i am starting chemotheraphy and would really appreciated some advise as i am terrifiedx
Hi deedee12345
I’m sorry to read you’re feeling so anxious about your chemotherapy. I’m sure the users of this site will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime maybe you would like to talk to a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hello deedee 12345
I wonder if you might feel differently if you go beforehand to see the unit where you will be receiving the treatment. I’m sure that everyone of us were very apprehensive when we found out that we were having chemo, mainly because of stories heard in the past of horrible side effects.
Prior to my 1st chemo we were shown the Macmillan unit where I received my chemo, and nobody was tied down in their chairs, kicking and screaming. In fact, it was so calm and relaxed with a great sense of camaraderie amongst the ‘chemo-cocktail takers’.
As others have said, it’s not easy, but it’s doable and I found it nowhere near as awful as I imagined. I was told of all the possible side-effects that I MIGHT encounter. Remember that you MIGHT get them, but then again you might not. I made up my mind when I started that if any side effect was really bad then all I had to do was to tell them and they would give me something to make it less so. As it turned out I didn’t need to.
Another useful tip is to view your treatment in bite-sized pieces. I had to have 6 sessions and my approach was to view number 1 as 1 less to have, number 2 was 1/3 of the way, number 3 was halfway, number 4 was 2/3 of the way, number 5 only left 1 more then, bingo! - the last one!
I also found it helpful to get my thermometer before hand so that I could check out what my ‘normal’ temperature was too, before starting chemo.
You are in good company here deedee 12345, and we have all come out the other side of chemo, as you will do in time.
Good luck and let me know how you get on
Mazzalou x
Hi deedee, u aren’t alone in feeling terrified. I imagine everyone who’s told they have to have chemo feel the same. I certainly did but i have my 6th FEC on friday & i can honestly say that for me it has been nowhere near as bad as i imagined it to be. Some people suffer more with side effects than others but thankfully i had very few. Its not pleasant but u can do it. I agree with Mazzalou about viewing the treatment in bite size pieces, that train of thought really helped with me. I managed to work part time on 2 out of the 3 weeks which is not for everyone but helped me.
Make sure u take all the anti-sickness meds they give u as instructed, that’s really important as they’re preventative rather than curative. I haven’t been sick at all, just slightly nauseous sometimes. They can cause constipation so be aware of that.
As Mazzalou said, the chemo units are very good & they’re at the end of the phone if u need anything.Dont be fightened to ring them, mine never minded if i needed to know something, & ask away on here, so many of us have had it.
Good luck with it, let us know how u get on, take care xx
Hi feeder,
Sorry to hear ur feeling so anxious, I have just started 6 Tac, and found the nurses brilliantly( is that a word) reassuring. Do u know what part of it is it that scares u most. Talking it through with people on here or the staff at the hospital is a great help. Please feel free to message me if u like. When do u start because there is a ‘starting chemo in January thread’ on here which u might find reassuring
Kind thoughts
Herbi x
I have no idea why that said ‘feeder’ and not deedee, sorry x
reading all your comments have made me feel so much better my fear is the unknow like im walking down a endless path think once im up and started will be ok ive notice since joing this site the advice and strength i get fom you all as been outof this world and i hope i come out of it the end as strong and wise as you all i will certainly be logging in daily and keep you informed my love to you all denisexxxxxxxxxxxx
That’s the spirit Dnise and you’ll be fine. In a few months time you’ll be supporting others along the way as you’ll be an old hand by then.
Good luck and try to keep smiling xx
If you’re having FEC, be prepared for your wee to turn red! If they forget to tell you, it could give you a fright. Similarly if they give you intravenous steroids (Dexamethasone) if it goes in too fast it can give you really uncomfortable “itchy bum” feeling. Very weird.
I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but you will have so much support on here, you’ll get through it. And while the next few months feel like they’ll take forever, you’ll soon be looking back on it wondering how it happened so fast, and very glad it’s over. Time does strange things.
Best of luck to everyone who’s just about to start. I was completely petrified before the first one and can still remember how it felt, but it does pass.