I think there are two or three of us going through chemo at the moment and I know many of you have been through it and are survivors! I’ve been today and although I don’t feel I’ll, I feel very tired. I have to make an early start to get to Scarborough Hospital for 8.30 am and spend a good six hours on the unit.
The unit at Scarborough is very small (8 places) and so we get to know everyone and have a good rapport with the nurses.
I wonder if any of you had Hickman lines. I have one fitted and the only disadvantage I find is that it has to be flushed weekly which could make holidays difficult. For the next two days I have a pump attached to the line which is slowly pumping the drugs into me. I go to our local hospital on Friday for it to be removed.
There are so many different kinds of chemo, would love to hear the experiences of others.
So sorry to hear you’re having to have chemo. I have no personal experience, but a friend told me that having someone who can join you at the hospital - preferably laden with all kinds of goodies - smoked salmon sandwiches etc - makes the time go faster and better. I’m also told chemo can leave you with a very dry mouth - ice lollies are good…
Thank you Lindyloo. My hubby stays with me on the unit, he’s very supportive and doesn’t like leaving me! I do get lunch provided but we make a pack up for him which we share as it is better than the hospital food. Smoked salmon sandwiches sounds yummy, also my favourite prawn mayo. We leave lunch in the car as it is too warm on the unit so they will survive. Ice lollies, I could eat one now!
Sometimes hubbies need a bit of help…so, I suggest you ask him to get a cool bag and a gel pack to put in the freezer. Then when you go to the hospital, take those with you and ask him to visit the local Waitrose or M&S…again, a shopping list needed. Don’t hold back…your list is his command!!!
Hi Val I haven’t any personal experience of chemo but have family members who have gone through it one some years ago. When she had to have it again quite recently she said it was a much better experience these days.
I think it affects each person differently as does most medication, if you have bad days you just have to tell yourself ‘this will pass, it isn’t forever’.
I suggested to my sister that she made ginger biscuits for a family member who was having chemo last year and felt nauseous and it seemed to help him to eat .
I hope your condition improves with the treatment and that you are well soon…
My mother in law went through chemo therapy 5 years ago and I know others that have been through it. I agree on ginger ( which is great for nausea )
Some people find using peppermint oil helpful misted in one of those infusers.
Peppermint also helps with nausea. Peppermint tea.
Plenty of fresh air. Sleep well!
Agree on the frozen fabric beanie. Very helpful.
My family GP’s wife used canna cookies for her nausea when she went through it but its controversial. Keep close to family and friends. Try to stay positive.
Good luck to you either way.
Val, first let me say that you will never feel healthy when having Chemo, because they are putting measured doses of poison into your body… and tiredness is one of the most common side effects… I know from the experience I shared with many others on the chemo ward!
Hickman lines are very useful when you have cancer but, wherever you are going on holiday, please make sure you have access to a hospital. My friend got an infection through hers and ended up in hospital with Sepsis, a very unpleasant illness.
Please don’t worry because you will probably be fine but, if you feel ill, make sure you get to a hospital and let them know you have a Hickman line…early treatment saved my friends life!
My good friend had a terrible time on chemo. They said she was “allergic” to it. She couldn’t move or eat. They put her on chemo drugs in the end and that helped. But I think the drugs are more expensive so they don’t do this unless they have to.
Has anyone tried fasting before and after chemo? When my friend was going through this I did some research and apparently it helps with both the side effects and in making the treatment more effective.
I’ve suggested he go into town shopping instead of sitting on a hard chair for six hours but he’ll not leave me. I think it is because on my second cycle I had an allergic reaction to the chemo and ended up staying overnight on the ward. I’m on a different type of chemo now!
AnnieS, I was allergic to my first chemo which involved intravenous and tablets. I’m now on all intravenous and it is a lot more gentle. I’ve not tried fasting, it might be difficult as I’m eating like a horse at the moment!
I agree with Ginger helping with feeling of nausea. I like to have Wensleydale and Ginger Cheese in the fridge for such occasions. Just something tasty to nibble on often helps, cherry tomatoes, pineapple but cheese is my favourite!
From speaking to many people who have Chemo, I think this is fairly normal, but don’t worry because a few weeks after your last session you will be aware of how much better you feel.
I attended a specialist hospital, that only cared for cancer patients, and they have many people with Hickman lines… but only a few get Sepsis…so don’t worry. My friend was put on intravenous antibiotics and started to feel better after 2 weeks. I just wanted to alert you to the fact that, if you feel ill, don’t wait before seeking medical help.
I had chemo-therapy last year (Rituxomab) for four weeks, apart from a slight feeling of ‘weird’ on the first occasion and they having to slow down the speed of the drip, I was fine. Unfortunately this drug didn’t work for me and the Thromocytopenia returned with a vengeance. So now I have to injections in the stomach weekly with something called Romiploistin. So far it is working to kick-start my bone marrow to produce more blood platelets and I’m gradually returning to the normal platelet levels I should have. The whole process has taken a year though, to date and it probably means continuing with this regime of injections indefinitely.
Thank you Twink, your friend was very lucky. They did tell me on the unit about the risk of infection, I think they said if it were to happen it would be within 30 minutes of treatment and to seek medical help immediately.
Uncle Joe, I have one injection in my stomach each time I go for my chemo, I can’t remember what it is for but I hate it, its the only bit that hurts! Do you go to the hospital for your injections or does the district nurse visit?
Yes Val darlin’ - I have to attend my local hospital because they have to do a blood test first - three vials of blood, one of which is to test the number of platelets.
Whilst I was actually in hospital last year, the Consultant took me off of my Warfarin and swopped it for Tensaparin which had to be injected into the stomach. On release from hospital, they arranged for these injections to continue to be administered by the District Nurses. After about three weeks, my stomach looked like I’d gone five rounds with Mohammed Ali.
I have my bloods and line flushed done at the local hospital too which saves a trip to Scarborough. The district nurse could do them but I could be waiting in all day, at least I get an appointment at the hospital and the staff are lovely.
Unfortunately our newish hospital in town is being run down in favour of Scarborough and York, which is a great pity particularly due to the elderly population here.
I haven’t any personal experience of chemo but have family members who have gone through it one some years ago. When she had to have it again quite recently she said it was a much better experience these days.