Would having a central line put in help?

Hi Jo,

I finished 6 lots of chemo in January and the best advice I can give you is listen to your body. You are going to have good days and bad days. When you are feeling crap stay in bed, rest, accept help of its offered and don't beat yourself up about doing nothing. I felt guilty that I was being lazy but I have to say the fatigue is nothing like I have ever experienced before. I also suffered from terrible diorhea and constipation - altinating between the two. I know this doesn't affect everyone the same but stocking up on Imodium and senakot prevented a trip to the shops. 

Hope it goes as well as it can

Xx

Hi Jo

Finished my chemo in 2015 but I also had hard to find deep veins so I can offer the following tips.

Drink plenty of water a few days before (also during and after treatment).

Keep your hands and arms warm even wear gloves on the day.

Use moisturiser  (E56's good) but not on the day and dont use scented soaps or creams.

Explain to them that you do have hard to find veins and let them know the problems you have had in the past.  They may suggest having a line put in.  I did not go for this option. Try and relax - not easy but it helps. 

It can get boring during treatment so take a book, tablet or something to do.  I fell asleep sometimes.  You can go hot and cold so wear something comfortable that you can unzip and get off easily. Take a drink and even something to snack on.

Let someone come with you if they want to.

After treatment I just used to feel tired and then was ok for a few days then I had side effects of joint pain particullay in my legs but this only lasted a few days  They give you pre meds and anti sickness tablets to take home.

I started a chemo diary of how I was this was really useful as it soon showed that the side effects came at the same time after treatment so I was prepared. Also I could not cope with the steroids so the doctor lowered the dose.

Its not easy and you will get tired so dont fight the exhaustion, ask the nurses for advice on anything. They will also give you information so do as you are told.

Its stresful going into the unknown when you have probably heard so many scare stories but I had no problems with the actual treatment once the needle was in.  Oh and you can go to the loo during treatment you just have to take the drip with you.

Good luck. River

Hello joto,

I am pleased to see you have already received some fantastic responses from our members who have shared their chemotherapy experiences with you. I thought I would also send you some in-depth information from our site on chemotherapy which I hope will help you prepare a little for your sessions. You can find out more about how you have chemotherapy, possible side effects and coping with everyday life here.

I hope others will be along shortly to share their very personal experience of chemotherapy. As you say, there's nothing like having a friendly chat with someone who has been there before. I hope it will help you feel a little bit less terrified to talk to others who totally understand how you are feeling at the moment, who have been through all this before and have come out the other end. Our nurses are also only a phone call away if you have any questions. If you live in the UK, you can reach them on this free number from a UK landline 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Best of luck for your first session! We are here anytime you need to talk or share your experience.

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

I am coming to the end of 8 cycles of chemotherapy for breast cancer. I had my first cycle and then had a PICC line inserted, this made the subsequent cycles so much easier. I have had 4 admissions with fever and infection and the PICC line made the blood tests, Intravenous antibiotics and Intravenous fluids so much easier for everyone. This may be a good approach.

I would agree, listen to your body and rest when you need to, be kind to yourself, talk things through and take help from others when it’s offered.  

I have always tried to keep as active as possible, walk the dogs when I can, always done the school run, gardening and housework. I don’t always  listen to my own advice though!

Hi 

I’ve had 3 cycles of chemo now. I have a PICC line which I didn’t have a choice about having as I also have chemo at home with a pump. 

im so glad I have the picc now I’m use to it as I don’t like needles and it makes it so much easier in appts,

like others have advised if you feel tired or horrid don’t fight it go to bed, sleep it off, I tried to carry on and it made me worse, Everyone is different but you get to know when your good and bad days are.

Good luck x

Hi Joe

i had 8 Chemo sessions last summer and it worked. I had liver back & lung cancer. It all started with Colon cancer which I had the tumour removed and got over that. Don’t be afraid of Chemo it’s a life scene believe me. If you want to chat more please just message me. 

Pat 

I had womb cancer and had radical hysterectomy end of Dec 2017. Started chemo in Feb, this is my experience:

cycle one, first and second day not too bad, day 3 felt like I had developed very bad flu, aching limbs, numb heels and tip of fingers, constipation then diarrhoea, no appetite, very tired and lethargic, kept waking through night.  I thought I would never survive this for 6 cycles.  About 6th day I felt a bit better and by day 8 it was bearable again. Each day was better and then by next chemo I was fine. 2nd cycle it repeated the same pattern. Now I am on day 1after 3rd round of chemo and am feeling okay, if pattern repeats I will feel horrible over Easter and start to get better about Weds.  All I can do is rest as much as poss, oncologist said I can take paracetamol for aches and pains, I drink lots of water, eat small amounts when I can.  It helps knowing that after a week or so I will feel better then I go for a walk, do some shopping, garden, live as normal a life as possible.

Hair started  to thin about 3 weeks so I got it cut very short, got a wig and some nice chemo caps which I prefer to the wig.  Shaved head when there was more scalp than hair!

i hope your symptoms will only last a short time, even though it seems unbearable and forever at the time. Best wishes for the future.

Hi Thank you for your replies.  I am now now on day two after my first chemo and felt fine first day but today I've felt tired and a little sickly.   I guess I take each day as it comes and like people have said listen to my body.  

The nurses in the hospital were amazing when I discussed my fears over the canulas so that really helped with my anxiety and stress level.

Jo x

Hi There

I had 8 rounds of chemo in 2016 and my experience of it was quite positive. It never floored me like I had been warned. I did have a terrible taste in my mouth for about a week after each session and my veins suffered but I was never bed ridden. I even went hiking and did work for a bit of it as well. THe PICC line sounds like a good option for you. Everyone's experiences are different but I had heard so many terrble stories I couldn't believe my luck when I sailed through it. I hope you are as lucky as me. I'm not the only one and the medicines are getting kinder all the time.