1st chemo today

Hi Lealan

It’s a few years since I had my chemo. I had ecx which includes capectitobine and a platin (I actually had carboplatin, but there are a number of platins) in addition ECX includes a vile red drug, erubicin, which makes your hair fall out. I coped well with only slight nausea, for which none of the antiemetics had any effect! I had not long retired, but I would have been able to work throughout all three cycles anyway. Thinking that chemo would make me poorly I cancelled my gym and lazed about. Current thinking is that you should do more exercise not less!

However suffering a restricted diet over Christmas 2013, (eating like a pregnant lady) I came through with few effects. Had my surgery and until the pandemic enjoyed a life with a different outlook and much happier than I had ever been.

So good luck to your husband, and you who may find being a bystander difficult at times. But we are here and able to listen and share experiences.

Thanks Brent

I am glad your treatment went so well, we have no surgery option unfortunately but knowing there are people who can cope with the side effects so well is encouraging, so thankyou. Will try to make every day count x

Hi

I am in my first week of Chemo and RT which has followed 2 big sessions of Chemo only, I have to say the side effects haven't hit me yet but you will most likely find he will be tired after his first one or possibly more, everyone unfortunately are different so we can't tell how it will effect him, but he will be well supported throughout either on the day ward or via I assume like me weekly clinic with his oncology team.

I am not having immunotherapy and they don't propose to operate either

Keep him safe and he will be OK

Tony

Thanks Tony

He was OK yesterday eve, picked him up from hospital around 5.30 and he ate well which was good, eating with a stent isn't always good. He had the odd sensation in his iv arm and cold sensitive to food and drink but nothing too horrendous. Over night he was very unsettled and was sick once first thing this morning. He is now asleep at midday but I expected him to be tired. 

Thanks for the reply and hope you continue to have very few side effects.

Leanne

Hi Lealan. My husband started his 1st cycle of 'Capox' two weeks ago (no immunotherapy as he is not eligible, unfortunately). Worst side effect was sensitivity to the cold, especially his hands. I researched and found some special gloves from the Raynaud's Disease website, called 'Deluxe silver thread gloves'. Game-changer. He wore them all the time, including on the computer and smartphone. Plus the HotRox hand-warmer. Really helped raise his morale and took away so much discomfort. The other problem was hiccups! Every time he tried to eat or drink and during the night or just at random. Constantly. It got very distressing and irritated the oesophagus. The solution was to take the anti-nausea drug, domperidone 3 x daily. Hiccups gone! Pain gone! We have also worked hard on increasing his daily nutrients eg incorporating super-juices, fresh veggie soups and drinkable yoghurt (live) into his diet. Overall he is now doing well and we feel we can go forward into Round 2 a bit better 'armed' and prepared. I remember I went to a big shopping centre near the hospital while Mark was having his 1st treatment. I went into Costas and just sat down and cried. There is no shame in it. But now, my attitude has changed into much more of a battle mode and I am 100% fighting back. Cancer does not get to call all the shots!! Whatever the side-effects, fiind a way to hit back. All the best to you both.

Thanks Martha

Nicks is Capox too, its just the feeling of nausea today that he hasn't really eaten at all, so I am hoping tomorrow will be better. Sorry your husband doesn't get the immunotherapy too but hope you have a positive outcome from the chemo. 

Nicks hiccups are kept to a minimum with the same anti sickness tablets, very pleased they seem to be working. Leaving them there for treatment is difficult isn't it, I try to keep my tears for when I am not with nick or our son but it doesn't always work out that way, they sort of creap up on you don't they. 

Take care of each other x

Hi Lealan. For the first few days, I made a list of everything Mark ate and drank, to try and ensure he got enough calories and liquids. It was just a question of gentle encouragement all the time and trying different things. Ginger is supposed to be very good for nausea. I made fresh ginger tea and tried some shop ones eg mint & ginger - with various degrees of success. You can add ginger to soups too (eg butternut squash and carrot) and juices. After about 5 days, his appetite came back and he started to enjoy his food again, even finding some things easier to eat than before. A win! Every win counts!

Cheers, yes he was dunking a couple if ginger nuts by the evening, he slept better last night too, so fingers crossed. You will have to let me know how Marks second cycle goes. Looking forward to each and every win xx

Will do. We are currently enjoying our week off the treatment and having a weekend break in Yorkshire. Bit wild and woolly, but good to get away :-) Have a good weekend xx