First chemo

Thanks for sharing Sappy. There’s a few people on the board just starting chemo so hopefully you’ll be able to support each other through this? Make sure you mention to the nurses about struggling with the sickness - they tend to start you on the ‘cheapest’ tablets and trying a different one can sometimes make all the difference. Picc lines can bleed a little bit but not usually for days and im wondering if the blisters are a reaction to the plaster? You could give the unit a ring for advice and then they can decide whether they need to see it or if it can wait until you go for the line flushing.

The cold reaction is sneaky isn’t it? I sometimes got it when I was least expecting it like flushing the toilet or picking up a piece of cutlery. I drank a lot of blackcurrant juice with a splash of hot water to take the edge off - the main thing is not to panic - it’s not actually a lump in your throat just the chemo.

Trying to stay upbeat is good and try and do some short walks while the weather is still nice - it’s tempting to stay on the settee wrapped up in a duvet but that doesn’t always help and can make for long boring days. 

Look after yourself, rest when you need to and plan something nice for your week off the tablets - you’ve got this

Take care

Karen x

Thanks Karen, you always give good advice and support, will take on board yet again what you've said 

Kar xx  

I also had blisters around plaster on PICC line.  As Karen said re anti sickness tabs, they tend to go for the cheapest plaster first!  I was subsequently given a plaster for sensitive skin which helped a little.  I ended up buying a box myself since my GP's receptionist couldn't handle the idea of me needing a prescription without a discharge summary from the hospital - sometimes you couldn't make these things up!!  Do be sure to record all the side effects you're experiencing, it's all too easy to forget everything when you're discussing with nurse prior to next chemo session.  Good luck.

Helen

Hi Sappy!

I had my first chemo IV on Monday too and although nausea is only a wee bit I too have the cold thing - worst time yesterday was when I picked some cherry tomatoes from my greenhouse - seriously! I had IV into my hand and it was not nice, whole arm felt like I'd fallen into a bed of nettles (but it's down to just my lower arm and hand today so is definitely improving). I am also on tablets and the thing I'm really struggling with it actually taking them, not the swallowing, but just thinking about putting them in my body. I'll try to think about it differently/more positively though. Like you I see I am definitely trying to be on the 'it's not that bad' mode, my daughter in USA just messaged to see how I am and I am all 'oh I've been for a walk, everything is improving, I'm not bad' which is true-  but not the whole story. Anyway, just wanted to connect with you as it looks like we are on the same timeline. I am on 4 rounds of CAPOX, and also counting down the days. Hope some things improve as the week progresses and I love the suggestions from  Kareno62 about blackcurrant juice - I am not enjoying warm water.  

Take Care, Beth

Hi lizzieannie. I pretended they were vitamin tablets like the huge B6 ones I used to take to try and deter the mozzies on holiday although with little success - I’d have been better throwing the tub at them! 
I was diagnosed with shingles just before my reversal and the doctor gave me some tablets but apologised that ‘they are rather large’ - she’s obviously not seen a capecitabine tablet! x

Hi I know you say you dont have any difficulty actually swallowing the capecitamine tablets.but if you do I found milk was better than water for the job.not straight from the fridge of course,that would be a definate "ouch"

Hi Sappy & SFUC,

I developed blisters around the PICC line, they started oozing and when I went for my line flush they sent me to A&E to check for infection. There wasn’t any infection, it turned out I had a reaction to the dressing and had to have the PICC line taken out and put into my other arm. This arm also reacted despite nurses using iodine for cleaning and barrier cream, ensuring it barrier was dry before putting on a new hypoallergenic dressing and me becoming very protective of it. I was advised by oncologist to not have my last infusion due to proctitis, but when he saw my arm he said they wouldn’t infuse into it as it was such a mess and oxaliplatin was likely to make it worse.

Based in my experience I’d run it by your nursing team sooner rather than later.

Do hope it settles down.
Best Wishes

Net77

Thanks, have to say the thought of anything straight from the fridge is frightening at the moment . 

Hi Beth,

I understand what your saying re the oh I'm fine, I find I'm saying the same ting, it seems its easier fo everybody else if you're upbeat, I'm here if you need to chat as we are in countdown together!!

I don't know how to help you with tablet thoughts, except to say, I work in a pharmacy and lots of people have the same thoughts as you, but sometimes we need tablets to help us get better and these at The moment they are our insurance policy to help make sure The cancer doesn't come back, so for now these tablets are just what we have to pay for that policy.   I don't know if that helps at all.

Yes hot blackcurrant is really helpful, especially to wash down the tablets!!!

Roll on Christmas, we should be celebrating then!!

Keep in touch, here anytime

Karen x 

Hi 

I hope it doesn't get that bad, I'm sorry it happened that way for you, but I will keep that in mind

Thank you