Good Morning everyone.
After discussion with oncologist, the recommendation has been to start chemo with Xelox (partly affected by the current Covid-19 situation, to reduce hospital time) - so I'm having my first session this afternoon (I've no complaints about the speed of treatment !!)
Have felt reasonably OK about things up to now, but having a bit of an emotional wobble about the onset of chemo/side effects - not even completely sure about how my first visit will go today, or how long I'll be at the hospital.
Happy to hear advice from those who are further down the line of chemotherapy.
Good morning
I had Capox treatment for 8 sessions Every 3 weeks- finished mid Feb 20. On 3 occasions (last 3 sessions) i was delayed having chemo treatment by 1 week because my blood platelet levels were too low. I had stage 3 cancer with EMVI Positive and 2 out of 18 lymph nodes positive. My margins from the surgery were clear.
I had IV OXY and CAP tablets.
I had the OXY IV through a canala. They put this into a vein in my hand because my veins tend to disappear when i am nervous!!!!! Anyway i tried to alternate which hand i had treatment in. My brother who also had Bowel cancer had a PICC line inserted and this stopped the severe cold arm i had for 7 days after the IV. I wrapped a small towel around my forearm to keep it warm.
The OXY IV gave me the following symptoms:
1. Thorax restriction - the McMillan nurse told men to put my hand over my mouth and breathe in warmer air. This worked. It is frightening but the Macmillan nurses are fab.
2. I could not drink anything cold for first 7 days. Tepid water is the best.
Cold fluids made my thorax to restrict.
3. I hated the taste of tea and coffee for the first 2 weeks , then i could drinks these a bit in the 3rd week.
4. Be prepared to be cold. Your hands and feet mainly. I covered my face with a neck warmer after my IV treatment going home from hospital.
You will get a burn sensation from anything metal. Fridges and freezers you Will need gloves to go into them.
You will need to have warm socks for when your feet become cold.
5. I felt very tired for the first 7 to 10 days ......so I slept for 2 to 3 hours in the afternoon or whenever i was tired.
6. I had weight loss during chemo , but in week 3 when you feel like eating you will put some of it back on. I would say weight loss when having chemo is a no no, so eat when you feel like it and don’t worry about what you eat - whatever you fancy.
7. My bowel habits changed throughout the 3 weeks. Constipated for the first 5 to 7 days then much much looser stools for the remainder of the 3 weeks. I did not take any tablets to combat this, but they do i offer them to you.
8. I struggled with the anti-sickness tablets given after the first 3 days when you are given steroids. This was much better after my 3rd session when they started to give me Emend.
9. I had lapses of memory and concentration and as such did not work. I suppose this was chemo brain.
I ached - especially my legs - i struggled to go upstairs.....but i did it.
All i would say is that the oncologist and the nurses listen to you and will adjust your levels of treatment throughout your term of treatment.
On my 8th Session they stopped the OXY IV because of the neuropathy. I still have this (fingers and toes very cold all the time, especially at night. Hopefully this will disappear over time.
I was told by friends that i was brave - i replied i had no choice
. After every session i told my partner it would be my last, but i still completed the course.......because we want to give ourselves the best chance at surviving the ‘C’ .
I had a CT scan in April and thankfully given the all clear. I will now start my testing regime with the surgeon team.
Good luck. All i would say is listen to your body and ask questions if you are unclear on anything. Speaking to someone who has gone through what you are going to have helped me enormously.
Take care
Paula
