My husband has terminal bowel cancer and tomorrow is his first lot of chemo, he's petrified, could anyone tell me what to expect so I can hopefully calm his nerves. Thank you x
Hi Carol Everyone's experience of treatment is different. Also it depends on the chemo what the expected side effects are. If he is having chemo through a canula then drink plenty of water to ensure the veins are easy to find. I was treated at Christies in Manchester (different cancer) and my husband could stay all the time. I took my mp3 player, kindle and tablet as they had free wi-fi. Also took water and snacks. The nurses are very good and will answer all your questions and give you any information. I also wrote down how I was feeling every day like a diary. It was useful when I went to see the doctor as I did not have to remember everything, also it showed a pattern after my treatment so I knew how I would be. It is worrying as you don't know what to expect but he is with the experts. So ask ask ask get as much information as you can from them. Good luck
Just wanted to wish your husband good luck for tomorrow's first chemotherapy. river56 has given you some very good advice and I know that many other members will also be adding their own experience and sharing it with you.
I thought I would also drop you a line with our information on chemotherapy which you can find here. I hope it will be useful to you.
Our nurses are also here for you and know a lot about chemotherapy. You can call them on this free number 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm - feel free to ask them any question that springs to your mind.
Christies is a great hospital and I found the staff really helpful. You can get cold drinks from a water cooler or whoever is with you can bring hot drinks in from the cafe, They also come round with a tea trolly and if you are going to be in for a while you get a free lunch - sandwich or soup - but they are not that good we used to take our own. The chairs are like recliners and are really comfy ( I used to fall asleep) or sometimes you could be in a bed - again depends on how long you are going to be there & what is available.
If they have said you will lose your hair ask the nurse about a voucher for a wig. They give you like a perscription which you take to the McMillan office who give you the voucher. There is a wig dept on site its in the same space as "headstart" they say you have to make an appointment but when I phoned the girl said just call in. The wigs are quite good and they fit them, or you can pay a bit for a better one. "Headstart" (I think thats what its called) is run by volunteers and they sell those fancy headscarfs or quite simple ones they also show how to do fancy styles with scarfs. I bought a couple of plain head cover type things which I used to wear around the house or under hats when I went out. I think they were about £4.
One thing I forgot to add is wear something comfortable the ward can be warm but again depending on the treatment you can start to feel cold (usually during the flush through) so something warm you can wrap round like a fleece or cardigan for a short time.
Good luck to you and Carols husband . Once the first ones over I found it got easier. Oh and you can go to the loo you just take the drip with you.
Well, 1st intravenous chemo over, it took 5 hours, bit longer than the 2 hours we expected. Apart from that everything went well. Been sent home with loads of tablets, 17 a day, 10 chemo in tablet form and 7 others to help with side effects. Apart from feeling cold and having tingling arms he seems ok.
I get an idea of how he feels, I have my first appointment with the Oncologist iin Inverness next week for my Bowel Cancer Treatment care plan which I have been told will start with heavy doses of Chemo, which may well also start next week. I am trying to stay possitive which helps to a degree but its the not knowing and waiting is the worst isnt it. I hope it all goes well for you both. and would be interested how he gets on.
