Chemotherapy

Hi, I’m sorry to hear you need to have chemotherapy. I can understand your anxiety – my hubby was in much the same state before starting his in 2024.

Although he isn’t on the same chemo as you, and some things may not apply to you, I thought I could give you some idea of what to expect. Hopefully a few others who are on the same ones as you will be along soon to give you further tips.

As regards what to take, hubby makes sure he takes something to read or listen to as it takes quite a while. He usually takes a flask of coffee too as the hospital coffee is awful! At our hospital the trolley comes round occasionally with various drinks, cakes, fruit etc although you may prefer to take your own nibbles.

Two days before the infusion he has to have a BT and the nurse usually then phones to confirm it’s okay for him to have it. In the chemo unit they first check his blood pressure before allocating a seat to him (he sometimes has to wait a while for one). His is usually rather high and last time the nurse got him to drink some squash and relax, which lowered it successfully. They then put a cannula into his arm or hand for the infusion. There are four seats in each bay so he always has company.

He is given anti-nausea medication beforehand and, in his case, steroids and an antihistamine (which again may not apply to you).

He finds the chemo team very attentive and reassuring and if anyone has a problem or query they deal with it straightaway.

By the way, it’s a good idea to wear jogging bottoms or loose trousers to make it easier for going to the loo while you’re attached to the chemo drip!

You’ll be offered a cold cap to help prevent hair loss. Hubby didn’t bother but has been told you have to wait until it thaws out before it can be removed. The nurse will explain more about that though.

Afterwards he has to wait for the pharmacy to deliver a ‘goody bag’ which, in his case, contains anti-nausea tablets, including one to take 12 hours after the chemo (which he calls the ‘morning after pill’!), and the other medication he needs daily. I think everyone gets some anti-nausea tablets. He was also given a ‘fast track’ card in case he has to attend A&E and told to take his temperature daily in case of infection. The card also has a 24/7 phone number for the chemo team in case he has any queries once he’s home. It’s an answerphone but they constantly check it and phone you back. Don’t worry about bothering them – hubby phoned them several times during the first few months and they either reassured him or prescribed appropriate medication.

When he’s back home we just have dinner as normal and he relaxes afterwards. Fortunately he’s never been troubled with nausea but they recommend taking the anti-nausea tablets straightaway if you start to feel slightly queasy. He doesn’t need to do anything in particular afterwards (except that in his case, a few days later he has to self-inject with medication to boost his white blood cells).

I can’t think of anything else right now but if you do think of anything to ask, please do so.

I wish you all the very best and hope that your treatment will be successful.

Hazel

Hi Hazel Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. I will certainly take on board what you have said. Good tip about the loose trousers I know i won’t have too bad an experience…. Thank you again