What to expect after first round of chemo

FormerMember over 3 years ago

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Hi,

My mum was diagnosed recently with stage 4 small cell lung cancer. She started her first round of chemo last week and does not seem to be any better, if anything we think she is deteriorating.

We know the treatment is palliative but we were all hoping that she would have some respite. The tumour has wrapped around her trachea so I am not if the chemo will help manage this as it is a source of discomfort for her - but so far this has not improved. She was also very weak yesterday and was in bed early as she was too tired to stay up.

She has also been waking up with headaches each morning. I know that this type of cancer can spread to the brain so naturally we are worried that this is what has happened. Or could this also be a side effect of the treatment?

On the positive side of things she is eating well!

Any advice you can offer would be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Vanessa

Lorna-Macmillan over 3 years ago

Hi Ness,

Thanks for getting in touch with us and welcome back to the online community.

I’m sorry to hear that you feel your mum is deteriorating, rather than getting any benefit from her palliative chemotherapy. It must be a worrying time for you all, but it’s important to remember she has only had one cycle so far. It might be helpful to speak to your mum’s Consultant and ask questions about your mums cancer treatment, and what they are hoping to achieve with it.

Palliative chemotherapy, as you already probably know, is given to shrink and control cancer, to manage any symptoms and improve your mum’s quality of life.

Your mum may experience some side effects including feeling tired and there can be many different reasons as to why she has a headache. It would be helpful to contact her Clinical Nurse Specialist (if she has one) or her GP. They will be able to review her and prescribe medication to help with her pain.

It can be a very anxious and worrying time for you, it might help talking to others on our friends and family forum or you may find our booklet helpful too.

I hope you find this information helpful please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if you have any more questions.

Best wishes,

Lorna- Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Our ref: LB/HW

Lorna-Macmillan (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)

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What to expect after first round of chemo