Chemotherapy isolation

Hi lgs,

Welcome to the forum. 

I had EC July to September last year. It is doable but you have a rough time of it as you are now stating.

Listen to your body. Sleep or nap when you need to. Keep a journal of all side effects and discuss with consultant at next appointment. I got stronger antisickness tablets and an IV antisickness drip before my treatments. I found that helped with the sickness. 

The fatigue unfortunately you just have to rest when your body tells you. I lived on effervescent paracetamol, and buscopan for my gastric upset. They helped a bit. I went to shops when I had the energy when they were quieter. I avoided busy places but walked along the beach or countryside. 

I am now 3 month post treatment and getting physically stronger. Going back to work part time in February. I di feel more like myself again.

Hang in there you can do this. Happy to chat if you need to. 

Wishing you well with your treatment and recovery 

Sending hugs xx

Hi Lgs,

I am getting my 4th and final EC (still another 4 taxol to go meh!) on Thursday and to be honest it didn't think I would get to this point after the 1st one as I struggled a lot. I was ready to give up on the first day of being ill! 

I too felt very isolated. I felt like it was just bloods, chemo, recover repeat. A huge shock to how my life used to be. On the days I feel rubbish I allow myself too as I know I will feel better soon before my next treatment.

When I feel good I will go for a walk, pop into work to speak to my colleagues and even a wander round the shops later in the day to just get rid of my cabin fever. I do wear a mask when out just incase. This only recently as I was scared to leave the house incase I got sick as I didn't want my chemo delayed as much as I hate having it.

And I always say in my head that this is not forever and life will return to a some what normal. 

You will get there just hang in there! You'll get into a new routine on when days aren't going to be great and when you will start to feel well again to do a wee bit more. Be easy on yourself you're doing amazing already even though it may not feel like it.

Feel free to keep in touch!

D xx

Thank you

Your advice is really helpful. Feel like I must get a grip but too tired and sick. I am keeping a diary and am forcing myself to eat but it’s not a great feeling 

I’ll get there but it seems so hard right now 

perhaps my anti sickness meds will change next time 

thank you and good luck to you too x

Hello and thank you

i will try to go out when I have more energy but feeling so sick and tired

big life change, guess I need to learn from this and get into a routine of how it’s going to be 

forced a banana down but couldn’t finish it

rubbish isn’t it 

best wishes and good luck to you x

It's super rubbish but you will get through it. Don't stress when you are feeling too sick and tired to do anything, allow your body to rest. I was very stressed about this on my first EC as was really nauseous and just felt terrible about 3 days after and thought I was going to feel like this for the whole time of my chemo. But I was wrong these side effects will pass. I did very little after my 1st ec. 

I asked at my pre bloods appt for stronger anti sickness tablets which made a difference for my 2nd and 3rd and remember the helpline in there if you need it.

I have my chemo on a Thursday and Sunday is my worse day then usually by Tuesday I start to feel better. Enjoy the days you feel well and take it easy when you're not!

Sending hugs 

Thank you

Just made myself eat but feel very sick and tired. I guess I’ll get used to the routine of how I will feel so keeping notes is helpful. I will ask about more anti sickness so thank you

Good luck to youx

Hi, I worked from home throughout my chemo and I found that really helped me to take my mind off feeling rubbish, I was much worse when I wasn’t busy.  I also got a walk every day, sometime literally only 5 mins, but I do think that helped. I found day 4 was the worst, and after the first week it got better and almost normal the last week before starting the 3 week cycle again.

I blogged throughout as it helped me and here is a link to one that shares a few of my hints and tips. Chemo blog link

best wishes 

Thank you 

I went out yesterday but was really dizzy and came home. Felt better after a sleep. Did you force yourself to eat?  I just can’t face food, it tastes awful and I can’t swallow it 

Hi lgs,

I had no appetite on the week after my chemo from day 3 till day 10 I lived on some scrambled egg or crunchy nut cornflakes for the week some days I only drank peppermint tea. My appetite improved from day 10. 

I had terrible fatigue and was unable to even walk around the supermarket. Your like me I slept a lot I felt this helped me.

Listen to your body. Sleep when you need to. Try to snack on cereals or scrambled eggs. Foods that don't upset your stomach.

You will get through this. It's 4 months now since I finished my chemo and my physical health and energy has vastly improved. 

Wishing you well and a speedy recovery xx

Hi, I made sure I was drinking but didn't eat so much, I found I could stomach cucumber and pineapple and dry oatcakes but not much else, but this passed after a day or two each time.   Drinking is more important. Best wishes