Hi, I’ve had my first round of FEC chemo on Wednesday and have been absolutely petrified since with the worry of contracting some sort of illness. I’m also 32 weeks pregnant and the night of having chemo it started my contractions which stopped a few hours later but was in hospital for 3 days having checks every single hour of the day and due to having gestational diabetes had to have a insulin driver for 48 hours as was on steroids after chemo and steroids to develop baby incase he came early. I am now having lots of joint pain in my hips and legs but too scared to take paracetamol incase I don’t pick up on an infection which is on the verge as I have a cough and cold and cold sore. I’m so anxious and stressed to the max and wondered if anyone has any suggestions on how to manage everything and my anxiety. TIA
Hi , I've been wondering how you were getting on xxx
Firstly the aches and pains, are you having the injections to boost your white cell count? This is a typical time for bone pain to kick in with them. Try a hot water bottle on the sore bit if theres not too many of them to fit. Not sure if it's ok to use an anti inflammatory gel??
I had a sore throat etc with my first chemo an
was panicking about sepsis. They advised me to take paracetamol every 6 hours instead of 4 hourly and try gargling with salt water . You could try honey and lemon if you have any? Or hot blackcurrant might be soothing .
Re the anxiety, do ring the team for advice, that's what they are there for. Your situation is so much more stressful than most and I'm sure that everyone in your team will be willing to go that extra bit to support you. There is always the Macmillan helplines as well. Is there a macmillan or similar near you? I plucked up the nerve to go to mine about half way through chemo and it was so helpfull. I booked an appointment rather than just dropped in and was there for over 2 hours just chatting and venting and got lots of good advice about random things that were worrying me like having to be away from home for 3 weeks for radiotherapy and that they can help with putting you in touch with other charities for different kinds of support. I wish I'd done it sooner!!
I really hope today is a better day for you, it's so hard not to worry about all the things that could go wrong. I was the same but I'm half way through now and it's been hard but doable. Fingers crossed for you xxxx
