Uh oh, Chemo

[Drewbie]

Well, it appears my markers have elevated again, which means it's Chemotherapy time. I'm upset, confused, and very nervous. To be quite honest, I have no idea what's going to happen. I'm planning on getting through this, just...scared about what's to come.

[Mat]

Sorry about your news. But remember its still beatable. Do you know when you start or what schedule you'll be on.
Just a few pointers
- make sure they dont forget your anti sickness meds
- drink lots of water
- dont worry when you dont fancy things that you usually did your taste buds will go off alot of things

- keep positive

All the best Mat

[Fed]

It's a bummer to hear that you will have to go the chemo path, but rest assured that you will get through this. The protocols are highly standardized, and your chances of cure afterwards are enormous. Many here will likely provide any insight you will need to complete the treatment.

[Smartie]

I totally understand the feeling of being overwhelmed, upset and daunted by what lies ahead. "Chemotherapy" is such an emotive term which carries such a lot of cultural nuances and received wisdom that sometimes we are terrified of the idea of it. Fortunately, the reality is usually a bit different from the expectation.

Here's an idea of what to expect:

When you start the chemo, it is usually uneventful for a while. I remember lying in bed having my first infusion and thinking, "wow, I'm having chemotherapy. Weird - I feel perfectly normal."

By the third day (BEP chemo is usually given over three days in the UK, not five as in the US), I felt bit wiped out. I went home and went to bed for a day or two.

There were times when my head buzzed like a bad hangover (but without the headache), and I had a strange "detached" feeling, like I wasn't part of what was going on around me.
There were other times when I was really weak and could hardly pick up a cup of tea. There were also times when I had really bad indigestion, and couldn't sleep. It's a good idea to stock up on indigestion remedies (Tums, or whatever brands you have in the States), and not to be afraid to just sleep when you need to (I slept for about 24 hours at one point).

Thankfully the times I've just described are only a small part of it. For a great deal of the time, I felt almost normal. Towards the end of the cycle, you'll probably feel fine (I always looked forward to that week, and made sure I went out somewhere nice - the museum was a favourite).

We're all individuals, and different people will give you different advice about what to eat when you're having the treatment. Some say to steer clear of favourite foods in case it puts you off them, some say avoid rich food because of the indigestion. Personally, I just ate whatever I fancied. Initially, my appetite was huge. Later I couldn't eat much except chicken pies and banana milkshake. Chemo also cured me of vegetarianism - when you're forced to eat hospital food (which is a bit grim here in England), it's best not to limit your choices any further!

I always tell people that it goes remarkably quickly once you've started the treatment. Whenever you feel bad, remember that it's making the cancer feel worse.

My top tip is this: when you feel well enough - do stuff. Go out for a walk, remind yourself that you're part of the world. It's too easy to do what I did and spend your days sitting around thinking about cancer and getting depressed.

Don't worry - you'll soon be through it. Anything I can do, just shout.

[Itsadeepbluesea]

Its understandable that your scared, I felt the same way. Its all alot to wrap your head around. Chemo will be tough but it will be done before you know it. Its hard but do able. Make sure you listen to your body, and if there is something that you really enjoy you may want to stay away from it as somethings I did or had during chemo I can't be exposed to now as they make me feel sick. Also you may want to shave your head before it starts as stubble is less disturbing when it falls out then hair. If you have any questions, need advice or just someone to bounce stuff off feel free to PM me, I try to get on here atleast 2 times per day.



Matt

[Logan]

I remember how scared I was when I started my Chemo in 2001, but all you can do is hold your head high and take it one day at a time. Remember that with the down times come up times and that your attitude during the process is almost as important as the process itself. Best of luck and when you are feeling okay, get out and do things you like to do I head of too many people who treat Chemo like a disability, its not it is a treatment.

On abit of a personal side note, I would advise that you bank Sperm before you start your chemo if your able too. I know that Chemo stopped my army in mid-march and Im glad I banked.

[Drewbie]

My appointment with the Oncologist is on Monday, so I'm planning on having myself a good weekend and getting my mind off this whole situation for a little while. Thanks for all the tips and support guys, really means a lot.

