Post 4: D-day & after Chemo...
TIP 1 - CHEMO (part 2/2):
Hello , as planned, here is the continuation of my last post (post 3) , how the D-Day of Chemo goes & the days that follow….
D-DAY:
As you can imagine, it’s not the day we’re most ZEN…
Notice to those around you:
“Breathe / be cool / don’t irritate the K fighter / let “everything” pass with a smile ;) (within reason)”, you’re going to toast a little, I warn you!
Indeed, we are stressed / drunk to go there or return there / and ESPECIALLY we are terribly dreading the days that will follow…
PREPARATION (before going):
1) clear your head! It's one of the only moments where I enjoyed being alone, to “meditate” in a way… No, that's not true, I was taking Candy Crush to not think!
2) prepare your bag! Well, for me it was more of a suitcase... The first time the oncology girls saw me arrive with my gear, I can tell you that they made fun of me ;), I have the fear of lacking forever, so I prepared a HUGE suitcase with everything I needed, every week
Knowing that if like me, you plan to fight for your hair it requires quite a KIT (explained below)
3) 1 hour before you get there, don't forget to stick the Emla patch on the pack (anesthetic patch, so you don't feel when the needle is placed on you - on prescription)
CHEMO // ARRIVAL in the oncology department:
The oncology department is therefore the place/the room where they do your chemotherapy, for me it was like a large open space with around 9 armchairs, arranged in an arc, each armchair was separated by a screen for more privacy (but this of course varies depending on the Hospital or Clinic where you are treated)
1) Personally, I was accompanied to all my sessions, some patients were alone to be able to sleep or by choice (some worked on their computer, read, etc.), I preferred chatting with my friends (my sessions lasted between 2h45 and 1h30 depending on the week, plenty of time to rebuild the world), so that's up to you (I was accompanied by only one person each time, I didn't arrive with my crew of 15 people ;) )
> little note Personally, if the adorable loved one who accompanies you wants to do everything to make you have a “nice” time, that’s super cute, but just warn them not to bring any (smelling) food. Shout out to my very cute friend PP who one day brought me a wonderful basket, full of Italian food, I was delighted when I saw the feast arrive, the problem: the smell when I opened it :(, it didn't bother me at all, but we are not alone in the open space haha <3
2) generally, we see our oncologist in consultation before settling into the shooting room to do an assessment: health / side effects / blood test / and a little psychology
(oncologists are truly wonderful people, thank you to Dr. L. for your support / patience / attention…)
3) after this check, direction installation / chair
Reminder of MY CHEMIO protocol:
CARBO / TAXOL / AVASTIN (6 treatments, 1 treatment = 3 sessions)
1 treatment = 1 session every week for 3 weeks, then 2 weeks break, and repeat:
1st week: 1 session: CARBOPLATINE / TAXOL / AVASTIN (2h45)
2nd week: 1 session: TAXOL (1h30)
3rd week: 1 session: TAXOL / AVASTIN (2h)
then 2 weeks break and it starts again..
FOR ME: BIG “Big Up” HAIR PREP :
- watch out Big Orga, because each time my first Cocktail was the TAXOL , the one that normally makes hair fall out and I had it every week for 1h15/30
- So I take all my gear out of my suitcase: THERMOS of THEA / SPONGE TOWEL
- head to the toilets/sinks (wetting your hair with ice water/hence the need for a terry towel on your shoulders)
* why wetting // so that the helmet is even more effective, wetting the head is even more conductive to cold, // terry towel x2, because I have shoulder-length hair and when it's wet, well it's dripping down the neck, and I might as well tell you that with Mister Freeze as a bonus you don't feel hot! 2 towels, to change when the first one is soaked.
- back in the chair: Mister Freeze pose, the first 10 minutes it's hard, it's really freezing, it's hard to speak but then you get used to it (like everything else)
FYI, in my K: only the TAXOL could make hair fall out, so I only wore the helmet during the Taxol (1h30), and to keep it frozen I changed it every 20 minutes (yes yes I am a masochist ! but it paid off > for me I specify)
4) once the helmet is in place,
- placement of the needle - connection to the Cocktails infusion
- the nurses first injected me with the anti-nausea (Zophren * or other) – and the Cortisone (Solupred **)
* Zophren : ask to pass it slowly over 30 minutes, it annoys the nurses but it's better, if it passes too quickly you get a headache
** Solupred (cortisone): try to do your Chemotherapy not too late if possible, for me it was often after 3 p.m., and cortisone prevents you from sleeping, so in the evening after Chemotherapy it's cool I was on fire, but I was also an insomniac...
vs. after that, it’s time for Chemo cocktails…
5) when it was over I was a little stoned... but happy to leave, yeah - we're packing up the gear and heading home!
