Welcome to Cancer Chat Jesca although I'm sorry for the reason you're joining us.

As you haven't had a reply yet I thought I would put you in touch with one of our very helpful members; [@Ross2991]‍. She has also been having ABVD chemo on her hodgkins lymphoma journey so will hopefully pop by when she can to offer her support and advice.

Our cancer nurses are available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m if you'd like to chat with them about this as well.

Wishing you all the best with your treatment Jesca.

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thanks Steph for tagging me. @moderator

Hi jesca, [@jesca]‍ 

Sorry you're having such a tough time of it so early on.

I was admitted during my first week of ABVD because of diahrea and dehydration and nausea so I know exactly what you're going through. 

It's tough because you think, maybe after a few doses you might start feeling rough but you don't expect to feel so rubbish after only one. At least that's how I felt. Untilyou start the chemo you don't know how your body will react so it's a difficult time at the beginning, all the unexpected stuff.

Don't put too much expectations on yourself; you say because you're young you thought you might have it easier. But the truth is chemo is such a nasty nasty thing and even the strongest person, regardless of age, is going to struggle at some point from something to do with it. After all, it's not supposed to be in your body - it's a chemical! So don't beat yourself up for having a normal reaction and feeling crap for having poisonous chemicals in you - no matter how good they are going to do you in the long run!

I'm now 8 doses in to my 12 dose regime so I've worked our roughly what to expect but I stil get curve balls.

I would recommend starting out a symptom diary.

Every day write down everything that's coming up that's bothersome. Because you're so early in your treatment there is a strong chance they'll be able to give you things to help. For example I had horrendous nausea when I started, but I wa sonly put on the basic nausea pills. When these didn't work for me there were other options they could give me and these helped sooo much. So don't suffer in silence! These first few weeks are about working out how the chemo affects you and getting your specialists and nurses to help give you what you need so don't be shy in being honest with them.

Aside from that, a few tips ;

You might not feel like eating - that's fine. Work with your body. There will be days further down the line when you might feel more up to it and you can make up for calories then. Just don't stop drinking! Water. Squash.juice. milk. Tea. Anything you can tolerate. Your body needs to flush the chemo out so keep hydrated as possible. I know it's hard. If you're really struggling tell your nurses.

Don't feel bad about telling people to leave you alone so you can rest. Try not to feel oblidged to do anything. I spend the first 3 days in bed,  aside from up for the toilet and have my meals in bed too.

I still catch myself thinking I can do things on my better days, then finding halfway through I don't have the energy. And I think I know my cycles quite well now, so don't beat yourself up.

Find something good to watch! Maybe invest this time in a series you've been meaning to get down to that you just haven't managed. Or a book if you've got the energy. Anything that's easy to do when you can't face moving from your bed but don't want to look at the ceiling!

Everyone goes through it so differently so try take it a step at a time.

Take your temperature regularly! Seems obvious but I forget sometimes and it's important to make sure it's a normal temperature, abvd really truly kicks the stuffing out of your immune system and its its s east to be neutropenic. A neutropenic fever is not what you need!

Of it's any consolation and motivation, I recently had a midway pet scan and this showed I am doing well, which has helped motivate me through the rough times.

Finally - make sure you have your emergency telephone numbers to hand if you need them.

I hope this helps.

And I'm here if you ever need to chat or rant.

Wishing you all the best

Rose