Hello all.
Looking for a bit of advise.
Been getting chemo ,now into 8th week. Really thought i was managing it all quite well.
Had my last infusion last Tuesday and take myself daily.
This last cycle has basically knocked the stuffing out of me-big time!!
Everything is such a struggle to cope and deal with-is this normal proccedure??
I`m down in the dumps and can`t seem to get back up,crying at the most simple things,nerves shattered,emotions all over the place,silly thoughts etc etc.
From the top of my head to the soles of my feet aches? what is going on?
Is this the chemo just doing what it`s supposed to do or am I loosing the plot all together,
All this is totally out of character and I have no control of myself.
This cancer just does what it likes,when it wants and how it wants.FED UP!
Irene
FormerMember
Hi irene , I have never had chemo but it sounds to me like you have been absolutely amazing putting up with so much and it is enevitable that you have bad days .We all have days like that even when well!
remember you are human and not superhuman, take it easier and give yourself a treat. I hope the chemo ends soon and gives you a break.
Hi Irene, I am on R-Chop and have had 3 cycles, each one has been different and after my 3rd I felt cr*p for about 12 days before I got back to feeling good and I too have experienced for the first time feeling down though it was only for a few hours. Though I do get a lump in my throat a lot more often.
So don't worry its just the drugs/steroids doing what they do which is to confuse us and make sure we don't get off that roller coaster ha ha.
My oncologist told me a few things about chemo in his own matter of fact way which I like. He said "what we are going to do to you is get as much poison into your body without killing you. The effects are cumulative and will build up as you go through each course." He went on to say that he could not predict the side effects, when they will happen, and how severe. WHat he did say is they can help with some of the side efects so tell them at the hospital how you feel.
I am on my seventh course - not intravenous or Picc but nevertheless the effects are building up. My feet are red raw. My hands are peeling. I ache everywhere from head to toe and my chemo brain is driving the family to distraction.
I would say that your reactions are quite normal. Bloody awful but to some extent the symptoms can be treated.
Sorry you feel so horrible but remember it is making the cancer feel even worse. I had 12 weeks of chemo and week 9 was horrible, I felt very depressed that week but I have had no pain. I just had surgery and now am back on chemo-finish first cycle tomorrow but had no problems. Everybody is different and every cycle is different but do check with your doctor, some side fx can be medicated.
Had 3 months of chemo and I guess I can relate to what you are going through. There has been some good info in the replies above:
DREW "The effects are cumulative and will build up as you go through each course." He went on to say that he could not predict the side effects, when they will happen, and how severe. WHat he did say is they can help with some of the side efects so tell them at the hospital how you feel."
Wise words. Different strokes for different folks. Talk to the onclogist. If you have a brain like mine write the stuff down so you don't forget to tell them.
JEN: "Everybody is different and every cycle is different but do check with your doctor, some side fx can be medicated." More wise words. The doc's are there to help, take advantage of their experience.
My own chemo experience was a breeze. I just got really knackered but fought it off with a daily walk, usually to a pub to keep up my fluid intake like they told me. That was the only side effect I had. The result at the end though was beyond belief. It completely zapped my cancer. Hope it does the same for you. Never give up. I've said this to many folks many times before. When I wake up each morning and put on my slippers, I swear I can here Satan saying, "OH CR*P, HE'S AWAKE".
Best of luck Irene, see you in the chat room maybe.
