Starting Chemo

FormerMember over 4 years ago

2 replies
16 subscribers
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Hi all,

My friend is starting chemo next week (carboplatin). She originally had breast cancer in 2013 which re-emerged in 2019 and she's been on various treatments ever since. After an unsuccessful trial treatment, she has now been told she needs to move onto Chemo asap as the cancer has spread, and is now in her lungs, lymph nodes, liver and bones.

She starts her first treatment next week and I wil be helping to look after her but don't know what to expect. I want to prepare myself and would love some advice for what I can do to help? I know being there will mean a lot, but what should the primary carer and I be doing for her? Are there any specific foods/drinks that I should try to make sure we have in/avoid? Any activities that people can recommend to distract her either during or after chemo?

Any help/advice greatly appreciated xxx

po18guy over 4 years ago

So sorry to hear this. Carboplatin is known for producing nausea. It has metabolites which remain in the system for perhaps a few days after the infusion. It is therefore vital to keep anti-nausea medication at hand, such as Ondansetron (Zofran, Zuplenz, Ondisolv, etc.) and perhaps Lorazepam (Ativan, Tavor, Temesta, etc.) to calm the nerves a bit - if that is thought to be proper. What I did was, the moment that I felt the nausea beginning, I would pop a tablet of Ondansetron beneath my tongue, much as heart patients do with nitroglycerine, and allow it to dissolve. In less than 5 minutes time, the nausea was gone. However, an increase in hydration is also needed as constipation can set in. Others will add to this, but that was my experience.

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One cancer (PTCL-NOS) 3 times. Two other cancers: Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma 2 times, and 20q deletion MyeloDysplastic Syndrome) were chemo refractory. All three cancers simultaneously in 2015. Stage IV twice + MDS @ 23% of marrow. 12/22 diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Thus far, 14+ years, 20 drugs, 4 clinical trials, Total Body Irradiation, 1,000+ years of background radiation from scans. 7th remission so far. Haploidentical stem cell transplant, acute > chronic Graft-versus-Host-disease. Currently receiving my 7th GvHD regimen.

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to po18guy

Thank you, all the best

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