Hello Carrie54

I'm sorry that you're feeling a little overwhelmed by things after your first treatment today. It's understandable that you feel this way and have some questions. 

Unfortunately our nurse team doesn't work weekends so wouldn't be able to advise. Please do keep trying to get hold of the helpline number you've been given> if you've not had any joy with that department then you can call NHS 111 for advice and support. 

I hope that you're able to get some rest this evening. Do let us know how you get on over the weekend. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Hi, i have just completed my 3rd chemo and my home medication is the same as yours. As you say the Metocropramide is as and when needed. I take one of the  Ondansetron the evening of the chemo day then 1 the morning of the next day and another that evening. No more to be taken.  The Dexamethasone is 2 tabs twice a day for 2 days.

I was given an emergency nurse number if i should need to contact them any time. Did they give you a 24/7 number?

Can i ask about your PICC line. I am waiting to have one put in as my veins are no longer good. Was it painless? Any problems afterwards?

Thank you so much, that was really helpful :)

I was really nervous about having a PICC line but it was actually quite a quick and relatively pain-free procedure.  The technician who did mine was very nice and answered all of my questions, he kept checking in on me when I was having the actual procedure done and explaining where he was in the process - really good when you're not really sure what's going on most of the time!

Basically, they check your veins in your upper arm by scanning to make sure they've got the right place, and hook you up to an ecg to monitor where the line is once in place.  Your arm is cleaned thoroughly and a local injection is given.  They insert a needle for the line to go through into the vein.  That hurt a little because my vein was a bit deeper than the area covered by the local injection, but it only lasted about 5 seconds and was more of a burning sensation than anything else.  He then inserted the line, scanning the whole time to monitor it's location.  He then checked he was happy with it's position, cleaned my arm up a bit and dressed the area.  You're given a sleeve at the appointment to keep the tube protected, and you can get a waterproof sleeve so you can shower/bath prescription, which they give you a slip there and then to take to your GP to get that sorted.  

To reduce the risk of infections, etc., you will get weekly appointments for them to flush the line and re-dress.

You might get some bruising around the site - I took paracetamol to help and it worked a treat.  My only other real issue is that my arm is very itchy around the site where the line goes in, and I can't scratch it.  It helped yesterday when I was having treatment because they changed the dressing and cleaned the area again, which was wonderful! 

Hope that wasn't too much information.  Upshot is, I would recommend having the PICC line, the process isn't a bad one to go through and the benefits are definitely worth it.  Good luck!

Hello Carrie54 and thanks for your post,

I can understand that it can be very overwhelming not knowing what to expect when you start chemotherapy for the first time. The other forum user has given you some very good advice and I do hope that their suggestions helped you over the last couple of days.

When you see the nurses and doctors before your next appointment they will ask you how you got on and whether you had any side effects. They can then adjust your medication depending on whether you had any sickness or any other symptoms.

It can sometimes help to keep a diary for the first couple of cycles to record how you are feeling. Do talk to them about the best time to take the medication. For example taking the dexamethasone too late in the day can affect how you sleep.

We have some information on Everyday life with chemotherapy which you may find has some helpful tips.

The NHS have produced some helpful information on eating during cancer treatment

You may also find it helpful to ring and chat this through with one of the helpline nurses.

I think it is always difficult starting something new but hopefully over the next few weeks you will feel more in control as you will know much more what to expect.

If you want to give us a ring our helpline number is freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

All the best,

Catherine