I guess we all react to BEP chemo differently, based on our biological make-up, age and general health. For me it was the stuff around the chemo that I could have andled better, as the chemo itself was ok.
If I had to give advice to anyone about to start this regime, then it would be as follows:
1. Digestive health
Trying to fnd polite words, but as chemo is the ingestion of toxic stuff to kill the cancer (and it harms your hair follicles and bone marrow resulting in a brief reduction in immune system strength) its important it has a way out of your body. It comes out in your poo, piddle and pores - so be expected to pee every two hours and make sure all 'exits' are in full working order. You may have just had surgery or similar and morphine based pain killers as well as chemo can bung you up.
Tip: take the laxatives from the outset, not when you start to need them. You can always back off, but if you don't take them, then once blocked you feel awful
2. Never tie a knot in your pyjama cords
See laxatives above
3. The tyranny of the beeping pumps
As an in-patient you'll be tethered to a chemo pump for a minimum of 72hrs and for some regimes 96hrs or more. It beeps when it needs restocking with chemo medicine, it beeps when you unplug it every 2 hours to go for a wee. And so does every other chemo pump on your ward. Sleep is precious, and when its not beeping machines its snorers
Tip: get some ear plugs (such as a handed out in the better class of airline seats) and use them
4. Bright lights
A hospital ward is like a school dormitory - lights out at 11pm, lights back on at 6am - and all manner of strange comings and going during the night.
Tip: get an eye mask (such as handed out in the better class of airline seats) and use it
5. Sight, Sound and Stench
I've tackled two of the senses, so on to another. If you have to walk yourself to the bathroom dragging a bleeping pump, then count yourself lucky. There'll be others on the ward not so fortunate - and they are combined to the bed. That means that all bodily functions occur there, and through no fault of their own that can result in malodourous clouds wafting across the ward. When you're not feeling too chipper already a fog of stench engulfing you can be awful. Have something with you nice to smell - be that aromatherapy oil, aftershave, or vics vapour rub - whatever your favourite - and keep it to hand
6. Hopscotch
There is an intermediate class between the bedridden and those dragging pumps around and using their god-given plumbing. Some people have catheters and urine bags that need emptying.In my experience this is not a clean or easy task based on the results I've seen.
Tip: Never, EVER, go to the communal bathroom in bare feet
7. Preparation is everything
If you're on chemo they want to monitor fluids out as welll as fluids in. You have to autograph the wee bottles to identify them. Autograph them before you fill them - its much easier that trying to write your name than when juggling a pint of urine in a cardboard bottle, whilst tethered to a chemo pump abnd with a cannula in your hand.
Tip: sign the bottles beforehand
8. Do as your mother said, and wash
Chemo comes out of your pores too - and so taking advantage between bags on the pump to nip and have a shower will make you feel better - though don't take too long or your cannula might clot and they'll have to fi another one.
The more fragrant the shower gel the better (see tip 5). Though due to the high number of nurses around you might want to avoid your favourite Lynx Libido...
9. Sweets and Drinks
You can taste the chemo, some describe it as 'metallic' but either way it is an ever present taste. To cut through it you'll probably want a variety of drinks (other than water which they give you) and for those to have a sharop edge to them.Lucozade energy (all flavours), pineapple and grapefruit seemed to be favourites on my ward. Similarly some swwets can help alleviate the taste and can reduce any remaining sense of nausea (though the anit-emetics are excellent)
10.Entertainment
Your best source of entertainment will be your fellow ward members - every one of them will have an interesting story to tell and they provide support and humour during the day. I thank all of mine for the jokes and genuine care and concern - and especially the more senior ones (see previous posts) who showed me just how much life can be enjoyed after 8 decades on this planet. Take time to get to know them all.
After that having some movies to watch, music to listen too, and talking books when its just too much effort to read one or hold your eyes open to watch a movie will while away the time. If you're very lucky your ward might have wifi and you can e-mail or skype friends.
Hope this helps someone to have a more manageable time
Greg
