Chemo advice.

Hi Miranda;
I can certainly relate to your nervousness but I'm hoping that if you get treated half as well as I did then I hope you'll be out the other end of treatment before you know it.
Every single one of us have had different experiences in going through chemotherapy so from my experience, it would be helpful to your veins and the rest of you to try and drink at least two litres of water every day - it helps when they are getting the canula in and it flushes out the toxins to prevent potential damage to some of your organs. Also, some of us had ports in (sort of permanent fixtures where a line can be hooked up to. If you don't have one, when you go in, there should be warmers on the table that are like mini electric blankets. Turn one on and wrap it around your arm because that helps putting in the canula easier also.
They may give you steroids that help prevent sickness so make sure to take whatever they give you because being sick can be a divil to deal with.
On your first day you could be in for a while so that they can keep an eye on you, if you didnt have your bloods and urine checked before getting your chemotherapy then you will have to wait to get the results before they go ahead - a book might come in handy although I found myself not being able to concentrate because there was so much going on around me!
On the hair, there are also a fair share of women who dreaded the thought of losing hair. I found the wig irritating so ended up wearing beanies and scarves nearly all the time.
I hope all goes well for you, and there will be so much questions and wondering ahead that we can try help you with as arises, so don't be afraid to ask anything x

I was like you also and did not know what to expect , would definitely take the advice about the water before and after .I have come through the first one and and going for my second on weds , I felt bad for the first week but once I got over that I was fine again , I tried resting when I felt bad and when I felt better caught up on all the little jobs ,I think you have to try and switch off during your bad spells and not try and do to much , Really thought during the first 10 days that I would not get through it , but as I got over each day and felt better I know I will cope .I listen to and followed all the advise I was given ,which was not easy for me .Had my wig fitting yesterday with a wonderful lady , even though I had said that a wig wasn't for me ,and only went to look just in case I needed it , I came out much more convinced to have it anyways .Also came away with some lovely head pieces and hats .Good Luck and take one day at a time.

Hi. I hope Monday goes ok for u. The first one was hard as I didnt know what to expect. The ladies have given u great advice. Take it easy on urself.

Miranda - can only repeat what everyone else had said. We've all been there dreading the first one and you will have to work out exactly how you respond. It can be different for everyone. Just go with it and plenty of rest when you need it. Plenty of water and exercise when you can. I wont deny that there are days that I felt awful but second part of cycle always so much better. Having just had my third cycle, I am seeing the tiredness creeping in sooner and was lulled into a false sense of "this is ok" on the first, so just be ready for that too.

On the hair its very much personal but I got a close cut (no 2) not a full shave before it fell out on recommendation of wig fitter, and the remaining falling out has been fine withy no itchy scalp or anything. It can be harder to shave when it is well into falling out.
The very best of luck and just be kind and good to yourself and don't be afraid to crash and have a good moan too about it all.
xx

On the hair front , my wig fitter whose also a hairdresser told me not to shave my head because it can be very sensitive , she recommended a close cut instead .From her experience she said that some people that shaved found it very uncomfortable afterwards.She is going to cut mine before 2nd chemo on weds because she siad that is when it will really all out .It is Coming out not but more like a thining effect and Will get to weds without people notice it .

I hope u a feeling ok since Monday. Have been thinking about u...