chemo

[Andrea_has_a_he]

well my chemo starts tomorrow Gemcitabine and Cisplatin 6hrs connected to a drip. Scared of the unknown reading the pamphlets and all the booklets they give you trying to remember what I have to. Scared also as I have only 1 properly functioning kidney, to be honest I think I am a mess sometimes I feel as I am damned if I do and damned if I don't is this normal or me over reacting. Thanks all for letting me vent Andrea

[#2]

Hi Andrea, Good luck with your treatment, I start Radio next week so Im the same, scared as of the unknown, how Ill cope, side effects etc I dont think your over reacting at all, I also feel damned which way I go, both choices are not what I want, do Radio greater success, dont do Radio and wait and see. I always believe your first reaction is the right one no matter how over the top you think it might be. Anyway, its 2.22am, Ill try and get some sleep this time! This swelling in chin is driving me nuts. Take care Leesa

[kj]

Andrea Its only normal to be nervous about starting treatment some of us get sick others get through quite well as each of us is different you will just have to wait and see try not to have a preconceived idea you will be sick or you will try to go with the flow good luck kj

[wombat4]

Hi Andrea, I hope all goes well with the chemo,remember just because the side effects are listed, dosnt mean you will get all or any of them. But dont leave it in the hands of fate, find out what they may be and dont wait for them to happen before tackling them. Dry skin ?, a nice big bottle of Sorbalene, cheap and very effective, sensitive to cold?, thermal gloves, socks, beanie and scarfs, careful of air cons in cars and shops, keep away from freezer sections etc. These may not be the possibles in your situation, but you get the idea, get to it sooner rather than later. good luck wombat4

[Andrea_has_a_he]

Well day four after chemo not good experiences, by time I got home on Tuesday night nausea and vomiting, Wednesday worse soooooo tired. Thursday phoning hospital cause could not work out what was going on and today blood nose on off all day huge bruise on my arm due to needle sight. have oncologist and second treatment on Tuesday 6th March. I think a lot more questions are going to be asked by me when I go in this time. Just very tired nite all Andrea

[wombat4]

Hi Andrea, Make sure the oncologist includes anti nausea in your regime. My wife had 48 2weekly cycles of chemo and the only time she was sick was when the nurse did not read the sheet of meds and didnt include the anti n meds. Good luck wombat4

[Mignon]

Hi Andrea, Write everything down that you want to ask. And even better if you can have someone go with you. That chemo brain is awful for remembering things. You will have lots of questions. Thinking of You. Mignon

[Andrea_has_a_he]

With all the anti nausea medication they gave me I did not think it was going to be this bad, trying not to have negative thoughts as hard as it is. its now 6.00am Sunday morning feeling a little better today where the last 5 days have gone is in bed sleeping or trying to do a little bit to take my mind of things. Have a list written and ready for Tuesday's appointment hopefully they can give me more answers and I can make some clear headed decisions. I have my daughter who comes to all my appointments so if I miss something she picks up on it. Thanks all for the support Andrea

[mazsa]

Andrea, I agree with KJ, not all get sick, each and everyone of us have different reactions to chemo & a lot depends on what type of chemo you are on, the sort of person that you are and the sort of food types you normally eat. I guess the same goes for radiation. I haven't been on that so I don't really know but I do have a brother that has been on it and his reactions were similiar to mine. A base idea is to be able to get your stomach to be able to handle food along with the chemo, so we will forget strong spicy foods, milk products are out, greek yoghurt is good also bananas, dry crackers, dry toast, mixed fruit and nuts, just plain fruit are all in. It just may take some time for your stomach to be able to handle food but don't be put off. As my oncologist said to me after I finished my second week of nothing but vomiting (not joking) pretend you are a cow and just graze, so forget about the 3 standard meals per day. Eat what you feel like eating and when you feel like eating, as long as you get enough fluid into your body you will get through. From one who spent 5 days straight vomiting including water and lost 8kgs in 2 months. Now 8kgs heavier and haven't vomited since November. I have inoperable PC. So hold in there as eventually you will get through it. Am going to try and send you a private reply after this regarding your anti nausea med.