Chemotherapy starts on Wednesday

Hi Skippy1959

Sorry I have no Chemo knowledge, but wanted to say I hope it all goes well for you, 

Best wishes 

L

Hello Skippy1959 

I am with BarryW here - no Chemotherapy experience but I wish you well with your treatment. I am sure there will be plenty of sound advice to follow. 

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello. My husband had 6 sessions of docetaxel chemo which he completed in November last year. He sailed through it with no tiredness, sickness or hair loss. The only side effects he had was a slight metallic taste and abit of brain fog which lasted for about 5 days after each session. At the first session the nurses should watch you like a hawk and quickly respond if you have a reaction. Take a book and some snacks with you. Also don't drive afterwards as it can put you over the drink drive limit. My husband asked for the cold cap and this worked for him as no hair loss. Each session for hubbie lasted about 1.5 hours. Very best wishes to you and any questions please ask. 

Meant to say that I wasn't allowed to go in with him or sit in the waiting room so I used to go to Maggie's centre which was in the hospital site. I could wait there in comfort and nice surroundings looked after by the staff. Also ask about concession parking as we got free parking whilst hubbie was having chemo

Thanks for the insight Shar how was the cold sap for him and did it add any additional wait time onto the treatment ? 

Hi Skippy.

Firstly the chemotherapy nurses are brilliant. They understand that the first time is frightening so will explain what they are going to do and will keep a very close eye on you to make sure that you do not have an adverse reaction to the Docetxel but it is important to let them know exactly how you feel and if you have any odd sensations. My husband was dreading it but admits now that it was nowhere near as bad as expected. You are going to be sitting in a comfortable chair for anywhere between one and four hours and it is a good idea to take something to do as well as a snack and something to drink. You may be asked to take some steroids the day before which help to prevent side effects such as nausea, but don't worry if you don't because they will give you some on the day. The nurses will insert a catheter, usually in the back of your hand, and then give you a drug through it, to again reduce any side effects. Next will be the chemo itself and finally a further bag will be put up to flush through the system. You will not be able to drive afterwards as the Docetxel needs alcohol to get it into solution and this can take you over the legal drink drive limit. Also you may feel drowsy. You should be given contact details so that if you get any side effects or feel at all unwell you must tell them about it as they have a whole range of treatments to help you.

The chemotherapy will kill the cancer cells but it also kills the good cells in your body such as those lining your mouth and gut so it is a good idea to be careful with what you eat. I found that feeding hubby little and often was easier on the gut plus it helped with the little bit of nausea he felt. He also found that he had a problem with certain foods and drink so it was trial and error to find what he could tolerate. It is important to avoid anything which might upset the gut so wash fruit and veg thoroughly and avoid things like salad leaf (anything which cannot be well cleaned). Also avoid eggs and egg products, unless thoroughly cooked, and yoghurt, unless you heat it to 72C first and then allow it to cool.

You are going to be immunocompromised so try and avoid anyone with bugs. Generally we adopted COVID type precautions when in crowded places. It is also a good idea to take your temperature twice a day as sepsis can develop very quickly. Wash or sanitise your hands frequently. You will be excreting the chemotherapy drug for 2 to 3 days each cycle out of every orifice and your perspiration so avoid kissing and use a condom if you have sex. When you go to the loo double flush and if you can reserve a separate toilet just for your use then all the better. I washed all the bedlinen, towels and hubbys clothes separately from mine after day 3.

Hubby lost most of his hair over the whole of his body, this started after the first cycle on day 14 and he was left with a Mohican by day 21. A tip is to put a towel over your pillow which can be shaken out daily. A cold cap can reduce hair loss and adds a little time on to the time you will be having treatment.

I hope this gives you a starter of what to expect but please come back with any questions.

I am sure you will be fine and all the best.

Hi Skippy1959.

OH had same as Shar OH last year and went through it ok. Cold cap also worked - his experience of it was like the worst ice cream headache you can imagine. It did make him cold all over so maybe take a fleece. Metallic taste and a bit off with bowels for few days post treatment. Bit tired too. They will look after you. Take their advice and be on top of any flu like symptoms or general unwell. 
all the very best. Xx

Hi Skippy. He said initially when they put it in it is like when you eat ice cream and it gives you brain freeze which he said lasted about a minute. They replaced it 3 times. It added no further time as they connect you up and push through saline, then the chemo and then a 15 minute flush at the end

Skippy1959,  Good luck with the chemo tomorrow.  Don’t think I can add to the advice already given.  Tell the nurses exactly how you feel and react.  Don’t expect anything immediately, I found it took 3 days for me to notice feeling odd.  I suggest you keep a daily diary, as that will help with later rounds.   Best wishes,  David

When you say feeling odd David how would you describe that tiredness ?