Thanks, again
Andrew

[MJH]

Andrew,
Sorry you have to go down the chemo route, but rest assured, you will come out of it just fine and I'm sure you already know the high cure rate that it provides in beating this once and for all. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was in the exact same shoes as you. I started in Mid-April and read everything I could on this forum to try to prepare and brace myself. I'm sort of a researcher by nature, so I like to know every possibility before I do something if at all possible.

You know what? I believe my approach might have been wrong for me. I read so many horror stories about everyone's side effects, major and minor issues, that I had more anxiety and kept waiting for the most common one's to happen. What I didn't know and wasn't prepared for was that everyone handles the chemo differently, for better or worse. There really is no way to predict how you will handle it, so make it your own journey and don't automatically expect to have the same side effects everyone else does here, even if you see them reported a lot. Just follow the basics that you see on here. Take your anti-nausea meds religiously and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

I was fortunate enough to never get sick or even feel the hint of any nausea. I ate like a horse and was working out at the gym at normal levels 5-6 days a week the first 2 rounds and into the 3rd. It was at that point that I lost my cardiovascular stamina, but I was still strong enough to do everything, I just couldn't run very far without getting more winded than normal. Looking back, the biggest problem I had was extreme anxiety waiting for symptoms that may or may not appear and knowing the fact that I had cancer. I don't think anyone can get that out of their head, even if the prognosis is good. The physical part was pretty easy for me. I just got a bit more tired and had weird sleep patterns. I probably only slept 9 hours a day max, but couldn't do it all at once, so there were naps. Just listen and give what your body asks for. You will know.

I'm not sure if this helped me get in the right mental state of mind or not, but I can tell you that when I was working out, I kept saying to myself over and over "you're not going to take me down chemo/cancer" and was definitely in a fighting type spirit. It was a good way for me to release my anger at getting cancer and having to go through what I referred to as "all this crap". I'd be lying if I didn't say that "Eye of the Tiger" wasn't playing in my head a lot. : ) Like I said, I'm not sure if it made a difference, but I'd like to think my fighting mental attitude might have helped me sail through it with less symptoms and side effects, but perhaps it made no difference at all.

Good luck on your journey! It could be tough, but it might very well end up being a lot easier than you are thinking right now. Now go out and kick some cancer butt!

Mike

[Drewbie]

My first day of Chemo starts today, really nervous, but there's nothing I can do but try and relax. Thanks for all the kind and caring words guys, really means a lot. I'll be sure to let everyone know how I'm doing.

[Aegean]

Andrew,

You'll do just fine. I'm sure you already know this, but take the meds in advance, don't be a superhero and keep hydrated. Hopefully you have an ipod/psp/dsi to keep you entertained as well as a good book.

Keep us posted.

[Drewbie]

First day's over, I feel a bit spaced but really haven't felt all that sick. Hospital food has sure improved since my dad was in there.

[smushyparker30]

Andrew,
Hope everything is doing alright for ya. I started my chemo last week as well with 3x BEP coming and was on here a lot researching about side effects/feelings. The first day was kind of like your experience with nothing much. Then after the third day (day after Bleo) I began to feel really tired and weak. After the fifth day in a row, I made sure to keep myself well nurished and hydrated since the weekend would be a "recovery" period from the week. The nausea was hardly there but lots of water and an occasional Kytril did real well. Making sure I ate small meals during the day really helped and don't be afraid to eat certain foods. The doctor said to eat anything I wanted and I was caustious most of the week but realized that I could (don't go overboard though!). Passing time with work, friends and family diminishes the negative aspects of chemo and the encouragement of beating this thing keeps me going strong. I hope the best for you and I'll be on here every couple of days to see how everythings doing.

Brandon

[Drewbie]

Just a bit update on my first week, it hasn't been too bad, the end of the week was definitely the worst part, but right now I'm feeling okay. Only 8 more weeks to go.

[Smartie]

Originally Posted by Drewbie

Only 8 more weeks to go.

