Chemo (Carboplatin and Paclitaxel) starting on 2nd July - how to prepare?

Hi Samantha

I had the same chemo for endometrial cancer. Mine took place in 2022. 

First thing I would say is that they tell you every possible side effect as they need to get your informed consent, however it does not mean that you will get them all. I know I was really worried. Everyone is also different in how it may affect them. 

I was on the 21 day cycle - so day 1 at the hospital and then 20 at home. For the first couple of days of each cycle I just felt very tired, a bit emotional and just a bit shell shocked I suppose. It is a big thing to get your head around. Days 3-8 were my worst days and I would pretty much be resting on the sofa, snoozing on and off and felt pretty rubbish. Things picked up by the second week and by the third I was up to doing more. 

Comfy clothes are best and I did find it did help me cope better and feel better if I got up out of bed, had a quick shower and come downstairs. I made a comfy area on my sofa and had a foot stool and a v shaped cushion. Several thin blankets rather than a thicker 1. The chemo actually made me feel really hot for the first couple of days so it was a loose tshirt and joggers. I had a little table next to me with a few snacks and plenty of drinks. Your taste may change but I found lemon drinks and lemon sweets helped. 

You will have a chemo diary and it can help to note how you are feeling each day and this will help with your reviews and also I found that symptoms followed a pattern. This helped because at my first review my consultant was able to alter my steroids and also provide pain relief, anti nausea meds before the side effects kicked in. 

I did have quite an upset tummy and bland foods were better. 

It can help to have some paracetamol. ibuprofen and imodium to hand. If you do take any medication or even herbal things it is important to check first. 

I did a big clean and big shop before chemo started as once it did, I felt too tired to do much. It can help to get an accurate thermometer to keep an eye on your temperature so you know what is normal for you. 

It is sensible to limit contact with anyone who is unwell but they will do regular blood tests and these will indicate whether you are becoming neutropenic and at more of a risk of infections. I tended to limit visitors during the first week as I needed to focus on me and felt too unwell. By the second week I would tend to have 1/2 people around at a time and would be able to pop to the local shop. I did avoid bigger crowds though. Mine was during the end of covid time so it helped as people were wearing masks. 

One thing that can also help is to have people check in on you by text but for them to give updates to others that you care about. It can be hard to keep going through the same questions. 

By week 2 I would go for walks in the fresh air and sometimes meet with friends and this helped mentally. On days where I did not feel up to going for a walk- sitting in the garden helped. Staying in one room and feeling rough can get you down. 

Having plenty of snacky bits in the house can help as you may find little and often is better than big meals. I also ate my main meal earlier in the day. It can help to have a few ready meals in the freezer as sometimes you just fancy something quick. I also bought some complan drinks and made fruit smoothies when I didn't feel up to eating. 

For me the worst nausea was in the first week but it can help if you take your anti nausea medication around 30 minutes before you eat. (Domeperidone) If the anti nausea medication does not work- then call your hospital 24 hour line and they can give alternatives. 

Having some wipes to hand can help make you feel better if you are feeling sick/rough. I also had a small hand gel next to me. 

For the hospital day- thin layers that you can take on and off. My chemo unit was pretty hot. A blanket/pillow from home can be a comfort. There are reclining chairs that I found comfy. They will bring round drinks and snacks/sandwiches etc. You will be well monitored on the day but if you do feel unwell, tell them. 

Chemo was hard at times but not as bad as I had feared. It was doable. Its a case of waiting to see how it affects you and then if you do have side effects- call the hospital line as many of them are manageable with medication. Having someone that you can call to pick up a prescription is helpful. 

For me the first one was the worst as there is a build up and you are not sure what exactly will happen, they got easier after that. I did find some of the effects such as fatigue did build up with each cycle. 

I hope it goes well for you and if there is anything you need, then please do ask. 

