Week 1 complete... upwards and onwards...

Hi Wavedancer,

I am so sorry you had so much fatigue straight off the bat. We all react differently to treatment, but fatigue seems to be a mainstay for everyone. I hope you bounce back a little now that the chemo pump is off.

In terms of my own experience, it was a little warped by a back injury at the end of week 2 (I wound up in the emergency department). But in general, I would say that a daily nap became a must in my routine, and sometimes I would take two naps. Also, around the end of week 2 is when my bowels became really loose (I'd go to the bathroom 6-8 times a day). As far as radiation effects in the treatment area, my skin didn't start turning red and ugly until the last week and a half of treatment.

I hope this helps. As noted by almost everyone here, we are all different in how we react. Some people seem to be more sensitive to the chemo (I definitely was one of those), so I hope, if you are one of those too, you get some of your energy back now that the infusion is off. Sending healing thoughts your way. Xx

Thank you for sharing my dear ~ I too have back issues (degenerative spine) and so have to be really careful in that area. All the best to you

Hi Wavedancer,

Well done in completing week one. It’s definitely a big one as everything is new and I suppose your body is working out how to react to the war on Sicily. 
I’m sorry that you have been so exhausted at this stage. That sounds hard and I know we all react differently.

For me it was more nausea in the first days and the fatigue built up as the weeks went by. The skin soreness kicked in at week 4 and the afternoon naps also started at this point. 

Wishing you well for the week ahead and hope it’s easier than this one. Rest up if you need to and just keep crossing those days off.

Healing hugs to you xx

Hello Wavedancer

I spent an extraordinary amount of time in bed, so please just embrace it - I had never know exhaustion like it.  My husband slept in the guest room so as not to disturb me and I must admit to keeping some odd hours, sometimes I would be awake in the middle of the night and having the bedroom to myself was probably the best option for me and for him.

Wavedancer, please take heart, you will do it.  Not all of the side effects come at once and are very gradual.  Around the end of the third week the skin around your nether regions will start to feel tight like sunburn and you may be experiencing an upset stomach.  Hopefully your tumour will have shrunk a bit too as I know this is very painful.  The most severe side effects come when treatment is over and you can literally stay in bed and rest non-stop until you are really to face the world.

And please know that we (who really do know what it is like) are always here to help with support should you need it.

Big hug

Irene xx