Julie, both diarrhea and sore thorats are quite 'normal' side effects, so please don't panic. You can take immodium to help with the runs, and suck throat sweets such as strepsils for your throat (just beware the sharp edges). Most people find the first cycle the most scary as they have no idea what to expect, but after that it will settle down, promise. When you see you onc or nurse beofre next chemo, make sure you tell them about the side effects you have had and they can give you meds to help fix them. If you are really anxious, ring them - that's what they are there for.
Venice (Gill), the early days are utterly terrifying and the forums can so easily feed that, with even innocuous looking threads worrying us. Most pepole will get through chemo without ever getting a high temperature never mind an infection. Hospitals do tend to give us the heeby jeebies (sp?) as they list all that can happen, but once you get started and it ceases to be an unknown mystery, it does get easier to cope with.
I know it's easy for me to say this, nearly three years on from starting chemo, but it will soon be over and done with, and you'll be looking back amazed at how well you coped. Best wishes to all chemo starters psoting or lurking on this thread.
