first chemo

I think the side effects are building. Seem to have more trouble eating and have lost my appetite. I am sleeping ok but less energetic generally. I want to go walking but haven't has the energy so really must try and do that. My mouth has caused a few problems with dryness and have a remedy for that now. I have got used to having no hair and don't mind it at all especially in the hot weather. I enjoy wearing little cotton caps around the house and have a wig if I need to go out somewhere. Most people think its my own hair, its such a good wig. I haven't linked up with a local group yet, but aim to do that. Its easy to feel isolated.

Thanks for writing.

I think the side effects are building. Seem to have more trouble eating and have lost my appetite. I am sleeping ok but less energetic generally. I want to go walking but haven't has the energy so really must try and do that. My mouth has caused a few problems with dryness and have a remedy for that now. I have got used to having no hair and don't mind it at all especially in the hot weather. I enjoy wearing little cotton caps around the house and have a wig if I need to go out somewhere. Most people think its my own hair, its such a good wig. I haven't linked up with a local group yet, but aim to do that. Its easy to feel isolated.

Thanks for writing.

I think the side effects are building. Seem to have more trouble eating and have lost my appetite. I am sleeping ok but less energetic generally. I want to go walking but haven't has the energy so really must try and do that. My mouth has caused a few problems with dryness and have a remedy for that now. I have got used to having no hair and don't mind it at all especially in the hot weather. I enjoy wearing little cotton caps around the house and have a wig if I need to go out somewhere. Most people think its my own hair, its such a good wig. I haven't linked up with a local group yet, but aim to do that. Its easy to feel isolated.

Thanks for writing.

Yes, I'm starting to realise you do need to get into a routine. After my second chemo on 3rd I feel ready for possible side effects but do not feel quite so tired this time, just a bit of reflux. Like you I had hair falling out by day 16 and hated it all over my shoulders! so started washing it at the basin and putting it straight into the rubbish bin, then going in the shower! Now I have very thin baby like hair but also have a wig which gives me confidence to go out in the community. The third week for me was great, I felt normal and quite energetic so that gave me the strength to go on. I have great support from friends and family although my sister is overseas and we talk on skype which is good. Thanks for your kind words.

Elspeth

Yes, I have been going for walks on the beach and in the early morning before the sun comes up! I have found it very refreshing and it has helped me feel better. Just had my second chemo this week and have a bit of reflux but have some tablets to try tomorrow. I feel less tired this time, so am hopeful all will be well. I envy you finishing your chemo. Do you have to have radio therapy? My hair has started falling out and I'm used to it now but hated it falling over my shoulders in the shower! I wear a little cotton cap around the house to catch any hair but it seems to have settled down.

Best wishes, Elspeth

I had a similar experience as you the first time with a sore throat and constipation but by the third week I felt back to normal and was really energetic and motivated to do things. This gave me renewed faith in the treatment. On 3rd Feb I had my second chemo and felt less anxious. I have had a little reflux today but managing my diet better. I'm eating porridge or muesli, lots of fresh fruit and vegies. Feel a whole lot less tied this time. I got up at 6.30 for a beach walk today and felt great walking in cool air with the sea next to me. I believe walking is good for you and I hope I can keep it as a regular thing. I had my hair cut short a few weeks ago and felt good about it and friends liked it. Last week it started to fall out and I still have some but its very thin like baby's hair. I managed to get a wig last week which makes me feel more confident but I also wear a cloth cap around the house which is comfortable. I have been slowly reading all the pamphlets...so much to take in. Good luck with it all.

Elspeth

Feeling ok but taking it easy as the weather is very hot. Enjoying relaxing and doing a jigsaw puzzle, reading, sleeping and eating well. Have had a bit of a dry throat but little nausea or constipation. Enjoyed a walk on the beach after sundown yesterday and aim to have as many walks as often as I can. Am drinking heaps of water and feel that is helping.

Great to hear from other people. Thanks.

It's been nearly seven months since my chemo finished but I do remember you get into a kind of routine. A bit like Robyn says. In the first week, Day 1 to 5 I experienced fatigue, a bit of nausea, heart burn, hiccups, constipation, dry mouth, weird taste all not really bad, they were managable. Day 5 to 10 I'd start to feel marginably better but still very tired and I still had intestinal problems. Day 10 to 14 was the lowest immunity time but I felt quite back to normal. Frustrating really that I couldn't go to crowded places. Day 13 my hair began to fall out and continued to fall out for a couple more days. I'd had it cut short before chemo and shaved it when it began to fall out. Couldn't stand hair all over me and most of it came out in the shower. Day 15 to 21 was quite normal and I tried to get things done before the next round. It wasn't a nice time but doable.

Hope you don't experience too many side effects Janina. Take things one day at a time and be kind to yourself.

Love and hugs

Janey xxx