Hi there Howe,

Sorry about your husband's diagnosis.

First of all, in terms of financial worries it is worth looking into options ASAP, especially before the chemotherapy starts as once started your husband may be too tired to really deal with things like that.  Remember that there are many charities offering different types and levels of help, do not be too proud or embarrassed to contact them and ask for help.

That said, how your husband gets on with chemo is a complete unknown.  I realise that, like the rest of the world, you probably assume that chemotherapy means being sick (i.e. vomiting).  That has barely happened for me at all.  In fact in 5 rounds of chemo I have vomited twice.  I didn't even take the extra anti-sickness meds they gave me as I never needed them.  Mind you, I used mind over matter where the nausea is concerned, I'm sure our brains try and trick us into thinking we feel sick because we've all heard sooooo often that chemotherapy equals vomiting.

I started a new job while on chemotherapy.  I won't pretend I could work full-time, I really couldn't, and I was careful each day to stop while I still felt very well so as not to push myself too far, but it helped me mentally to be seeing people and to feel useful.  When my chemo changed I was unable to work but that was due to the risk involved given that my job is in aviation and that my second chemo regime made me a bit manic and then depressed.  In the end I only got manic and depressed the first time and not to an unmanageable level (I am already treated for manic depression and also have a lot of methods I use to counter it) so I could have worked but aviation safety had to come first until we saw how I reacted.

I have had some very rare symptoms on my second chemo, but honestly on my first chemo I was working a bit, lunching with friends, doing crafts, as well as getting rest, sleep, eating healthily and generally looking after myself.

Your husband can help prevent some issues by starting now to drink lots of water, moisturise skin each day, get any dental work he might need done before chemo etc. Once undergoing chemo still drink lots of water, still moisturise skin, put things in place to help prevent cross-infection from others (I bought a load of face cloths for the bathroom and use one each time I need to dry my hands, others use the usual towels), and good dental hygiene including more frequent brushing and mouthwashing, and get lots of sleep as that is the body's natural way of healing itself.  Just as an FYI, cause people don't always know this, while you do have to be careful about catching infections from others obviously, the biggest issue regarding infections is that your skin and mouth naturally have a lot of bacteria.  Your body can fight these while healthy but will struggle while on chemotherapy.  So moitrusing to prevent cracked skin, and brushing/mouthwashing more regularly really are your husband's best way of preventing infection (sorry if you already know this, not wanting to patronise anyone).

One other tip.  Everyone I know has suffered from constipation with chemotherapy and this can be really uncomfortable and draining.  My view is it is worth asking his medical team if it would do any harm to start taking senna the day before each chemo and for a few days afterwards (until he feels right again) as a preventative measure.  I learned from my first chemo and now take two tablets on the morning and night the day before and then continue morning and night until around day 3 or 4.  But this is definitely one to check out as your husband has a different type of cancer to what I have.

My cousin got the all-clear from NHL just a few months ago so I really hope your husband's treatment is as successful as hers was.

All the best.

LJx