Chemotherapy

You are all the reason why I like Gransnet. Many complain that the N & P forum (which is the one I used the most) is bullying but on all the others people are usually very kind, as you have been.

Sending get well wishes to you all.

dragonfly46^After chemo I found radiotherapy a doddle!^ shows how different we all are! I coped with chemo better than the subsequent radiotherapy. Radiotherapy wiped me out, I was in bed just after 8pm when normally it would be midnight at least. Because of my very fair skin I suffered radiation burns, which plague me to this day (10 years) but anything is preferable to cancer
Just goes to show OP, your experience will be unique to you. Take all the help you can get but never forget there is light at the end of the tunnel, and no it isn't attached to a train!

Oh and I also got a lot of support from Facebook groups where my questions could be answered. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I am now 5 years clear.

I had chemo every three weeks. With the first batch of 4 I was fine straight afterwards although the steroids they give you make you a little hyper. Then I would have a few days of feeling tired then 2 weeks of feeling almost normal.

I found the second batch much more brutal but these were stopped after 3 sessions due to Covid. I was very grateful. I had my hairdresser shave my head as I didn’t want it falling out in bits and pieces. I bought some nice turbans on Amazon. Get a light one to wear at night.

I painted my nails black because if the light gets on them they will fall out. My mouth became very dry and I used Biontin toothpaste. It helped my sense of taste.

Get some laxatives in as you may need them.
Just do what your body dictates. I watched a lot of tv. Check your temperature if you feel at all ill and ring the hospital if it is raised. You are lucky to have a line as all the veins in my right arm are shot. It is useful for blood tests too.

After chemo I found radiotherapy a doddle!

I wish you luck and remember you will get through it and life will begin again if a little differently. You will regain your peace of mind.

There may be a local support group or an online group; youroncology nurse may be able to advise you.

Sending you best wishes, Dinahmo and hope all goes well

Sending lots of good wishes to all those going through this

I'd forgotten about the mouth ulcers, fresh pineapple was a great help. I was prescribed some gel too.

HelterSkelter1 I was told to make sure I took my steroids before 1pm so as not to interfere with sleep. I was lucky, I didn't experience sleep problems other than needing lots more.
That's a good idea about the whatsapp group.

Good luck Dinahmo. I had chemotherapy and immunotherapy for non hodgkins lymphoma. Didnt lose my hair but it went like a brillo pad. I used E45 shampoo.
The antisick tablets made me v v v constipated very quickly. I used glycerine suppositories and Lactulose. But I read on the lympoma website that Movicol and Laxido are good.
The whole chemo 6 month treatment was not quite as bad as thought it would be. If you have steroids they will keep you awake at night.
You can get to feel quite sorry for yourself, but rest a lot and get a walk in when you can. Dont try to do too much. Get plenty of ready meals for thr freezer for days when you are tired. Housework can wait.
I set up a group whatsapp so you can tell people you want to tell how you are getting on all in one go. It gets very tiring to keep repeating yourself.

Forgive people who say the wrong thing.

Should have checked post, sorry about spelling ,one thing I forgot I used to suck frozen pineapple .

I found chemo manageable I was lucky I didn't have nausea ,you will come home with tablets for nausea if they don't work mention it to nurses there are different drugs. I didn't have a line in had a cannula each session.
My started coming out after second dose scalp was very itchy so I got my hubby to shave it off.
I listed to my body tested when I felt I needed but tried to get out for short walks when I could.
I had two different types off chemo 2 nd lot did cause joint pain for me but doesn't for everyone.Contact breast nurses or chemo unit if something doesn't feel right.
Check temp has told that is important .
You can email me if you have any questions I will try to help.Take care be positive you will get through this.

Thinking of you, Dinahmo and wishing you the very best.
Nothing practical to offer but warmest best wishes 🌺

My hirl had very bad mouth ulcers as a result of chemo; rhe hospital prescribed gel for them, and she found sucking on ice helpful, too.

Very best wishes, Dinahmo .

No experience I’m afraid, but wish you the very best of luck

Thaank you Rosie51

We all react to chemo differently, and it also depends on the chemo combination prescribed. That's good you have the port in place, it will help save your veins. My biggest problem was the almost immediate altered taste that occurred. Almost nothing tasted as it should, just tasted vile or of nothing at all. I found just a few foods I could taste normally so my diet was very limited for months. You'll be prescribed anti-sickness drugs. Take them exactly as instructed and they will help. I lost my hair 8 days after the initial treatment, it has never come back properly but I am unusual in having that side effect. Yes definitely get any dental treatment done before you start, and I was advised to only use gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush during chemo. You'll be given lots of information about your healthcare needs and also what precautions you need to take. If like me, you are given radiotherapy after finishing chemo, I can't stress enough the need to keep the area well moisturised with an approved lotion. I found radiotherapy very tiring, going to the daily sessions for 7 weeks on public transport probably didn't help. The thing to try and hold on to is this time will end and you'll be free of cancer. Listen to your body, it will tell you when you need to rest. Good luck and I hope you will have as stress free as possible experience.

Thank you all for your kind and helpful messages.

I don't have experience of chemo, but sending you lots of good wishes Dinahmo.

Yes agree about visiting dentist before starting chemo. Dentist said he wouldnt be able to do treatment when on chemo. Likewise he was advised to covid and flu. Also the vet wouldnt give our dogs kennel cough as it is a live vaccine.

Dh is stage 4 incurable bowel cancer. He has 2wks on chemo and one week off chemo which he has for 6 cycles at a time usually. He then has a break if he is lucky for a few months. He has just lost all his hair again after 2nd infusion. Sickness is very well controlled. It is the brain fog/tiredness he complains about. Best wishes with your chemo journey.

My dd was strongly advised to see the dentist and get any necessary dental treatment before chemo.

Best wishes 🌺🙏🏾

Wish you well Dinahmo - fingers crossed for you

Wishing you well, Dinahmo.