Received 1st round of Chemo on the 14th June, Oncologist booked me in for a stay at the Hospital for observation overnight. The Chemo ward at Mercy Private was not what I expected, there was around 8-10 recliners, and there was 2 other people receiving treatment. It was much smaller than I thought, and was glad that for my first time, it wasn't busy. The ward staff are fantastic, and put me to ease with their supportive and caring manners.
Side effects of the AC for me:
Foggy brain for 24 hours, constipation, eyes stinging a little bit, cracked lips, smell of the chemicals coming out of my body for 2-3 days, a little nausea.
All of these symptoms were treatable, and I also found keeping fluids with Ginger helped keep the nausea right at bay. Paw paw ointment for lips, drops for your eyes, and LOTS of fibre & Coloxyl Senna....can't stress enough to keep drinking water. It seems to me that when I didn't have enough fluids in a day, I felt more fatigued than normal. The arrowroot biscuits DO work, thanks Michelle :-) Dry Ginger Ale, and Ginger tea/ cordial works especially well for nausea.
I shaved my head before my hair fell out, the lovely owner of Waks Wigs took me next door to a new salon, and the owner Michael, shaved it all off, gave my nude nut a lovely wash and massage, and then trimmed and styled my lovely new wig. Can't believe how LIBERATING it is to shave your hair. I can't stop touching my head, LOL. Am delighted at not having to wash, dry and straighten the humongous mane of hair I had, let alone sit in a hairdressers chair for 3 hours to get it coloured etc.
The tall, patient one ( hubby) is worried that if it all grows back ok, that I'll keep it short, the jury is out on that decision at the moment :-)~
Blood test back today, and white cells are very low, so next Chemo on the 5th July will be followed up with a self administered injection of Neulasta. Am a bit worried about the pain that seems to follow that.
Have also been so full of energy the last week, feel like a human pinball, not at all what I thought Chemo would do. Driving Miss P (daughter) and Hubby mad, and cleaning like crazy. Hilarious, but I am relentless. I know it's the 'roids', that also drives moments of incredible hunger. LOL . I have removed any potential crap foods from the house so I can't binge! So I load up on a cup of tea, and then a glass of water to try to tame the beast, and it generally works....except once, when I found a few mint slice biscuits....yummmo!
Has anyone else felt the drive needed to be 'isolated' from everyone to get through Chemo? Thankfully I discussed this with the Oncologist, and she has kicked me back into reality, and told me to get out more. I seemed quite prepared to be working from home, and rarely going out. Really not a good idea, but I just got so paranoid about catching an illness given it's bug central in Melbourne with our Winter deep upon us.
Cheers,
Ruth
Comments
Good Info on Side Effects
Hi Ruth - Great timing for your post as I will have first round of AC next Monday and first time for chemo in this journey. Have been on Femara/Aromosin and Bondronat for last 15 months but no longer working. Sooo on to bigger and better things.
Your tips on avoiding the bad stuff is great - will do a cupboard clean this afternoon as I am feeling very industrious - somewhat like you are before baby is born and the nesting spirit hits you. Need to have everything in order just in case.
Have told work I will be there Monday morning as no need to "sit around the house" waiting for appointment time. Have not made a commitment for Tuesday - will see how we go.
Thanks again for your post and the positive and helpful information.
Jaci
Hi Jaci,
Some of those tips were handed down to me from the lovely ladies here on BCNA, some will work for you, and some may not. One thing I have learnt is that while we are deemed to be ' in the same boat', each of us, our treatment and responses seem very individual. The nurses at the Breast unit also said Fruit Tingles work for nausea as the base of the lolly is made from Bi Carb? which relieves nausea, I tried that and it worked too! Was handy at night in bed, when I didn't want to get up.
Keep drinking water, not more than 2lts of fluid a day, I find it gets everything working, and helps flush your system.
I know what you mean about the nesting feelings.....have been bouncing off the walls and driving everyone nuts!
Good luck with everything, keep really positive thoughts and energies and you will be fine :-)
Ruth
Hi Ruth
Congratulations on getting your first chemo finished.
Glad the arrowroot worked for you. I use pawpaw ointment on the lips too, and if your nose gets dry, Nozoil is the answer - just use it like Sinex and then pinch to spread.. My Oncologist recommended it - very gentle and it really works well.
This might be useful for you - I went to a lecture at the Cancer Council where a PhD with 12 years in Cancer nutrition told us - after chemo, eat mushrooms for white cells, especially the more exotic varieties. Also onion cooked in olive oil for mending dna breakages. So - mushroom risotto covers both. My white cells went up 0.6 last week - I think it worked.
Your nurse is right about getting out. I too hibernated at first, but now make sure to go out with friends for lunch twice a week. It is too easy to let the roller coaster control our lives, so make the most of your good days!
You look wonderful - keep warm and stay strong -
Michelle x
Thanks Michelle, I have only started having dry nasal area, will buy some of the Nozoil to try :-)
My blood results came back with low white blood cell count, which I believe is common, although the Oncolologist didn't tell me what the count was. I think I will ask next time I see her. After a solid week being very energetic, I felt really lethargic yesterday and today, and hope the trend doesn't continue. Was hoping in the lead up to the next Chemo treatment which is next week, that I would still be feeling really good.
Cheers,
Ruth
Hi Michelle
thanks for the tip on the mushrooms..... love mushrooms. So will be cooking mushrooms tomorrow. Will go to the shops to buy. :)
Love Julie XX