My mum had her first chemo session today, and seems ok. Just asking for any guidance on how to offer help and support? She also has massive panic attacks so any tips on how to work with these helpful. Thank you
Hi and welcome to the friendliest place for these circumstances.
When you say she has started Cheno is this a chemo wash into the bladder once a week for 6 weeks or something else? As there are varying treatments that people can undergo for bladder cancer.
I assume we are talking maybe about Mitomycin intravessicslly, if so it is usually without any real dice effects mostly for most people. It works for some and doesn't for others.
I had 6 weeks ending at the start of October but it don't work to stop recurrences so ik know going to have 6 weeks of Ethrubacin to try and stop them now.
That's all I can offer really at the moment with out know exactly what type of chemo she is having.
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My name is Simon.
Much love and hope to everyone past future and present.
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Hi Steinbeck, your mum has my sympathy, we all understand feelings of panic on diagnosis. It is really scary to be told you have cancer and I definitely thought my days were numbered. All I can say is here I am 8 years after diagnosis, and 4 years after my last treatment. I am as well and healthy as most other 78 year olds and I've learned to cherish every marvellous day! My treatment was not chemo it was BCG, but others will be along soon to share their experiences I'm sure. In the meantime I hope you will both be really kind to yourselves and I send my best wishes for your mum. Love Hx
I had chemo via a cannula in my arm - Gem/Cis (I can't recall the full names now) 2 weeks on, the third off for 4 rounds before I had my bladder removed. It feels strange at first but you soon get used to it. It doesn't hurt while going in but over the course of treatment one becomes weaker and more tired. My hair thinned but I didn't lose it all. After all this is poison. However it works or did in my case.
I was treated in a large London hospital in a big cold room full of patients like me - take warm clothes, hats gloves etc. My husband always came with me, used to pop out and bring me back small Italian pastries and a latte and help attract the nurse's attention when the machine feeding in the liquid stopped. He was apprehensive at first (as I was) but we soon realised it was a very interesting place full of such dedicated people and now he tells people they should go with their partners too as it is educative and inspiring.
We met other patients too and some people do make lasting friendships.
The worst side effect for me was the constipation from the ant-sickness drugs (which I stopped taking - I never did feel sick either.) My family used to feed me broccoli soup which counteracted it well.
Otherwise, I ate the same food as usual - lots of fruit and vegetables Some people suck sweets during chemo, I just drank my usual 2 litres of water a day and ate whatever sandwiches etc were avaliable in the hospital or local coffee shops. My sessions were 4 or 5 hours long, depending on the schedule. Perhaps I ate a bit less overall but not much.
At home, the family did most housework but I kept the laundry going, it was good to have something to do.
I'm female, turned 70 during the chemo and found that stage passed fairly quickly.
I don't panic over cancer and my mantra ls worry never cures anything. It works for me. And I tried to keep looking on the bright side as far as possible to help my family cope. They say that helped a lot.
In fact when in the past I was in a lot of pain from a hip fracture I learnt that keeping calm helps one to bear the pain much better that giving in to panic. I didn't have much pain with the cancer or its treatment.
If your mother needs help with panic I think Macmillan can help if you ring the helpline.
I hope some of this is useful and that your mother is finding the treatment bearable, as I did.
All the best,
Latestart.
Ps. Please take good care of yourself at this time. Family members often neglect themselves, but cancer affects everyone around the patient. Macmillan can help you too.
