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Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

Ovarian Cancer and chemo

12 replies

ZoeyBartlett · 30/03/2025 18:17

I’ve just been diagnosed with fairly advanced ovarian cancer. Starting chemo on Friday (following a week of more tests). I’ve read a lot about the chemo and watched some YouTube stuff but does anyone have any tips?

also do you take someone with you? I assumed my H would just drop me off as I certainly don’t want to talk to him for 5 hours!
Will I get cold/hungry?
what do you take other than kindle and earphones?

And anything else I haven’t thought of!

thanks

OP posts:
novacancy3 · 30/03/2025 18:27

I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis. My DH went through Chemo last year. He wasn’t allowed to have anyone with him as the unit was not big enough to hold patients and their family members.

He was given plenty to eat and drink while he was there.

His top tip would be to wear clothing that you can deal with one handed when you go to the toilet as you will be going to the toilet with the cannula in your hand connected to the drug pouches on a wheelie thing.

I hope your treatment goes well.

whatisforteamum · 30/03/2025 18:28

Sorry to hear this.
DM and df had chemo.
Everyone is different.They had music and earphones.
Some people takes books,boiled sweets to suck on.
From what I've heard I would take layers to wear as the chemo suite was warm so I would take cardi or blanket.
DM had stage 4 primary peritoneal cancer treated as ovarian and is still here 18 yrs on.
Best of luck to you.

ZoeyBartlett · 30/03/2025 18:47

thanks. Great tip on the one handed clothes!

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Toptotoe · 03/04/2025 21:01

I found fasting for 24 hours before treatment and several hours after helped with digestive issues. There are a few small studies that says it’s beneficial.
https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/fasting-improves-quality-of-life-during-chemo
I was allowed to have someone with me but my treatments were only about 2 hours.
I was also very reliant on laxatives for a few days post chemo.
wishing you all the best.

Study: Fasting Leads to Better Quality of Life During Chemotherapy

A study shows that short-term fasting during chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer improves quality of life and helps prevent fatigue.

https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/fasting-improves-quality-of-life-during-chemo

ZoeyBartlett · 05/04/2025 09:14

Thanks @Toptotoe. I’d read the fasting studies but my desire to stuff chocolate down my face won for this round - may be better post Easter! All over the 💩 issues. Started eating 5 prunes a day in hope I won’t need laxatives as have been struggling with ascites.

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Toptotoe · 05/04/2025 20:57

It was the ascites that gave me chronic constipation .I had to go into hospital for several days after 1st chemo as I was so blocked up anbd in a lot of pain.
Enemas, Laxido and laxiloes in copious amounts got me going eventually.
After that I took 1 or 2 laxatives pre chemo and post chemo and that helped as the sickness tablets can make you constipated.

SparklyBrickViper · 05/04/2025 21:22

My mother has recently finished chemo.

We weren’t allowed to sit in with her due to lack of space so one of us would drop her in the morning and one of us would collect her after the treatment ended. During the first treatment the nurse was able to give her an idea of how long she had left so she could text in good time for us to be waiting for her.

As above plenty of food and drinks available but the Chemo team advised if she wanted something particular (a brand of tea for example) to bring some with her.
My mother had a bag of stuff, so iPad, phone, charger, headphones, knitting (😅), Netflix app loaded, audiobooks etc.
Cosy blanket, thick fluffy socks, lip palm, hand cream, bag of sweets, just things to make the time a bit easier.

If you aren’t already a member consider joining a library so you can use their digital services - BorrowBox is brilliant. My mother found it difficult to read as she had quite bad brain fog (but she’d had an intense log radiotherapy treatment before Chemo) but audio books were manageable.

There were often charities/organisations visiting during different times. The Scarf Ladies for example who gave lessons on various ways to tie headscarves.

Look up Maggie’s organisation as well - they are fabulous. I wish we’d known about them at the time.

Good luck with your treatment.

hollyblueivy · 17/05/2025 19:03

Hi @ZoeyBartlettI hope your treatment is going well so far. How have you found it having the treatment without having someone there with you? Are you having the cold cap?

ZoeyBartlett · 18/05/2025 10:17

Hi @hollyblueivy thanks for asking. 3 chemos in so am halfway. No issues being alone. Nurses are v nice and I have kindle, iPad, headphones and various nibbles from M&S - calories don’t count on chemo days! I’m v lucky as not struggling with any after effects either. Although of course that makes me worry it’s not working! Will find out soon. No cold cap so am rocking the GI Jane look. 🤣 Doesn’t bother me at all.

OP posts:
mechanicalpencil · 18/05/2025 10:24

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery 💐

hollyblueivy · 18/05/2025 13:12

@ZoeyBartlettSo good to hear you’re doing so well. Best of luck for your ongoing treatment journey.

hollyblueivy · 18/05/2025 13:12

mechanicalpencil · 18/05/2025 10:24

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery 💐

Thank you it’s my relative but I am supporting them.

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