Hey everyone, this is my first post here! I am posting in relation to my mum (who is grateful for the support and guidance on this forum and is finding it very useful) who has recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had a complicated debulking surgery but is now recovering well from that and is due for an oncologist appointment next week to arrange chemo.
So far her surgeon has said surgery went well and she got everything out, but she will need to start chemo asap for any leftover.
Obviously, you never imagine this happening to you and this has been extremely hard to deal with and has just seemed to be non-stop since surgery four weeks ago. I am at uni and have a part-time job, and am travelling back and forth to home during weekdays to be here to help recovery and will be home for the chemo appointments so it is a lot to deal with atm. My mum is terrified of the chemo but knows it is for the best and hopefully should just be a rough few months then hopefully all clear if it is successful. Does anyone have any advice for treatment ie, things to bring for her or help/tips for recovering at home between treatments?
Thanks for reading and for any help
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Ripley9696
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I had chemo last year for 6 sessions once every 3 weeks.
When your mum goes to the loo during her chemo sessions she will find it easier to wear easy to pull down trousers/leggings etc because she will have a cannula in one hand. I took in an iPad and reading material. Sandwiches were provided at my oncology department for lunch with unlimited hot drinks. You can bring in your own food/drink. Best to double check what type of food/drinks are available at your mum's oncology dept.
I had constipation during my Week 1 chemo sessions, however, weeks 2 and 3, I was fine. The oncologist should be able to prescribe stronger laxatives if required.
The nurses on the oncology day wards are brilliant. They are used to patients feeling all sorts of emotions. I admit I was dreading attending the ward before my first chemo, however, the ward was friendly.
Hi Beth thanks for your reply! She has met the oncologist now and has a lot of info about possible side effects so she is more prepared. She is just ready to start now I think and get it over with, thanks for the advice x
I'm a mum of four in Canada, my kids are 22-29 years old. It was hard on my kids when I was diagnosed, and I'm really feeling for you having to go through this with your own mum. One of my daughters came back home to live with me as I went through the treatment process because it helped her to feel better than worrying from a distance. Luckily she was able to do her uni work remotely. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you right now, having to go back and forth like that, and working part time as well. I hope your university is being understanding with your work load and deadlines.
In terms of chemo, my experience was that it wasn't nearly as bad as I had been expecting it to be. I know that everyone's experience is different, but I did want to let you both know that it's possible it won't be as bad as you might be expecting. Oncologists have gotten very good at providing medications before, during and after each infusion that help deal with the side effects.
I had the typical carboplatin and paclitaxel combination, as most people do for first line treatment, every 3 weeks, for 3 rounds before surgery and 6 rounds after it.
I found that the day of chemo and the day after I felt pretty normal, even quite energetic (I think because of the dexamethasone I was given before and during treatment) and that days 3-6 or so were the worst for side effects. Side effects for me were: joint and bone pain and extreme fatigue. I had only mild nausea, maybe because the moment I felt the slightest bit sick, I immediately took the anti-nauseant I was prescribed. I would recommend to your mum that she take the anti-nauseants and and whatever pain meds she was prescribed sooner rather than later if she feels nausea or pain, as both pain and nausea are easier to get control of when they first start. I found heating pads and hot baths very helpful for the body aches and pains as well.
The annoying bit about the anti-nauseants was that they were really constipating. I recommend drinking a LOT of fluids - I forced myself to drink 8-10 cups of water per day, that helps a lot. But I still needed to take laxatives.
I rested when I was tired, and tried to walk every day, even if just for a short while. Getting outside, getting some fresh air, and moving my body was helpful. But I was quite wobbly some days, and on days 3-6 spent most of my day lying on the couch.
I gave up on the idea of 3 meals a day, and instead ate small meals often, whatever I could manage, and tried to keep my protein intake up, as suggested by my oncologist. Protein powder smoothies were helpful.
I found that every single cycle my mood would take a dip during the worst few days, because I found it emotionally difficult to be trapped on the couch, with such a sore body and feeling so limited. But my mood always lifted again when my body started to feel better.
