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Janet_A's avatar
Janet_A
Member
11 years ago

First chemo treatment

A week in and one down. I didn't realize what to expect in side effects on the first few days in, gosh i thought i was losing my mind! 

You read about what you might expect but nothing prepares  you, the steroids sent me a little loopy for three days! 

I thought i couldn't do this again, now i think i can. Another three treatments so if anyone has some tips on getting through those first few days!  Broken sleep, the hot flushes are just bizarre, double what i am used to, eating at 3am to keep the nausea at bay, spaced out feelings and being so restless! 

I live in the Tropics and the wet season is delayed this year making it hotter and drier! The flushes when they come are almost unbearable that aircon is needed nearlya all the time. I hope it rains soons and cools things down. 

I'm not complaining,  I'm grateful for the research gone into making us well again. I'm still in the mindset of thinking i would never be in this position.  

chemotherapy
side-effects

5 Replies

  • rowdy's avatar
    rowdy
    Member
    11 years ago

    H,i it is down right crap going through chemo, I never thought I would get through it but here Iam at the other end. At the start of the year I never thought I would have had 6 surgeries, chemo and still having herceptin.

    I now have 2 perky boobs.( still a bit tender) hair that is really curly and only 6 more herceptin to go. I now take each day as a gift and very grateful that I'm still here and looking towards next year.

    Be kind to yourself and rest when you can xx

  • Cook65's avatar
    Cook65
    Member
    11 years ago
    Speak to the oncologist and tell them every symptom you have as they will be able to adjust or change things to help with the side effects. Lemonade icy poles were my saviour. I would go days at a time where that's all I could stomach. They helped with the flushes too. I have been told cold watermelon is fabulous for hot flushes too but I couldn't come at that. Yes the 3am wake ups are a pain. As Robyn said, keep up the pramin and if that's not working ask for ondansetron wafers. I made sure I had some movies and a book so I had something to do that wouldn't wake the house. My recliner was fabulous as I could comfortably doze it in whilst watching the TV. Robyn is also right to eat what you feel like when you want it. Ginger can sometimes help with the nausea if you can stomach it. You can do this! Yes it will be hard but it will be worth it. I'm 8 months in and still have times that I struggle to get my head around that this is actually happening to me. It's a bit surreal. Take care and mark them off the calendar. Love Karen xoxox
  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    11 years ago
    Take pramin for the nausea,and I think that by about day 9 or 10 you will start to feel ok again.Its a real roller coaster,but you CAN do it! Stay on here for moral support.Eat what you FEEL like( there is plenty of time for good nutrition when it's all over) rest when you FEEL like it,and don't worry if,you are wide awake at 3 in the morning , cause it's all part of it.Try some wet towels in the fridge,and when the hot flushes get too much,just take one out and put it round your neck or wherever its comfortable.The second and third weeks are always better:) Take care.Cheers xoxRobyn
  • Natasha's avatar
    Natasha
    Member
    11 years ago

    It sounds tough.  I have eight cycles planned that start in January after a couple of other procedures are completed.  

    No tips from me, sorry, but thanks for your post.  I'm nervous and it helps to hear what to expect.  

  • Natasha's avatar
    Natasha
    Member
    11 years ago

    It sounds tough.  I have eight cycles planned that start in January after a couple of other procedures are completed.  

    No tips from me, sorry, but thanks for your post.  I'm nervous and it helps to hear what to expect.