First chemo due!

I have finished all my treatment but I made an occasion of my chemo sessions.  I would take water, packed lunch, my tablet with a downloaded movie, earphones, kindle to read.  I made sure the chair was positioned with my legs up and it was my time!  Husband stayed the first time, (pre covid), but there really was no point so from then on he would drop me and pick me up.  The first time took about 3 and a half hours but after that it was usually between 1.5 to 2 hours. Not sure about rules for companions during this pandemic.  

Eiluj

im currently half way through chemo, and I will attempt to answer some of your questions:-

My chemo is being done at a large hospital on the south coast, and I am not allowed to take anyone with me. With my hospital, you need written permission from your oncologist if you require someone with you.

My hospital does provide a tea & biscuit trolley and a packed lunch trolley, but you only get this, if your there at the right time. So I would suggest taking water and snacks just in case.

How long is difficult to answer, as it depends on a variety of things, like if your cold capping, which adds time, different treatments take different amounts of time to administer and how quickly the nurse gets to you. So take plenty of books, or download a number of films. I’m cold capping and just finished my EC part, and roughly I was there 4-5hours.

I also take stuff to be comfortable, like a blanket, bed socks, and wear clothing in layers, so I can remove them if I get to warm, and easy access to my PICC line.

I take sweets, as I find I get a horrid taste in my mouth during chemo.

I also take my own conditioner for cold capping, which is fragrance free, as my first time, the nurse used a strongly smelling coconut one, which got a bit too much. I also take a headband to protect my ears, and a hat for afterward to hide the mess my hair is in. And I take paracetamol 30mins before I go into the unit.

All this advice, I found on here, so it’s thanks to all the lovely ladies on here sharing advice.

I was so frighten for my first one, I actually burst into tears, but the nurses are so kind, and totally understand what you are going through, so ask them questions and they will look after you.

good luck, xxx

Thank you. Glad to hear your treatment has finished. Hope it all went well for you x x

Thank you Kelstar9. The extra layers, hat and blankets were things that would never have occurred to me! I had no idea about the conditioner either!!

Just thinking about the needle going in first time makes me want to cry now so goodness knows what I'll be like on the day! I'm sure the nurses will have seen it all before.

Is the cold capping working for you? 

Xxx

Hi Eiluj,

Cold capping has worked for me, and I have only lost between 5-10% of my hair, and have no bald spots. Friends have all commented, they can’t see any difference, but I can see it has thinned slightly. So I have been very lucky. I have lost hair were the cap doesn’t reach. By my ears, which looks a bit strange, but my normal hair style naturally hides it! I am only half way through, and could potentially lose more or all of it, but the team at my hospital have all said it would be unusual if it does go, and are pretty confident it’s working, as if it wasn’t working, it would have gone by now. I consider myself extremely lucky.

I didn’t think of half the stuff, it’s all the ladies on here who have shared their experiences. I honestly looked like a pack horse on my first session with 3 bags, as I took literally everything but you soon learn what you use and don’t use. And there is a monthly chemo thread with lots of support and advice on it with people who are undergoing chemo. It’s worth checking out that thread for support and tips.

take care xx