Ann Chovie
Ploughing my own furrow
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2013
- Reaction score
- 417
Hi Kasandra
Glad to hear that your dad is now starting Chemotherapy but I am aware of the dread you all have about it starting.
Depending on the level and type of Chemotherapy treatment he is receiving the side effects will vary enormously.It is obviously true that the more aggressive the Chemo then the more likelihood of extreme reaction to it.
It is a bit like how long is a piece of string.. patients go into Chemo armed with a long list of possible side effects and expecting to be affected by all of them, but actually experience none. Others of course are not so lucky but very rarely encounter the host of side effects they are fearing.
The main, most common side effects are nausea, tiredness and slight loss of focus (a noticeable loss of 'sharpness' or clarity when dealing with practical issues).
Bear in mind that whatever side effects your dad experiences it is temporary and in a way the first Chemo treatment is the worst as you do not know what to expect and what is normal and what is not. By cycle two or three most patients have worked out what the side effects will be , how to ride them and how long they will last. As with any symptom we experience , knowing how long it will last and that we will be fine again afterwards takes away some of the fear .
Most people in cycle two or three will have already worked out which are their bad days when 'Chemo brain' will set in and they avoid making appointments on those days. Or they know when nausea will have them confined to the bathroom all day and avoid visitors on those days!
The cycle will run along the lines of Chemo day, in bed days, good days, Chemo days..repeat!!! He will be able to function normally in between.
I am thinking of you all and I wish him the best of luck
xxx
Glad to hear that your dad is now starting Chemotherapy but I am aware of the dread you all have about it starting.
Depending on the level and type of Chemotherapy treatment he is receiving the side effects will vary enormously.It is obviously true that the more aggressive the Chemo then the more likelihood of extreme reaction to it.
It is a bit like how long is a piece of string.. patients go into Chemo armed with a long list of possible side effects and expecting to be affected by all of them, but actually experience none. Others of course are not so lucky but very rarely encounter the host of side effects they are fearing.
The main, most common side effects are nausea, tiredness and slight loss of focus (a noticeable loss of 'sharpness' or clarity when dealing with practical issues).
Bear in mind that whatever side effects your dad experiences it is temporary and in a way the first Chemo treatment is the worst as you do not know what to expect and what is normal and what is not. By cycle two or three most patients have worked out what the side effects will be , how to ride them and how long they will last. As with any symptom we experience , knowing how long it will last and that we will be fine again afterwards takes away some of the fear .
Most people in cycle two or three will have already worked out which are their bad days when 'Chemo brain' will set in and they avoid making appointments on those days. Or they know when nausea will have them confined to the bathroom all day and avoid visitors on those days!
The cycle will run along the lines of Chemo day, in bed days, good days, Chemo days..repeat!!! He will be able to function normally in between.
I am thinking of you all and I wish him the best of luck
xxx
Love to you and the family...
