Chemo

I am due 6 cycles of chemo in 3 weeks.

Carboplatin

Paclitaxel

Any tips to get through it? Really worried. Sarah

[HogwartsDK]

Hey Sarah!

First of all the waiting is definately the worst! When you get started it don't seem nearly as bad! You will get loads of advice here as almost everyone will have gone through that particular course of Chemo! I am 11 weeks out the other side and getting on great!

There are a few things that I found important though each person's experience is different! Drink loads of water particularly day before, day of and a couple of days after! It really helps with your digestive system. I found problems with my digestion the most difficult I wasn't sick but the antisickness Meds played havoc with my digestion! I got them changed so if you are having trouble tell the chemo nurses and they will help by changing the Meds!

Infusion day can be a long one so bring mags book or ipad with movies! I used to bring a spring water spritzer spray as the ward always got very hot and it was lovely to cool down your face with. I found day 4-7 the worst I was very tired but not sleeping properly and my appetite wasn't great! But you do come out the other side. On a 3 week cycle it usually worked out one bad week, one ok week and one good enough week!

I am going to stop going on now! Others will give you other tips to help!

I wish you the very best of luck it's a hard road but very doable and you will get there!!!

Onwards and Upwards!

Dx

[Hidden]

Good advice already and use the search box top right (it doesn't work too well as you have to press the enter key) to find loads more.

My top tip: don't assume it's going to be terrible. Chemo gets a historically bad press from the days when it was a sledge hammer; we're all different and react differently.

I've had four different chemos and only one of them was really hard to get through. The others were quite tolerable.

Good luckx

[lesleysage]

Morning Sarah,

Good advice already and I'd only add to be honest with nurses and docs about any difficulties you are experiencing as the aim is to treat you, not to stress you. Nurses, GP and oncologist all helped with suggestions and alternative meds for side effects and you'll get other suggestioons form here too.

It all boils down to being kind and compassionate to yourself and those closest to you who will be finding this disease as distressing to them in their own way, as you are finding it for yourself. It wasn't always easy at the start but 'practice does make perfect'...well not quite perfect but much more a natural part of how you are...at least that's what we found.

Take care andI know you'll keep loving your life and those who share it with you.

Warmest good wishes,

Lesley

[thesilent1]

Hi Sarah, I'm going through the same treatment at present, heading for number 5 of 6. My tips,

1) wear leggings or similar, makes it easier when having to go to the loo attached to the drip stand.

2) eat pineapple to take away the metallic taste that you will get.

3) drink lots, don't let yourself become constipated.

4) I tend to get cold when having chemo, I take a little throw with me but you can ask for a blanket.

5) get plenty of rest, but do take a little walk every day.

6) contact your 24 hr helpline if you have side effects that you cannot get on top of, eg, pain, sickness. They are there to help you so don't try dealing with it yourself.

7) make sure you take the steroids early in the day, before 2pm, otherwise you won't be able to sleep.

Once you get your first one over you, you will know what to expect and it won't be so daunting for you. Keep in touch with us on the forum and we will support you. All the best. Ann x

[January-2016-UK]

Apart from the other good advice here, I'd suggest taking ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones in case your chemo ward has a loud radio broadcasting on a station which irritates you. There are also quite a few beeps going off to draw the nurses' attention to either a blockage or that a cycle has finished and the headphones help cut that out. I find I get very cold on the ward so wear some layers and take a pair of gloves. Also, if you like the idea of taking your shoes off while reclining on the reclining chairs, make sure they are of a style you can quickly get back on, for you will surely want to spend a penny very quickly with all the saline solution being pumped into you. Not very easy if you have to spend time doing up laces.....

[ValB2 in reply to January-2016-UK]

Or take slippers with you

[valeriel]

Great tips for managing chemo already. I would just add that my husband came with me but was there and then went off into town, sat with me for a bit, then he sat out on the balcony and read his newspaper, back for a chat and then off again and this seemed to help. I also planned my pre-chemo preparation like preparing for a military exercise. My dentist was very good and made sure my oral health was spot on as I wouldn't be able to have any treatments during chemo. He prescribed toothpaste and a mouthwash to see me through. I bought baby shampoo to wash my hair and a large pot of E45 to protect my skin. The staff were very caring but very, very busy so the more independent you can be the better. Loads of delays for me with low bloods but can through it and on week 3 just before the next dose manage 9 holes of golf! Good luck with the treatment - we can all vouch for the fact that it isn't pleasant but doable. xx

[Steghart]

All of the above, my ward was boiling so lots of layers! Also for aches in bones/muscles used Epsom or dead sea salts twice a week, also helps with magnesium levels, a whole bag twice a week whenever you feel achy. Also try to get out and walkeven if only for five minutes, really helps. I've managed to walk my dipping every day throughout chemo. Accupuncture helps hot flushes from Taxol. Good luck xx

[Steghart]

dog,!

