. Thank you all so much. xxx