Anyone experience of EOX please? What to expect? 

Hi there! 
I saw you responded to my post, thank you so much for your kind words, it's nice to find someone who knows exactly how you're feeling. 
My husband is currently on week 2 of his 5th round of EOX. I can tell you his experiences and hope that your husband fares as well as mine during his treatment. 
 

Petes chemo day is a Friday, he's usually in the hospital for about 6 hours. He tries to sleep through it if possible, as it's a long day. But takes magazines and his phone to keep him occupied. He was worried that he'd have to use a bottle to go to the loo...  but they let him take his drip to the toilet with him! 
 

During the first week, the worst problem he has is that the cold really effects him... he gets a frost bite type feeling on all exposed skin... even his ears, and head, but worst in his hands and  fingers. I usually pick him up with a hot water bottle in the car so that his hands don't get too cold. He also can't manage cold drinks in this first week as the cold effects the throat (he said it's like pins and needles down your throat) so only has warm food and drink in that first week. 
 

My main advice would be to take the anti sickness tablets even if you don't feel sick. Pete takes metaclopromide 3x daily and has ondansetron in between if he still feels sick. He's not actually been too sick (only the odd day... but we put that down to not taking the tablets)  but feels nauseous a lot. Eating little and often helps. 
 

The first 3 days after treatment they give pete steroids to help with the sickness. We found that they gave him really violent hiccups! Sounds silly... but they stopped him sleeping and was getting him down. We told the doctors this tho and they lowered the dose and this isn't a problem any more. 
 

We find that week one is the worst, just general tiredness and fatigue, but despite feeling tired, struggles to sleep at night. This improves after week one. Week 2 and 3 he really perks up and starts to feel better in himself. We managed a week away during week 2 of cycle 2. We just took care to stay away from crowds (pete very very wary of covid) and wrapped up warm. We just had a very restful week where we didn't expect to do masses of things, just spent some quality time together and went for walks and outings when he felt up to it. 
 

Chemo is acculative so each cycle he feels a bit more tired etc. But has managed to work throughout (he's a builder!!) he's just learning to listen to his body and rests when he needs to. 
 

I'm happy to answer any questions you have. I know how very scary this time is for you all, but can honestly say it's not been as bad as we were expecting. And to hear after 3 cycles that the tumour was shrinking was just the best news and makes it all seem worth it. Just keeping fingers crossed for the next scans now. 
 

sorry for such a long message, was just trying to think of things we wish we had knows before we started this EOX journey xxx lots of love, Fizz xxx  

Thank you so much for replying, it really means a lot to me and is so helpful, I will be picking up a hot water bottle and a nice fleecy jumper/socks tomorrow for him. I think I need to take a reality check about all this - I am working five days a week at the moment (we dont need the money) and also my husband thinks he can drive home after chemo, am not so sure reading your post? I will ensure he takes sickness tablets and keep a good eye on him. Again, thank you so much, I will be thinking of you too and here anytime if you need a chat x

Absolutely no problem at all. 
Pete probably could drive home, but he said he'd have to sit in the car until it warms up as he doesn't have much feeling in his hands when they're cold! 
 

If you don't have to work... I'd suggest at least cutting down. I work 3 long days as a nurse (we do need the money) but luckily my work are very supportive and give me time off or sort my shifts so I can be off around chemo days. We do get maximum PIP now, which helps somewhat with money. 
 

Definitly get a hat and gloves! Pete also lives in a fleece snood thing (we got a motorbike one from Halfords) that helps loads as keeps his neck warm so stops the cold getting to his throat. 
 

so happy to help, it's a scary time and it's nice to know others are going through the same. 

Thank you x

Hope all goes well today. Will be thinking of you xx 

Thank you he is there now, am just doing housework like a crazy lady, then going to work on a late shift today. Will update later x

Hi, my husband is home, treatment was around four hours total, he drove there and back ok. He looks very pale, says he is bit queasy, and has pins and needles sensation in his fingers, but so far thats all. 
i feel I am being such a fuss pot, I keep saying 'are you warm enough' 'are you ok' etc. Poor man, and he has had hundreds of texts all saying 'are you ok?' 
 

Hope you are all ok too, thank you for your thoughts today x

And you, I feel so relieved to be able to chat with 'real' people going through similar experiences, rather than just googling things and seeing dreadful statistics, there are far more positive outcomes here than I thought existed. I hope your little ones are looking forward to Christmas, we are very much keeping Christmas spirit alive here, despite this and covid challenges we will still be cosying up with lights, films, chocolates etc! Sending you a big hug, lets stay brave together x