Hi everyone, this is my first blog ever so not sure if I'm on the right place. I underwent breast surgery earlier this year. I had no idea I had a tumour, it was picked up on my first mammogram. I had thought I just needed a short course of radiotherapy afterwards so I was shocked when told I needed chemo due to the higher oncotype score. It had taken so long to get the oncology appointment after surgery that I had to start chemo straight away. I'm on day 5 after my first treatment. Day 2&3 were ok, I was tired but otherwise felt pretty normal. Then yesterday, my day 4, I felt exhausted. I had anti sickness meds to the end of day 3 to then see how I felt. I also started 7 days of filgrastim to boost white blood cells from day 3 so I'm not sure if the sickness is the chemo or the filgrastim. I have the worst taste in my mouth, which is sore and a bit numb, feel constantly queasy and really tired and am ping ponging between constipation and the opposite which is making it worse. Mornings are the worst, its like morning sickness with added bone pain on top! I had booked a holiday with my daughter and we are due to go in a week. If I had known that chemo was on the cards I would have postponed it but now its to close and due to an error on my part with insurance we either go or we lose the money. My Doctor says I'm ok to travel provided I feel up to it. I really want to go as the thought of a short break has really kept us going through this difficult year but I'm worried this sick feeling isn't going to stop and I don't want to be stuck alone in Malta with a teenager and be to ill to do anything as that isn't fair to her. I just wondered what everyone else's experience has been? Does the nausea stop after a few days or am I likely to have this all the time until the end of treatment? Id welcome any advice.
Hi happyduck
Feeling sick all the time must be really horrible. I was lucky when I had chemo in that I didn't feel sick but did feel tired and a bit like I was coming down with something for the first 10/12 days of the three week cycle, then I'd feel okay during the remaining 10/12 days before the whole thing started again. I never felt any worse than I did the first time but there's no way to predict how you might feel next time unfortunately.
I did go away on holiday in between cycles but it was in our motorhome and in the UK and I kept well away from other people as I knew my immunity would be right down and I didn't want to risk getting ill and potentially ending up in hospital or delaying my chemo.
You mention travel insurance and I just want to mention that if you took this out before you had your breast cancer diagnosis/before you knew you were having chemotherapy, then it's very important to inform them. If you don't inform them and then need to claim, you might struggle to get them to pay out.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi happyduck, you should be able to ask your oncologist or chemo nurses for some different anti sick meds to help combat this. There are some good ones out there it’s just finding what’s right for y
. Obviously going on holiday is a lovely idea but you need to contact your insurance company as you now have a cancer diagnosis. If something happens and you need assistance whilst abroad it could cause problems and claims may not be paid. It’s good your dr has said you’re ok to travel if you feel up to it, but is that your oncologist? They may have a different opinion especially as your white blood cells start to decrease meaning more risk of infection. I think it’s always a difficult decision and I can fully understand why you want to go
I had odd problems throughout my chemo (temp spikes, not feeling great the first few days after chemo etc) so I didn’t go away at all not even to family in wales. This was my choice.
Sending you lots of hugs and best wishes for whichever route you decide.
