So Tired

[Lily-Anne]

I had my pre-chemo appointment yesterday, the nurse was very nice, had a tour of the chemo suite which has four bays with five chairs in each. She gave me my chemo card and record book and our parking permit, I get my blood card on Thursday. She took my bloods and then asked about how I lost my son. I explained that he had a chest infection, one minute watching Eastenders and the next in intensive care, sedated until he passed away 18 days later. They tried many different anitbiotics but couldn't break the infection, so she understood my concerns about the treatment I'm going to have after seeing how quickly things can go wrong.

The problem for me is I'm so tired a lot of the time, to be more tired doesn't sound much fun, I also still have some pain post op, in the same spot, tender to touch since my first operation, it has a bruised feeling and I'm fed up with it especially as it is worse since the second op. I no longer have that horrible pain on the left where my cyst was which is a relief, but I'm not pain free, as my skin feels tender near my scar in one place and I've got some eczema type patches where I had my original keyhole and where I had a boil that burst.

She said it takes about half an hour to deliver the Carboplatin but expect to be there for most of the afternoon. The oncologist wants to see me before each cycle, and has not said when she will want a CT scan, if it will be midway or after chemo cycles are complete. As a needle hater, my veins are not particularly cooperative and never have been, I think that worries me most. She said I must drink plenty of fluids tomorrow and the morning of the chemo, they will give me anti sickness which contain steroids and not to have large meals.

Oh well fingers crossed.

LA x

[wendydee]

I know it's useless to say 'Don't worry' . It's natural to worry, especially when you have had the awful experience with losing your son, followed by the shock of your diagnosis and then ops. You will probably find the reserves of strength to cope, surprising yourself again. The chemo teams are usually lovely and it's good that your Onc wants to see you regularly. The meds team will all be doing their very best to make sure that you are feeling as good as poss. My thoughts and all good wishes will be with you. Sending you love n hugs

Wendy xx

[ChrisH]

Hi Lily-Anne

Don't worry too much about the bruised feeling, it can take a long time for that to go, my Mother in Law felt bruised for a year after her hysterectomy (she didn't have oc, but the after effects from the op are still valid.) the scar can take a long time to heal inside, try to give it a chance. If you are concerned talk to your oncologist as they can reassure you. It does take quite a long time to get over the tiredness from the op. after the chemo try not to do too much. I felt fine on day 1, and gradually got more tired until day 5, then started to improve. I was able to drive short distances(school run) about a week after chemo. When weather permits, try walking a little, just remember you have to get back again! I slowly built the distance up, but knew after each chemo it would go back again. I found that my the time each chemo was due I was managing to get a little bit further than the one before.

You will probably have a scan after the 3rd chemo so they can judge how well everything is going. Again, talk to your oncologist.

I was also a needle hater. I found asking them to just get on with it, and not tell me when was helpful. I find, even now, I can cope fine so long as I look the other way until it is all done and the dressing over the cannula. If they have too much trouble they will offer you a pict line, which means they won't need to find a vein each time, but you will need to got to the hospital more often to have it flushed. The nurses at my hospital have always managed to get a vein, if they can't do it after a couple of tries they get a different nurse. There is one in particular that can get it easily. A tip for that is to keep your arms and hands nice and warm. They usually have heat pads available, so ask for one before you get started. Keeping your fluids up is a really good idea, I was told to drink at least 2 litres in they days just before and after the chemos.

In two more days it will be done, so at least you will know what to expect. I find I don't sleep well for a few days before any appointment, nerves are a horrible thing....just when you need a good nights sleep they pounce and keep you tossing and turning! I get up, walk around they house, make a cup of tea or whatever then go back to bed. It's always at about 2:30 in the morning!

All the best

Chris

[Whippit]

Dear Lily-Anne

I don't think I can really add more than Chris and Wendy have to reassure you. I think everyone feels a huge pang of nerves before starting chemotherapy. It really won't be as bad as you think and they are used to us all being individual people with our own set of fears and worries.

It's hard feeling so tired all the time. I'd imagine it hasn't helped that the weather has been so bad and there's been a lot of coughs and colds about which must make you worry. You've had so much to cope with recently that I'd imagine your reserves are low.

If you can think of it this way - by Thursday p.m. you'll have had one done and only 5 more to go. Each one will reduce the likelihood of a recurrence. I'm sure once you start this course you'll begin to feel more positive.

Sending love and a hug for Thursday. xxx Annie

[citrine]

Hope everything goes ok for you Lily-Anne. My veins were a bit of a problem after the first chemo and I was advised to drink plenty of water. On one visit I sat with one of my hands in a bucket of water to get my blood going. It looked odd but it worked. I've always made a habit of looking the other way when I'm about to get the needle. The team on the chemo unit were always very attentive and I always felt safe. The one time I had a funny turn, they responded immediately and soon got everything right again. Other patients and their relatives were warm and friendly and after the cannula was in, I usually relaxed for the rest of the day. Being me, as soon as the chemo started, I would suddenly want to go to the loo but that isn't a problem as you can take the wotsit with you - just a bit difficult managing with one hand.

You will probably feel very tired afterwards so do get plenty of rest when you need it. I usually felt ok the day after the chemo but in the evening it would start to kick in and I became a zombie for the next few days. By day 5 post chemo, I would start coming in to land with a strange desire for a ham sandwich - never happened before or since.

Thinking of you tomorrow.

Love Mary xx