What is the first Chemo treatment like?

boring thats what its like take a crossword or something to do or read 

cannula in the back of the hand if i remember correctly there's a flush then anti sickness then your chemo 

u don't feel anything really , i remember having a dry mouth but i took frozen pineapple pieces to counter act that .

be positive and exercise if u can to keep the fatigue away 

Hi

Welcome to our club, having the chemo is nothing, apart from the needle to start it off, never bothered me, then you just sit there, a nurse might come and check everything is going ok.

Now the side effects can vary, if your lucky, then they should be passable, all I can say is how it hit me, first two days I thought where’s the problem, that night wham, I was practically unable to move for nine hours sweating violently, the next few nights I had hot sweats, just put a bath towel on the bed. You feel weak and tired, I lost my hair, had brown nails, just check my profile it has all the information there.

Stay safe

Joe

Hi KTC.

Good luck next Thursday. I'm sure you will be fine. Just to give you a warning that very very occasionally someone has a reaction to chemotherapy soon after they start to infuse it so it is important to tell the staff straight away if you start feeling different in any way from normal. If you feel any burning or pain at the IV site during the session then again report it immediately as this may mean that there is leakage out of the vein and they would need to flush it and use another site. Also, because alcohol is used to get the drug into solution it means that you could be over the legal limit to drive at the end of your session so make sure that you get a lift home. Apart from being p****d as a newt after two of the sessions my husband said he didn't feel a thing during the sessions. 

Hi KTC,

My husband had his 1st Docetaxel chemo infusion on 9th October & his 2nd on Monday 30th October & he felt absolutely fantastic after both infusions. He felt nothing while it was being administered & came out of both treatments wanting to drive home but needless to say I did not allow that & he is still feeling great. In his words he feels like fraud because he is feeling so well.

I hope this will give you a little peace of mind.

Baileybella 

Thank you, the pineapple tip is also useful

Thank you, appreciate the info and some insight into what to potentially expect

Thank you - I've just been to the hospital for the baseline tests, they didn't mention that I shouldn't drive afterwards - sounds like I should be looking forward to chemo more than I should 

Thank you - can I ask, does your husband take any vitamins or supplements to help counteract, is it just pure luck?

My husband told the oncologist that he prefers his alcohol in a glass so it was a joke when he went for IV's after the first inebriation event that he had spiked the water bottle he took with him. We went alcohol free during treatment but he really savoured his first little tipple at the end of treatment.

I hope you have considered your infection control and safety for you and partner if you have one whilst you are on chemo. Come back if you want some tips on anything specific.

Good luck for next Thursday and keep us informed on your progress.

HI AlwaysHope - I would indeed love some tips if you have any? After visiting the nurse yesterday, it appears that you're supposed to learn as you go, so some outside experiential advice would be very welcome.

Thank you