Chemo

Hi again. I'm pretty sure the infusion is 'just' 2 hrs. Not sure what's happening the rest of the time but will find out tomorrow. Had a wee chat with my sister in law, who went through all of this 2 years ago (almost to the day), her side effects were: a cold arm during the IV, felt a bit tired after and a bit nauseous when she stood up from sitting down. She also had tingling and numb fingers when she touched cold stuff (like out of the fridge) or her hands got cold. She said it really wasn't that bad. Thought you might like to hear that too!

Thank you for that, it's reassuring to hear that it didn't affect your sister in law that badly. Did she have the tablets as well?

How l many rounds are you having? Xx

Yes she had CAPOX - IVand oral. I’m getting 4 rounds, all being well. Will update you after tomorrow x

Great, thank you. Good luck xx

Hi, I've just finished my chemo.

Read Court's very useful guide.

When they give you the anti-emetics to take home read all the instruction and write a list of when to take each. They gave me 3 types and it's a bit confusing at first.

Second keep your arm that you have the Oxaliplatin warm during and after the infusion.

Good luck,  Carog

Hi Carog, hope you're feeling OK?

Thanks for the advice I'll definitely do that

Michelle x

Yes, I'm feeling better every day. I have a date for my reversal so trying to get fit for that. Chemo does zap your energy, rest as much as you can. I found sugary food more appetising so had a lot  of cakes during chemo !! I need to walk them off now

Take care and good luck, so many people in this group have had chemo so we can help you with any side effects, Carog x

Hi Carog, thanks for great advice. x

Hey Michelle. So all done and I'm back home. It took around 4 hrs in the end and the actual chemo drip was 2 hrs. Everything went fine except my arm was very very nippy. Told the nurse who said it's the very strong (harsh) chemicals in my veins and to let her know if it got that I couldn't be ar it.  I had a heat pad on all the time that seemed to help and now I'm home it's still nippy and tingly but I have a thot water bottle on it and that helps. I'm going to see how long it lasts, take a note, and report that next time. I even got a wee diary to fill in. Otherwise, everything was fine. The staff were lovely, go through all the side effects again and I got a pile of drugs home with me - anti-sickness, anti diarrhoea, baking soda to make a mouth wash, cream for hacks and dry skin etc etc. Plus the oral chemo of course. I had to go to the loo twice - all those fliuds but managed the one time I had to take the drip. I thought I'd report back in to reassure you it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought and now going to lie on the sofa and watch 'Strictly'.

Good luck on Wednesday and let me know how it goes for you. 

Beth x

I certainly wish you well for this stage of your treatment. I had 6 cycles of capox between Oct and Dec last year. I really struggled with everything tbh, from tingly first bite, poorly hands and feet, oral thrush, bilateral pulmonary emboli, poor appetite - basically you name it, I had it. The lasting legacy of my treatment is peripheral neuropathy which is still a problem 9 months after chemo finished. To add insult to injury, my first annual colonoscopy and ct resulted in removal of a polyp (analysis of which showed no problems) and discovery that I now have mets on both lungs for which I am now waiting to hear about radiotherapy. Not being a Debbie Downer as much as wanting you to be aware that it's not all sunshine and lollipops for everyone!