r/Chemotherapy

My sister is the one doing chemo (Taxol/Platin).

She did her first round last week. Had an allergic reaction to the Taxol, which was scary, but was able to finish it after a break and some extra meds. All in all we were there for about 8 hours, when it was supposed to be 5.5.

So far she's been doing all right. Some side effects (constipation/diarrhea is the worst), but she's managing.

She does prefer to have someone with her (plus she needs someone to drive her anyways), so I am planning on going with her to all chemo and radiation appointments.

However, I do have my own health issues, and a bad hip/back is just one of them. She gets a comfy recliner - as she should - but the chairs they have for family/friends are pretty uncomfortable. You can't even really stretch your legs out, as they'd be sticking out into the walkway and be a tripping hazard. I only left her twice to go to the washroom and grab a sandwich and water refill from the cafeteria (once for myself, once for her), and kept having to shift in the chair to deal with the discomfort/pain. I didn't want to get up to walk around, either, as we were way in the back of the room (it's a large open room, with just side curtains between chairs), and I would have had to walk past everyone else, and didn't want to disturb them.

I was thinking of next time leaving for a while in between (e.g. stay for 2 hours to make sure she's good, leave for 1, go back and stay until she's done), maybe get some grocery shopping done, which will give my body a break.

If I ask her, I'm sure she'll say she'll be fine, but I'm wondering how others here feel; whether you prefer for someone to stay the whole time, or if you think it's reasonable to leave for a bit? As I said above, she's not the kind of person who'd prefer to be on her own (that would be me, but we're polar opposites in many ways), even if she's just going to sit there quietly with her eyes closed, and I'm not wanting to be selfish, yet I also don't want to be suffering in pain for hours and hours like last time.

Hey Bresties! I had my first one today, besides a pit in my stomach and no appetite, I am ok, anyone have any advice on what to expect , I feeel like my anxiety is killing me, I am still anxious of what is to come… 😩😩😩

18 months and 20 cycles of chemo. I am done. I need to keep my port for an additional year, but that is small potatoes compared to what I have already gone through.

Hi people, unfortunately I have a VERY good friend (he is 26M) who was diagnosed with a malignant cancer. He is now starting an 18-week therapy.

Is there anyone who has tips and tricks that helped him before/after the chemo (gifts that you can make)? Food or drinks from when something can be eaten again. Or walks are possible etc.. Would like to cook him something small.

As a gift I already have, hygiene items. bottle books etc. the starts. is there anything special that helps super or makes everyday life easier?

Thanks in advance.

I have 8 weeks of dose dense AC (every 2 weeks) followed by T for 12 weeks (every 7 days)

I had my first chemo on Thursday (3 days ago). And as everyone was checking on me after etc, I realized that the worst part of the infusion wasn’t even the infusion itself, it was the cold capping. It stressed me out so much. The machine was temperamental AF, I was freezing, couldn’t get comfortable without kinking the hose, couldn’t hear over the machine, and my AirPods hurt to wear which meant no audiobook I was counting on.

I’m told that cold capping is unlikely to work with my chemo regimen anyway. I’m not sure I’m ready to emotionally commit to going bald yet, but it’s probably gonna happen either way.

Has anyone started cold capping and gave up? Did you regret it?

Hi all,

I'm looking for advice on any foods or drinks that might tempt someone with nausea. My mum has just started chemo for her 4th bout of cancer, she's had chemo in the past but this time she's very nauseous and still cannot keep food or drink down 3 days post treatment.

She did end up back in hospital on a drip yesterday and has spoken to specialist and they were OK with her going home again and trying to increase intake there.

Unfortunately the cancer is not curable this time, so she's scheduled to have chemo every two weeks for as long as she can cope with it. I think having no set number will be increasing her worries about coping with the side effects.

Hoping we can find a combo of anti nausea tablets that will work, they've tried her on 3 different ones so far. The biggest worry is obviously dehydration but at least she had a few hours on a drip to help with that yesterday.

I wondered if anyone can recommend any little tidbits which could be palatable to her.

I've also seen mention of fasting to help with nausea, has anyone had success with that?

After just finishing 6 months of chemo, I thought light was at the end of the tunnel. Then this.

Hi all, I just had round 4 with taxol and carboplatin. My heart races terribly for the first few days (this round it's still happening a week later). It's uncomfortable to go upstairs or walk up any small hills. Also if I strain in the bathroom (TMI). Has anyone had this? My care team is aware and don't seem overly concerned. They think it might be steroid or anxiety-related, bumping up the heart rate. Even knowing one other person is dealing with this, or has dealt with it, would help me feel less alone! Thank you...

Please check in if you feel comfortable sharing! Also, if you have a cancer diagnosis, please feel free to join us at r/cancerpatients, which is for cancer patients only.

Wondering how often you do laundry, like towels and bed linen? Or if you don't do laundry right away, how often do you still change it while getting chemo? Same as you would anyways, or more frequently?

My sister is going for her first chemo session tomorrow. We were told it will be 5.5 hours.

Any suggestions on what you found useful during chemo? She's got music, audiobooks, e-books on her phone. We'll take headphones and a charger, of course. The cancer center has cooling mittens and socks, as well as blankets. What are some good snacks to take? Something more substantial line a sandwich for lunch, or better to grab take-out on the way home after?

She is the kind of person who usually prefers to have someone with her, so I'll be going with her and can grab something from a nearby store if needed, but always best to be prepared!

How do people cope? Last Thursday I was admitted to hospital to start my chemo. I have neck cancer in chest nodes and ribs. I had 9.5 hours of 2 chemos and infusions then at 2.15 am I had a four day chemo on mobile picc line. The district nurse came round today to remove and change dressing. All I do is sleep,. I wake up for a short while, take tablets and then sleep. It's like breathing is tiring. Please can anyone tell me there is some respite... I can't bear it

The back story for those curious… she started having back pain after a tussle with a large dog at work (she’s a vet). This was about a month ago now.

Nothing seemed to work, not even a steroid shot.

Then she had a faint spell at work. From then, shortness of breath.

Took her to the ER last Saturday. Pulmonary Embolism in both lungs and clots in one of her calves.

Then they discovered a mass on her left ovary, which appears to have spread to her pancreas, heart and possibly liver.

I’m terrified, I have mini panic attacks and cold sweat from anxiety. But I’m trying to plan ahead and fight as hard as I can for her.

Should be seeing an oncologist Tuesday.

One thing that scares me is I’ve been told that chemo nukes your immune system. Since I don’t trust Gemini AI, I wanted to ask here.

Is the immune system down basically entirely through chemo, or just periodically following treatments?

What do you do when you have 4 small children, 2 of which who are exposed to all the school illnesses?

Yeah, if we see runny noses and coughing, the answer is obvious- but so many times the “carrier” child hasn’t been the first one to get sick- usually it’s one of the younger siblings, and it’s even been me or my wife first before.

Maybe I’m over thinking it, but man I’m just so… well, I’m sure you know.

Any advice l and reassurance is greatly appreciated.

My mom’s going through chemotherapy and cant have cold or room temperature drinks, are there any drinks that taste good warm that aren’t the basics like coffee, tea, chicken broth, ect?