due to start chemoradiotherapy 17th Dec. Some words of advice & encouragement needed.
FormerMember
Hi Sue, welcome to What Now......you will get alot of support from the people here. They are always willing to listen and support no matter whether you need to rant or rave, laugh or cry!
I too have been were you are now and found it a very scary place to be. I found that no matter what you have to face it generally isn't as bad as you invisage...i'm needle phobic and the nurses were absolutely fantastic, they took the time to reassure me and literally held me whilst i had to go through my treatment. You also seem to get the inner strength to cope with things that seem to be insurmountable...where it comes from i really don't know. Please hang in there and remember you don't have to be strong all of the time we are all here to support you and you will be fine honest. Have a read at my blogs and know that if i can do it you can too.
Cyber (((((HUGS))))) to you and i will be thinking of you on wednesday
I remember very well being very overawed by the whole prospect. I hated needles, had no idea what would happen on the day, and didn't know which of the side-effects I would be ticking off the Probable or Possible list.
I found the actual experience wasn't as bad as I had feared. The other patients were friendly, but no-one was invasive. My partner had to leave me and go to work, but one of my work colleagues turned up to sit with me for an hour so that I didn't feel alone. I was on Cisplatin, which can cause kidney damage so it was a long process, hours worth of other drips being put through before and after the chemo, and we each had to wee into a cardboard pot , slip some jellifying crystals in, and write our initials on for the nurses to weigh and make sure we were drinking enough fluids to protect our kidneys.
I found that I had rather awkward veins, but the nurses got me to soak my hand and wrist in very hot water beforehand as that brings the veins up. The most awkward part was trailing the cvhemo stand with you to the lavatory - and I also had to take mine down to the ground floor so I could have my radiotherapy - one time the lift got stuck and I had to clamber down a foot or so, very inelegantly!
You will find that you get to recognise people, that almost everyone, nurses and patients, are very friendly, and will chat if you wish to. Take a book or your laptop amd headphones if you are going to be there a long time (you can also have to wait for blood test results before hey'll hook you up). Take some food in case none is provided on the ward, and something to drink (not vodka LOL).
There are many many differnt types of chemo, and they all have different potential side effects, so I can't predict how you'll feel, but I am wishing you the very very best of luck, the best of treatment, and that this chemo is going to kick those cancer cells right out of your body for good.
just to let you know you are not alone. i have only had 1 chemo so far and am due for my 2nd one this friday. i am not sure what you are being treated for however it may be of some help to now what to expect.
i had my first chemo at the Royal Marsden, again as you may have heard from others, not what i expected.
I arrived at 9am was welcomed and given a cup of tea. blood tests soon took place and then then my line was put in, not as bad as it sounds i think the occassion rather then the needle itself took over but they found a vein without any real problems.
for myself i found the day to be very long and i did not get out until 6pm, however that was down to 3 chemos i was being given and i found i was comforted by the constant support of the nurses and the other patients around.
I suggest you take a goody bag, nibbles etc, i do not know where you are being treated, but at the RM you only get a sarnie and a piece of fruit or a yoghurt for lunch, btw the tea does not eaxactly flow but is welcome the 3 time a day it is deleivered.
Bring a book, some magazines or a portable dvd player to keep yourself occupied.
Speaking for me personally at the end of the day i did not feel any different and mananaged to get home on the tube without any issues. as i said i am now over 2 weeks into the treatment and have suffered very minor "inconveniences" rather than full on sode effects, again how you will react will depend on what type of chemo you are on.
Anyway i hope it all goes well for you and will be out there for you
