Chemotherapy amid the coronavirus outbreak

Ps sorry about all the hand emojis, I was unable to delete them all

Hi ya

I can imagine what you must be thinking with the extra pressure of coronavirus lurking round every corner.

Although that was not an issue when i went through it....I was a single parent, working in retail and had a dog.....so germs were lurking everywhere for me ha ha.

Basically it's just same old caution of washing your hands before you eat etc....usual cautions.

But......my chemo nurse always gave me antibiotics to take.....throughout my chemo i had to take one a day for the duration.....i cannot remember what they were called but they were just one a day (i took it before bed).

Maybe that's worth a mention to your chemo team? I know that it's not gonna stop corona......but it helped me get through without picking up anything nasty.

xxx

Hi 

I'm about to start chemo tomorrow ,  yes I'm concerned about the coronavirus and the impact.  But from what my oncologist said I will be vulnerable to just an everyday common cold. Trying to stay rational is easier said than done. 

I've not got young  children but I have spoken to both my boys about improving everyday hygiene.  I have cleaned disinfected and bleach all surfaces and handles . A little ott I know and I'm constantly doing so. I've limited where I'm going and who I'm mixing with. Basically I'm self isolating already. I'm a single mum , my children are older so if they become ill then they or I will go elsewhere to ensure I'm limiting the possibility of infection. Hoping it doesnt get to this though. 

I also wanted to work during chemo,  however my oncologist as said absolutely not !!  I too work in retail. Maybe this is why it's a absolutely not. 

It's a very scary time 

Take care 

Julie 

Hi Ju72, 

Good luck with your first day today. Hugs

Hi Ju72

Your message is exactly how I'm feeling. I have my first chemo Monday and am in a bit of a dilemma how far to go with self isolating, so much scarmongering going on where I live, rumours of hospital admissions etc and cases which have not been confirmed. Hope your first one was OK. 

Take care x

Hi ladies 

Thanks for your replies.

First chemo done ...yay !! 

Had the cold cap to be honest I didnt find it a problem however I did have regular pain killers before and during to ensure I didnt. I didnt even suffer a headache, the only issue I had was the chin strap. It's so annoying and digs in. I did take one kf those sleep eye masks to wrap over it but it still irritated me.

Chemo side effects so far , feeling sick but anti sick meds takes it away and burping?? I've very rarely burped so this is new experience for me. I'm eating little and often as eating carbs ( mainly toast ) takes the sickness  feeling away. 

Oh and zero sleep , possibly down to the 6 steroid tablets I had to take prior to having the chemo. Hoping this passes soon. 

Other than that the first 18 hours have been ok. 

As for the virus my nurse recommended to self isolate , no going into large crowds , food shopping etc etc. To go on lockdown basically. Keep people 2 metres away and of course hand wash and anti bac gel . Clean surfaces regularly . Things weve already been told to do. I've been doing this already and will continue. Never done online food shops but for the last 2 weeks I have. 

Keep safe & take care

Julie  x

Thanks for that posting Julie. I found it very interesting, especially as I start Monday. Hope you're feeling better today and get some decent sleep. I recall a friend telling me some years ago she got all her spring cleaning done when she was on steroids! Can I ask you what regime you are on? My treatment is 6 sessions over 18 weeks of FEC-T. I will be comparing our progress. Take care x

Hi 

My treatment plan is 6 cycles over 18 weeks also , having 3 × EC followed by 3 × T 

We all have different side effects some sooner than others. I'm  taking each day as it comes. Hoping to have a few zzzds on the settee at some point today. 

Good luck for monday , post and let me know how you get on when you feel up to it. 

Take care 

Julie 

Hi 

My treatment plan is 6 cycles over 18 weeks also , having 3 × EC followed by 3 × T 

We all have different side effects some sooner than others. I'm  taking each day as it comes. Hoping to have a few zzzds on the settee at some point today. 

Good luck for monday , post and let me know how you get on when you feel up to it. 

Take care 

Julie 

Hi Ju72 and countingthedays, 

I've got my first oncology appointment on Monday to discuss my op and will be starting chemo soon too. I may need to exchange notes lol. Need to get my head round the abbreviations still. Good luck for Monday and take it easy Ju72.

Hugs

Xxxxxx