Chemo over Christmas

3 replies
115 subscribers
150 views

It has been sprung on me today that my treatment is starting tomorrow.

I felt a bit silly during my pre-assessment call with a nurse going through any questions and haven’t left it with any real answers. Just told that I need to put things on hold until everything is over but I know from reading these forums that I can still live life, just a little differently rather than being dismissed I wondered if anyone had actual advice please!

I’m going to have oxaliplatin iv then capecitabine tablets for two weeks with a week rest before starting a new cycle.

I just wondered if anyone has been on similar and had the answers to my “vain” questions (just want to feel as normal as possible ️).

Can I continue with my normal skincare routine and bronzing/self tan body moisturiser? Would it be a case of assessing how my skin reacts?

Am I able to continue with waxing? I have my eyebrow appointment next week that includes laminating, waxing, threading and dying - would it be best to adjust this to avoid the dye/laminating chemicals or just cancel completely?

I’m not a heavy drinker but would like to enjoy alcohol over the festive season - any advice on this?

I’ve also requested zoladex after having fertility preservation done. Anyone had experience of these chemo drugs and the zoladex?

Thank you in advance!!

CerysM 2 days ago

Hi allie95347ec5 ,

The first thing to say is that chemo is now much easier to tolerate than it was so don't worry unduly. they will give you drugs for the nausea etc.

I only had capecitabine only, for the first few cycles I had a mild bit of the runs, but that was about it. The worst side affect for me was fatigue and that happened after the first few cycles.

You'll need to mositurise alot as it can make you skin very dry. I'm not sure about the waxing/tanning - I couldn't have my nails done as I have gels put on and they would only do a basic facial. I'd say probably anything involving a chemical is best avoided at the moment e.g. I couldn't have my hair dyed until 3 months after chemo was finished.

re. booze - my nurse said no, but then the pharmacist said "how ridiculous, what's the point in giving you these drugs if you can't have a life". His attitude was don't go crazy, but it was ok to have a few. Pretty much normal standard advice in terms of drinking. However please bear in mind that I was only one the one drug so that might not be the case for you and your team are best placed to advise you.

Wishing you all the best for your chemo, try to relax and enjoy the festivities as much as you can.

Best wishes

CersyM

Katz51 2 days ago

I had capox and was advised to not use anything with chemicals,just mild baby shampoo.Best to ask the staff at the chemo unit for their recommendations

All the best with your treatment

Kath

Nevermind 1 day ago

Hi allie95347ec5

Best of luck, as you go into this at Christmas. I was diagnosed bowel cancer in Oct 24 ,my big Op to remove the tumour was Dec 18th that year so I spent a pretty strange Christmas in hospital recovering.. I did 3 months of Capox from Feb until May this year and found it quite variable-hardly any nausea or sickness but the peripheral neuropathy damn near did my head in-hopefully you won't get that, or only get it mildly.

I'm sure you know but there is a long and informative thread on this forum called 'Capox Journey' full of good tips.

RE: CAPOX JOURNEY

Best of luck, you can do this and you WILL do this