EVENING AFTER CHEMO:
As soon as I was released, I went straight to my Acupuncturist to limit the side effects ( see my tips post: “care” next to it ). Thank you Dad, for accompanying me every time J <3
Oddly enough, I felt pretty good the same evening (see also my tips discovered after several sessions, in the next post: HAPPY HOUR CARBO TAXOL AVASTIN ), it was the opportunity to have a big dinner at home with my friends, so it was pretty cool. after! Thanks to Papa again, who kindly prepared a king’s feast for us every week :)
NEXT DAY & FOLLOWING DAYS:
Shopping reminder: COCA / SORBET / FRUITS / TOMATOES / ICE WATER ;)
1st week: 1 session: CARBOPLATINE / TAXOL / AVASTIN:
it was the one that I tolerated the least, I was unwell for ¾ days afterwards (SEE detailed POST soon: HAPPY HOUR CARBO / TAXOL / AVASTIN – for tips)
My side effects : Nausea / yuckiness / fatigue
2nd week: 1 session: TAXOL (1h30):
it was almost okay
My side effects : just headaches, fatigue
3rd week: 1 session: TAXOL / AVASTIN:
My side effects : I was pretty much okay, apart from fatigue and headaches
I remind you that the side effects are also very variable depending on each person, so if you find yourself in my advice that's good, otherwise they remain tips, not universal remedies... On the other hand, I strongly recommend ACUPUNCTURE to everyone: ) (obviously take an acupuncturist specializing in Cancer – ask for contacts from your oncologist or oncology nurses, don’t take just anyone !)
RECAP TIPS // CHEMIO DAY PREPARATIONS:
- Suitcase: THERMOS of TEA / SPONGE TOWEL / BLANKET / HOT BOOT / BIG SWEATER x 4 / SMALL CAKES / BONNET
- EMLA in patch, and put a 1 hour patch with chemo on the pack
- avoid wearing perfume or odorous things in case of intolerance after chemo
- do not eat too much just before chemo
- during the Zophren injection * ask to pass it slowly so as not to have a headache (in 30 min)
- take advantage of the evening after chemo to do something nice, a dinner at home with your loved ones for example, during the treatment you are injected with Cortisone, generally, you are in pretty good shape the same evening
HAIR (if you put on the frozen helmet):
- dress warmly (take a hot water bottle and prepare a thermos of tea, during the treatment, with the helmet on your head it can be cold ;))
- just before starting chemo, wet your head with cold water and put on the helmet for 20 minutes before injecting the chemo (Taxol)
- at the time of the injection change your helmet so that it is very cold, and change it every 20 minutes during the injection
- when you take off the helmet, put on your hat (you catch a cold through your head ;))
HUGE thank you // shout outs to my great Chimio supporters:
Daughter: Adlg (who came to almost all of them), PP, ZC, CT, AS, GG, Mom <3
Dude: CD.
Dad & P. of course
Dr L and all the onco nurses :)
And thanks to Candy Crush for existing ;)
See you soon (Monday a priori: for TIPS: phrases to avoid when facing a K fighter )
Thank you for taking the time to read me.
Charlotte<:en>
TIPS 1 - CHEMO (part 2/2):
Hello ,
Continuation of my last post (post 3: CHEMO'S EVE) , how is the chemo day & the following ones....
D Day:
As you can imagine this is definitely not a relaxing day...
Notice to relative:
" Breathe / be cool / do not provoke the K fighter / let" everything "go with a big smile on your face;) (as long as reasonable), "you'll be a little bit drunk, I warn you!
Indeed, you are stressed / fed up to go or return / once dreads terribly and ESPECIALLY the next days ...
Preparation (before you go):
1) Free your mind! This was one of the moments, in which I preferred to stay by myself, to somehow meditate ... No, that's not true, I drugged myself by playing Candy Crush in order not to think about it!
2) pack your bag! Well for me it was rather a suitcase... The first time the girls from the Oncology department saw me with my enormous luggage, I can tell you they had a good laugh ;), I was always afraid I forgot something, so I prepared a HUGE luggage with everything I could need for the week.
You have to know that, as I did, If you're fighting to keep your hair, it takes an awful lot of KIT (developed below)
3) don't forget to apply the Elma patch (the anaesthetic patch, in order not to feel the needle) an hour before going to the chemo.
CHEMO // ARRIVAL at the oncology department:
The oncology department is the place / the room where you are treated. My room was almost like a big open space with 9 chairs, arranged in an arc, each seat separated by a curtain for more privacy (but that, of course, depends, according to the Hospital or the clinic where you are treated)
1) that's quite personal: I was accompanied to all my sessions, however some patient were alone, preferring to sleep during the treatment. I personally preferred chatting with my friends ( my sessions were really long, between 2:45 and 1:30 depending on the week) . So it is up to you at the end of the day. (I was accompanied by one person at a time, obviously I couldn't arrive with 15 friends).
> Small personal tip; if the adorable relative who accompanies you wants to do everything he can to help you have a “nice” moment, which is super cute, tell him not to bring food (especially if tasty). Dedicated to my friend PP, who was so nice, one time, she brought a wonderful basket filled with good Italian food. I was delighted when I saw the bounty but for the smell once I opened the basket ☹; even if it didn't bother me at all, there we other people around haha <3
2) Generally, you first see your oncologist privately, before settling anything. side effects / blood test / and a little psychology (oncologists are really wonderful people, thank you to Dr. L. for your support / patience / care ...)
