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.
Glad to hear that the cold cap treatment wasn't too bad. Did they give you any idea as to the chances of it beeing successful? From our experience, the hair loss started towards the end of cycle 2, (after about 5 weeks). So maybe if you get to cycle 3 without any hair loss, you may be ok.
Mary wore her wig all day yesterday and today, she doesn't find it at all hot or uncomfortable. So maybe she'll be ok with it. Her tummy was affected by the carbo in cycle 1 & 2, but this time she was fine.
Best wishes, hope you're feeling a bit better soon,
John
PS - Does your username tell me that you were born in the same month as Mary, and the same year as me?
I forgot to say about the water, they tell you to drink at least 2 litres per day so as not to dehydrate also I think it must flush the toxins out of you ( not sure on that one though ) Also drinking red wine is ok ( in moderation as they say ) My oncologist asked me what I was doing as he was amazed how quick my tumour shrunk, when I said I have a glass of red and laugh a lot he actually was walking out of the room and came back in and said well carry on doing it.
We were never told about drinking lots of water, but of course it's always a good thing to do. Our daughter always tells us we don't drink enough of it, but then she's always busting for a pee!
Sharon - I hope you are doing ok after your Chemo. Glad the cold cap was ok for you. I have lost all my hair now, just before 2nd cycle, which I had yesterday. Wearing my scarves and bandanas and feel great about it! I don't feel people looking or staring at me, and I'm carrying on at the gym as normal and loving it. Went to aqua aerobics today with a little swimming hat on, no one bothered! And my boyfriens has taken it far better than expected so it's made us much closer.
John - How's Mary getting on? Hope she's still feeling good. And how are you?
And hope you other ladies are getting on ok x
I am waiting to see if I feel bad again after this cycle, but now I know what to expect I'm ready for it this time!
Sharon, I'm sorry you haven't been too good, My side effects only lasted 3-4 days then the last two weeks I was absolutley fine doing normal things. Looking forward to a couple of glasses of wine next week, when I've finished my steroids and stuff!!
Take care & no probs about the info, I've got loads of really cute bananas & zandanas!
Sharon, I'm sorry you haven't been too good, My side effects only lasted 3-4 days then the last two weeks I was absolutley fine doing normal things. Looking forward to a couple of glasses of wine next week, when I've finished my steroids and stuff!!
Take care & no probs about the info, I've got loads of really cute bananas & zandanas!
