Thank you @saints33, I make my own spice blends so can adapt accordingly. I’ll post the spice blends if you like to do that too.
There’s lots of information which isn’t specific about pre-during-post chemo treatment, whereby some herbs and spices help reduce cancer symptoms but taking whilst on treatment will inhibit the effectiveness of the drugs. Its a conversation to have with my oncologist today. Either way, ginger is supposed to be good during treatment, so I’m having Thai spice blend on my chicken today.
@cruising I would absolutely be upset not having anything to enhance food, especially with the possibility of losing taste, something I’m not looking forward to for sure.
@stafford22 my go to is rump steak with homemade Stilton sauce - I wish I had read up more on the avoid list, would have made sure I’d got that meal in a few times pre treatment. It’s something to look forward to post treatment, and I do like setting goals to aim for to stay focussed.
Zero sleep, really apprehensive about TODAY. My mind is racing. Will it sting, will it hurt, will I feel it, will I immediately want to vomit, how many times will I want to go to the loo drinking all this liquid.
I’ve never had a cannula before my recent MRI and CT scans, so being told they’ll be putting one in my hand is freaking me out (will I catch it, accidentally knock it) never been hooked up to a machine, so its really got my head in a spin. Ridiculous I know, but its the unknown for me at this stage. I’m 49 and never had an operation. Its like the universe said you’re 50 this year mwah ha ha
Omg honestly I know. Between preparing for chemo, shopping because I feel sorry for myself and having nothing to do… someone please come and take all my cards and devices! I’ve spent so much money
Good luck today’s starters. @darkchild remember your chemo nurses are doing cannulas every day, they are really good and know how to keep them steady and in place. I was worried about drinking lots and getting to the loo so I used a tena light just in case, but actually I was fine. Cold capping - think its easier if you’ve a bit less hair as you want a really good fit for the inner cap. I nibbled a ginger biscuit as a distraction for the first few minutes of cold, but lots of good ideas on here. All the best folks
Good morning @darkchild and welcome.
You’re experiencing the same natural emotions as everyone else. We’re all anxious and sleep deprived before chemo.
Similar regime to you but I had surgery first in Feb. My first EC on Monday was through my hand. It wasn’t at all painful. They warmed the top of my hand for 10mins to help find a good vein. (I can’t use my left side due to possible lymphedema following 24 nodes removed.) They locate the best vein & insert a very fine needle so it’s the usual ‘sharp scratch sensation’ and put tape round to hold it in place. You keep your arm straight resting on a pillow. There is a long tube attached which fits up to a small, quiet freestanding machine at your side. There will also be a bag of saline which drips in throughout to keep the vein open. A small box is on this stand too and all they do is insert a syringe (5 in my case) into it one at a time and it gently pumps through into you. Totally painless. This part takes about 60mins. They will give you an anti sickness drug first if you haven’t already been given one to take in advance (I hadn’t) so that needs to be given 1hr to take effect before starting. Then you can go home. I had a fuzzy head after about 1/2hr but didn’t feel sick. They gave me steroids and anti sickness tablets to take home plus an extra box of anti sickness tablets to take, only if required.
The nurses are lovely and will listen to any concerns you have. They’re likely to become good friends by the end of all this!
I too was late finding out what I could and couldn’t eat. I love a rare steak and a good cheese board
Are we allowed the odd glass of wine??
I’m 60 in October and had so many plans but life threw me a large curve ball. Until this year I’d only been into hospital to have my wisdom teeth out (37yrs ago!).
We’re all sharing similar experiences and I’ve found this group invaluable for information particularly as I didn’t get a pre chemo assessment and hadn’t a clue what to expect.
You will be fine today and will feel less anxious once it’s over. Good luck and let us know how you are when you can.
@darkchild good luck today, we are all with you. We all felt the same as you and you will be fine. The nurses are lovely and will be sat with you the whole time x
Ive got my first session on Friday and will also be cold capping so no doubt I’ll be scrolling on my phone buying stuff . Did this a lot many times and bought so much stuff when my daughter was young and was sitting feeding and holding her for hours
Stilton cheese should be avoided while undergoing chemotherapy due to the increased risk of foodborne illness associated with weakened immune systems. Cheeses like Stilton, Brie, and Camembert, along with other blue-veined and soft cheeses, are generally not recommended during cancer treatment because they may contain harmful bacteria, according to the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust@gerbera1@darkchild
hope its ok to put links. so much to learn, hubby has gone on a self enforced no drinking, just in case i need to go into hospital… not going to happen xx
@gerbera1 my oncologist said the occasional drink was fine. I’ve chosen to rarely drink, as it’s something I can do to make me my as fit as possible. But the only thing I was told I couldn’t eat was grapefruit. They have no other restrictions xx
The leaflet I was given about EC says to avoid alcohol while taking cyclophosphamide. “it may affect how treatment works …… and make side effects worse, e.g. nausea.”
To be fair I’m not planning on drinking until chemo is over. There are non alcoholic drinks available if necessary. I’ve got champagne waiting for me when it’s all done.
I’m just catching up after a pretty shitty day. That wooziness I mentioned yesterday developed into full on vertigo - like a rolling sea - and I went to bed early. This morning it came back so very nauseous and a nasty headache. Headache made worse by dehydration, nausea made worse by headache, dehydration made worse by nausea as couldn’t drink. Called the acute oncology number and they got me to come in. Took bloods to check for infection - none. Gave IV antiemetic, paracetamol and 750ml saline. Then came home with an additional antiemetic. Hard to keep track of what to take when.
Anyway feel much better now, headache a nausea still there but very mild. Trying to hydrate+++ while I can stomach it so I don’t have to do the whole thing again tomorrow. @darkchild hope it went ok today and you feel ok x
. Did this a lot many times and bought so much stuff when my daughter was young and was sitting feeding and holding her for hours 
amazing