Tips and support for first chemotherapy

[Archersandlemonade]

Hi a relative has been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, had a clip put in yesterday, picc line going in on Tuesday and first chemo on Monday. We have been told an all day session.
can anyone advise roughly how long they think it will take and how we can expect her to feel after and how best to support. We have lots of literature but it’s a bit overwhelming
thank you

Hi op,
Sorry to hear about your relative, but it's better that it's found, so it can be dealt with.
I've just finished chemo, stage 2 also. It did take up most of my day, due to having a blood sample taken, wAiting for the results and then waiting to see either an oncologist or I saw a nurse who specialises in chemotherapy to get the results of the blood tests, to make sure that my blood count was okay to have the chemo. In this meeting I would also be asked questions around side effects and anything else that related to the chemo.
Once in the day unit, I would check in and then find a seat in the waiting room, my longest wait was 2 hours, my chemo was made up when I checked in. Once called through for my chemo, it could take anywhere between 1.5 - 2 hours to have the infusion.

Everyone is different, it depends on the type of chemo your relative is having.
I was asked not to drive back by myself the first time, but I did every time after that.
I always felt fine when I left, it wasn't until later in the evening that I felt very tired.
I never took any anti sickness tablets as I never felt sick. I did have a few side effects, but nothing I couldn't cope with. I think the tiredness stops you from doing things.
I hope this helps op

I had chemo for breast cancer.
There are many different kinds of chemo even for the same cancer. Often the first one is longer in case of reactions. It also takes longer if you cold cap (I chose not to).
Once in the clinic they will administer the drugs through the line. Mine always started with a cocktail of other drugs to prevent allergic reaction. Some of these cause drowsiness (chlorphenamine) but that just means you nod off and it passes the time. Others have an impact later (dexamethasone) and I used to be awake all the following night.
At the end they send you home with a bag of drugs to combat side effects - anti sickness, anti diarrhoea, laxatives etc.
There is always a 24 hour helpline in case of problems.
On the day I took books, headphones, food and drink.
Some hospitals provide meals and snacks but mine didn't.
I was at a very small unit where no companions were allowed - this was pre-pandemic so I don't know what the rules are now. It suited me as it made the atmosphere more peaceful without Other People's Relatives!

My chemo was weekly and I usually felt fine on day one and two, then dreadful on days 3 and 4. After a few weeks it was very difficult. Many chemos are 3 weekly which gives you more time to recover.

That does help thank you - I think she will be on a 3 weekly cycle -as we don’t have any further dates yet - I hope it doesn’t hit her too hard

Hi @Archersandlemonade I hope it's going ok for your relative. I had eight cycles of combination chemo (AC and paclitaxel) via a port from January through April this year for my stage 2 breast cancer. I ate porridge or scrambled eggs before I went in but nothing until the next day - just loads of water. With AC it was like a 24 hour hangover that kicked in about eight hours after my morning chemo. I would go striaght to bed when I got home as I couldn't tolerate the smell of food or cooking on day 1, but after that I would steadily feel better each day and by the second week was feeling more myself (I was on accelerated chemo so every two weeks). My tastebuds were all over the place in the first week, and I ate very little for the first few days but very normally by the second week. Don't know what I'd have done without toast and marmite! I found paclitaxel weirder and had a bad first session, but it settled after that and I didn't get the tingling extremities that some people do. Advice for your relative: (1) keep a detailed diary of how you feel, what you eat, what your digestive systems doing and any random physical side effects, so you can be very precise with the oncology team. That helps them help you as they can give you something for any side effect; and (2) drink loads of water, particularly before and after your chemo - it helps massively. Chemo is absolutely no fun at all, but once you've had a few rounds and they've tweaked the cocktail if they need to, you know what to expect. I was very frightened about chemo but actually once it started I just gritted my teeth and counted down the weeks. Eat what you feel like eating, sleep when you need to sleep and know that you will look back on it very soon, in the big scheme of things. I'm nearly four months out now and it's amazing how much better I feel. Good luck to her, and you all.

Hi OP. Long days having chemo can be boring. People bring tablets and headphones as we have wifi or books or magazines also. I have a patient that brings a pillow, blanket and eye mask and gets comfy and has a nap. Ginger biscuits can be good for nausea. But she should be given anti sickness medicine also. After a day at the hospital, a home cooked meal is always appreciated.

Not beast cancer, but DHs chemo started at 8am and finished around 4pm.
All treatment is very much tailored to the individual though - will depend on the type/aggressiveness of the cancer, height, weight and age of the patient etc. So many variables.

Thanks all. She has just had her 2nd round and seems to be ok. No sickness just tired , she is losing her hair though but coping very well , I wonder if the worst is yet to come......