Hi.
Depends on the chemo type and dose. Basically your body is being poisoned by the chemo so expect the same symptoms.
The hospital should give your Dad antisickness tablets to take home. You can also be constipated if so ask for meds.
Tiredness is a symptom that most people have but this varies day to day. Aches and pains in joints and muscles again varies.
After several chemos taste buds can be temporary affected and you can go right off certain foods, I could not drink coffee and milk tasted awful.
Not everyone gets all the symptoms some (like myself) never feel sick. So it is difficult to predict.
Get your Dad to ask as many questions as he wants, write them down before so you don't forget them.
Everything depends on the dose and how often.
The best help you can give is practical. Shopping driving make an occasional meal. Helping your mum with everyday stuff. Don't overdo it just be aware.
Wishing your Dad all the best. River
What river56 said - it depends on the chemo drugs used and the dose.
I felt great the day after each treatment (big dose of steroids!) then gradually felt worse over the next five days until I had one day each cycle when I could hardly function. I then felt better each day until by the end of each 20 day cycle, I felt pretty normal.
Fortunately, I only had four cycles so I always knew there was an end in sight.
The chemo nurses and the oncologist will do everything in their power to lessen the side effects. Make sure your dad tells them everything he has experienced - they won't be able to get rid of effects entirely, but they can make them less unpleasant.
Don't let him be stoic, or think that he's making a fuss by saying how he feels - they need to know, and will adjust dosage etc accordingly!
The best way for you to help is to do practical things to take the pressure off your parents. I was lucky that my partner took over everything, including all the cooking, washing etc. Some days I felt well enough to do it, others I didn't - knowing that there was back up helped massively.
Good luck to your dad, I hope his treatment is short and successful!
