I hope the chemo goes well. If you haven't been given a prescription for a few medical aids, ask on Monday for anti sickness pills and start taking them .....just in case. My oncologist advised this approach. I also found that I didn't eat too much the day before chemo after the first time as I was sick. I was nauseous thoughout but since 2015 doses have been personalised so you may not get severe effects. I found ginger infusions very helpful and if I didn't eat, OH added glucose syrup to keep my energy levels higher. I had a prescription which included laxatives, immodium, mouthwash( alcohol free) and paracetamol. I needed all of these at different times and the advice for the mouth wash was to use every day, morning and evening from Day 1 until everything is finished. I did this and had no mouth problems despite reacting quite severely to the actual drugs with other side effects. I was also advised to use a nail strengthener daily removing it with acetone free remover once a week. Again I kept my nails.
I made sure there was plenty of simple meals in the freezer....Shepherds pie, chicken.....eggs in fridge..I ate scrambled for several days my only meal......
Finally, if you are planning to lose your hair, have some prerty turbans ready to use immediately. It will boost your morale at a depressing time.
I hope some of that might help. You may feel hot or cold so have a nice fleece close to hand. A thermometer to check your temperature if you do feel hot. Your unit should advise at which temperature you need to call them. Ask if they don't tell you. A scented soap for the shower, plenty of clean pj's in case of sickness.....common sense really. The most important thing is to put yourself first. Do only what you feel you can. Have a walk in the fresh air if you can but equally stay in bed if you feel nauseous or fatigued. For a few weeks it doesn't matter. If you don't want company or fuss , say so. If you do, allow family and friends to call. Don't try to do too much. See how you react this time and keep a notebook so you can refer back to it next time to identify patterns. Anything which feels wrong discuss with your BCN. Remember everyone is different. There is no right or wrong reaction. However you feel.....that is You......
Take care. It will pass. There are people who manage to work throughout and others who feel very unwell with everything in between but however you react , you will know you are doing this to recover. I have been clear of the cancer for six years now. It was worth the difficult days!
