Having Doubts re Chemo

Hi Mary

I'm still here! I have had 4 cycles of chemo and the side effects are not too bad. Spoke to my friend who is having the chemo in the same way as you, and our side effects are the same. The main one is the tingling in the hands but can be overcome by wearing cotton gloves round the house for a few days. It can affect the feet as well I believe, but neither of us have had it there yet. Nausea is kept under control with medication, which has proved to be very effective. It can make you have diarrheoa, but thaqt only seems to be troublesome for a day or two (the ring of fire!) so get a large pot of sudocrem to sooth. All I can say is don't worry about the chemo, it's bearable and at least it's an insurance policy against it coming back or finding a home somewhere else.

Send me a message if you need any further info.

Take care and good luck with the treatment

Angela x

I had bowel cancer and was feeling very well after my op, like you I was dubious about starting chemo and said so to my oncologist, I said I feel the best I have for years and now I have come to him to make me sick again. He laughed and said at least I had a sense of humour. Anyway I have had 2 treatments due to have my third on the 4th. Like Angela said it is not too bad, in fact when I listen to some people on here I feel quite humble and that I am gettting off lightly. I get cramps in my legs and hands which I need to tell the onc about, I haven't heard of anyone else getting them. ( Is there anyone else on here who has them.) Other than that a sore mouth and the tingling, a little queasyness but as Angela said helped by pills. So don't be scared and again wise words from Angela it will be an insurance policy. Good luck for the 12th and take each treatment in your stride each one is different, everyone is different, we all seem to experience the classic symptoms of tingling in the hands and feet, easily bearable if it gives us peace of mind. Love and best wishes Julie XXXX

Thank you both for your help and advice and support  hospital just rung chemo now to start on the 5th November.  3 appts at hosp next week.Do you both have pic lines in, do you feel like going out, so much I need to know, I'm in panic mode!

Angela, did you get my private messages?

Mary xx

Hi Mary

Firstly, no I haven't had the private messages. I don't have a picc line, I have a canula each time I attend and I take the 5FU in tablet form, but my friend, Siobhan, does have a picc line. She manages fine with it. She was given a very long rubber glove to wear when having a shower. Both of us go out and do the normal things, shopping etc. I do get a few days where I feel tired, so avoid those days for doing anything much. You'll get to know when you have good days and not so good days. Hope all goes well on the 5th, I'm sure all will be fine.

Angela x

Hi Mary,

I had chemo before my liver and bowel surgery. I had oxalioplatin and capecitabine -same as 5FU I think- for 4 cycles and since the surgery I am having capecitabine only. I had no picc just a cannula for the oxaliplatin.

I had minimal side effects and worked thru the first 4 cycles.only slight nausea on infusion days and constipation most of the time but that can be sorted by meds. No nausea now, little tired sometimes but I am now on number 7 after surgery, only one more to go.

We are all different but my experience of chemo has been good and I hope yours is too.

Jen XX