Sorry you find yourself in this situation and have to go through chemotherapy.
I am currently going through EC chemotherapy for breast cancer so can share my experience of it so far but it really depends on what kind of chemotherapy you are having. Different chemotherapies have different effects and people react to them differently.
Do you know what type you are having? And I may be able to try to help.
I start ECT chemotherapy I read things last night not sure how I am going to cope with this all I hope your doing well and thank you for replying to me
All I can do is tell you about my experience (although it isn't the same treatment hopefully I can put your mind at ease a little).
I was very nervous going for my first chemotherapy session. I read through all the possible effects and expected the worse but hoped for the best. When I got there the nurses were so lovely and put me at ease straight away (they even give you a cup of tea which is lovely).
Everything's explained and I got to have a little chat with the nurses about "normal" things which makes you a lot more relaxed.
As for the side effects I really haven't had too many. For me all I have is fatigue, tiny bit of nausea and generally just feel a bit rubbish for a week but I can still get up and about when I need to.
Obviously your chemotherapy will have its own possible side effects but just remember they are only possible. Try to approach it as a wait and see process, you might be surprised as I was and manage it better than you expect.
Good luck starting chemo Shaz on the 12th. I've had 3 e/c moved onto different chemo drugs now .
Each person reacts differently to the drugs if its e and c , you will have a nurse sit with you and administer the drugs through a cannula via syringe things as they have to monitor you takes over a hour or so , they also flush it through with saline before and after. Nurses are lovely any concerns they will be right next to you .
I am in the same boat as you. I start chemo on 14th with doxorubicin or red devil as it is known. Although I am male and supposed to be macho, I must say that I am very nervous. I can't focus on anything at the moment. I had major surgery three years ago and over the past two years I've had 6 Microwave Ablations on my liver and lungs.
The really silly thing is I take a lot of pride in my appearance and losing my hair is my biggest upset; it's stupid I know.
I have lots of loving support from family and friends, but they don't really know how petrified I am as I just brush it off as not a big deal.
I've been assigned a dedicated chemo nurse and he sounds amazing. I am due to meet with him on Monday 12th with my Oncologist. I have a few questions for them and he has rest assured that he is there for me throughout the duration.
I wish you lots of luck and I hope we are both wrong about worrying. Wishing you a full recovery.
Hi Shaz. I started chemo on 26th Feb and was like you.. absolutely terrified. My nurse gave me Lorazepam to take the morning before my appointment at 1.30pm. It calmed me right down and I couldn't believe how quick and easy it was going in. The nurses are lovely. My advice is take the antisickness meds regularly for the first few days whether you feel sick or not. I was never sick just felt it. I felt tired for 1st week too but then you are able to go about your daily life. Try not to worry too much. I found it's the fear of the unknown.. once you get first one past you will know what to expect. Xx
I'm on chemo currently and I've had 4 out of 6 rounds. On the actual day you will prob be ok, but it hits you on day 2 or 3 and the first wk is the worse. Extreme fatigue, constipation, feeling sick - but you have meds to help. Take the anti sickness and constipation ones even if you think you're ok, because it will stop you being sick etc. the hardest part was my hair falling out in clumps from day 14. Best to just shave it or cut it short, losing it slowly is painful and too emotional. You will get through it and it's ok to be anxious. Just rem it's healing you, it's hard but it's not impossible. Its job is to shrink the tumors and get cancer gone!
I noticed you're starting your chemo today so I just wanted to stop by to wish you good luck and let you know we're thinking of you.
Shaz321 hasn't been on the forum since 2021 so you may not get an update from them. I really hope that won't be the case, but if you don't receive a reply you could try reaching out to others on more recent and active discussions about this topic or starting your own discussion.
I hope this helps but if you have any questions about your diagnosis or treatment you're welcome to get in touch with our cancer nurses on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.
Yep, we've all been there. It really is scary, and there's no getting around it. Big hug from a total stranger!
Things that helped me:
1. I have young children. I absolutely have no choice but to get better for their sake.
2. The docs I have are very positive that I can come out of the other side of this.
3. Check out all the research and statistics behind what your diagnosis is. Knowledge really is Power. There's lots of info out there, from reliable sources. For lots of us, we are standing on the shoulders of so many survivors before us, and medical knowledge and methods are getting better all the time.
You've taken the first, and worst step to coming through this. Hold tight. Have faith.
