Anyone here gone through Chemo?

Question

I want to know how it felt and what changes were noticed during the therapy? also.... any tips on how to deal with it ?thanks.

or know anyone who has gone through it?

Answer 1

Omgosh this is a perfect question for me to answer! My mom is going through chemotherapy. Here are some things that happen:

•Not tasting things as well
•Eyelashes thinning out
•Hair falling out
•Feeling tired/nauseous
•Paler tongue

My mom can still taste chocolate, though! She likes drinking chocolate shakes because she can taste them and they help her feel better.

Most people are really scared before they do it. It's crappy, but it isn't as bad as it sounds sometimes!

Hope this helps! :)

Answer 2

First of all let me say chemo effects everyone differently, oncologist will give a list of all the side effects and how you may feel. It all depends on how much chemo is given and what type of chemo is given. The oncologist will prescribe medication for nausea before chemo starts. I was given three different types of chemo and had a cold sensation while chemo was given in a Port cath. I did good until i had to take nulasta to build up my blood count. then i had back and joint pain this lasted around 3 days. food has no taste, had mouth sores, also received meds. for this. there is a metallic taste to all foods, they say its better if you use a plastic fork. Didn't seem to help me. I was unable to eat a whole lot a one time.
I also became lactose intolerant, any thing with milk made me vomit, and i mean anything 1% milk products cause me to be sick. I also have nuralgia in my feet from one of the chemo drugs that i had. its been almost a year and my feet are still the same. One good thing is that i dont have a period any more. but now that im on tomoxifin for 5 years, i have awful hot flashes. its alot to deal with especially the uncertain and it really scares you. but looking back its worth it. you just have to fight the battle and make up your mind that you'll beat this cancer. you cant let it consume you. having a positive attitude is the only way to survive. I had chemo first, then surgery, then radiaiton but unfortunately the cancer is not gone but in control.

Answer 3

I went through three sets of chemo sessions following the removal of a cancerous tumor in my ascending colon. It was stage II, and there was no evidence of cancer cells anywhere else, so chemo wasn't really necessary (no significant benefit). My first set was done using the five-day, continuous IV drip, with a bolus of chemo chemicals added once a day. I experienced all the classic symptoms of chemo, but the worst was the painful inflammation of my mouth and, ahem, the "other end". This made it very difficult to eat and drink, so I lost a significant amount of weight (but not to an unhealthy level). I was unhappy about the whole situation, and was not prepared to do any more sessions (which actually would have been OK in my case).

My doctor referred me to a specialist, and we set up two more sets, but with a different protocol. I went to his office once a week for a two-hour IV "infusion". This means the chemicals are mixed with the dextrose IV solution beforehand. Same chemicals, same dosage, six sessions (instead of five in the previous set). There were absolutely no side effects. After a two-week rest period, we did the third set, and again, no side effects.

So, talk with your doctor about the protocol - the method used to get the chemicals into your body. My doctor said that different people respond in different ways, so you can't predict what the side effects are going to be. Email me anytime during or following your sessions if you need a sounding board. Oh, yes, all my follow-up tests during the past year have been negative. May you have the same good fortune!

Answer 4

It depends on the medications given and the strength. I was told they always give the dosage at 100% to see how well you respond and then reduce if necessary.

I could feel the chemo going into my system. My stomach felt like a carbonated drink where you see the bubbles traveling from the bottom of the glass to the top and it made me very tired.

My first dose caused me to have terrible sores on my tongue to the point I could barely swallow and speaking was very difficult and painful and I was extremely nauseous. After they reduced my dosage I would still have nausea, was tired and all of my hair fell out along with my eyelashes.

That was 7 years ago and I'm sure they have improved the drugs and anti nausea medications since then. What got me through my treatment were great doctors, great family support and my friends.

Take care and good luck.

