Hi, my mum will be having her first ever chemo session early next week. The oncologist will treat her with Paclitaxel and treatment will be once a week for 4 weeks followed by 1 week break each cycle. I would appreciate any tips on how to prepare mum before treatment and what do do after treatment to minimise side effects as much as possible. Mum is 82yo and it worries me how she will cope. Thank you.

@Abbydog thanks for thinking of us. Mum did OK with the first chemo session, second one coming up this Thursday. The oncologist has set up for treatment once a week for 3 weeks then a 2 weeks break. Mum is due to start her second cycle at the end of August. She has had morning nausea and I am now giving her anti nausea medicine first thing in the morning to try and prevent it. Apart from that just the usual lack of appetite.Mum is spending her days in bed resting and trying to keep warm Hopefully she won't have too many nasty side effects as treatment progresses. It's been hard trying to get her to eat and drink enough but I'm doing my best by giving her foods that are warm and that she enjoys.

Hi @BlancaP. Just another idea re maintaining fluid intake. I found it hard to drink enough water so bought a sofa stream and found the various cordials (ginger, lemon lime and bitters, elderflower, lime etc) mixed with the soda water added variety to supplement tea coffee etc. Also was able to choose a flavour that appealed to picky taste buds and touchy tummy most days. Hope your mum is doing as well as possible. Remember to look after yourself as well during this stressful time. 😘

I am sorry your mum is facing chemo at the age of 82. It’s hard enough without being elderly. I don’t know that there’s much preparation - just be there for her in the days following. After one or two sessions she will know which are her bad days, what she feels like eating etc. and that helps to prepare for the next treatment. Before then it’s hard to know how she will react. Paclitaxel - I found - is not too nasty. It affected my taste buds and gradually made me tired but compared to other chemo drugs it was pretty mild. Dry nasal membranes and bleeding nose every time I blew it, and some muscle aches on day 3,4. Otherwise I was fine - but I am 47 not 82. Your support and care will help her most of all - best wishes.

Agree with @ddon, taste buds can be affected, as can soft tissue (mouth, nose, eyes) but all recover quickly when treatment ends. Tingling in the end of the fingers and in the toes can be peripheral neuropathy, which can take longer to clear. Talk to your mother’s oncologist about how to limit this. Nausea and fatigue are the most common side effects - there is not much you can do about either - medication will be provided to assist with nausea, but some people never get it (like me). Fatigue can sometimes be hard to assess, the whole rigmarole can make anyone tired. Just rest as needed. Best wishes to you both.

Thanks @ddon and @Afraser, your suggestions and kind thoughts are very much appreciated. X <3

Mum's first chemo session | BCNA Online Network

BlancaP
Member
5 years ago
Hi @kamada, thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely try it and I already have a soda stream machine. :)
kamada
Member
5 years ago
Hi @BlancaP. Just another idea re maintaining fluid intake. I found it hard to drink enough water so bought a sofa stream and found the various cordials (ginger, lemon lime and bitters, elderflower, lime etc) mixed with the soda water added variety to supplement tea coffee etc. Also was able to choose a flavour that appealed to picky taste buds and touchy tummy most days. Hope your mum is doing as well as possible. Remember to look after yourself as well during this stressful time. 😘
BlancaP
Member
5 years ago
Hi @AllyJay, thanks for the suggestion about the soups. Yes, mum enjoy soups and I have given her some every other day but I think I should make it a daily thing. She's still enjoying a daily cup of hot chocolate but she's not so much into tea and never drank coffee. Thanks again <3
AllyJay
Member
5 years ago
Hi there @BlancaP,,,have you tried making her some of the cup of soups? Nutrition wise, rather lacking, but it might help your mum to keep the fluids going. I remember when I was going through chemo that I got very tired of tea, tea, tea. I went right off coffee, (even the smell made me gag) and warm milo, hot chocolate and so on was too rich and sweet. I preferred savoury and salty foods. Just a thought.
Abbydog
Member
5 years ago
Thanks for the update. Sounds like you are doing a great job.
BlancaP
Member
5 years ago
@Abbydog thanks for thinking of us. Mum did OK with the first chemo session, second one coming up this Thursday. The oncologist has set up for treatment once a week for 3 weeks then a 2 weeks break. Mum is due to start her second cycle at the end of August. She has had morning nausea and I am now giving her anti nausea medicine first thing in the morning to try and prevent it. Apart from that just the usual lack of appetite.

Mum is spending her days in bed resting and trying to keep warm Hopefully she won't have too many nasty side effects as treatment progresses. It's been hard trying to get her to eat and drink enough but I'm doing my best by giving her foods that are warm and that she enjoys.
Abbydog
Member
5 years ago
Thinking of you both. How is your Mum? And how are you?
arpie
Member
5 years ago
Thinking of you and your Mum as she starts her chemo. She's been thru the mill already! :(

Yes, the hydration is really important even after the chemo dose, to help flush it out of the system as well.

All the best xx
Abbydog
Member
5 years ago
Poor Mum, I do hope that she picks up. She certainly has some issues to cope with.
Will Mum be an inpatient for her Chemotherapy?
Sounds like the Oncologist is understanding of her intake issues.
All the best for Mum, And for you supporting her. Thinking of you both
BlancaP
Member
5 years ago
Mum had her right lung drained last Monday and left lung drained today. She is recovering in hospital and will have first chemo treatment on Wednesday. A dietitian came to see mum today and gave us some suggestions about diet. Mum's oncologist said water is a must or mum's kidney's won't cope which will be disastrous. My main challenge will be to keep mum hydrated.Thank you all for well wishes, advice and flowers @jennyss, @Afraser, @Abbydog, @kazb, @arpie.