Chemo Question?

Question

Thank you to everyone with all the informative answers on this new road that I am traveling. My sister was dignosed with Pancreatic Cancer. She starts Chemo on the 14th and I need to know if she will be sick right away, within hours, days? This is all new to me. She is staying with me and I need to know what to expect. Thanks again to everyone... Any information and help on care, food, ANYTHING will be greatly appreaciated.

Answer 1

Everybody reacts differently to chemo, so nobody can predict exactly how your sister will react. The worst time for me, and for many people I've spoken to, was the few days after each chemo but everyone's different. A few people feel fine throughout, but don't bank on it!

My first chemo was mid-afternoon; I began to feel a bit woozy at about midnight.

Your sister will probably feel nauseous but if she is actually vomiting her anti-sickness medication should be changed straight away.

She should rest as much as her body tells her to; I felt exhausted and nauseous for a week or so following each chemo; after that I found some fresh air and a short walk each day made me feel better.

If her chemo regime is going to cause hair loss, I strongly advise that she has her hair cut short in anticipation and shaves her head once it starts to fall out. The scalp can become sore just before hair loss starts, less so if the hair is short. And once hair loss has started it gets everywhere - in your mouth, in your food, in you clothing, your bed - which is very unpleasant.

Constipation as a result of steroids can be a nasty problem for a while after each chemo; ask you pharmacist about an effective laxative, and get some glycerin suppositoreis - not very dignified, but nothing about chemo is, I'm afraid.

As for food, well a healthy diet can only help, but I found I couldn't face vegetables at all during the nauseous times. I'd say she should eat whatever she feels will make her feel better and if it's not healthy who cares? She can eat healthily once chemo is finished. I tried to force down fresh vegetable juices, with the result that I no longer enjoy them and I used to love them

Which brings me to association sickness. Your sister should avoid eating things she really likes on the days she actually has her chemo, as she might find they make her nauseous in the future if she has them.

Steroids, which are given to prevent sickness, can cause an enormous appetite. Many people gain weight during chemo. Again, something to worry about once chemo's over.

I've tried to give practical advice, if I think of anything else I'll add it later. Meanwhile, one final thing. Avoid urging your sister to think or be positive. It's really hard to do, especially during chemo when she may feel very low. There's no evidence that being positive helps cancer patients, in fact there's some evidence that being urged to think positive does harm as people feel guilty because they can't do it.

Good luck to you both; your sister if fortunate to have a sister as caring as you are. I lived with my sister through my chemo too.

Answer 2

Hi & good luck with your sis. You are great for helping take care of her. Well, consider her overall health aside of her cancer. I finished my last (breast cancer) chemo 6/18. I was very healthy to begin with so during my chemo I barely had any symptoms until I got close to the end. Fatigue I believe is the most common sign that you feel sooner. Just rest when needed. Also, I just had light nausea & fatigue towards the end. And was still able to work out (w/ weights) those months as well. Except after surgery which was just 7/6. I'm still waiting for my sleeve & will slowly start working out again. I went to work almost everyday too. There are so many dif combination chemo treatments out there & individuals tolerance to specific things varies. It helps to be emotionally/mentally strong too. And I believe there are dif stages of cancer so you have to consider that as well. I hope this helps in some way and her nurse should be more than willing to answer any of your questions. They usually hand out info sheets to take home. And if she's told she will loose her hair, go wig shopping before it happens. I suggest also not eating food that may upset her stomach. Your body will be sensitive to a lot of things so be very good to your body in every way you can think of. Lots of water will be so beneficial too. Again, people handle things dif. Good luck with this journey & just remember...this is a temporary situation.

Answer 3

Sorry to hear about your sister. My best friend got dignosed with Acute Lymphomic Luekemia last year. She will be sick quickly after the first treatment of chemo. The best thing is to be there for her. She is going to go thorugh a lot of pain with all of the chemo, spinal taps, and surgreys.

For care, she need to be cared all the time. She will not be able to move around a lot. She will have to have help going to the bathrom. Like getting her to the bathroom, helping her into bed. When she gets her transfusion line put in she won't be able to shower, because she can't get the line wet. The worst thing about having cancer is, losing your hair :(!

For food, she probably won't want to eat a lot of food. Just keep her hydraited and just help her out. She is going throuh a lot of pain and like I said be there for her.

I am so sorry for the dignosis and I will keep you in my prayers!!

Answer 4

Well my grandmother had breast cancer and she took chemo too. It made her very sick. The sickness started quickly after starting the chemo. Her sense of smell, taste, and appetite will change completly. My grandmother couldn't stand the smell of anything sweet neither the taste of anything sweet. and all of her favorite foods made her sick. Expect a lot of that and also expect your sister not eat a lot. Mostly try to get her to eat fruits and jello. Not to many solid foods. Also my grandmother started losing her hair directly after taking the chemo. So don't let your sister comb her hair while taking it. It will cause for it to come out even quicker.

Answer 5

hey...sorry about your sister. my brother had pancreatic cancer in 2002. it's horrible. I wish her the best. sadly, my brother didn't make it. be there for her. she's going to need you. feel free to email me if you need to. my brother lived with me too while he was sick. God Bless you both.