Needing advice on managing chemo side effects

Hi Jude,

I'm so sorry to hear that your AC experience has been so flipping awful. I had my first on Tuesday and its rough.  Between heart palpitations and nausea and diarrhoea, it's been difficult. I can only imagine what you have endured. 

AC is very rough on the digestion, so eat tiny meals very often if you can, I find bland food is easiest. I can stomach avocado, sweet potato, banana, brown rice and Saladas and that is about it.  Nothing spicy. I read to drink an hour either side of meals and not with meals - seems to help. Also I avoid anything too hot or cold. What anti - nausea meds have they given you? Take all they give you to get through!

jude, I don't have kids so can only imagine what that adds to the difficulty but If I know one thing it's that accepting all and any help is good and that you are priority no.1.  Expect nothing of yourself other than getting through. 

Much love xxx

Hi Jude,

It sounds like you've had such a hard time of it on AC. My heart goes out to you.  I just completed AC a couple of days ago, Tuesday.  Make sure you keep in touch with the chemo ward and the nurses so they keep a close eye on you. Adjustments can always be made to the anti nausea meds, I've been having a combination of maxalon, dexamethosone and last night a bit of ativan.  As far as food goes, I've stuck to soups, dry bread, ginger beer, jelly etc.

Although I'm 48 with two young teenagers, I don't feel entirely old, but I'm past the cut off for the young women's groups (45) LOL! A cancer diagnosis comes out of the blue and changes your life.  I've taken enforced leave from my job, due to the surgeries, chemo and fear that I'll contract viruses (school teacher).

I've just started yoga and acupuncture at the local cancer centre.  It's been really helpful with the energy levels,  hopefully would help with the nausea. And I've also met some other women.  

I have radiotherapy to look forward to. 

A couple of weeks ago I attended a Look Good Feel Better Workshop which I found really helpful to learn to cope with the lost hair and fading eyebrows.  If you happen to be an inpatient while there's a workshop on, it's always possible to attend, as a woman did at mine. 

Later in the year, Oct, I've enrolled in the YWCA encore breast exercise program.  I know they have a young women's group meeting in syd, but I'll be attending the one in Ashfield.

Be kind to yourself in the days,  chemo is so tough on your body.

Sending big hugs, 

Karen xx

Hi Jude

i too ended up in hospital for 5 days with my first chemo treatment. I had TCH and they ended up changing the carboplatin for cyclophosphomide on the 3rd cycle.  I ended up having higher doses of cortisone for longer and had the ondansetron wafers. For a week each cycle, I lived on lemonade icy poles. They were the only things I could keep down.  They also did my infusions a lot slower than normal and that seemed to help as well.  Tell your onc every single side effect as you will be surprised what they can do. Take care and all the best for your next rounds. Karen xox

Thanks for the comments and words of encouragement. I've also been told that Taxol is a lot easier, so I am counting down the weeks till I start the Taxol treatments. A chemo nurse also recommended dark nail polish during the Taxol treatments. Damaged nails sounds painful, so I will be keeping up with my nail care. It really helps to hear from other women. Thanks!

Hi Jude, I haven't had AC but started Taxol today for 12 weeks. I was given anti nausea drugs through my portacath before I was given the taxol. I am a little weary with a pain in my chest that feels like indigestion. I hope your body starts to accept the AC   Next treatment. I have been told by all medical people that taxol is user friendly when it comes to chemo.

good luck with your journey and remember every treatment is one step closer to the end of your journey Leanne xx

Hi Jude,

I was 41 when I was diagnosed in Feb this year and I have 2 daughters aged 10 & 13.

I'm not much help with suggestions for what works with the AC as I only had Taxol. Make sure you make a note of all of the side effects and keep your Oncologist up to speed so they can try and counter things as much as possible for you. As inconvenient as it is being admitted for the next 2 cycles at least youknow that help is only going to be a press of a nurses button away. A possible glimmer of hope for you, the few people I know who had the AC first have all said it was hard, I guess it is nicknamed "red devil" for a reason, but all of them have then said that the Taxol was easier to handle. I will cross my fingers that it will be the same for you.

The hair loss, I thought I would be upset losing my waist length curls but like so many other women have found I'm actually really liking the short hair, so once you stop getting startled every time you look in the mirror you may surprise yourself. My fingernails ended up being a bigger concern than my hair - get some dark nail polish and lots of moisturiser if you haven't already.  Also if you get a chance go to one of the Look Good Feel Better workshops, it is amazing how the few hours at the workshop can give you a bit of a boost.

Hoping it gets easier from here for you,

Jen

Hey Jude. You poor thing. I too have strong family history. I am 48 with an 11 year old.  After my first chemo i had heart palpitations and pain and ended up in emergency. I also had a ct scan to check for blood clot in the lungs.

I was lucky in the nausea dept. I had heartburn quite a bit which i managed with medication. When i felt queasy i found salty potato chips helped not very healthy but it worked for me.  If your nausea medication isnt working well speak to your oncologist as there may be something else that may work better for you. Hope that things improve for you. Take care.

Maryrose