Hi there, I'm sorry about how much treatment you are having but my husband had similar chemotherapy but he just chatted or slept.  I'm not sure if you can have your phone with you but you could put pod casts on that interest you or take a book and wear headphones.  The nurses understand how boring it is for you so why not ask your McMillan nurse for some advice.  I'm not sure what radiotherapy you're having but my husband said when they put him in the machine it had a screen playing peaceful landscapes and he just looked at that.  Good luck as you have a positive attitude and that's a big bonus.  Carol 

Hi Dragonfach,

I'm sorry that you've found yourself in this position and wish you well with your treatment.

I am currently having chemo so I'll tell you what helps me. I treat my session as a social occasion.  As I'm shielding I don't get out much so sitting on a ward with other people going through the same experience, well I use it to my advantage. I chat, ask questions or sometimes just listen. Lunch, drinks and snacks are provided. I take something to read and a colouring/ puzzle book. Although I rarely use them. I also use the free wi-fi.  However if I become tired I listen to my body and have 40 winks. It's a very calm and caring environment so it's not difficult to relax once you've become accustomed to what's happening. You'll probably find that the time flies by and soon enough it will be time to leave.

Each chemotherapy session is different in how it affects me. I've just completed number 6 of 8 and I've got other health issues. I rest a lot to allow my body to heal and eat well. It makes me feel that I'm contributing to the battle of my life.

I hope this helps a little. Take care.

Barb xx

Hi Carol

Thank you very much for your reply and advice, I do hope your husband is doing well.  I will check with my Macmillan Nurses, they are brilliant and I did think to call and I know they say to call anytime,  but I am having trouble relying on them... stupid I know.

I have loaded Netflix app onto my phone. :happy:

Al

Hi there, im stephen i just finished my treatment on the 23rd jan. I went thru 30 days of radio. With 8 sessions of chemo using cisplatin. And vinorelbine. I was there fir 3 hours. And like you i was terrified of going thru with it. But needs must so i did.  On the 21st was no bother,  after chemo waited an hour then went down for radiotherapy..  22nd was fine too no issues, after getting chemo on 23rd i began to feel nauseas, this got worse. On the 24th i  had to sit with a sick bowl and just wretched for the 3 hrs i was there. And i felt like crap. The fatigue was quite bad. I was sick fir 3 days all day 24th, xmas day,  boxing day with a basin as my friend. No xmas. No meal just a basin. If you do suffer nausea etc they have a new drug which they used on the last sesh of chemo and that stopped it. I think it was prestittin or something like that. Comes in 80mg tabs. And they helped me big time. I also had a blood clot found so had to inject myself to thin my blood. You may find diffrent things happening to your body. If you can try stay positive and not let any thing set you back. Or force you to lie down and accept your fate. Or get urself up n fight with every last breath.  Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions thank you 

A bit old school I know but a book or a kindle is always useful to have, especially if the mobile or wifi connections are unreliable.

No-one ever warns you about how boring chemo sessions are! 

Good luck!

Dave

Hi Barb

Thank you so much for your reply it is very helpful indeed.  You have an amazing positive attitude.

I too am shielding and treat my appointments and pre treatments as social occasions,  in some ways I feel lucky and humbled that I am getting to see and talk to so many different people with the added bonus that they are all wonderful, caring and great listeners.  I am having to have 6 teeth removed pre radiotherapy.  3 were extracted on Friday and 3 are due out tomorrow (Wednesday) and I am actually looking forward to it... Strange times.

As you say you are in a ward with people going through the same experience,  no one can understand you better than those.

I too have other health issues.  I was diagnosed 4 years ago with a rare brain condition which is very similar to MS and Parkinsons which I do believe has helped me, almost trained and prepared me to cope with all that is going on now.

Thank you again for your positive and informative reply.   Stay strong,  wishing you all the best with your remaining, and post, treatment 

Take care

Al x

Hi David

Thank you for your honest old school reply, made me smile. 

I don't deal with boredom well.  Great advice with regard to a plan B in case of dodgy wi fi.

All the best

Al

Hi Stephen 

Thank you so much for your honest reply it is very helpful.  And Wow!  You really went through it, and what a time of year to do so... it'll certainly be a Christmas you won't forget. 

I too will be on cisplatin,  my oncologist seemed quite confident that sickness shouldn't be too much of an issue now.  Perhaps he was on about the new anti sickness drug.  He and my speech therapist,  might have been the dietitian,  both felt there to be a high possibility of needing an NG tube.  The last thing I need if my throat gets to that stage is to throw up haha!

So many different experiences,  its great to be prepared for all that may or may not happen. 

Thank you again,  I hope post treatment is going well. 

Al

I didn't have rads just chemo first session grandson went with me (wife carnt drive) , some people are ok others shouldn't Risk it.. didn't take anything with me, luckily got talking to someone next to me.

Next time I took food and drink and plenty to read puzzle book is handy as well.

Hope all goes well, please keep us updated everyone likes to know how our forum family is managing, plenty of others will read but not reply, not always easy writing  of right thing without putting our foot in it.i was diagnosed Feb 2016  metastatic,and adenocarcinoma I'm on palative care.permanant treatment that varies.

Im also a career for my darling wife she has Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Take care and keep positive and fighting.

Billy

Hi Billy

Thank you so much for your informative reply, my apologies for the late response. 

I must say Billy I read your reply a few times over a few days and was simply in awe of your positivity in the face of so much.  I didn't know how to reply, words just didn't seem to cut it.

Thank you again, you are an inspiration. 

Al