Hi Rozzie. Best thing to do in my experience is to take it one step at a time and whatever side effects you have, if any, there s usually some thing that the nurses can give you for it, like anti sickness tablets and medication for mouth ulcers, etc. That is if you get them, we re all different, you may not. That s why I always find it best, as I said to take one step at a time, even though your mind is trying to race ahead so, as you know, it s easier said than done. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Thinkin of you, Sue :)
Chemotheraoy affects different people different ways. My first course was a breeze..didnt miss a day in work or a gym session! Others were a bit more difficult. However i did come across people who had no side effects at all.
My main piece of advice would be dont suffer in silence..i did..and it almost cost me. Any issues contact help team ASAP..any queries or questions dont wonder ask and seek advice.
I too was terrified of side effects but as some have already said each person is individual. I'm currently in middle of mine. Not having to take sickness medication. Take a bit of a nose dive when I come off steroids but I probably need to slow down a bit. Just don't suffer in silence. Anything at all get in touch with your team or emergency number and get it sorted.
They're there for you!
I had really long hair and a good friend of mine who d been through cancer advised me to have it cut short beforehand. I found this to be wonderful advice as although it was still a shock when it came out, at least it wasn t as bad as if it had come out while it was long. Takes a few months at first but probably because if you re anything like me, you were looking at it all the time. once I could put it to the back of my mind for a little bit it seemed to come on leaps and bounds! Also had some good advice about nails from the nurse. She advised me to paint them with black nail varnish. For the 1st five cycles of chemo, I had no probs with them. When it came to the last cycle, I m convinced that the nail varnish saved my nails and I only ended up with a fraction of the problem I couls have had! :) Best wishes, Sue.
hi ROZZI my husbands hair didnt come out for months and months and very very slowly, being carefull when you brush it, and they have cool caps and things these days to help slow down the loss, he took the advice of cutting it a bit shorter before starting chemo bags at hospital, but he survived and it grew back thicker and stronger than ever, my dad too also has cancer and although he is a man with a bit of usual male bolding from before treatment, he still seems to have all his at the moment, it doesnt always happen to everyone, i know us girls can be different, but there are fantastic hair excessories and clip in hair these days so you can cover things for a long time.
Hi I would take chemotherapy one step at a time. There may be good days and bad but remember don't suffer in silence always be honest with your doctor because they can't help if your not and they usually have things that can help or they can alter such as anti-sickness to help
