Partner's first chemotherapy session....

Hi there, and sorry you and your partner are going thought this. Typically the first treatment sets the tone of how one responds to the chemo and don't be surprised it side effects don't hit immediately but after a few days.  My advice would be not to plan to do too much and be flexible about changing things if your partner feels well / not well.   Getting out for a walk, even if it's short, is really good, so encouraging her to do that would be a good thing.

From a food perspective, difficult to know. I remember being so grateful during my first session having felt and been sick, when my husband made me some porridge as that was really simple and easy to eat, so again it's about being flexible. Sometimes chemo gives a weird taste and pineapple is also recommended for that, and boiled sweets can also help. Keeping nutritious food is good too, we bought smoothies as there were usually ok to drink, and juice as well as chicken soup and we tried to have some soup in the freezer for when it was needed.

Hand cream is good as the skin dries out and having a beanie hat or cap might be useful. I wear a wig (and love it) but sometimes it's just too warm and by the end of the day I feel I need a break from it.

i blogged throughout my treatment, this might help you both https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/one-life-live-it

good luck

Hi there,

Thanks very much for the advice.  We are making a meal plan and will hopefully be able to prepare some meals in advance and freeze them.  Will definitely get some porridge in also.

I will have a read through your blog as well.

Many thanks,

Steve

I overdid things my first chemo as I felt better than I thought I would straight afterwards, and I also drank tonnes and tonnes as I was so paranoid about drinking enough. I should have been more cautious as I ended up vomiting for 24 hours and going to the hospital to get an IV of anti-sickness to make it stop! The thing that set me off was the strong smell of cooking so I would try and stick to bland food until you know how your partner will be. Most people do not vomit these days.

Glad to say subsequent cycles not as bad with nausea but I allowed myself to do very little for the first 4 days, then day 5 I felt a bit better and started walking outside more and then day 6 I was back at work (from home).

I found I had little appetite on EC and felt sick for the first week, but I did force myself to eat 3 healthy meals a day even if I couldn't finish them. Soups were fantastic, easy eating and loads of nutrients. I couldn't stomach anything too heavy for the first few days, like red meats, burgers etc or anything that wasn't pretty bland. I remember eating a lot of tinned salmon and eggs.

My appetite was much better on docetaxel and no nausea but everything tasted horrible so I started drinking fruit smoothies and eating sweeties after meals to get the horrible taste away.

Everyone is different, but I found EC easier and was able to walk every day and then slow jog from day 10 (not far). Docetaxel knocked me over and I really struggled to do much, though I did keep working.

I found constipation really bad for the first few days after each cycle so have something in to try and tackle that. Some people have the opposite so be prepared for that too!

I bought loads of different hats. I got a wig but never wore it, it just didn't feel like me (I had very long hair before cutting it all off and shaving it ahead of chemo - it turned out I really suited a buzz cut!)

I had terrible chills on docetaxel so having a hot water bottle to hand might help too.

It is tough, but you will both get through it. My husband was an amazing support and it sounds like your partner is lucky to have you. I often thought is was harder for my husband to see me so ill than it was for me to be ill, so remember to allow yourself a bit of time to reflect and feel things too. You are both going through this.

Hi there,  thanks for the reply....we had the pre-assessment call with the chemo nurse today and she ran through some of the side effects and gave a few tips to limit these. It does seem that nausea is the most common problem, my partner does like soup so I will be sure to stock up!   I have bought some gel pads that can be chilled or heated so hopefully they will help when she is on the docetaxel.

The wig fitting is due for tomorrow and we have also ordered in some caps & headscarves.

Will also try to ensure that we get out for walks once she is up to it.

Thanks again for the tips...