Getting Through Chemotherapy - ECF

With my cancer, The Guy's and St Thomas's hospital opted for ECF combinations of drugs. The C being Cisplatin, and particularly sickly drug. The side effects can cause nausia in some people. Unfortunately, being young and suffering from motion sickness are key indicators that this drug will make me sick. Please note that this may not be the case for everyone. I know lots of people who have had no side effects, I just happen to be one of the people that did suffer.

Helpful Hints and Tips, please consult your doctor before following any of the tips below.


Tips Before Treatment Begins

1. Eat a small meal the night before treatment starts.
2. Take all your medication including any vitamins etc to the hospital on the day if not before.
3. The treatment can take many hours so take a book or a game to play.

Tips During Treatment

1. When leaving hospital you will be given anti-sickness drugs, take them on time even if you are not feeling sick as it is much easier to prevent sickness than stop it.
2. Don't eat your favourite foods all the time, some people will go off the foods that have during chemotherapy, although I didn't have this problem.
3. The anti-sickness drugs may make you constipated so try and eat some prunes/tinned plums or alternatively take some lactulose or senna in the evening.
4. Take plenty of rest. You will feel tired and want to sleep more than usual. This is to be expected. Rest whenever you need to.
5. If you are suffering from nausea and cannot eat, try some of the supplements your doctor can recommend which are high in calories. Ensure, Enlive. They may not agree with you, but it's certainly worth trying them.
6. Eat smaller meals more frequently.
7. Have plenty of people around you. The sooner you get out and about the better you will feel.
8. Do not do any hard exercise, stick to short walks and shopping.
9. Start a blog and keep a track of your weight, what you eat and your sickness level.
10. Don't give up! You're not alone. Contact the specialist centre dealing with your type of cancer. There are also charities to help such as the Lion's Hospice and the Ellenor Foundation. My specialist group is www.opa.co.uk.
11. Love your partner, they are going through a lot and they may need support. Again, see 13 for assistance advice.
12. Take up a creative hobby. Watch all those films and read those books you have always wanted to.
13. When the nausea wears off, eat as much as you can to put your weight back on.