Answer 5

I had chemo for breast cancer. Every 3 wks they hooked me up to an IV and for 3-4 hrs that's where I was. I would feel good that day cuz I hadn't had chemo in 3 wks. The next day I would get sick and tired and vomit. Crackers are very good. So, I lost my hair which really bothered me. I kept this up for a few months. Did not lose any weight (I ate a lot of chicken noodle soup). There were good and bad days. The weakness was bad and my red blood cells went down so I had shots of Procrit. Felt great. My opinion was there are people a lot sicker than I was with illnesses that were really bad. So, I was myself I joked and here I am 5 yrs later.

Answer 6

This can vary a lot depending on what drugs you are given and how often, and also your bodies ability to cope.

Make sure you are well hydrated beforehand, as this makes it easier for them to find a vein to insert the drip.

During the procedure, the drip can feel very cold going in and make your arm ache. Ask the nurse for a heat pack as this often helps. I was given a small amount of IV antinausea drugs at the start of each treatment and these gave a sensation of nausea and dissiness about 30 seconds after they started, which lasted about 30 seconds. It can take hours for the drip to be administered, (boring!) so be prepared to nap, read a magazine or take a friend to chat to!

I lost all my hair (about 10 days after first treatment). This means eyelashes, eyebrows, nosehair, earhair, pubes as well as hair on head. Legs still needed shaving and arm hair ripped out when removing tape for drip so go figure!

I was warned of severe nausea, had mild nausea (more like indigestion) and was given drugs to stop the nausea/indigestion but found it passed quicker if I didn't take anything and just ignored it. It lasted less than 24 hours after each treatment.

I was warned of weightloss, however that is because of the nausea, so sadly didn't have that effect!

Tiredness!!!!!!!! I had a half hour nap every afternoon to cope.

I was still able to work (part-time) between treatments.

Low disease resistance and possible rapidly occuring fever.

All in all, it wasn't as bad as I anticipated.

Answer 7

To make a short story of it ........ IT SUCKS! Lost my hair - almost everywhere - the usual food just has no taste, tired, drugged up, too many doctors with too much blood being drawn (I hate -hate - hate needles!), too many drugs (hate those too), always being tired and always being tired. Too many trip to the dr.. After the chemo was finished, I started radiation.... 5 days a week for 5 weeks!

One piece of advice ..... take those meds when they say to take them!!!!

I did like to give people a shock though! I would go shopping without anything on my head! You should have seen the people's expressions! That was some of my best therapy!

Answer 8

I am a 16 year survivor of breast cancer. I had six cycles of chemotherapy over an eight month period, and never became ill! My Oncologist told me during our first visit that I should not be sick from the drugs, but that if I was he would make adjustments. He was wonderful, and every cancer patient should have a doctor just like him! As for changes, I used to joke with my husband that during chemo week I was not responsible for anything that relied on short-term memory. Also, I would unplug all the air fresheners prior to the week-long treatment because the scent seemed to bother me. Out in public I had a sensitivity to certain fragrances. My taste changed and was very unpredictable from one month to the next. I lost ALL hair except for on my legs. After each treatment except the first I had to have injections to bring the white count back up. A drug for that purpose, Neupogen had just been developed by Amgen and I felt very blessed by the timing of its release. A sense of humor is so important for the healing process. My husband insisted on bringing home one funny video after another for me to watch. Keep in contact with your friends and family, but limit your exposure to the negative ones. I had a couple of "downer" friends and I had to start ignoring their calls. I was sustained by my faith and knowing there were people all around the world praying for my recovery. You didn't say what kind of cancer is involved or to what extent. I had just below a Stage 4 tumor in my breast and also had to have an excisional skull biopsy (with cranioplasty) to rule out suspected cancer there. That was found to be a benign bone lesion, and I am eternally grateful to God for that miracle. To sum up my tips: have or develop a sense of humor; surround yourself with positive and uplifting friends and family members; and think of yourself as a survivor!

Answer 9

Perhaps you could give the type of cancer or the treatment if you know it so people with a similar situation would be able to advise you. That way you don't need to be fearful about some side effects that are not characteristic of your treatment.