Chemotherapy, and how to survive it: The First Half

On Wednesday, I shall be exactly half way through my chemotherapy. I shall have completed the first three cycles of FEC and will be starting the three cycles of Taxotere on Thursday. So this seemed as good a time as any to take stock and see how I had coped.

I think the first thing to say is that I consider myself very lucky. Side effects there certainly have been, but nothing that could not be managed. And I have received an enormous amount of support from friends and colleagues, which has meant that I never need to do anything I don't feel up to. However, this has been a learning curve, and I thought putting some of it down might be helpful, so here goes.

I have already talked of the first appointment, but re-reading those early blogs it all feels rather different now. It is, of course, true that stepping into the unknown was a big part of the nervousness the first time. It is amazing how quickly it all becomes completely routine. You know what every noise means; you do your own nasal swab while you are waiting; you remind them about the cold cap; you check your own drugs and make sure you have all the appointments for next time; you chat to the other patients and find yourself dishing out suggestions and experience to the newbies.  It is all rather astonishing. I found myself singing out 'see you all in three weeks' as I left the ward last time.

So, what are the lessons I have taken from this?

1. Everything is temporary; nothing is permanent. When my hair started falling out in fistfuls, I was far more distressed than I had anticipated, but I kept telling myself that it would grow back. In fact, I've been lucky, and will write about that separately, but the fact that everything is temporary is important.
2. The effects are, to an extent, cumulative. In other words, it takes slightly longer to bounce back after every dose. You need to factor this in to things like returning to work.
3. Write down what you have to do when: it is astonishing how complicated taking a few drugs at different times on different days can feel when you are under the weather.
4. It is important to eat sensibly and drink lots of water.
5. If, like me, you need to lose weight - it won't happen. This is not a quick fix diet.
6. Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to rest and read and do lots of internet shopping.
7. Make life as easy as possible for yourself. Buy in whatever support you can afford.
8. Embrace the silence and get to know yourself better.
9. Keep smiling - IT WILL PASS.

So, on Thursday we start the next round. I hear different things about whether it is better or worse, but frankly I'm not too bothered. It's downhill all the way from here, and I'm starting to plan some nice things to do in December. And I'm not going to worry about the radiotherapy until after Christmas - so there!!!! I'm off to book my train ticket for London for two weeks after my last dose. THE GIRLS are having a reunion.