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Carol22's avatar
Carol22
Member
10 years ago

Chemo # 2

So this morning I am up early, breakfast with steroids, off to the pathology to have blood test, grocery shopping to stock up for a week or so. Yes its the day before chemo.

A doctor said to me last week that the first chemo is the worst, and he is right. The reason I believe it is because regardless of how much you read and how many people you talk to you really don't know what to expect. 

So here's what I have learnt over the past three weeks:

  • It was a great idea to wear a comfy skirt to chemo as there are many trips to the loo during the day, and with one hand out of action due to the drip it made life easier.
  • I will not die when I have a bad reaction to the chemo drug Taxone, even though I feel like it at the time. The chemo nurses are fantastic and know what to do; two shutting off the drip and one right in my face telling me everything is going to be ok, a bit of a 'look at me Kyyymmmie' moment. And yes everything was OK, few extra drugs and off we go again. And I know my Oncologist will pop over to see everything is OK.
  • Lightly sparkling mineral water tastes nicer than plain water.
  • When I buy a packet of jubey lollies there is a greater representation of the colours I do not like.
  • When my temperature goes over 38 degrees and I go to the hospital they do take me straight to an isolated examination room, not leave me to wait in the waiting room. They do attend to me as a priority. They will keep me in at least overnight, so if there is a next time I will remember to pack a bag before I leave home.
  • I will get aches & pains that scare me and that appear at differing times to those expected, drugs will help and the pain will go away.
  • Mashed pumpkin is delicious when my tastebuds are crap.
  • I will feel sad and teary, grumpy and unreasonable, but my family will tolerate me and continue to love me.
  • I will fear that I will not recover from the effects of the treatment.
  • Around day 10 I will start to feel normal again and by day 14 feel completely recovered.
  • Sometimes friends let you down.
  • I will hold onto my hair when I start chemo and see what happens. My hair starts falling out around day 13 (have to be happy with that extra 2 weeks of normal hair:), have it cut short on day 15 and by day 19 it has stopped falling out and while its very thin on top looks OK with a hat or cap, have decided to keep for now, expect the rest will go within the next week or two.
  • My tastebuds will return around day 10.
  • Panadol works really well with most pain and discomfort provided it is taken regularly and before the pain gets a hold, leave it too late then it's head for the drugs on the top shelf.
  • Steroids keep me awake at night even though I take them at breakfast and lunch.
  • I have better than survived treatment # 1 I am back on top and optimistic about the rest of my treatment.
  • I am lucky and feel blessed to have a wonderful family.

Love & Luck to all

Carol

chemotherapy

10 Replies

  • Carol22's avatar
    Carol22
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks to everyone for their comments confirming that I am not alone with my, at times, crazy thoughts and fears ! Looking forward to doing another round up coming into chemo # 3.

    As expected have had about 3 hours sleep last night, those darn steroids make me so alert, wish I'd know about them back when I was doing uni exams - hehehe (tongue in cheek).

    Cheers

    Carol

  • Carol22's avatar
    Carol22
    Member
    10 years ago

    You are so right, the week following the first treatment I was a total mess, hated the chemo side effects and seriously didn't want to do it again, for me it was definitely the fear of the whether these side effects would pass, it's early days but so far so good.

    Love and luck

    Carol

     

  • airlie's avatar
    airlie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Excellent read Carol. I am also coming up for my second chemo. Hope your Doc was right about the first. Best wishes Carol. X Airlie

  • donnafischer's avatar
    donnafischer
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thank you Thank you Thank you. I just read this to my hubby. Chemo is in my future. This made so much sense. I may just print it out and stick it on the fridge 

    God Bless.

  • Kim_R's avatar
    Kim_R
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Carol,

    I confirm all that you wrote well said! and I know this sounds strange but I am coming from the other side now, I finished chemo 4 months ago. Now that I look back I know I felt like death but I can not remember it. It seems to be like child birth, you can tell the stories but the pain is gone. It will end and your body will recover, even if a little battered!

    all the best with your treatment.

    Kim

  • ScorpionQueen's avatar
    ScorpionQueen
    Member
    10 years ago

    So true!

    My first round's side effects was so bad, I said no more! I''m not doing this again......But I will and so will you, because we have no choice, we have to make sure that bitch hasn't left any of her henchmen elsewhere!

    Soldier on, take the good with the bad...

    Best wishes for the rest of your treatments!

    P-S - Note to self re read this after I have my second round next Tuesday! 

    xx

  • annebirdy's avatar
    annebirdy
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks for sharing. That is a good run-down. I think the 'sometimes friends let you down' is a good one to keep in mind. Whilst it might hurt at the time, the reality is that some of the reactions of family and friends will not be what you expect.

    I've felt a lot of enthusiasm at the beginning, that has tapered off as chemo goes on. And also friends that say they'll do things...and then don't. 

    While I found the first chemo hard (mainly the concerns over what the side effects would be)....I also think that the last half of the treatments has been also hard. I feel like I've gotten into a routine for the chemo treatments, but the later ones have been more of a mental battle. 

    Good luck with the rest of your treatment.

  • Carol22's avatar
    Carol22
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks Brenda, I think I read you describe chemo as spiralling down the rabbit hole, perfect description :)

  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    10 years ago

    That's a fantastic write up on Chemo Carol! Many truths in that one. xxx