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BlancaP's avatar
BlancaP
Member
5 years ago

Mum's first chemo session

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.
chemotherapy-side-effects
metastatic-breast-cancer
paclitaxel

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  • ddon's avatar
    ddon
    Member
    5 years ago
    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.