Hi Folks
Had first chemo on Wed was really scared but turned out to be not too bad[the process itself] felt sick and was in bed by 7.30 on wed evening slept fitfully with hot flushes and a bucket by the side of the bed [overkill i know but was worried].Iwasnt sick but didn't get up till 12.00 next day and then i got a second wind wrote and posted cards and even went for an icecream in our local icecream parlour thought i had got away with it til today sat on settee all day watchin telly hubby went to do some shoppin so i took dog out and fed my horse and my chickens and have been sat down ever since .Thinks am goin to have to alter my way of life drastically i know i am probably no different from others but its suddenly dawned on me this is my life til may [providing there are no hiccups] sorry for moaning had to get it out
teresa x
FormerMember
I had my third on Tuesday. It wasn't too bad and felt fine on Wednesday. Thursday had an afternoon out which has completely tired me out today spent all the day lying about. I hadn't experienced this tiredness so soon in the cycle I have been getting a bit wobbly half way thru the second week so I have felt a bit low today. I'm sure there will be many more low days but we have to get on top of them . It will be beautiful in May when all this is over.
Glad your first Chemo wasn't too bad, as you know my first didn't go too well. Only side affects at the moment is tiredness. Trying as much to keep on the move - managing to do some housework, hubby doing the shopping for me. We bought a WII sports game a couple of months ago but not used it often but If'm now getting in some practice as you can play games sitting down . Friends & work collegues ring but they have not yet come round to visit i think their a bit scared of passing on germs too me incase my immune system is low. I have told them early days yet so it should be ok. I am going to see my 3yr old grandson to take him some string & cellotape as he told Santa last week this is want he wanted for Xmas.
Oh some of this sounds so familer and I think we have all been there. Jazzcat and I started at a similar time, well she's ahead of me so I got some good advice from her re pacing yourself. But I did the same thing, first chemo - doddle what's all the fuss about I thought, felt a little queasy but took the tablets - hey great no problem. Next day up early out to Tesco, whizzing round with the trolley, lifting bags - when I got home I only had the energy to bring in one bag at a time and then unpack it. I slept in the chair for the rest of the day then remembered I needed to put the bins out. Now in my defence I do live in a Victorian terrace so have to take it across three gardens, and it was a heavy garden waste bin - but I had to stop three times - talk about old crock. So I learnt - pace yourself and next time I did... but got confused about the steroids and only took one, the first day and couldn't work out why I was tired.
I have managed to work for some weeks each cycle and have my third chemo next week, but I am feeling more tired after each day and know at some point I may have to stop working, but I still do most of the things I used to - just slower and not as much. Like you I get hot sweats at night, yuk aren't they? I sleep on top of the bed now, remembering to fold the quilt down -having fought to pull it over me when I was laying on it one night.!
Did they tell you to keep a diary, sounds strange but it does help you pin point the days when you feel like a limp lettuce and the days when you feel better etc.
You'll get into a pattern so you'll know what to expect. I used to be fine for the first couple of days then wham bang - no energy, felt nauseous even though was on anti-sick tablets and then I'd pick up again ready for next time. In the good days I felt really well although it does catch up with you after a few months. I was never actually sick - get some of those "sea bands" - they worked for me. I was lucky (ha ha) that my chemo started in June last year so I got days when it was nice to sit in the garden and then there were some days when I could actually ride (with a friend "supervising" me so that I never went out alone - "just in case"). Keeping a diary is an excellent idea - you can look back and see how far you 've come. It won't seem like it now at the start of the journey but it does pass more quickly than you think. My chemo finished this time last year - I find that really hard to believe. Everyone is different and will react in different ways. Some days you feel you can handle anything and the next you feel you can't. The tiredenss you feel is like nothing you have ever experienced before and anyone who hasn't got cancer cannot understand. Your taste may change as well - I found that some foods I liked I couldn't face. I found a taste for ginger beer - it helps with the sickly feeling. Pineapple is great and it has something in it that keeps your mouth fresh - I only suffered mouth ulcers on one cycle. Keep a note of your temperature - if you get a high one you must let the hospitgal know - I ended up in hospital with what I thought was just a sore throat but ended up being neutropenia when your blood count goes dangerously low - was only in overnight to be monitored but made me realise I had to tell hubby when I wasn't feeling well rather than the usual "I'm fine". I needed to see my horse every day as this was my "normality" even though everyone at the livery yard rallied round to help. They did a rota so on days I couldn't face driving they made sure I got a lift to see her - friends are fatntasic but you have to learn to ask and agree to help which I found difficult as I had always been very independent. It's a great help to have some normal things in your life to cling on to. Good luck - it will pass. Take care x
