Can anyone tell me what to expect from Chemooo?

Hi 

I need advise I've just been told I need 18 sessions chemo so 3 thinks

1 any advise about side effects 

2 what can I expect 

3 how do I tell my boss I'm not going to be back for 12 months is it fair to expect my job back

Not sure really what help I'm asking for 

  • Hi there ...

    From being on here over 3 years ... I've noticed there's lots of different chemo and treatments .. lots of different side effects ... from very little to quite hard side effects ... some loose hair .. some don't... if I were you, I'd call your oncology team find out which treatment your having and ask them what you can expect ... McMillan can give you good advice to ... or call our nurses and chat to one of them ... 

    McMillan can also tell you your employment rights to .. there's guidelines they must follow now ... so give them a ring .. try not to go back to early .. as after effects and tiredness can effect you for a long time .. and from what I know have to let you have a gradual return to work ... be honest with them .. explain your treatment and side effects when you find out ... and fingers crossed they have empathy with how hard this is and will support you .... Chrissie x

  • Din

    Hello Din

    The first thing I'll tell you thst no persons chemotherapy sessions are the same.Your chemotherapy will be tailored just for you,your body. So there is no way of knowing how you will be intill you start it. As i said " everyone is different so responds differently ". One if my chemotherapy nurses told me never compare  yourself and your treatments ,to anyone's else's, as not everyone has the same experiences with chemotherapy and some have little or no side effects,where some people have a few,and others have  more and struggle yes,but always get the best advice and help from thier chemotherapyteam and oncologists, they really do.care and help.you ithroughout your treatments.. To be honest not comparing it was good advice  although you do.end up talkung to some people ,as you sometimes see the same people each time you go ,but yes by all means talk about your experience ,but never compare,as someone may experience nausea etc and you may or may not ,but i  never did feel

    sick, the anti sickness drugs they give you are amazing and really worked I did feel.tired at times and dud experience  few pains ., but its doable  Yes you feel.scared at the first one,but its only because your anxious as to how you will be. My. Advice is go with a positive attitude  take some snacks, maybe a sandwich depending on the time of your trestmenrs and drink plenty of water, take an kindle ot book to read or something to.listen to music on.. I'm.due my last chemotherapy session tomorrow, and hopefully it will be, and my pic line can come out. Oh you may not know what a pic line is,it's put into.a vein.in your arm and stays in during your chemotherapy, but you only need this if you're veins are not good,as it saves you having to keep having a candular put in  evety time you have chemotherapy.  But not evetyone needs a pic line ,but I.did. 

    Good luck with your first chemotherapy session, I was really surprised at ny first one it wasnt nearly as bad as id imagined,and hopefily your will  be saying the same and  remember stay positive and never compare.  Do let us know how it all goes. There are lots of us in here ,so you are never alone if you need to talk .x