chemo

They should tell you this (although I didn't know) that your immune system will be lowered considerably, so be careful and try to keep away from people who are obviously sick with colds or flu if you can - and be careful if you have any cuts on your fingers - don't go digging in the garden like I did! I keep those vinyl gloves to use when peeling dirty vegetables or dealing with soil. Just a precaution.

They told me all the side effects but it depends upon ever individual, I shouldn't lose my hair but it may thin, ive had it chopped off anyway.
My friend is on chemo for life as she has cancer everywhere, it is keeping her alive. She is such an inspiration, goes hiking, swimming and gardening and only complains that she gets a bit tired but with her active life in her 70s she would be tired anyway.
So I will bite the bullet and (as my DD says 'get some balls').

All the very best to you ethelbags. to you too.

Ariadne Brave lady.

I had chemo every three weeks for four months, spending a few hours in hospital each time - they needed to check the blood count to ensure one was up to the treatment.

It was not pleasant - or rather the side effects weren't, but as what you will have seems very different, I think the effects are likely to be very different as well, so I won't dwell too much on them. I lost all my hair (everywhere except for my legs, would you believe!) and was often sick and very tired. It is hard to believe that something that can make you feel so bad is actually curing you.

Just one of those things that you get on with - chin up and plough on. It worked....

Hello ethel - glad that you are feeling more confident now. A dear friend of mine has had a lot of intravenous chemo over a long period - she has a different sort of cancer from yours - hers cannot be eradicated like bowel cancer, but she is kept well with repeated chemo - so she is a bit of an expert on it.

She tells me that it made her feel a bit queer to start with, but that the staff monitor any side effects and provide drugs to counter those, and that these have been very effective.

It is just a normal part of her life now.

I am sure that there will be posters on here who have direct experience and I hope that they will be able to help you.

Do you know when you will start? I send all best wishes and lots of luck, and hope that you will be better before long.

Best wishes to you

And hope you will be better before too long

Very best wishes ethelbags (of course we're still talking to you, you can't get rid of us that easily!)
x

I am not scared anymore, I can face whats coming, I am anxious a bit but I know the staff are very experienced and the drugs have been used successfully for years. But I would still like to hear anyones experiences.

I'm sure lots of practical advice will be forthcoming * Ethelbags*. All I can offer is ((hugs)). Keep close to us all on GN and we will offer as much support as we can.