Starting chemotherapy

Hi Jools. I think you’ve just got to approach it as the next step of your treatment. Sometimes the thought and reputation of chemo is worse than it’s bite - everyone has a different experience so take it as it comes and see how you get on -I used to pretend the capecitabine tablets were multi vitamins! 

Im sure you’ve probably seen the chemo top tips post but I’ll pop the link here just in case

community.macmillan.org.uk/.../chemo-care-top-tips--

Thank you so much Kareno62. I hadn’t seen this post before. I’m feeling much more hopeful now. Everyone’s tips make sense. As you say, we don’t know how we’re going to react to chemotherapy before it starts. I hope you are well? You were one of the first people I connected with on this site. I didn’t expect that I’d still be on here for myself. 

 Jools63 I will leave others with direct experience to guide you on this one but just wanted to say we will be here every step of the way .

One wee cost saving tip ! I bought mum expensive cotton gloves from a chemist only to discover the moisturising gloves are cotton and a couple of pounds . She wears them a lot so it’s easier to have a supply for washing .

Take care ,

Court 

Yes I’m well thanks Jools. Glad the post was useful - I’m always a bit worried that it can be a bit frightening seeing all the side effects but I remember someone once commenting that she hadnt been warned about ‘first bite experience’ but had read about it on here so knew not to panic.

Hope the chemo goes well - someone used a phrase the other day that I liked that cancer is like ‘whack a mole’ sometimes and you just have to keep whacking away at it! Hold that mental image!

Take care 

Karen x

Thanks Court it’s always lovely to hear from you. I hope you and your mum are well. X

I much prefer to be prepared! I saw the post about “whack a mole” too. It made me laugh. Thanks again for your help and support.

She is good Thankyou . All packed up for a wee Holliday . She is doing a Faloola .

Take care ,

Court 

That’s great to hear.  Fingers crossed that she continues to do well. X

Hi Jools63, I was diagnosed last July, CT/MRI's completed quickly and had surgery in late July, all very quick, chemo offered early September and started late September, with the oncologist being very open and honest about the potentail side effects. I had both the infusion and then 2 weeks of tablets and had 4 rounds of treatment. I was able to function normally throughout all the cycles and only on the last round, had a week out with total exhaustion. Did feel sick throughout but managed to get through by eating continually eating and sucking sherbert lemon sweets. The thought of chemoi was worse than the actual treatment. I am now on the 5 year surveillance pathway, had post chemo CT and blood tests and all is clear- long may it remain that way. Have my first follow up colonoscopy on 12 June so hopefully I will remain well. I jst kept myself busy and tried not to give headspace to what I was going through, sending you all the best of luck to you for your chemo journey , keep us posted with how you get on 

Yes I had both make sure you take the anti sickness tablets if Yr feeling poorly.

I took my meds with warm water for some reason they went down easily.

And talk and rest don't over do it,tell people how Yr feeling.

Big hugs