Hi all, I'm Wendy. 41, Mother to 3 young children and school principal in Dubai (originally from Manchester)
1B2 cancer upgrade to 3C1 after radical hysterectomy revealed lymphnode involvement left side.
About to start 5 weeks of chemoradiation with concurrent 5 weekly courses of chemo. Cherry on the top with bracytherapy.
I'm actually looking for practical tips for making myself as comfortable as possible especially on the chemo days. I feel silly asking, but should I bring a book, ipad, blanket? Is it advisable to drive on chemo days?
Take care all x
Hi UAE Cervical and welcome to our group.
Many of us in the group have been through the same treatment regime so hopeful you will find support and advice here to help you through. We have a number of ladies at Stage 3C1 who have successfully completed their treatment. I was stage 2b on original diagnosis more than 4 years ago but also did chemoradiation.
One thing to note in terms of the brachytherapy is that it is done differently if you have already had your womb removed, so ladies who have not had a hysterectomy may talk about brachytherapy which will not be the same as you will experience.
Chemo days can be long, so I’d definitely take something to do while you’re sitting there. (That’s assuming you are having Cisplatin chemo). Most people bring an iPad to watch films etc, or puzzle books, something to read. I don’t drive, but most people say they can cope with this. However, radiotherapy will be daily and you might find that gives you more side effects which might make it harder to drive yourself.
But it’s hard to tell in advance because treatment affects everyone differently and it’s difficult to anticipate. You might start out driving and see how you go?
I didn’t understand one thing in your title which I hope you might explain! What are “OG warriors” ?? Not something I think I’ve heard before! If there’s any other specific advice we can give, please just ask.
Sarah xx
Hi Sarah,
Thank you so much for such a detailed and thoughtful response, I really appreciate it.
OG is just slang for 'original'.in the dictionary it is: someone or something that is an original or originator and especially one that is highly respected or regarded.
Warriors, just refering to cancer warriors. After reading your bio you are definitely to be respected and regarded after your battle. I'm so happy your bravery has paid off. God protect you x
Hi Wendy
I feel really old and not up with terms! so thank you for explaining to me.
We have some lovely ladies in the group, and I’m going to tag a couple of them into this reply so hopefully they will pop in to connect with you. They have been through treatment for the same stage of cancer as you Snobird Lulabelle (who also had a hysterectomy and then was re staged and needed chemoradiation).
It’s good to be able to share experiences here in the group, and hopefully we’ll be able to give you some tips as you go through treatment based on what we found helpful. It’s pretty intense over the 5 weeks, but at least it’s not spread over several months.
Hope you’ll keep posting to let us know how you’re getting on, and feel free to ask any questions as you think of them. Thank you in particular for the last part of your post. That has touched me greatly tonight.
Sarah xx
Hi UAE Cervical. I bizarrely found Chemo days quite relaxing and the best advice I can give you is wear some trousers that are easy to pull down with one hand! You will have a drip attached and you will take it with you when you need the loo so you only have one hand free. That is if they use your hand to put in the drip. I took some good magazines and my tablet and whilst I did use them the majority of the time I just took in everything around me. You will probably get sandwiches and a coffee/tea and biscuit and you will be treated like a princess!! The Chemo teams are so lovely. I also took a lap blanket which I used a lot. Chemo days are aound 7 - 8 hours. If I think of anything else I will be sure to let you know. Good luck xxx
Hi Snobird
How could I forget that most useful tip of all!!! The one handed loo visits!! I found the chemo days very relaxing too-I quite looked forward to going and getting in my recliner chair.
Sarah xx
Had a few near misses myself!
Sarah xx
Thank you ladies, super helpful tips and I had no idea it would be 7-8 hours!
Hi Wendy
On chemo days I was supposed to be there for 10am but always went early as it could be difficult to get the cannula inserted to start the infusion. It would go on all day till around 3.30 or later-you will receive other bags of stuff through infusion such as anti sickness and flushes through.
Then I would go for radiotherapy and there were often delays there due to volume of patients and the whole issue of having my bladder full to the right level which was a real challenge for me. So we would leave our house around 8am, and get home around 7pm. It was a long day. It might be very different for you of course as you’re not in the UK and may be much closer to your hospital. And you might have your radiotherapy before your chemo on those days. I would have preferred that I must say.
Sarah xx
Hi Wendy,
The same thing happened to me, my diagnosis was restaged to 3C1 after my radical hysterectomy due to lymph node involvement.
I was really scared before starting treatment but it was actually ok. Just took it day by day and tried not to panic nor read too much online info. As for chemo days, I always took my phone, my book and a snack/ water.
I also took some heavy socks and an extra blanket as it was winter and I liked the extra comfort. I met a lot of people on the chemo ward, many of whom wanted to talk about their experiences. That was ok but sometimes a bit much to take, so a book and earphones mean you can zone out if you need to.
I hope this helps, good luck with everything.
Love Lulabell.
PS: the relief when it's all over is amazing!
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