Keep counting down the weeks, Drewbie. It'll soon pass.

[Drewbie]

Hey just an update, after my second round of Bleo I felt a bit sore, but overall okay. I am a lot more tired, though. I get a few random feelings of nausea every now and then, but nothing too bad.

[Already Bald]

Good show, Drewbie. Keep hydrated, and eat protein.
Best,
Joe

[MRMRSU]

Hey Andrew...glad you're hanging tough. Take your anti-nausea meds at scheduled intervals - regardless of whether or not you feel nauseous. In fact, they'll be more effective if you take them even before you start to feel sick. Liquids, plenty of liquids. Stay strong...you're on the road to getting better.

[oneballwonder]

Hi Andrew,
Just to give you something to look forward too, I just finished 3XBEP 2 weeks ago and I feel great now. I too was counting the weeks. Each round got a bit tougher but the third and final was not too bad because you know you are done afterwards!!!!

I would recommend lots of rest and lots of fluids. I had to go to the hospital after each 5 day sequence to get some IV fluids. This made me feel MUCH better. I just could not keep up with the needed fluid intake.

Also, on your Bleo days, take some tylenol when you are done. I found it helped with the side effects and then I was only left with feeling tired from the treatment.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. If you look at my posts in the past, I was sounding just like you only weeks ago wondering if it would ever end and here I am done.

Now if my CT scan only will come back clean in 2 weeks I will be all set!!!!

Best of luck.

Ian

[gingersouthpaw]

Andrew - glad to hear it's been a relatively smooth path so far. It's been seven months since I finished 3x BEP and it seems like so much longer than that. The time truly does fly by. You will be tested at moments but you will emerge from this so much stronger than you went into it.

A few tips from someone who has been there (some are redundant thanks to wise words of previous posters):
- Drinks LOTS of water. You'll be urinating like a race horse, but that's a good thing.
- During Week 1's and the first half of Week 2's, stay away from acidic foods that can cause indigestion. The worst symptom of my chemo experience was terrible indigestion and it was totally preventable.
- Lean on this forum. During my experience, I came to know some of the bravest people I've ever met. We're all here for you, any time of day.

Feel free to PM me with any questions you have

Tyler

[petep]

Something I posted some time ago:

http://www.tc-cancer.com/forum/showt...ep+experiences

just a compiliation of things I experienced during chemo...practical suggestions....some ideas garnered from others on the forum that I tried (which worked)....

the fear is 100x worse then the chemo....get a good flu or go out a drink a lot & wait till the next day....you'll fell much worse doing either of these things. Not to minimize chemo, but the anti nausea meds are so good today, that I think the reputation vestige of chemo is far worse....

also the hair loss....takes about 3 days to get used to it....the convenience is great, you save on shampoo...most everyone I know, post chemo, when the hair comes back...decide to keep it extra short....its just easier and all vanity with cancer goes out the window...

best wishes...

pete

[S L]

Save your veins. Get either a port or a PICC line. Its not a matter of being tough but rather your veins can take only so much before they collapse at which point getting any injections becomes a real problem. Trust me...been there, done that. In the end they had to put in a PICC line anyway because my veins were shot. Would have been so much easier to get one put in the first place.

Also, they can use the same IV line to both draw blood and inject chemo. That can save a significant number of sticks.

Good luck,
Steven

[Drewbie]

End of my second full week of Chemo. 5 more to go. This week, suprisingly, was not as bad as the first.

[Aegean]

Great to hear.. hopefully the 3rd round will not be too bad either... still, make sure you keep up the hydration and take the anti nausea meds.

[Drewbie]

Is it normal to feel a bit sore after Bleo? My body really isn't, but my arms are a little. Just wondering if it was something I should worry about, because it's going away.

[Drewbie]

Off for my final week of full treatment, hopefully it goes as smoothly as last week. Once again, thanks for all the support.

[ukboyuk]

Hang in there buddy.

[Aegean]

You are in the final stretch... almost there... good luck with the last round and keep us posted, we're pulling for you!!