First chemo appointment

Hi,

I've been through a total of 14 chemo cycles, so hopefully I can help. The first thing to say it that there are so many different types of chemo and they all vary in terms of side effects, duration, impact whatever. 

I obviously can't speak for everyone, but in my case the first day/night is never too bad, and the worst of it is the week of the infusion. Usually, once a week and a half had passed, I began to feel much better. 

In terms of what to bring, again this probably depends. Some water, a book, headphones are a good shout if the appointment will be a couple of hours. In terms of more specific things, I found that having a sweet or something relatively strong tasting was good as I found a build up of saliva as I waited there. 

I can't speak for the place where you are having treatment, but I would be amazed if you weren't allowed to bring someone, and at the very least there should be a space close by for relatives/friends to wait. 

To be honest though, you sort of just need to get through thr first round to know for certain what the answers to your questions are. However, what I would also say is that after every session I was a little better prepared for the next one; knowing what to do beforehand, what to bring, how to manage side effects, what food to have ready for the tough week, etc. You will definitely find this too, I promise.

Good luck with it and remember that it is absolutely fine to find it hard, horrible, unpleasant and anything in between. Simply getting through it is a huge achievement.

Hi

i am half way through my treatment. I have had 3 EC, 3 weeks apart and will move onto Docetaxel next. My husband waited for me at the last one and sat in the waiting area, we communicated by phone, so take that with you.I also took my iPad and earphones , drinks and snacks including sherbet lemons to suck as some chemo gives a metallic taste. My sessions were about 3 hours. Best advice is to wear trousers without buttons and zips, I wear leggings because if you need the toilet, which I always do you have to take the drip with you and it is far easier! You will be offered drinks, sandwiches and biscuits. I haven’t found the side effects too bad. I feel as if I have a bad hangover for the first 24-48 hours.Then I get a little breathless and take it easy. By the 4 th day I have been able to take the dog out. I have a bit of constipation for 48 hours. I have a drop when my steroids finish and feel very tired. That is over after a couple of days. But so far every side effect has been manageable. It does depend on the type of chemo and I know that my next type has different side effects.

Hope this helps and good luck for your treatment.

Hiya

I am currently going through radiotherapy and so chemo seems a long time ago but I have realised that time has flown.

I began chemo last December - a week before Christmas and ended mid way through May this year. I had 4 Docetaxel followed by 4 EC. I also had Phesgo while having Docetaxel. Each cycle was 3 weeks apart although it depends on the chemo decided for you by the oncologist.

My hospital did not allow visitors unless there was a cognitive or language need, which I had neither. I thought of it as 'me' time. Ok so each session took time (depends on when the pharmacy send over the drugs and the length of time to administer them) but the chemo staff were fantastic and really couldn't do enough. I did not want a Picc line although others who have had one thought it was great.

I used to come in, be seated in a chair, cannula inserted in back of my hand and then after having a saline flush through, the chemo was started. The chemo drugs are sensitive to light so a black cover was placed over the drugs hooked on the little stand beside my chair. The amount of time for the infusion will depend on what the drug is and the rate of infusion from the drip. You can go to the loo when you need just wheel your drip stand with you. I used to wear easy to pull down jogging bottoms as you cannot dislodge the cannula from your hand, so it needs to be easy. Buttons etc would make it difficult doing it one handed. I was told off for setting off the alarm on my drip stand as no one told me that you cannot use the hand with the cannula in to turn over the pages of a book or magazine so I got used to doing everything one handed.

I soon learnt 'my' side effects as everyone reacts differently, so I ignored people in waiting rooms who liked describing their side effects as I found it was different for me. One of the chemo nurses used to say that whatever side effect I had, there was a pill for that. They really will know everything you need help with.

I knew at least by cycle 2 on which day of the cycle I might have a particularly upset tummy, or headache or whatever. I lost my hair in cycle 2 but knew that this was part of the process and that it would probably regrow which it has. I was told to take the medication given at the time and in the way it was prescribed especially the anti nausea drugs as it was better to be ahead of the game then feeling yuck and then trying to sort it.

By the end of the 8th cycle I did feel very tired as effects are cumulative and 'good' days were fewer and further between but I held on to what I had been told that chemo was used to shrink the tumour.

I had a partial response (which I was told was quite usual) but when my breast surgeon told me after surgery that the chemo had done its jobs and shrunk the tumour  and that margins and nodes were clear I was so glad that I had stuck with it and seen chemo through. 

I did find it hard but I would say keep going, get through it and the results will be worth it. x  

Hi, I had my first chemo session 3 days ago and like you, I was unsure of the practical things. I went with my husband and we both had books, although there was so much going on that it kind of flew by! My ‘to do’ list for next time is to take some boiled sweets (this has already been mentioned), remember my water bottle (!) and take a blanket as I found I got a little cold. 
I’m not very far ahead of you, but hope that helps. x

My hospital doesn’t allow visitors in the chemo suite. It does take a long time, especially for the first infusion where they proceed slowly. Initially, I found the best answer was to be dropped off and picked up, I would call my husband when I thought I would be ready in 30 minutes. I felt a bit light headed afterwards, but I didn’t find the side effects kicked in until the following day. Later on, I became confident enough to drive myself. 

Hi

I begin my first round of chemo on Monday.  The last five weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions - with fear being one of the top ones!  

With such a busy head and not being able to sleep, I have been reading through the online forum posts

I wanted to reply to your post as it is so helpful and positive!  I've reread it a number of times and you have really helped me.  Although I still can't sleep, reading your post has put me in a much calmer place........thank you so much x

You are so welcome !

I know what it feels like. I was all at sea and didn't know what to expect but I kept my eye on the target which was to get rid of the cancer. I am 4 weeks post radiotherapy now and surgery and chemo seem so long ago. Keep smiling, keep going and it will be worth it. Life feels so good now. I am just receiving Phesgo every 3 weeks 'til February and Monday I start 7 years on Anastrazole.

I say a silent thanks to all those ladies who have gone through this journey before me. Its thanks to them that oncologists have the data and know how to treat us and which drugs to use.

Good luck. Keep strong xx