Cancer update

[Prospect1]

After a very poor nights sleep I feel ok today. My temperature is up but I figure that’s the body fighting the chemotherapy. It doesn’t like having the poison introduced.

[Juliemack]

Glad you're feeling ok despite not sleeping well. Keep up the fight and stay strong and positive

[bonnies mum]

Good to get that one over with. Hope you temperature settles.

[mick]

When I was having chemo my consultant told me to save the ironing to do on the first night, as I would be wide awake I didn’t but he was right.
Used to do a lot of reading. Just sleep when you can.

Joan

[4fromsuffolk]

Hi, glad you feel ok today, sorry you had a rough night. Do you have a number to call if you need any advice? If you do might be worth a call just to check that it’s to be expected that your temperature is raised.

[voicon]

I had the same, make sure you drink loads, it helped me.

[Guest]

Keep an eye on temp, you shouldn't take any painkillers to keep temp down, consult chemo team if worried, a raised temp can also be a sign of sepsis but not always so check.

Steroids used to keep me awake most of the night and on T they upped my steroid dose to avoid an allergic reaction. Find something to relax you if you wake in the night like listen to music with headphones on or catch up with TV & a cuppa, nap in the day if tired. Your body clock will be all over the place, don't fight it and rest when you can.

[Loobylou_82]

No advice, but want to send you positive vibes.

[shrek1609]

Hi there,
Chemo is tough BUT if your temperature stays raised above 37.5 degrees for more than 6 hours you should ring the hotline number you should have been given.

The first week of each cycle is definitely the worst (that and taking yourself back again for the next dose).

Listen to your body... the days youve got steroids after chemo you eat for england and cant sleep, by day three you usually crash and sleep most of the day.

Best piece of advice I was given was keep a chemo diary! Just a brief overview of each day of your cycle.

Mine was really basic, a sad or happy face. If I felt nauseous/vomited. Constipation/diarrhoea (as chemo can cause either)

You will quickly find it forms a pattern through each chemo, so for me days 1-3 = little sleep and starving hungry. days 4-8 felt truly dreadful, slept as much as I could. day 9 onwards my energy and mood got better and better until day 21 whenn it becomes day 1 again.

Good luck, and keep your eye on your temp.

Any questions I might be able to answer.. feel free to ask.

[Connies Mummy]

Definitely keep a check on your temperature, having been through chemo with my Dad the last few months he was told if his temp went over 37.5 he had to go to A&E calling ahead so they could put him straight into isolation. This happened 3 times and twice he was neutropenic and required two lengthy hospital stays. Please don’t sit on a temperature it can be a sign of sepsis which is life threatening. Hopefully you’re fine but you can’t be too careful.