How do you cope with chemo?

Hi there,

I’m about to start chemo again. I didn’t have the best experience with my first lot of chemo a few years ago so am trying to mentally prepare myself a bit better this time. So far have organised my calender to try to work out when my first good days might come so that I can plan a nice day out closer to the time.

Something fun to look forward to will keep me going nicely.

What do other people do to keep themselves up mentally / emotionally through these tough old treatments and get through the bad days?

Anyone got some good little tips to share?

It would be great to pool our ideas and give us all a boost.

Silly suggestions welcomed!

love Lucy x

Hi Lucy

I did 6 sessions of AC and 4 of taxotere in 2003/2004 and am just about to have cycle 3 of a combination of xeloda and navelbine for a regional recurrence.

My cycles have been much more unpredictable this time round in terms of side effects. The chemos this time are supposed to have fewer side effects but I had 3 days a couple of weeks ago with bad diarrhoea and the worse nausea I’ve had on any chemo. I had become more relaxed about taking anti sick meds so am going to much more organised this time.

But the worse thing for me about chemo is the depths of mental and emotional depression it throws me into on bad days…fatigue plus depression plus nausea is my idea of hell. I am not in the least stoical and hate feeling even 10% less than well so physical illness is really emotionally debiliating for me.

I suppose the most useful thing I can say is just to know that how ever bad your bad days you will feel well again and there will be good days too…and yes plan for nice things on those days. I have written myself a card to read during the bad times I know will come this week to remind myself of this truth. I have also given myself emotional permission to stop future treatments if I want to (I proably won’t but for me its a way of feeling in control to acknowledge that choice.)

I am planning short breaks in warm places in nice hotels for my well days. I am a ‘lady who lunches’ with as many friends as I can pack in. I have list of things I want to do before I die (not planning on that yet but recurrence is stage 4 so time not unlimited.) I see a counsellor ), have some aromaotherapy sessions planned (not really my thing but hey who cares if it feels nice), joined Amazon dvd club to get the movies I missed or the weepy ones I love to cry over again.

One bonus of the particular chmeo I’m on right now is I haven’'t lost my hair and that I appreciate more than I imagined before this treatment started.

very best wishes and good luck. Chemo is horrible…jbut ust remember that you will have good days again

Jane

hi Lucy I was diagnosed in November we had just moved house a week before we moved from Birmingham back to Scotand after living in Birmingham for 28 years. The reason being my daughter lost her husband who was very young to lung cancer and she has 2 little girls so we decided to move back here to sort of look after her.I was only here 1 week when I woke up 1 morning and I turned round in bed and felt this big lump as you can imagine I was terified especially having to go to a new doctor. I got my appointment very quick and I was diagnosed all on the same day which did help a bit as I didnt have to wait weeks. I took my daughter with me which was a big mistake as she was devastated but I was convinced it was a cyst as it was so big.I had my masectomy the next friday was I was so glad about as I didnt have to wait weeks for. Then a few weeks after the chemo started. Well I had 4 epi one doze every 3 weeks I only had a few bad days after each one when I say bad days I mean the tired feeling and the crying bit.Then I went on to the CMF this is the one which has given me the trouble the pains in my legs and arms are unbearable some days I can hardly walk but as I have only got 1 to go on the 18th July I think I can just about bear them there doesnt seem to be many other people with this problem on the CMF so I have been a bit worried about it but I do see the big doctor at 10am then I have my last chemo at 11am so I will tell her all about these pains as my doctor only gives me co-codimal and they are not doing me any good for the pain at all but apart from this I have sailed through my chemo compared to some folk so I do hope that you do the same. I am so glad you are treating yourself and having nice days out before you begin all this. I think you are so brave especially after beingthrough all this before dont know if I could do it again But as least I feel now for me there is light at the end of the tunnel We will be doing some celebrating on the 18th I dont have to have rads as they said I was border-line so they are not going to bother with it I will be going on Arimidex for 5 years. I do hope all goes well for you and please take care Love Linda xxxx