How bad did chemo get for you?

[EachandEveryone]

Honestly I’ve just had my 6th Folfox and I’ve never known anything like this. Water coming out of my bum the tablets aren’t touching it. The sweating is horrendous I’ve slept for two days I’m exhausted. The cancer hasn’t grown but hasn’t shrunk yet either. I know after a week I will feel better. It’s just getting to that point. I darent go outside had to cancel an appointment today. How do I get through another six?

My heart goes out to you.

It won't get easier but your ability to cope with it will.

I'm sorry I've no personal experience but so sorry you're going through this. Could you try contact the nurses to see if there's anything additional they could give to help you? I hope things improve for you, everything can feel worse at night too which never helps.

I know it gets worse and if it’s working then that’s good but I can’t see an end to it. I’m on my own which doesn’t help.

I had long periods of chemo with very difficult recovery times I was very poorly.

I asked for help when I needed it from the medical team.

I listened to audio books and did lots of colouring. I had to focus on the end of treatment not the short term.

I found a FB group who were supportive. I asked friends to share their lives as I needed to focus on the future.

I really feel for you

Have you a cancer care line number to call for side effect support? There may be further medications you can try as no one should have to put up with debilitating side effects for long. 🌺

I had 6 sessions of chemo in 2018.
The first three made me nauseous and caused throat ulcers but were doable.
The next three caused a more physical pain and I found that much harder to deal with.
But the fatigue throughout chemo was debilitating, and cumulative.
6 years out and I still suffer with fatigue and chemo brain.

I’m still having the runs the helpline said go to a and e as they don’t want me to get dehydrated but I’m so vulnerable right now I hate the thought of being in there for five hours. I’m going to keep drinking see how I am tomorrow.

@EachandEveryone are you monitoring your temperature?
If you still have the runs and are running a high/low temperature then I would definitely go to hospital.
But if your temperature is okay, maybe ride it out under a duvet, but keep hydrated.
I remember on one of my worse chemo days, with the changeover to a new chemo drug, my temperature soared and I was bleeding through my rectum. But it did pass after 24 hours, if it had carried on I would have gone to hospital.
These chemo drugs are brutal, I hope you're feeling a bit better this morning x

I had 6 rounds, the first couple weren't too bad but then each round was progressively more unpleasant. Was booked for 8 rounds and I honestly didn't know how I was going to manage the last 2. Fortunately my blood results were too poor so the doctor stopped at 6. I'm still cured so it didn't do any damage. I spent a lot of time in a chair sleeping through rubbish TV. I ate what was put in front of me which wasn't the best, my husband tried but he's no great shakes in the kitchen.

Today I feel much better. I’m going glamping on Thursday so I have to be. At least I know now how bad it’s going to get I just hope it’s working.