3) After this checkup, you go directly to the armchair.
Recall of my CHEMO protocol:
CARBO / TAXOL / AVASTIN (6 courses, 1 course = 3 sessions)
1 treatment = 1 session each week during 3 weeks, followed by 2 weeks off and the same again and again:
1st week: 1 session: CARBOPLATIN / TAXOL / AVASTIN (2:45)
2nd week: 1 session: TAXOL (1:30)
3rd week: 1 session: TAXOL / AVASTIN (2h)
then 2 weeks off and go again..
FOR ME: THE BIG HAIR PREPARATION:
- big organization, because my first cocktail was always the TAXOL , the one that normally provokes hair loss.
- so I had to unpack all my stuff: THERMOS / TOWEL X2 / Sponges / BOUILLOTTE / 4 big sweaters / SMALL CAKES
- then let's go to the bathroom, where I washed my hair with very cold water this is why I recommend you a towel on shoulders
* Why wetting? In order for the helmet to be even more effective, cold wet hair is even more conductive. I used 2 towels, because I had shoulder length hair and when they were wet, the cold drops on my neck were very annoying. Plus, the helmet was frozen; this is why I call it Mr. Freeze…
4. back on the chair: placing Mister Freeze on your head. The first 10 minutes are almost unbearable, it's really icy and it's even hard to speak, but hopefully you get used to it.
FYI, in my case: being the Taxol cure the only one causing hair loss, I would wear the helmet just in that case (1:30). In order to keep it here, I would change it every 20 min ☺ (yes, I am masochistic! but it paid off, at least for me)
4) Once the helmet is in place,
- Insertion of the needle
- The nurses injected me first the anti nausea (ZOPHREN *) - and then the cortisone (SOLUPRED **)
* Zophren : ask to make it pass slowly in 30 minutes. It bothers the nurses, but it's better, because if it goes too fast you can get a headache
** Solupred (cortisone): try taking your chemo not too late, if possible. I was doing it usually after 3 p.m. The cortisone keeps you awake, so in the evening, after the chemo I was full of energy but also insomniac
vs. after that, up to chemo cocktails...
5) when it was over I was a little stoned ... but happy to leave ☺ - we packed up all my stuff and directly we headed home!
EVENING AFTER CHEMO:
I was literally running to my Acupuncturist, to limit side effects (see my next post "care"). Thank you Dad, for accompanying me every time ☺ <3
Strangely, I was feeling pretty well in the evening, it was an opportunity to make a big dinner at home with my friends, so cool! Thank you Dad again, who kindly prepared us weekly king's feast☺
Day after & and the following ones:
Recall for the food: COCA / Sorbet / FRUITS ;)
1st week: 1 session: CARBOPLATIN / Taxol / AVASTIN:
that's the one I tolerated the least, I was sore for days after ¾ (SEE next POST with more details: HAPPY HOUR CARBO / Taxol / AVASTIN - for tips)
Side effects: Nausea / disgusted by everything ☹ / fatigue
2nd week: 1 session: TAXOL (1:30)
That one was ok, only headaches and tiredness
3rd week: 1 session: TAXOL / AVASTIN:
Same for this one, just headaches and feeling very tired
I would like to remind that the side effects also vary according to each person. If they follow you, fine, otherwise they remain just tips, not universal remedies ... However I strongly advice to all the ACUPUNCTURE ☺ (although take an acupuncturist specializing in Carcinoembryonic - ask your oncologist or oncology nurses for addresses)
RECALL TIPS // CHEMO DAY PREPARATIONS:
- Suitcase:THERMOS / TOWELS / COVER / HEATER/ PULL OVER x 4 BIG / SMALL CAKES / KNIT HAT
- EMLA patch and put it 1h with chemo on the pack
- Avoid putting perfume or scented things in case of intolerance after chemotherapy
- Do not eat too much just before chemotherapy
- During the injection of ZOPHREN ask to pass it slowly to avoid a headache (in 30 min)
- Enjoy the evening after chemo, doing something nice, a dinner at home with your family, for example. During the treatment they inject you cortisone, therefore you generally feel rather energetic.
HAIR (if you put MISTER FREEZE)
- Dress warmly (take a water bottle and prepare a thermos of tea, during treatment with the helmet on the head it can be cold;))
- Just before starting chemo, wet head in cold water and put the helmet for 20 min before the injection of chemo (OC / or Taxol)
- At the moment of injection change headset to keep it cold, and keep changing it every 20 minutes during injection
- When you remove the helmet put on your hat (it's from the head you get cold ;))
Thank you for taking your time to read it.
And thank you ☺ // dedicated to my great supporters of chemo:
Daughter ADLG (which came to almost all of them), PP, ZC, CT, AS, Mom <3
Guy: CD
Dad & P. of course
Dr. L and all oncology nurses ☺
And thank you to Candy Crush for existing)
See you soon
Charlotte
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