Carol,

I can only echo what Max has said. When I first went on chemo, I suffered the side effects in silence but I was advised by people on here that the oncologist could adjust things and offer drugs to counter the side effects. All chemo drugs have different side effects and our bodies all act slightly differently to them. 

My first infusion of one particular drug was painful, which I thought was normal. After discussion with the oncologist, the second infusion was literally watered down and fed into my arm more slowly. The difference was amazing. I also ended up doubling the original prescription of anti-emetics to combat the nausea of the chemo tablets I was on.

The hardest thing to cope with can be the psychological side of things. I was lucky in that my emotions shut down for the first few months and I was very matter of fact about the potentially terrifying situation. We all cope differently and it can take a while to come to terms with our new reality.

Best wishes
Dave

I have just completed 8 sessions of chemo for bowel cancer and secondaries to my liver. The first two sessions of chemo were the worst. However my oncologist prescribed medicines for my sore mouth, watery stingy eyes, I was given tablets to stop sickness and diarrhoea. For me the tiredness has got worse but other side effects better after each session. It's important to eat and drink and rest for a few days after the chemo. Don't push yourself and keep positive. Before my chemo my prognosis was poor two years to live and not operable. Now I am waiting to find out if I can have surgery as my liver has cleared a lot and tumour markers      Have reduced from almost 400 to 30

So persevere, keep positive and I wish your husband all the luck in the world

Hi Den - its so good to hear that you are doing well.  I have BC which spreads in a very different way to bowel cancer - but I have had a liver resection and ablations so would be happy to share any information if you decide on surgery.  Best of luck to you and keep in touch x

Hi Den - its so good to hear that you are doing well.  I have BC which spreads in a very different way to bowel cancer - but I have had a liver resection and ablations so would be happy to share any information if you decide on surgery.  Best of luck to you and keep in touch x