My chemo day lasted up to 12 hours. I had a cocktail of chemicals three of which were the most toxic, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Cisplatin.
Be prepared for what will happen today. Visit the oncology ward/room of your hospital and introduce yourself to the nurses the week or day prior to the big event.
Be prepared for what will happen today. Visit the oncology ward/room of your hospital and introduce yourself to the nurses the week or day prior to the big event.
The nurses will first get you to provide them with a urine sample and will test this against other samples throughout the day, so wear comfortable pants (not jeans like I did). An IV shunt was placed in a vein of my left hand and used to flush out with Saline. Then, the first of many drugs started to flow slowly through the canula.
Take a heat pack as the arm being used will get cold. A heat pack keeps the veins soft and allows them to open a little more as the drugs begin to take effect. An ipod will also be handy as this is the perfect time to visualise all the bad cells leaving the body and/or meditate.
1. Learn what drugs are going to be administered today and how long you will be there - in my case it was 9 hours.
2. Secondly - bring along a cancer pal to accompany you and remember the experience will be very hard for them too.
3. Packs lots of snacks. I tried to be healthy but my side effects resembled being extremely hungover with crazy jet-lag and the flu at the same time. The only thing that satisfied me were hot chips and often a burger (even if only a bite). Don't deny yourself what the body is asking for as you won't feel like eating anything over the next several days.
4. If you are taking Dexamethasone - be prepared to gain weight. Visit chemocare.com for a list of possible side effects.
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