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Gayl's avatar
Gayl
Member
10 years ago

The first week of my chemo journey - chemo 1

8 Feb –  first chemo day arrives - very nervous, but shouldn’t have been. The experience whilst not the most pleasant was much more bearable than I thought it would be, as good as could be hoped.  I declined the cold cap after hearing the misgiving and possible pitfalls – let my hair drop I say – and will don my baldness with pride (or at least a hat or scarf…maybe a wig?). 

Bolstered by my support buddy at my side as always, (my wonderful daughter Mel) we were met with a ton of paperwork then off to the chemo cubicle. I had this infusion through an intravenous line, but will have a central line put in for the next, apparently.  No major sideaffects, bar a pretty sore head and a feeling like I am heavy – kind of like the beginnings of the flu.  Pretty tired, though……

9 Feb – killer diarrhea kicked in overnight. Just slight nausea, and I kept waking up every two hours (mostly to go to the bathroom).  Apart from that an ok night.  Developed a headache that won’t quit, but not sure what I am able to take so will grin and bear.

10 Feb – still got the headache but went to my GP who told me to take Panadol. She advised that the first chemo is the ‘best and the worst’ as it is like the body is at its strongest fighting the chemicals which is why it fatigues and tries to expel the toxins rapidly (either by the north or the south gates). So I am embracing the current situation as I really hate to throw up.  All good though today all things considered.

11 Feb – today I got my wig. Very happy with ‘Faith’ who will be a companion to me on my journey to recovery. I also picked up some snazzy caps, scarves and a wide brimmed hat which looks quite funky, even if I do say so myself.

3 Replies

  • Not imagining it, your body does go through some extremely weird feelings and half the time you feel silly even saying what's happening out loud of even writing it down in case its all in your head. It really is quite disconcerting. I do keep a bit of a diary for the gp and the oncology dr and half the time I don't even mention the side affects as even I don't understand some of them. Anything you think could be serious or worth mentioning for the next round, very much tell the drs. They like to know, no matter how muddled your chemo brain might be, they are the ones to decipher if you need a script or something to help you with things next dose.

  • I was hit full force within hours of receiving my first dose of chemo!

    Couldn't even get off the bed, nausea, hell fire in stomach but no vomiting, mega headache, mega dry mouth, diarrhea, zombie walk, no appetite, shakes......it didn't settle until about day 6! I have come good on day 8 until now......No temperatures though which is a good thing otherwise off to hospital you go!

    I found I had no choice but to let the chemicals win.....I felt like i was 'weak' because of this...but after reading some of the other ladies stories here and the support, i realised I wasn't overreacting or imagining it.

    Take each day, or each hour, if need be as it comes....be kind to yourself, you don't owe anyone an explanation or justification for your state....everyone is different and handles treatment differently.....accept what is .....

    Good luck with the rest of your treatments...we are all in this together

    Xx

    Tracy

  • Well done on getting through the first chemo dose. Every little thing had me worried, an ache here, a pain there but now I just put it all down to chemo side affects unless my temperature rises a little too high, that might be something to keep an eye one but other wise you just live with the half zombie state.