Hi Pollyperk

I just wanted to let you know how my chemotherapy has been so far although I'm on Paclitaxel and Carboplatin for Ovarian cancer but again a scary list of side effects,I was scared of having side effects,would I realise when they happened,I think the unknown is the scary part,plus other people would try and be helpful by telling me how people had breezed through their chemo,but everyone is different and again on different types of chemotherapy.

Ive now just had my 4th session which is every 3 weeks and I've another 4 to go.On first session I had a reaction to the Carboplatin, something I'd read could happen and was dreading it,flushed face,a bit like an anxiety attack,but it was fine the nurses dealt with it straight away,I now take steroids the night and morning before my treatment and no problems since.I have suffered hair loss but again on chemo day seeing other people in the same situation really helps,as to side effects between rounds,I had some sickness, popped an anti sickness pill but made sure I ate regular small meals all through the day,this only lasted first 2 days,I've had some joint pain end of first week after chemo and lasted couple of days,but this seems to have calmed down after each session.I haven't suffered to much from fatigue I find I can still do most things,I am sensible with shopping and going out and try to avoid busy places,make sure I regularly wash hands etc,Careful with cuts I wear gloves if handling anything that might cut me, emptying bins etc, gardening,.The main thing I've done which I think has helped is lots and lots of water throughout the day and the best food.I know when money might be tight fresh food is dear but I have lots of frozen berries etc in freezer for breakfast porridge plus berries, omelettes,high protein meals and I really think that has helped with some of the side effects.I think once you start and get the first rounds under your belt you'll find yourself relaxing a bit.

I hope this might have helped a bit and good luck x

Hi thankyou so much you have really calmed my mind , and I will try the high protein meals , I had a stroke 4 years ago after having the covid vaccine , after 5 months I was back to work crazy I work in the hospital and we were told if we didn’t have the vacine we could loose our jobs , so I had the vacine 9 days later a stroke but I’ve suffered really bad anxiety since and now this it’s completely devastated me … I’m so glad your fine with it , I pray I will be ok I really do I drink normally a litre of water a day and then have about another litre of tea , maybe I will cut the tea out and just drink water , I think your right get the first one over with , I have got one every 2 weeks total of 8 sessions , how long are you usually in chemo each time … thankyou so much for the information it has so helped my mind …Polly xx

Hi Polly

I'm so sorry to hear what a rough time you've had!all this was the last thing you need!I probably went into the chemotherapy expecting the worse side effects etc so anything less was a pleasant surprise!I'm usually in about 6 hrs but this is mainly as I have the 2 drugs through a cannula so there's time before and in-between but the time goes surprisingly quick!some people only in for a couple of hours so it will depend on your drugs how long,again i find it quite reassuring seeing other people and I've always found everyone receiving treatment tend to be very upbeat and no doom and gloom!I never feel awkward if I'm on my own there, you will be given a 24hr telephone number so I'd say at anytime if you are worried give them a call,it's better to have your mind put at rest over something than spend a night worrying and trust me they are there to put your mind at rest.

Drinking water was something my nurse really emphasized so again working etc can make it hard to drink enough but I have water bottle in fridge which has times marked on it which helps me check how much I'm drinking!I also tried ginger and turmeric herbal tea bags to ward off the sickness but let's just say it's a struggle and doesn't beat a nice cuppa tea!!but definitely round chemotherapy time before and after I'd try and stay hydrated,they will probably talk to you and give advice on the day too.

Good luck and feel free to let me know how you get on.

X

Thankyou so so much it really means a lot, I will keep you updated on how I get on I’ve got a couple of weeks to get things sorted at home we are in the middle of decorating our bedroom so been keeping busy stripping wallpaper off … I did wonder if I would get breast cancer as my mum had it too but she never told anyone and had no treatment , from the day we were told we only had 5 weeks with her , but I suppose it was her choice for no treatment and at times I’ve actually thought the same but my children have had their opinion and encouragement to take treatment , … I hope your getting through it you sound a positive person … thankyou again so much .. Polly xx

Hi Pollyperk 

I think you may have meant to post this message in the breast cancer group where I can see you've recently been posting. Clicking on the link I've created will take you straight there and you could then copy and paste your message from here into a new post there to save you typing it out again.

I had EC, but not cyclophosphamide, and apart from losing my hair and temporarily my sense of taste I didn't have any other major side effects. I did feel a bit under the weather for about the first 10 days of each cycle but would then feel fine for the remaining 10 days until I had the next one. Everyone reacts differently and you might be like me and hardly feel ill at all.

All the best 

Anne

I’m so sorry I’m not the greatest with this site , not much good at technology lol Polly xx

Hi Polly

I try to stay as positive as possible but trust me I've had the odd day when it all seemed to much and I've had a little cry dusted myself down and carried on!the only thing I'd add is don't try and be too brave,if your feeling down do let your family and friends know,I've now got better at saying to friend's if I'm feeling a bit tearful etc,rather than plodding on feeling rotten and snapping at everyone while plastering a cheerful smile on my face and the forums on here have been so helpful in seeing how it's not the end of the world and life does go on even if it is slightly different.

Take care

Fluffycat69

Hi fluffycat69 … I do try to be positive but now I’ve a date for chemo I’m a mess again can’t stop crying so scared of the side effects ,…it’s messing with my head, I work at our local hospital and being this side of the fence is a different ball game , everyone has been so supportive but it’s me negitive Nelly again … I think it’s because I don’t know what to expect, I read stuff and it makes me start to feel panicky … I’m not sure I’m actually strong enough for all this, mentally thankyou for your good kind words hugs Polly xx

Hi Polly I was terrified!..read up about every side effect.. I couldn't imagine how I was going to survive or cope!..I think we'd be a bit strange if we wasn't at least a bit nervous!!!... but now its 4 done only 2 to go!..it's definitely easier once you get there and get that first round under your belt and can see what's going to happen...it sounds strange but I actually felt relaxed once it all started..I think my brain went ok let someone else deal with this for a few hours..I'll just sit and be looked after!!...I've probably been lucky with the side effects but the days after chemotherapy I try and eat little and often..,plus the water... had very little nausea...Had knee joint pain about 5 days after but kept moving and saved taking paracetamol for night time, strangely keeping legs cool in bed helped better than warm for me!.. remember they are prepared for side effects so there will be things they can offer you,I came home with anti sickness pills which I've only used 6 of so far since starting!...they worked straight away if I felt a bit sick the day after chemotherapy,which was usually when I woke up.

I'd focus on all you can do and control ie decorating your bedroom, recipes ideas,...and I  decided after each session I'd treat myself to a little something so when I look back I can say "Oh I got that 5 years ago when having chemo!!" So far I have a leather belt,place mats and a salt and pepper pot set..!I'll probably out last them..!!!

Sending hugs

Fluffycat69 x

Morning I can’t thank you enough I just hope I can deal with it , we are actually in the middle of decorating the bedroom at the moment I’ve been getting all the wallpaper off during the day when my partner is at work gives me something to do , I put my audiable on and listen to my story while doing things . I started listening to audiable books after my stroke 4 years ago, I just felt I was getting somewhere in life , and the universe dealt me this breast cancer, which has completely floored me, my kids have been really supportive same as my partner , I will tell the grandchildren when I’ve started treatment …it seems as water is a main key in all of this after chemo , I do drink a lot as it is … I’ve stopped working until everything is over, I work for the NHS , you are so right about letting someone take charge, brilliant news just 2 to go mine is every 2 weeks for 8 rounds … … thankyou for your positivity so much , I feel I’m losing my mind with it all …Polly xx