Well first week done & it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster!
I re-looked at Carole’s (Cranford ) first update this morning and it’s very similar to how I felt past two days. So it helped reassure me it’s not just me. Completely drained & emotional. I started off well, 5fu pump didn’t bother me as much as thought to start as it’s silent….but I’m very glad it’s gone now!
First day was a long day as there were delays getting the Mitomycin & 5fu. Unfortunately, I didn’t sleep much that day, as I was back & forth from toilet, presumably with all the saline pumped & continual chemo fluids.
Apart from lack of sleep, I felt ok second day. Third day started to feel little off, just felt bit drained in evening & brain fog, not being able to find the right words to reply to friends. By Thurs I wasn’t good, shaky, dizzy, dazed…by time I got back home I felt nauseous & was little bit sick – I didn’t feel like it but I sucked on some fresh ginger & had ginger tea with fresh slices which instantly helped. I then managed to eat which also helped rid the sicky feeling. Dr has since given me nausea tablets but I haven’t had to use them, ginger worked for me.
Radiation is delayed every day by 40-50 minutes which isn’t helpful when need a full bladder beforehand! Ladies overseeing me are all wonderful & understanding.
Thurs was another bad night, the cancer niggling & hurting more after radiation (although I’ve had pain and niggles since Oct so it’s not new but made me aware of what’s to come), couldn’t get comfy in bed, by time drifting off at 4am my whole body got very itchy & started to get pain in back of throat. No proper sleep again! Dazed & drained most of today, crying…. Spoke with doctor & he said it’s all side effects of chemo, hopefully feel better over weekend & with some sleep. I could see the chemo had stopped early in day and I was surprised how clearer I felt later, especially by time pump was removed at 5pm. Itching more-a-less gone but still have sore throat though. Hopeful I’ll perk up now I feel I can function and control my emotions! Will try to keep up with meds for pain relief. Feel a bit more hopeful next week will be a little less of a challenge. Step at a time hey! xx
Oh you poor thing!! Hopefully your oncologist will give you some answers today Janita . Have you suffered from diverticulitis before? I haven’t but understand it can be really painful. Ask your oncologist today to prescribe something for your constipation also, I suffered constipation throughout treatment & beyond, although in hindsight it may have been inflammation & later on stenosis that were the culprits rather than true constipation but I took Movicol or Laxido once a day & that helped massively to keep the stools soft enough to pass easier. If you’re prone to constipation be aware that some of the opiate based pain medications may cause more issues too, if these are prescribed mention to your oncologist about your constipation, if you need to use anything morphine or codeine based be sure to counteract with stool softeners as I’ve mentioned.
Nicola
Yes I've had it since I was young but it has been stable for a long time. I will ask them today and ask for the stool softemers you mentioned thank you! I'm sure they are going help 
.
First pump comes off today so really happy about that.
Ah ok, it could well be the radiotherapy that’s caused a flare as it does trigger a lot of inflammation, well it certainly did in my case! Am I right in thinking constipation can be a side effect of diverticulitis? Hopefully if your oncologist will prescribe the softeners you’ll get some relief.
Yay, you’re going pump free today! I’m sure you’ll feel so much better once it’s off. Let me know how you get on at your appointment, good luck.
Nicola
Hi Janita ,
Ah that’s a shame that it wasn’t your oncologist but great that the pump is now off. I do t think those couple of hours will matter, I had oral chemo but I know some people that have had severe reactions to the chemo & have had to stop it & have continued throughout treatment on radiotherapy alone still achieving a great outcome.
Nicola
