Hi Ivonne and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to read about your situation. I can appreciate you have a lot going on and I can imagine it is overwhelming.

The specialist nurse or chemotherapy nurse will go over specific things, such as potential side effects, in detail with you if they haven't already before your first chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy   is a systemic treatment, meaning it affects all the cells in the body (both cancer and healthy cells). This means that chemotherapy can potentially cause side effects, but how this affects one person will be different to someone else. Unfortunately, it is difficult to predict how anyone will be, but the nurses and doctors looking after you will monitor you, and any side effects you may have, and manage these should they arise. Most side effects are short-lived and will ease off after each cycle of treatment. Some may persist after treatment has finished but very rarely are they permanent. The specialist team usually carries out a series of tests before commencing chemotherapy to ensure the patient is as fit as possible to be able to tolerate it.

You may find it useful to read our section of information about life whilst having chemotherapy on our website.

The use of Paclitaxel in conjunction with Carboplatin chemotherapy may extend survival for certain patients. However, the degree and particular advantages differ significantly based on the patient's cancer type, stage, and general health. Your hospital specialist may be able to tell you more as they have all your medical details.

Please try and voice your fears to your hospital specialist or nurse specialist. It is important they know how you are feeling.

I hope this information helps and that everything will be okay for you.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards

Tina