Chemo

Hi HDF

Welcome to the online community, my name is Sarah one of the nurses on the Macmillan support line.

It is understandable to have questions when you are newly diagnosed. Although we don’t have access to NHS notes we can talk generally about cancer treatment and side effects.

Before you start your chemotherapy, you will get a chance to meet one of the chemotherapy nurses who will talk through chemotherapy side effects and what to expect on the day.

Each drug takes a different time to be given and you will usually have some extra medications to help with side effects which can be tablets or given through an intravenous drip. Treatment for ovarian cancer is usually given with 2 drugs, one takes about an hour and the other 3 hours. If this is the case, you would expect to be in the chemotherapy ward for at least 6 hours. Both these drugs are usually given once every 3 weeks.

You may be able to take someone with you for company and would suggest something to keep you occupied such as a good book or download a film to watch on a device. There can sometimes be a lot of waiting around.

Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, but if you are having one which does, you maybe able to get a wig free on the NHS. Cancer Hair care charity has lots of information about hair loss including a wig guide.  The chemotherapy nurse may also explain about how to prevent or reduce hair loss through scalp cooling.

Whether you can continue to work through treatment will be something to discuss with your consultant. The main concern would be risk of infection so in some cases such as working in schools, you may be advised to not work whilst on chemotherapy. Most people will try and work through their treatment with support from their workplace.

It can be helpful to write down what else you need to know so that at your appointment with the chemotherapy nurse you feel confident in your treatment and plan.

I hope this has helped to answer some of your questions.

You may find it helpful to talk through with others for support. Our online community chemotherapy forum and ovarian cancer forum can also help with questions you may have.

All the best with your chemotherapy and please get back in touch if we can help with anything else.

Best wishes,

Sarah

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/ SH/SS