Today I had my first chemotherapy session - intravenous 0xaliplatin. I had been feeling anxious about it, but on the day felt much calmer. The nurses were lovely and explained everything. The whole procedure took about 3.5 hours. Not too many side effects as yet, sore & tender arm, tingly fingers and slight nausea. I felt very shaky and emotional when I saw my husband in the waiting area, then my voice went very squeaky and I felt I couldn't breath - fortunately someone, can't remember who, posted about having a squeaky voice the other day so I knew what it was and took some deep breaths which helped. I took the advice to get a hot drink for the journey home, which takes almost one hour. Oh, I've had the 'first bite' pain and also sharp jaw pain when I sneezed! I start the capecitabine tablets this evening.
The whole experience wasn't anything as stressful as I had imagined - the unknown is always harder to cope with - so I'm feeling a lot better mentally. I am so grateful for all the supportive advice I've read here.
Hi Sopra
Oxy really is filthy stuff and the nasty effects I found were cumulative. Your Oncologist could reduce the dosage as its based on body volume by say 20 per cent.Thats what I did.
It worked pro tem for me. From a complete S4 basket case I am scheduled for surgery now because of Capox x6 snd 5 weeks of chemoradiation.
If things get impossible then switch to Folfox and a pump. I whined a lot about pain and have been offered a central line and pump but there are no cost free options.
Try and suck it up for as long as possible. Your job is to eat well, exercise gently and stay positive. No point worrying about things you cannot effect. It's treatable not curable.
My disease was very extensive at the start with a Tumour marker CEA of 96 at the start but these ghastly therapies can work. So hope for the 
and continue doing the things you enjoy albeit at a reduced level.
