Are you having trouble sleeping?
Sleep problems may be caused by how you’re feeling emotionally, or as part of the side effects for cancer treatment. If you find it hard to have a good sleep, you’re not alone. The Online Community is here to support you 24/7.
“Getting a cancer diagnosis is extremely stressful, and that brings a whole load of emotions, and lack of sleep certainly does not help. I think many of us have periods of insomnia. I experienced a long period of not sleeping. I could go off to sleep quite quickly, but after an hour I would find myself wide awake again, and would spend the rest of the night getting frustrated because I couldn't sleep."
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Started treatment on Monday, Chemo every monday followed by radiotherapy, then radiotherapy every day (weekends off) . Can't sleep, im a light sleeper anyway, the doctor said can be the steroids. Been awake for an hour already, i know being on my phone won't help, but its frustrating.
Have to be up in the morning to get to hospital 8.30 for 3rd radiotherapy, so going to try and get to sleep .
Hope everyone is ok , goodnight night owls 
xx
Night Lesley 
I'm wide awake but I hope you can get some sleep, especially with an early start. Fingers crossed your treatment goes well, and hopefully doesn't make you feel ropey.
Wishing you all the best my lovely, and let us know how you get on xxx
The day after the first chemo, woke up with a headache, it had been an early appointment and a long day, sipped water through the night, went to make a drink and breakfast, took first lot of anti sickness tablets and had to run to the toilet and vomited water, 
. Felt rubbish all day, thank goodness my appointment was late afternoon. Yesterday was just radiotherapy, all went well. Can't find things i want to eat, OH suggested things and just the thought made me feel sick . Im trying to get a bit of nutrition and calories. Early days and didn't think I would feel like this already.
Lesley xx
Morning Lesley 
You're probably not home from treatment yet, so this is for your perusal whenever. So sorry to hear the chemo's made you nauseous but if you're concerned about getting enough calories in, maybe have a word with a dietitian at the hospital? They could get you supplement drinks like Fresubin or Ensure as they also contain nutrients. Many don't like the taste but even putting them in tea or coffee will add to the intake.
My OH was fortunate not to need chemo, but he got through six weeks of RT pretty much unscathed. It was aimed at a different area than yours will be, but I'm hoping you might escape the worst affects of this treatment too - you've got enough to contend with the other. Just make sure you get as much rest as possible sweetheart, as it's a bit of a slog having daily treatment for a lengthy period. Anyroad, well done your OH for helping, and hopefully you'll be able to manage some of his fine cooking soon!
Big hugs my lovely and take good care xxx
Hi Lesley (Beekeeper527494c
I’m sorry you’re feeling rough so soon after the first chemo. I had the same chemo-I’m assuming you’re on Cisplatin and not the induction double chemo first if I remember rightly.
I didn’t have any sickness or even nausea with it, but it’s important to take the anti sickness meds on schedule. However, they can change the type of meds if you can’t get on with them. For example I can’t get on with metaclopromide, but got it changed to cyclazine and it made the world of difference. There are lots of different types available, so speak up when you next go for your chemo.
The radiotherapy side effects didn’t kick in for me until the start of week 3, but again didn’t make me feel sick. Side effects are different for pelvic radiotherapy though radiotherapy in general can make you very tired. Other effects are likely to involve the bladder and bowel if you get them.
You need to try to keep the calories up so your weight remains stable as possible for both treatments as both treatments are calculated on weight, It’s ok to eat whatever you can, and small meals or snacks are better than nothing. Bland simple food is better, and reducing your green veg/fruit etc can help going through radiotherapy. As Gill says, the Ensure drinks are a way of getting those calories in.
Hopefully you’ll feel better as the days go on, in time for your next chemo,but keep speaking up if to your team if you’re worried about anything.
Sarah xx
Thank you Linda-just got back from the hospital and things seem a bit better. Still waiting for a scan today and not well enough to come home yet, but maybe soon though I hope.
I’m finding it very hard to cope on my own-I can’t do very much for myself-but just got to get on with it. Things would be a lot easier if I wasn’t disabled, but just got to try and keep going.
Sarah xx
