Finding this daunting

Hi Bluebell51 and sending you a big hug. Please tell the nurses how much you’ve suffered. There are lots of different anti-sickness meds and it may just be a case of finding the right one - I’ve heard Emend is good but not the cheapest so I don’t think they readily give it out? Have you been given immodium/loperamide for the diarrhoea? I think you can take up to 8 a day before eating but check with them.

Possible natural remedies for the sickness? Ginger biscuits, crystallised ginger and I think I’ve heard ginger sweets/lozenges mentioned before from Holland and Barrett? 

I know you’ve a long treatment journey ahead but try to focus on the good that the chemos doing (hard I know) in destroying those tumours. If you don’t feel up to a walk then sit in the garden and listen to the birds - have a nap if you need to. You may not be able to carry on life as normal for a while so accept any help that you’re offered and try and put yourself first.

You can do this - it wont be easy - but we’re here to support you with virtual coffee and cake (ginger if necessary) and get you through this. Everything crossed that this 2nd session is better. 
Take care

Karen x

Totally agree with Karen . Have a talk with your team . From my observations it can take a wee while for your team to find the right tolerance level for you and effective interventions to combat side effects !

The second year my mum had a small reduction and it made it so much better ! If she had only told her team the first year ! 
The other thing , how did you find fluid intake ? This can have quite an impact during chemo . My own mum needed a bit of assistance in that area so again have a chat to your team if you found yourself struggling with it . 

In a stage 4 setting you hear people saying it’s more of a marathon than  a sprint so getting the tolerance/ balance right is important . Your team with have considerable experience managing this so don’t be afraid to chat it through with them .
Take care ,

Court 

Thank you for your advice and encouragement. 

Thank you Court. I will mention these things today. My husband said that he could smell the chemicals seeping out of my body. I work hard with fluid. One day last week I had to go up to hospital to check for dehydration and they said I was OK. But urine is so dark. It was difficult to get fluid in when I felt so sick. 

I also have a 9 year old son at home and our home is small so convelsing is tense at times. 

And its okay to have these feelings. Thats the truth about being a human with cancer. We approach the situation in different ways.

How are you getting on Tony73 ? Are you any further along ? Hope you had a good day out the other day !

take care ,

Court 

Hi Bluebell51, 

I had awful nausea and was given Emend. This made a big difference. They changed the medication after I threw up outside, after chemo. This continued for the rest of the day. I was given Domperidone to take if needed and Ondansetron to take after chemo. The Ondansetron worked really well. I think you can take up to 3 a day. Do let your team know how you're feeling as they can change your medication or reduce the dosage.  Sometimes it just needs a bit of tweaking. I've got an ileostomy and had terrible diarrhoea, had to go to the hospital for fluids. I was already taking Loperamide and this was increased to 16 a day if needed. They also gave me Codeine, up to 8 a day. These cause constipation. Try to rest where possible. Chemo affects everyone differently so don't feel you have to be up and about if you're not up to it. If you're having any difficulties, ring the helpline. Although it says it's for emergencies, you can ring if you're not sure about something. This is a tough time for you so don't worry if you're feeling overwhelmed or upset etc. If you're feeling like crap, just imagine what it must be doing to the cancer. You will get through this!

Cheryl x

Hope it’s over now and you are heading home . 9 year olds can be a lively bunch to rest around !!

It was a real struggle for my mum too! In fact  the only way she could achieve it was small sips every five minutes as a glass full just came back up so had to introduce it very slowly with small quantities!

Hope you got a chance to chat things through !

Court 

Thanks for asking

Still waiting for results from CT colonography from 15 days ago but no news yet!. Plus abdominal CT. Situation is difficult for me as eat little and rely on protein shakes. Belly is so bloated now and weight loss. I think bowel obstruction is progressing.

take care

So sorry to hear that Tony73. It is very hard to hear of these situations and not be able to do anything to resolve this for you . I wish I could ! 

It must be very uncomfortable for you . You sound well informed on the obstruction side and I know you will act if needed but so wish it would resolve for you and get you some assistance. 

Take care ,

Court