Just started chemo

Hello again Acme70,

You're on the way then, one down and 5 to go.

When I had chemo I remained as active as possible throughout.  I started early July and continued to cut our lawns weekly as well as doing the same for elderly relatives who live nearby, plus walking as much as possible and going on my exercise bike. Just listen to your body and adjust to what is doable without exhausting yourself.

I slowed down as treatment progressed which is to be expected and exercise did reduce significantly. I think it's useful to be as active as you can, and was never told not to be. 

I tried to keep my distance from people as much as possible to reduce the risk of picking something up (immune system suffers on chemo) and would make myself scarce if someone near me was coughing and/or sneezing.

Keep it up and let us know how you get on. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to chat, click on the messages box in the green area top right of the screen and send me a message to start off.

All the best, Derek.

Hi Acme70

Great response from Excavator...

I have just had my fifth dose (day 7) - so only one more to go - yippee!!!  I was only saying this week that when we started all this the end seemed so far away.....

The 21 day cycle has taken me over a bit, but there are predictable sections  - first couple of days OK nothing out of the ordinary, then onto feeling very tired and then I get lots of pain in my limbs for a couple of days. Then gradually feeling better.  I too try to exercise daily, but this had to be tempered by when/where you are along the cycle I find.  But although it can be difficult I have really felt the benefits of increasing the walk, doing more exercise with weights and resistance bands and on the indoor bike.

I tend to try and stay away from folk for the first 10 days if I can, if not I have a face mask in the pocket of most jackets/fleeces - a lowered immune system is the issue here. I tend to adopt the old two-metre rule from Covid days!!

Not that I am paranoid but I also check my temperature in the morning and evening - and especially if I am having the pains and want to take paracetamol. If I am in the target zone (36.0 - 37.5 C) then OK to take.  I have had a couple of temperature spikes in the first week of the cycle and have ended up in A&E (in an isolation room) in the middle of the night before being transferred to a ward for observation and drips. I got off lightly, no issues just a mysterious spike.

It is important to follow the information given and to call your hospital hotline as necessary.  I have found that the Cancer Research UK Treatment Record Booklet I was given to be a fantastic way of recording daily progress and symptoms.

The meds can be a bit of a nightmare, especially remembering what to take when, with or without food and how many hours before something.  I have programmed my iPhone with Alarms which go off at the appropriate times and have added what each alarm is for, really helps when you are stuck into something else and have totally forgotten about the meds!

I wish you well with it all

Best wishes

KrisPy

Spot on KrisPy.