Terrified of chemo!

HiFranc3s

I will let people that have more practical experience answer your question but wanted to just let you know that some people not only keep working but also remain exercising. My mum’s oncologist said a third would experience hardly any symptoms , a third moderate but manage well with support and a third have the more severe end . 
The throat spasm my mum had once out of twelve cycles as they made adjustments so she did not have it again . It was more pressing on leaving the hospital and once she was home I don’t remember any great issues . She travelled with a tepid ( not boiling ) flask of water and sipped it in the car if need be .

She had hats and gloves for each session but you may not need them .

It is very individual but more a case of being prepared . One positive is the warmer weather . My mum had it in the the terrible winters of 2009 !

All the very best .

Court 

Hi Franc3s

My hubby did CAPOX for 3 months.

He never had throat spasms. Drink everything either warm or at room temperature.

The tingling in his fingers only happened if he touched something cold. He wore gloves if he was getting something out of the fridge. We went to Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone 3 or 4 days after every  IV infusion as a treat,  and he was fine.

He had the metal taste occasionally, but it didn't interfere with his eating or drinking.

He never had diarrhea from CAPOX.

He couldn't work during CAPOX because he was still recovering from APR surgery.

Hubby had his side effects for the first  3-4 days after his IV Infusion. After day 4, he felt almost 100%, until his next infusion....then repeat after the following infusions.

Be pro-active, and take you prescriptions for nausea , diarrhea, mouth sores and skin rash as soon as you notice the side effect. 

Drink TONS of water daily, and eat something 20 minutes before taking your pills.

Every single person reacts differently. Hopefully , you'll be one of the lucky ones, like my hubby, and the side effects will be manageable.

Sue

Hi, Franc3s, there is a helpful hints thread that court should be able to add the link to. Hope this is of some use! ( sorry court!)

Dear Franc3s

My experience with FOLFOX may not mirror yours with CAPOX, but I hope the following will help. I would encourage you not to focus on any side effects, but on the effect of the chemo on the cancer. Each of us responds differently, and any issues you experience may be mild. They will reduce gradually between cycles. They may become a little more noticeable at each successive cycle. The oncology team will be highly experienced and there should be a helpline if you have any questions during the treatment. As you face any challenge, I’m sure you will find wells of inner resource fill up to help you through. 

I’d suggest some mindfulness meditation could be calming, such as 5,4,3,2,1. And focus on the good that CAPOX is doing, attacking the disease. 

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/221768/chemo-care-top-tips--
Just in case you have not read it .

Gemmary  no problem at all !

Thanks Court

I took Capox 2 years ago with minimal side effects. Oncologist should advise on what medications to take to prevent them.

Stay strong and you can do this, it is so important to have a positive attitude even if it’s hard and it’s normal to feel scared and anxious so ask for help.

MacMillan are brilliant I’m having counselling with them at the moment.

good luck️

Oh thank you, that gives me hope.  Fingers crossed.