Jane

Thank you so much! I have treated myself to COOK ready meals so they’re in the freezer already. I like the idea of setting up a table downstairs - I think I’ll duplicate a water, snacks and wipes station up and downstairs for ease. Thanks for reassuring it’s doable, I hope it is for me. I do feel the need to get the first one done as it’s the unknown that is on my mind. I have the BRCA1 faulty gene so am eligible for PARP so hopefully I’ll get through this to get to that providing the chemo is successful - thanks again xx

paclitaxel and carboplatin have been around for many years so hopefully will work well for you. I had all sorts of fears before chemo and it does make you feel rough at times but it's nothing like it is portrayed in some films/books. They can adjust dosages and give medication that make it manageable. You'll have a 24 hour number for your hospital and my advice is to call it when needed. Sometimes just being told that something is an expected side effect and will pass helped me.

I found the chemo easier to cope with than the external radiotherapy. 

Plenty of fluids, rest and listen to your body- it will tell you what you need to do. 

Good Luck 

I’ve just done exact same treatment regime as you. It is perfectly doable. Not the most pleasant but survivable. 

Tiny but practical tip. Check your recliner chair works before selecting it. Carbo/taxol takes a long time and it’s well worth having a working recliner so you are comfortable. 

You’ll be well looked after throughout. It does get tougher as the rounds go on. Make sure you tell your oncologist about any side effects as they tweak the chemo as you go along. I got peripheral neuropathy and they adjusted the does to stop it getting worse. 

If you’ve been offered a port/line take them up on it. I didn’t and my veins started to get quite tricky in the later rounds. It also saves time with getting the catheter put in each time.  

Best of luck - you’ll be fine. 

Thanks so much. I was told I could just have a cannula, not necessarily a picc line which I was initially relieved about but then I read a forum on here where some we’re really glad for the picc line for various reasons. They can never find my veins so you’ve just confirmed this for me now xx

Jane covered having chemo quite well,  I have stage 4 ovarian cancer, and in my experience, the first session was the  most difficult one as I still had a pleural effusion and quite breathless.  Felt a bit sick after the chemo,  but probably took too many anti sickness tablets as became shaky, I phoned the help line Sunday night who heard me so breathless told me to go to A & E.  A night without sleep not good at that stage!  Sent home in the morning & I ended up having the pleural effusion aspirated a week later.  OK after that & the 2nd chemo onwards, no problem with sickness.  You may have taste changes, I completely went off tea, and tap water didn't taste good, had to buy bottled water.   Small meals and snacks are good as appetite may be less and mouth dry, and do drink plenty of water. I found my urine felt acidic and wore pads if I thought I may be caught short! Days 3 to 6 definitely the worst, I felt very fatigued and shaky during those days, was difficult to concentrate on anything and each treatment did make the fatigue worse.   I got a settee downstairs too so could watch the TV, no concentration needed!  I felt cold rather than hot, depends on time of year no doubt.   The centre I had my chemo, had a service where you could have a reflexology session during chemo, which was lovely and did pass the time.  Once the chemo treatment finishes you get most of your energy back but the lasting  side effects for me has been the neuropathy in my feet, and the hair loss.  Everyone is different and being elderly the muscle loss made my physical condition so much worse, I now have a cleaner to help and have started Tai chi classes hoping to improve my balance and  fitness.  I had my last chemo  early May, had a CT scan that shows the cancer is minimal, and have now started suppression therapy with bevacizumab, supposed to be less side effects (first one was OK) and it doesn't affect hair growth so my fuzz should continue coming back.  Lets hope all goes well with yours, you certainly get into a pattern knowing when you will be well and days you won't want to do anything much.  Hope this helps, certainly nothing to worry about, the staff work like clockwork and are very helpful with the 24hour phone line as backup.  Good luck   Pat   

Thank you so much. You’re amazing ️ I’ve bought some finger grips and practicing gripping fabric with my toes to try to keep my nerves firing. I have my chemo assessment on Monday and start on Thursday so your message is well timed. I’ll review all these messages again before my appointment to help me prepare any questions I might have. Thank you again. Good luck to you xx

I'm about 2 weeks behind you, my Professor wanted another 2 weeks surgery recovery (9th June was my op) and then starting 6 rounds. Best of luck for your appointment tomorrow 

Thank you! I’m 9 weeks post op tomorrow so I’m on track. They said start chemo 6 weeks post op but I think it was a “from 6 weeks” so I just used every additional day / week to get stronger, fitter and prepare for chemo as I live solo. The deep clean is real  All the best to you too xx