1 week since first treatment

[Emma1]

Hi, I am over just over a week from my first chemo treatment.

And it was a doozy of a week. I have begun to feel good today; the nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and more just overwhelmed me. I was tired to the point I couldn't keep my eyes open

I still have no appetite, but I eat at regular times, and I still can't taste much, and my scalp is still very tender and the rash on my body and face are starting to fade.

I haven’t updated till today because my mind has been fogged up

How did anyone find ways of dealing with the effects, and how did anyone mentally maintain a healthy outlook

I am still comforting my mum, and I need her to comfort me, as selfish as that sounds, my mental health is suffering.  

Any helpful advice would be great thankyou

[Emma1]

forgot to list waking several times during the night

[Miranda_ccnsw]

Hi @Emma1 

Thank you for reaching out to the community and for trusting this space to share how you're feeling as you find a way through your diagnosis and treatment. It can be a tough rollercoaster of emotions and side effects and that's what this community is all about, sharing the journey so you feel less alone.

Please know you can reach out to our team of health professionals on 13 11 20  to find out about the support options that are available to you - such as our Cancer Counselling service or Cancer Connect (where if you have early stage/localised cancer you can be connected with someone who has their own lived experience where they can be a sounding board for questions you may have about side effects and what life looks like during and after treatment etc.) Talking with others can help hugely with processing all that is going on for you.

And for others who have been through chemotherapy, what helped you most during your first weeks of chemo?

Stay strong,

Miranda

CCNSW