Starting R-CVP chemotherapy

Hi Nana Lou you may find this link below helpful….

   Top tips for the day of your chemotherapy

…… the link is a collection of top tips from the members of the very active Closed FB group that Lymphoma Action run.

Thank you 

R-CVP is one of many types of regimes available, it is widely used and very effective......... as for the journey?....

If we line up 10 people on the exact same treatment for the same NHL we will get 10 different stories...... as the Side Effects of Treatments can be ever so different.

My great CNS (Cancer Nurse Specialist) initial words were “……Mike you can read all the information available and then start to catastrophise that every side effect that you have read about will happen but the reality is very often rather different….. take each day as it comes, celebrate the good days, endure the not so good day”…… and she was spot on.

I had the big brother of R-CVP……. R-EPOCH back in late 2013/2014 and honestly I did well during it all and this was with me having 6 cycles that had me in hospital 6 nights/5 days on my 2 IV pumps 24/7 for over 120hrs each treatment........

These are some of my simple tips.

Nausea may be a challenge, but remember you must not to suffer in silence as there are lots of tools available - but your team need to know how you are getting on as at times it is trial and error to get the right one.

I was only sick a few times during my 750+ hrs of main chemo and this was down to a bad food choice…… I just wanted some takeaway food….. believe me it’s not a good idea.

Cancer-related fatigue may well build up over time so take each day as it comes but at the same time keep some activity going as this does actually help overcome some of the fatigue..... the less you do the longer the recovery.

There are signs everywhere in my local Heamatology ward and clinic saying a week in bed is like ageing physically by 10 years….. and the recovery after this is much longer.

There is a real Risk of infection so care needs to be taken to control infection contacts. Generally it takes about 48 to 72 hours for the body to break down and/or get rid of most chemo drugs.

But the effects of the chemo on growth areas and your general immune system will last for weeks and is important to remember that you may well be more open to infections at about days 7-14 as this tends to be the window when her immune system is at its lowest……. then the body recovers in time for the next cycle….. but the more chemo she has the longer the recovery can take so by the end of treatment it could take a few months this to recover completely.

I was given this simple rule for keeping eye on infections…… If my temperature is 37.5°C, repeat in one hour. If my temperature has increased, whether I feel unwell or not, I must call it in…….

This is especially important with regress to Sepsis as sepsis doesn’t always cause a high temperature though, especially if someone is taking steroids……. below 35°C could be a sign of infection which your immune system may be unable to fight so this needs to be called in.

I would also highlight the importance of drinking lots of water (the aim is 2 litres every day) as this will flush out all the toxins released by the chemo, protects the kidneys and keeps you well hydrated.

It is VERY important to have accurate contact information/names/numbers for reporting in issues especially during out of hours and weekends.

Based on my long experience we were not hermits….. we went out……. our mental health is importantly to consider.

Just not crowded places like supermarkets, restaurants etc. We would meet up with family and friends in a quiet corner of a garden centre….. fresh air is a good healer…….

We had family (4 granddaughters) and friends visit the house. The main thing is check that folks visiting are not carrying a bug…. coughing, sneezing etc….especially children.

We would open the windows and let some fresh air in, good hygiene control…… We did this all the way through my main 2 years treatment 5 months of Chrome, 45 sessions of radiotherapy and 2 Allo (donor) SCTs….. and I did not have one infection.

If you have any questions do ask them.

Hi Mike

To be honest, I am ready for whatever side effect that comes, as everyone is different so the side effects can be different. 

I have read things like, dont eat raw meat, chicken, fish eggs etc.  Dont use open sauce plates, dont go to buffet and no stilton Cheese.

I am assuming as much life as normal, and just watch out for bacteria, keep away from people that are sick, and keep everything clean  wash hands all the time, etc. 

Opening the windows to let fresh air in is good idea, had not thought of that.  I plan to go a small walk around the block just 15 minutes to start with.

It is scary the unknown and what you cant control, but moto, is I can control how I tackle it and try to be the best I can so I can recover quicker. 

Thanks for your help 
Louise

Hi lovley Hope you are doing ok I was diagnosed with low grade non hodgkins lymphoma have just finished 7 cycles of chemotherapy I feel very lucky as no side effects whatsoever other than tiredness and in the scheme of things I can take that! Everyone will be different so hopefully you will be fine too! I was off work for the first month of chemo then returned back on reduced duties (I'm a postie) although my chemo has been finished for nearly a month I still suffer with tiredness and am still on reduced duties (royal mail have been absolutely amazing with my care plan) the biggest piece of advice I can give is listen to your body if you feel tired then take a nap do not over excert yourself your body is fighting 24/7 the cancer the chemo any other drugs if you have a pik line or port it will fight that as well so it's no wonder we are tired lol take care lovley and stay positive! A positive mind set really does help not only you but your family and loved ones too take care and as bon Jovi once said "keep the faith" lol 

When I started my treatment on the first day my CNS came to see me after breakfast and insisted I got up, had a shown and got dressed….. then she walked with me and my trolly with my two IV pumps around the unit coriander for 15 mins…… she appeared after lunch and we did the same walk…… then after dinner the same.

I got into this rhythm and did exactly the same every day in hospital but also when I got home…… walking is a good way to reduce some of the fatigue but more importantly the muscle wastage.

Indeed looking out for foods that would be a problem when you have a low immune system…… it’s often said follow a pregnancy diet….. 

We did try and live as normal as problem