New and so confused

Thinking of you today, @Newby24  -  all the best!  xxx  Big hugs coming your way

Good luck @Newby24    big hugs. xo

Take care and good luck! 

Good luck today @Newby24  Are you 50km from hospital as well?  As @Afraser says, make sure that you've got someone to drive you - at least for this first one until you find out how you react.  I was quite woozy after the AC chemos.  Definitely not safe on the roads (I live nearly 40km away).

Well as expected on D-day, I am wide awake and have already done a load of washing. Chemo 1 at 2pm today. Ready as I’ll ever be. Brother in hospital yesterday so took my mind off me and I’ll pick him up this morning and drive him the 50kms home and then back. Currently still getting my room ready for any side effects. Will have another yarn to my daughters and grannies then I’ll have another shower about 1 and off to the hospital. Will probably check in cause this forum is what I depend on at the moment for the understanding of what’s happening so thank you again everyone 👍🏼

Oh yes, salt water mouth rinses to keep the mouth ulcers at bay, and a very soft toothbrush. Buy a baby one! K xox

Just wanted to say good luck @Newby24  I finished my chemo September last year.   You've got this.   Everyone else has pretty much covered it all.   There might be days you find you can't physically eat much or drink much, I just stocked up on icy poles and they were great.  Agree about the citrus to the water or i had soda or mineral water as it didn't seem as heavy as the tap water.  Also I used the biotene toothpaste and mouthwash and it kept my mouth free of ulcers. Any questions you have along the way just ask away and someone will reply. As Arpie said we'll be thinking of you.  xo

@Newby24   When my husband was going thru chemo, I got him a small iPod with all his favourite music on it to listen to as he dozed - it can take a few hours or more to do.   Also some crossword puzzles & a couple of magazines.  Easy to read stuff - not a novel as there is so much going on around you, it may be difficult to concentrate.  Maybe take a drink bottle with your favourite liquid in it - keep sucking on that so you don't get dehydrated.  

A few ideas for what to take with you ..... you've probably got most of them already ... Keep the stuff in it's own bag - then you are ready to go!  

Is someone going with you? The immediate response is that it is very hard to tell how you will respond, but if you feel unwell in any way having someone with you is a practical consideration. I had my first chemo in hospital (side story) so anyone necessary was on hand, and no need for anyone to supervise me getting home etc. I did all my chemo solo from them on as I knew I was fine. Other than that it can be slow, so music, reading material etc. You may be next to someone who wants to chat, but often people are either with friends and family themselves, or choose to occupy themselves. You'll be offered tea or coffee and probably a snack, but take your own if you prefer. Best wishes.

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