New and so confused
I am Grade 2, sentinel lymph node free, deciding if the 4 or 5% difference of having Chemo or going straight into radiation and onto tablets and with the added severe family history of kidney and hear...
Forum Discussion
Take some deep breaths, it's going to be OK!
We all react differently so there's no real guide. But a few things to think about are:
Some people get diarrhoea, some people get constipation. I initially had the former and then the latter kicked in and stayed for the duration. You might want to have some Coloxyl with Senna to hand, and some sort of gastro stop, or prime someone to get it for you when you know.
My tastebuds went gradually. No one food revolted me or enticed me, but have some easy gentle foods stocked up. Some people go for salty, and others sweet.
As your tastebuds change, a lot of people swear by some citrus in their water to make it palatable.
Tomorrow you should start drinking lots of water. For the first two days after each infusion you want to be drinking two to three litres a day. Keeping the lid down when you flush is important while the toxins are coming out of your body.
I found chemo very drying, so lip balm and hand cream are good to have on hand, as is a thermometer to check your temperature. If it goes over 38° get thee to the hospital immediately.
If you're trying the cold cap, a woollen beanie is good to wear afterwards. It takes a while to get your temperature back up to normal.
Your oncologist should have given you take home meds for nausea, or prescriptions. Fill them and don't hesitate to take them, and if they don't work, don't hesitate to call your onc, GP or the chemo ward for advice.
Dexamethasone gave me shocking indigestion, so be prepared. Maybe ask your oncologist or the chemo nurses what they recommend for it should it occur.
I would advise against buying everything! You could end up spending a lot of money for nothing. You may have very little trouble.
If you're not doing the cold cap, round about day 12 hair will start to go. From your head, your nose, your groin and possibly pretty much everywhere, though not necessarily. A cap to sleep in at night to stop the mess is handy, unless you pre-empt that stage altogether and shave it off before.
Box sets, Netflix, Stan, Foxtel, easy reads and headache tablets.
That's all I can think of for now. Truly, the scariest bit is right now. Once you're underway it all gets easier. Keep moving with as much exercise as you can manage and that will help minimise the side effects.
You've got this! Big hug, K xox
We all react differently so there's no real guide. But a few things to think about are:
Some people get diarrhoea, some people get constipation. I initially had the former and then the latter kicked in and stayed for the duration. You might want to have some Coloxyl with Senna to hand, and some sort of gastro stop, or prime someone to get it for you when you know.
My tastebuds went gradually. No one food revolted me or enticed me, but have some easy gentle foods stocked up. Some people go for salty, and others sweet.
As your tastebuds change, a lot of people swear by some citrus in their water to make it palatable.
Tomorrow you should start drinking lots of water. For the first two days after each infusion you want to be drinking two to three litres a day. Keeping the lid down when you flush is important while the toxins are coming out of your body.
I found chemo very drying, so lip balm and hand cream are good to have on hand, as is a thermometer to check your temperature. If it goes over 38° get thee to the hospital immediately.
If you're trying the cold cap, a woollen beanie is good to wear afterwards. It takes a while to get your temperature back up to normal.
Your oncologist should have given you take home meds for nausea, or prescriptions. Fill them and don't hesitate to take them, and if they don't work, don't hesitate to call your onc, GP or the chemo ward for advice.
Dexamethasone gave me shocking indigestion, so be prepared. Maybe ask your oncologist or the chemo nurses what they recommend for it should it occur.
I would advise against buying everything! You could end up spending a lot of money for nothing. You may have very little trouble.
If you're not doing the cold cap, round about day 12 hair will start to go. From your head, your nose, your groin and possibly pretty much everywhere, though not necessarily. A cap to sleep in at night to stop the mess is handy, unless you pre-empt that stage altogether and shave it off before.
Box sets, Netflix, Stan, Foxtel, easy reads and headache tablets.
That's all I can think of for now. Truly, the scariest bit is right now. Once you're underway it all gets easier. Keep moving with as much exercise as you can manage and that will help minimise the side effects.
You've got this! Big hug, K xox