I was diagnosed with Cancer in March and although we knew it was Cancer its still a shock to be told it. I have had 2 chemo cycles now and have my 3rd at the end of the month. I would love to chat about the chemo side affects to anyone..
I to have ovarian cancer diagnosed in Jan 2009. I had 3 lots of chemo, operation, and another 3 lots of chemo.
The main problems I had with the chemo were gross taste in mouth and nothing tasted like it should, neuropathy of fingers and feet, these got worse with each chemo, but taste improved after about 6 weeks, fingers and feet improved but I still have neuropathy in my left foot (and right but only when I walk!). Hair loss - very slow to grow back and now have corkscrew curls! Tiredness but only realised how bad once I returned to work!
Most of the complications I had with chemo have been rare ones but then I only got diagnosed with ovarian cancer due to a rare autoimmune disease! I developed arterial bloods clots (aortic settling in left Femeral artery) just before my 4th dose, had daily blood thining injections but still developed another clot 5 days after the 6th dose! The onchologist/haematologist aren't sure if its cancer or chemo related and they don't seem to have personally come across it before so please don't worry about it!
I would be interested in hearing about plans for followup when you get that far.
Thanks for email. I too am having surgery then 3 more cycles of chemo. I have not been great on this cycle as I get indigestion & heartburn but I have a hiatus hernie & I think the chemicals in the chemo are hitting on thaty spot. my finger tips are very sensative as well and I find I can't open things the same. I lost my hair on the 2nd week but to be honest I love it I feel liberated.....:)
I only knew I had a tumor through going to the loo all the time ( bowels opening ) I thought it was something or nothing but my Consultant found the mass through a rectum internal & had me in the next day for a Colonoscopy....It then took lots of refering to other Consultants & Scans, tissue samples to identify it..
I am a positive person and hopefully can get through this. Its great to be able to chat about it to someone else, so thank you for.
I had indigestion after the first dose and they gave me Losec 30mg, guess you may be already on this due to the hiatus hernia but worth a try if not! I didn't have much hand strength to start with due to the auto-immune disease but was forever cutting myself when sorting dinner for about 5 days post chemo!
I didn't have any problems once the hair was gone just had problems with the thought of losing it, glad its back but only cause it was very cold without!
No reason why you can't get through it. Take it easy, don't push yourself, listen to your body and get support from this site.
Rise to the challenge and try not to waste energy worrying!
I had indigestion after the first dose and they gave me Losec 30mg, guess you may be already on this due to the hiatus hernia but worth a try if not! I didn't have much hand strength to start with due to the auto-immune disease but was forever cutting myself when sorting dinner for about 5 days post chemo!
I didn't have any problems once the hair was gone just had problems with the thought of losing it, glad its back but only cause it was very cold without!
No reason why you can't get through it. Take it easy, don't push yourself, listen to your body and get support from this site.
Rise to the challenge and try not to waste energy worrying!
I will keep you posted over the next coming months and I will not worry as you say there is no point in wasting energy ....Once again its a good to have someone who has gone through it and come out smiling..
My name is Tony and I was diagnosed at Christmas time last year. I also had bowel cancer and hoping that the got it all with the removal of the tumour and the affected lymph nodes. I am having intensive radiotherapy and was to have chemotherapy, however I had the worst possible side effect after only 4 days. I had heart problems (I dont have a history of heart problems) and my oncologist believes it is too dangerous to have chemotherapy - it could bring on another angina attack or even worse I could suffer a heart attack.
If you have a spare couple of hours have a read of my story lister under Colon Cancer.
You are absolutely right about the forum - I have made some fantastic friends on here and even though I have my family, friends and of course God, I dont think I would have made it through without the support and camaraderie!
I love your approach to losing your hair - liberating....I have my head shaved anyways and yes I feel it is liberating not having to worry about it!
I think you get it that you are not alone and have us to walk beside, behind and infront of you in this.