The week of chemo was unpleasant but manageable, and the two weeks after felt like recovery weeks, and by the time the next round was due, I was usually feeling pretty good. My white cells and red cells and platelets dropped each round but bounced back in time for the following round. I was super cautious about being around others when my white cell count was low, because I didn't want to risk getting sick and having to have chemo delayed.
Your mum's experience will be unique to her, and she'll find out from the first round what to expect from her body. Each round after that will likely be quite similar to the first round, in terms of side effects. My oncology team was very supportive, and encouraged me to let them know if I was experiencing side effects so that they could provide me with suggestions and/or medications, and I encourage your mum to reach out to her team with anything she is wondering about as they will likely be very helpful.
Best of luck with the treatment, I hope all goes smoothly!
Hi Goingwiththeflow, thanks for such a detailed reply! I will be doing uni remotely during the weeks she is getting the chemo and will be back home for it, it is about 3 hours travel so not the worst. She will definitely take the anti-sickness medication as she hates being sick, and will just be resting at home between appointments. We are worried about exposing her to illness over the winter as me and my dad both travel and work with the public, but will just be super cautious for the next few months. She will appreciate all the advice above and well wishes, thank you very much xx
I’d suggest your mum asks about a PICC line, this makes having chemo so much easier- it’s usually inserted without the need for any anaesthetic and the cannula stays in place for the whole course. There’s also a ‘portacath’ but you do need an anaesthetic for that.
When on chemo veins can be hard to find and the problem of finding a vein can become quite traumatic. I’ve had 4 courses of different chemo combinations (4th line) and always through a PICC line - maybe you could look it up for your mum.
Hi Irisme, yes I think she will ask about the access before she starts. As far as I know it will be through IV but sometimes they weren't the easiest to do during her hospital stay after surgery due to difficult veins. Thanks for the advice and well wishes x
Don’t forget that Mum will have access to her oncology 24/7 chemo line and they are brilliant at supporting patients with problems big and small. Online grocery shopping is a good way to go for those days when you are on the sofa.
I get little messages from my daughters every day which keeps my spirits up but it is important to have someone who can pop in and make a tea or get some washing on during week one, so if mum lives alone maybe look for someone who could do that xx
Hi Lyndy, thanks for the reply! I have already told her to use the line whenever she needs or feels unwell, but she is stubborn sometimes! That's good your daughter stayed in touch, I will aim to be home the weeks during chemo and do uni remotely and my dad is also at home so hopefully we will be able to support as much as we can x
Pray she recovers well and they got it all. Bring a blanket and I chewed on ginger candies. Also saltines crackers. Hopefully she will sail through chemo without any issues. They gave me through an IV meds for nausea and a steroid. I had that for 6 hour chemo. It helped for 72 hours so I never had nausea. Will pray for your mum..
Your mom‘s oncologist will be the best guide here. They know how the different chemo’s react and how you should be feeling a few days out versus a week or so out. She should eat what appeals to her and if she experiences nausea, the meds they give now are great at clearing that right up. I think it’s important for her to complete the chemo to make sure that all cancerous cells have been gotten rid of. Best of luck to your mom 🙏👍🏻❤️
Hi Leniko, yes she has just had the appointment with oncologist and asked lots of questions and was given a lot of hand outs with information. She will definitely complete it and is ready to start and get it over with now! Thank you for the well wishes x
I am in the USA …..if your mom gets a port it is so much easier as access for blood draws and chemo is so much easier. Plus you don’t have any worries regarding infection from having to clean a picc line or damaging her veins. Hopefully the surgeon saved part of the tumor for future analysis. Also make sure she gets genetically tested for braca and any mutations the tumor has that gives them a better idea how to fight it. Also you should get genetic testing as well. Good luck and she will get through this. Great advice from everyone!
Hi Summergold, thanks for the reply! As far as I know she will get it through IV (we are in Scotland), but maybe it will change. She is getting the genetic testing soon also as I am her only child and yes I will definitely get tested too if any indication, although I am only 27 I would want the test soon if needed. Thank you for the well wishes x
You really should look into port it is rare to only have 6 rounds of chemo and the chemicals irreparably damage your veins. Glad you are getting tested
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