Hi everyone,
Firstly i just want to say thank you for this site, and to all you wonderful people who have made it what it is.
I found this site yesterday whilst searching for help and information about cancer/chemotherapy, and since then have spent the last two days reading your blogs. They have been very helpful and informative and you all deserve a hug for the help and support you show each other.
I am due to start chemo (carboplatin & paclitaxel) for ovarian cancer in two weeks and i have been told about the possible side effects, but i've seen a few of you mention steroids and want to know why you have steroids (will i have to take them) and do they cause problems with sleeping.
My father in law passed away 2 weeks ago to bowel cancer, and so its been a tough few weeks for my husband and so i'm determined to be strong for him, i do feel a bit numb at times though, as if its not me thats gonna have to go through this, but someone else.
I think i've decided not to bother with the cold cap, i love my hair, but i would hate it to be in anything other than the condition it is right now, so rather than have thinned or patchy hair i've decided i'd rather have none. I'm going to the hairdressers next week to have it cut short, so it's not such a big shock when it goes. Any input regarding the cold cap would be greatly received.
I look forward to speaking to you all over the next few months. Thank you xxx
FormerMember
Hello Rachael, and welcome to the site - I'm so glad you've found us. I know this site has kept me sane over the last few months, and I couldn't have had more support than I found here. Not to mention the added benefit of making lots of new friends. What a dreadful time you're having, with both your father-in-law's death and your own illness to cope with. I can sympathise with the numbness - I find it quite difficult to believe this is happening to me too!
Like you, I have ovarian cancer and I've just started chemotherapy with the same drugs - carboplatin and paclitaxel. I've had one cycle, 2 weeks ago. I was scared silly about the side effects, but for this cycle I've been very lucky and they really have been minimal. I felt really good while I was taking the steroids. After that, I had 3-4 days where I ached all over and felt sick, but the pills I'd been given fixed that. And now I just feel very tired in the afternoons. But it certainly hasn't been half as bad as I feared. My hair is starting to come out in handfuls now and my scalp aches, but it really isn't too bad. I wasn't offered the cold cap but don't think I would have gone for it anyway.
You will probably have to take steroids as they help prevent any allergic reaction to chemo - I didn't find they affected my sleep at all - though I could probably sleep through an earthquake!
I'm not going to count on getting through all my chemo as easily as this first cycle, but really if it's any help, this one hasn't been too bad at all. The day before, I was ready to cancel chemo because I was so scared - but the reality was so much better than the nightmare I'd managed to conjure up for myself!
Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on - and hope to meet up with you in the chatroom.
Welcome to the site! I am replying because I am currently using the scalp cooler with my chemotherapy - one of my drugs is paclitaxol - have had three cycles of chemo and so far I have thinner but perfectly acceptable hair! I am not convinced that my hair will survive for the whole 6 cycles - but if I have a had a reprieve from wearing a wig in this hot weather for me it has been worth it. Scalp cooling has not been a bad experience - It stings for the first 8 minutes (I watch the clock) and then you are numb so dont feel anything more. The only drawback is you are in the chemo unit a lot longer because of having to chill the scalp before chemo begins and then or approx 2 hours after the chemo has gone through. I wish you well with your treatments! The steroids have an anti inflammatory effect on the body and reduces the likelihood of you reacting to the highly toxic chemo. It does make it a bit harder for me to sleep but you only take them for a couple of days so its not too bad. Best wishes Jools x
I am sorry to welcome you to this site under the circumstances that bring you in, but soooo pleased that you have found us.
The support you will find in here is 1st class with no holes barred.
Poor you, going through your own cancer and having to see your father in law lose his battle. Your poor hubby must be torn apart inside. It is so difficult on the outside as it is, but to have 2 of the people you love going through it is a real double bummer.
As for the steroids, they are normally given for anti sickness. Everyone is different so amounts differ and chemo cocktails are also different .
They forgot to give me my "goody bag" with the extra pills and potions in on two occasions. So I decided as I had been fine without them, declined them for the rest of the course of chemo. But It is not worth suffering any side effects that can be controlled by meds, as you have enough to cope with already.
Well done for making your strong decision on the hair front. I too had mine cut off before it got to the fall out stage. It soon starts to grow back when all the treatment is over.
I wish you all the very best for all of your treatment.
lol and big(((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))) to you and your hubby.
Hi Rachael,I missed you joining as I was away so welcome (just trying to catch up!).You are very young for ovarian cancer as it is generally found in older ladies ( I was told I was young at 46). I wish you well with your treatment.Is chemo the only treatment you are having? I had to take 10 steroid tablets 12 and 6 hours before chemo so that meant up at 3am for a drink and a sandwich!Let us know how things are going. Lesleyxx
