Hello and welcome to the forum 

As you say people have very different experiences with chemotherapy and the potential side effects also differ with the type of chemotherapy and how often it is given. 

I am coming up to my 5th cycle of triple combination therapy so my chemo sessions last all day with each individual treatment taking between 1 and 3 hours. Some people only have 1 treatment and are only there for a couple of hours at the most. 

For your first session I would suggest taking something like a book or iPad to keep yourself occupied, some snacks and plenty to drink. I would also suggest you have someone drive you to and from your first session, after this you should know how you react to the treatment and will have more of an idea if you will be up to driving yourself.

For me, my hair started to thin out around 2 weeks after my first session and then it pretty much all came out immediately after my 2nd. Apparently, not all chemotherapies cause hair loss so you will have more of an idea what to expect once you know what treatment you are having. 

I find the biggest part of coping with the treatment is staying positive and most importantly continuing to do the things you enjoy. Carrying on as normal and being around people has really helped me throughout my treatment and quite often I even find myself forgetting I have cancer.

All the best

Georgina 

Dolly

I think you need to ask some questions of your breast cancer nurse as to answer these questions its necessary to know more (and I think you need to be told more by your support team, they should be telling you of common & other side effects) especially which chemo drug you are having.  I hadn't realised (and many don't until they join this adventure (!) that there are maybe over 50 different chemo drugs that can be given in different combinations and which treat different cancers and many have their own unique side effects.

You'll get a more relevant reply of experiences if you can tell us what drugs you're taking, the cycle and the number of cycles. For example I have, for breast cancer, been on 4 X EC every 3 weeks then 4 X paclitaxel every 2 weeks so 20 weeks of chemo from start to end.

You can also search on the chemo drug names to find feedback on the forums. The MacMillan monthly chemo forum may be a better bit for you re chemo experiences based on what I've found since I started being an "expert" (!!) end July this year.

Good luck.

Sam
 

Hi I also have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, had hysterectomy stage 1a. I am on my 5th cycle of carboplatin was told little hair loss but I decided I would use the cold cap,just to preserve my hair as much as possible, it has thinned but it really isn't too bad to cope with yes very cold but I think it's been worth it. it does extend the session but usually there about 4 hours. Feel a bit woolly headed for about 5 days but doesn't stop me doing anything walk the dog 2 miles a day do housework just carry on as much as possible. Also first week after chemo feel weepy but think that is normal

oh That’s good you kept cold cap on. I’m Babita 

I’m having my first chemo and of next week. Kind of prepared but scared and anxious. 

I’m seeing oncology nurse tomo xx

take care