Hi all, just sitting here thinking as you do. At some point in the future (soon hopefully as I’m eager to get things started) I will start chemotherapy. I was wondering if people could share their own experiences with me about their energy levels directly before and after chemo?
The parking at our hospital is stressful and expensive. But not too far away is a wonderful park that is free to park in all day. It’s about a 15/20 minute walk away.
I was wondering if I could just park there, walk to the appointment and then walk back?
Am I being too optimistic?
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Hi Foxgem. I’m so sorry to hear that you are about to start chemo. What chemo are you starting?
I did feel quite tired after my treatment sessions because they would take about 4hrs. I think that you should be ok for the walk there but maybe see how you are after your first treatment and then you can go from there. Will you going with someone? If so maybe they could drop you at the hospital and then park there and walk to meet you.
I’m not sure where you live but in Wales with a cancer diagnosis you are automatically eligible for a disabled badge. Maybe that could help you.
Hope that helps and good luck with your treatment x
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At my hospital parking is free if you are having chemo, so that’s worth checking.
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Thank you for your replies. Good advice and I will ask if our hospital offers the same.
I don’t know my final treatment plan yet as they are waiting on biopsy results for a second suspicious area they found but the doctor said because of my family history and my age he will likely advise on chemo.
Although I know from this forum how quickly things can change.
I know how hard chemo can be and I just want to find as much positivity with it as I can. Keeping my head on straight is going to be a hard task haha
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Hi @foxgem I had 3 x EC and 3 x Docetaxel. I felt quite odd and light headed immediately after the EC and definitely couldn’t have walked so far. I found with each chemo I didn’t quite get back to the stamina and energy levels before the treatment so even though I didn’t have the lightheadedness with the last 3 treatments I was very tired and lacking in energy. My husband dropped me off and picked me up every time. I think you’ll just have to see how you feel. It seems people’s reactions to chemo vary wildly!!
Good luck 
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Hi, I have started EC chemo and on round 3 of 6 for metastatic disease, I get dropped off and picked up, as I feel a bit wired on the day and whoosy afterwards.
You should have a chat with the chemo nurses before you start and can ask about what to expect. For you it’s not just the walk, it sounds like you plan on driving, I wouldn’t recommended it. Check driving / insurance safety rules too.
Sorry to add this to your concerns but it needs to be best for you and others.
Like others my stamina has dropped some each round. And I don’t feel up to driving in the first week or so post treatment.
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Hi! To offer a different view, I actually walk 2 miles to chemo and 2 miles home. I find it really clears my head. I also find that walking (along with lots of water) is the most effective thing for me to manage side effects. Everyone is different and I appreciate it’s not available to everyone…but it is possible for some of us. See how you feel.
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Thank you everyone I really appreciate reading your experiences and each of them help. I guess I’m thinking too far ahead again because I still don’t know the plan. I have more test results and surgery to get through first.
Wishing you all a lovely day. The sky is blue here and the sun is out this morning!
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I agree with the other post. You should talk to ur chemo sister about being exempt from parking charges as ur having continual treatment.
Good luck. ( I’m 6 years now from my chemo ) x
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I live 15min walk from the hospital and walked home with a friend. However I only did 3 months of EC and one course of paclitaxel.
I really liked the outdoor time after the 3 hours in the hospital and cold cap.
I’m not sure about driving after treatment.
Wishing you well with the treatment xx
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On the day of my chemo, I felt relatively good. I had weekly Paclitaxel and managed to walk everyday. Some were short 10 minutes and others 20 minutes.
I was told walking was good during treatment. I was being treated in Autumn/Winter so wrapped up warm and enjoyed looking at cloud formations and listening to the birds.
I’m in Wales and didn’t get a blue badge with my cancer. Parking is free here but I always easy to find a space so I always had someone drive me. Although on my chemo I was advised not to drive as it had alcohol content. They are issued by local authorities. I do know of some ladies in England who did get a badge and others that didn’t.
I think everyone is different, we start this journey at different fitness levels and that can impact what you can do during your treatment. You could try it and see what happens but I would recommend have someone come with you, so they can get the car if needed.
Most hospitals will offer an exemption for parking during chemotherapy, so please ask.
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Hi foxgem,
I cycled to and from my chemo sessions, about 30 mins each way. I was 62 at the time. I felt ok, and the doctor said that it was a good idea as the body deals with the chemo more effectively after exercise. I found the side effects kicked in a couple of days after the chemo. Its so good to be out in the fresh air too, you feel less like an invalid. Hope it all goes smoothly for you x
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Good Morning, I walked at the hospital before and after each treatment. I felt it reduced my anxiety and helped my mood. Your body will let you know if you can’t do it so I would walk as long as I could! My hospital not only has free parking, it has free valet parking for the cancer center which is wonderful! Good Luck!
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I had 12 of Paclitaxol and walked about 15 minutes to it until the 11th & 12th sessions (because I had slight neurothapy in my fingers and toes then). It was much more relaxing than trying to find a parking spot. I felt well enough to walk the 40 minutes home, but as my sessions usually finished about 6pm I was hungry. Tiredness usually came a couple of hours later. I was slower and couldn’t walk as far with the neurothapy, but it definitely helped. Everyone reacts different to chemo, so just do what feels right gor you.
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So greatful for all your replies thank you
Hi foxgem - I hope your chemotherapy goes well. I think it affects everyone differently. I felt fine immediately after mine but I was only in the unit for a couple of hours. My partner accompanied me to all my appointments and like others we got free parking. My hospital has a free taxi service option, though the timing can be haphazard. I chatted with someone who was picked up 3 hours before her appointment.
Wishing you all the best.
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Hi Firstly like another reader stated, if you are in the UK then i suggest you contact your local macmillan group who will be able to provide you with a pass for parking at the hospital, in fact any hospital that you have to attend during your cancer treatment. Check with you breast care team first as they may have a direct telephone number.
From my experience and because i had cold cap, I wouldn’t do any walking post treatment. But what i would suggest is that you begin making notes of how you feel and when you have your energy. on a 3 week cycle my strenght came back after day 10. However I did have enough energy to do a short walk in fresh air if the weather was suitable but only the next day. WE are all different.
Regarding your local macmillan team enquire what else is available for cancer patients. we had the chance to have some free session of reiki, or massage, holistic treatments at a local centre.
Take care and plan some event at the end of chemo, I booked myself in for the Feel good look better - make up session so worth the free bag you get at the end. I booked in the week after cycle 6, in my case the last session. Moonsox xxx
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Hi 
, I had steroids the day before/day of and day after which kept the tiredness away (I was wired and barely slept!) and found I was able to walk after each chemo in fact I was able to walk everyday of chemo. I had 6 cycles and the first was the worst energy wise but my body adapted after that.
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I did the same and did find the walking helpful. Perhaps do what you suggested about parking and try it and see how it works out. Good luck with your treatment and do talk to the chemo nurses if you have concerns. In my experience they are really helpful.
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I’m part way through weekly chemo cycles atm. I’ve been down to the gym after each session and out hiking the next day. I’m struggling with neuropathy in my feet now though so going to see if a lower dose helps. Everyone reacts differently to chemo, its very much a case of try and see is what I’ve found. It also depends what your cycles and drug regime will be. After the first cycle though you should have a bette idea of how it will affect you. You could plan to walk and have a back up plan if you’re not feeling well…could you call someone to pick you up and take you to your car/home if needed? Or an uber and pick the car up the next day? Exercise defintely helps me, if you find it helps you feel better, try and give it a go x
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