Dealing with chemo side effects

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Hi all,

My mum is currently undergoing chemo for secondary liver cancer, the primary was stage 4 bowel cancer. The tumour in the bowel has been removed surgically and then she did a round of chemo for the liver cancer. Unfortunately it was unsuccessful in reducing the size of the tumour. She is due to have a second course of chemo with a different drug, which gives her very strong side effects. She tried this drug last year but had to stop the course due to the severity of them. In particular, she can't touch anything cold including metal. Last time she wore three pairs of gloves just to open the fridge - as you can imagine her quality of life was overall much poorer. Has anyone experienced these side effects and found a way to deal with them? It's so important she can endure this round of chemo as there's hope it might help.

Thank you in advance for your comments.

Katz51 over 3 years ago

I wore ovengloves to access the freezer.also never had cold drinks.I even cleaned my teeth with warm water.

On leaving the chemo ward to go home I wrapped up warm with a scarf over my mouth and was advised to get a hot drink from the machine to sip on the way home.

I wore gloves outside especially opening car doors etc

There are lots more ideas on here if you look at earier posts

All the best with your mums treatment.which chemo is she having ?.I had capox

Kath

court over 3 years ago

You might find this thread worth reading Highskies.

Lots of different tips !

My mum had to endure difficult side effects as well to try and shrink a spread to her liver . The first year she battled through with a few hospital admissions but the second year they put her on a slightly lower dose of Oxaliplatin and it reduced her side effects considerably and allowed her to keep on it for longer .
It’s a tricky balance but her team worked hard to strike it !

Take care and send your mum our very best wishes for good shrinkage .

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Highskies over 3 years ago in reply to Katz51

Thanks Kath for the tips and I'll take a look at the past posts in the forum. :)

Highskies over 3 years ago in reply to court

Sorry court, which thread? I will go take a look. :) Glad to hear that it worked out for your mum, it really is tricky to get the balance right sometimes and thank you!

Net77 over 3 years ago in reply to Highskies

Hi Highskies,

I think this might be the thread Court is talking about:

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/221768/chemo-care-top-tips--/1598153#1598153

Best wishes,

Net77x

court over 3 years ago in reply to Highskies

, it would have helped had I included the link but Net77 has come to my rescue !

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 3 years ago

Just had this diagnosis now hot biopsy on Thursday awaiting results. Can't remove from colon so chemo only option. Not sure what to expect next, didn't even know I had anything 4 weeks ago!

court over 3 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Just want to welcome you to the forum !

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis but chemo reduced the size of my mum’s tumours and allowed her to get to surgery . For some people it’s pretty effective. If you click on my user name you can read her story . It might give you some encouragement.

Additionally it can be helpful to get a second opinion . Some surgeons seem to be able to go further than others .

take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 3 years ago in reply to court

Hi iv been on oxaliplatin and another 1 been ok so far but starting second 1 this week

FormerMember over 3 years ago in reply to court

Thank you very much Court.

Certainly gives me a lot off positive energy to tackle the next step.

Keith