Chemo tips needed!

Hi Dee1971. I had a different type of chemo to what you will be having, but there are some general tips for any chemo treatments. It can be a long day in the chair, so wear loose comfortable clothes. Take plenty of snacks and drinks. They do normally supply tea and a sandwich, but not great. Something to keep you occupied. Take anti sickness meds as prescribed. They are designed to help prevent sickness, not stop it if it happens. I was advised to use a good quality mouthwash regularly which helps prevent mouth sores. At home drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. The chemo lounges are generally very sociable and upbeat, not all doom and gloom as you may expect. Maybe slightly different now because of covid. Regarding the cold cap,I see you are a member of the Breast group, so a post there should get you more specific advice. I hope all goes well. Best wishes.

Hi Rily,

Thank you so much for your message and advice, very much appreciated.  I just don't know what to expect and these sort of things worry me, the logistics of the day, rather than the actual treatment.

Thanks again,

Dee

Hi, I'm new to the Forum - this is my first post - so I hope I get it right!  Tomorrow I'll have my 6th chemo treatment for breast cancer.  For the first treatment I took books, my kindle, my laptop and a radio with headphones - and used precisely none of it!!  Just slept through the whole thing and that's pretty much been the pattern ever since.  I still take a book and last week took a radio and fell asleep listening to Test Match Special.  No reflection on the cricket....   As far as the cold cap is concerned, I've had it every week so far and, fingers crossed, it seems to be working.  The first 20 minutes or so are the worst I find, as it freezes over, but after that it's bearable.  I do have a couple of paracetamol to stave off headache though.  I would say, definitely worth a try.  I don't know if it varies depending on which chemo you're having - I'm on paclitaxel and have to have the cap on for 30 minutes before IV starts and 1 hr. after it finishes.  I don't mind this, as it seems to be working.  All the best, hope it goes well.

I start chemo next week and I found your reply very useful.  Thank you

This is really useful, i'm starting chemo next week.  Thank you