[GBIRVMIC]

Hi Sarah I've just finished 6 cycles so here's my tips for you.. chemo makes you constipated so plan ahead! I eat Allbran for breakfast a week before. Buy some sachets of Laxido and start drinking them a few days before (1per day) on day of chemo drink one in the morning and one before bedtime. You'll find yourself not sleeping due to the steroids ask for sleeping tablets.. I needed them! Drink loads of water too. Other than that I found the side-effects ok. Take a good book, Kindle and if you can have someone sit with you. I also took a packed lunch but hospital does give you a sandwich I just prefer my own! Wishing you loads of luck and blog how you got on. Love Michelle xx

[Hidden]

You ladies are just so helpful. Thank you. 😃

I have made notes of all your advice and compiled a shopping list of things to buy now before it starts. So useful.

You should all get together and right a book!! Sadly none of this advice is given out by the hospital. I am so glad I found this forum. I have had more information and help from all you ladies than anywhere else. Without it I would just be bumbling along.

Hair cut short today. I keep looking in the mirror. But feel it's a good thing as it feels like on the next step of recovery.

Thank you all again. Xx

[Barlow1951]

The only thing I would add is don't ignore side effects but tell your oncologist or specialist nurse as they can always give you something to help. If your feet or fingers start to feel numb or tingle it is really important to tell someone as they can reduce the dose without affecting the outcome.

Hope the chemo will go as well as possible.

Best wishes,

Barbara

[ChuyB]

I did the same treatment last year. My suggestions are comfy clothes and warm fuzzy non-slip socks so you don't have to put on your shoes if you have to get up in the middle of infusion. I also took an eye mask to block out the light. They want you to sleep thru it. I had a small "go" bag so everything was always packed and I didn't have to think about what I was taking.

Like others have mentioned, talk to your team about any issues you are having. There are lots of different meds to help. And the infusion nurses have seen it all so they are an amazing resource for the day-to-day tips and tricks.

Good luck! You'll be amazing!!!

[ellseybellsey]

Sarah

Dx said exactly how I feel after chemo, I've just had my third cycle of. Taxol / Carbo and now waiting on my surgery. Week1 I struggle week 2 ok and after my second cycle week3 I felt quite good and the best thing was I hardly had any cancer pain.

Hope all goes well with your treatment plan, remember we are always with you.

Ellseybellsey xx

[Bonnie11]

Just to emphasise the issue with constipation. I got into really bad trouble but managed to resolve without hospitalisation. I am hyper vigilant now and find the milled linseed (aldi) 30g A day did the trick for me. Good luck .

[AnnmasonKey]

You will have some hard times. I do not tell you this to frighten you, but my hope is to help by being realistic about what may come. This is simply part of the whole; I say this so you will not be caught off guard, and to say others have been there.

There is nothing you will experience that the doctors and nurses haven`t seen and successfully treated before, so rest in that assurance. My experience is that they sometimes simply forget to mention all possibilities of what you may feel with certain medicines or procedures.

I would like to have been told that pain in the chest could be gas, and making oneself belch will relieve it. I thought it could be a blood clot, but eventually learned to get rid of the gas before heading to the ER.

Also, ask side effects from all medications given for whatever reason; especially Neoprin (?) which has discomforting, unexpected pain if it is working.

You will have a stronger reaction to the Carbo than Taxol, expect it. But ask, ask, ask. Join a support group. Get a case manager.

And, if it is available where you live, get medical marijuana for the chemo side affects; lack of appetite, anxiety, discomfort.

Most of all, know you are not alone. You are on a well traveled path with many people waiting to help you.

[Hidden]

Wishing you all the best, lots of good advise as usual, this forum is great!!

I used to have nice hot baths and hot water bottles for achy bones after treatment, it just helped to ease the pain. Can't express the importance of drinking water and keeping hydrated it helps in so many ways. If you are having a cannula in your hands, keep your hands warm, I used to wear thermal gloves when travelling to the hospital as the veins are more prominent. When you have a not so good day rest, watch DVDs etc be kind to yourself and don't push yourself too much, exercise is good but on those days just take it easy.

Let us know how you are doing

Karen

Xx

[111173]

I went through the same regime in 2014 and after surgery and another cycle of carbo and Caelyx, I'm still here and enjoying life. Watched my Grandson win a gold medal at his school sports day today. The only other - purely cosmetic advice - I would give, I had my eyebrows tattooed while I still had them and it was one of my better ideas! I also had my hair cut very short and sorted a fantastic wig before I needed it. Best of luck, you will be fine. Positive thinking is my motto.

Lynne