Getting ready for chemo

[cynnalia]

Today I had my chemo education class at the cancer center. The nurse went over all the basics, as well as specifics regarding my actual chemo cocktail (ABVD). There's a lot of stuff you have to keep in mind and some things you can't do. I had to cancel my dental cleaning in December and I can't floss any more because they don't want your mouth to

Comments

[selinafenech]

Oh yeah, don't eat any of your favourite foods around chemo, or it will completely turn you off them. For me that was only while I was actually experiencing nausea, any other time during your cycle is fine (eg, I was probably nauseas for 1-2 weeks after each treatment, then fine for a week before I went again, when I could eat whatever).
Oh, one thing I wish I was told, and again it might not apply to your cocktail, but do be careful of the kind of food you eat while the stuff is doing it's thing in your body. I had a (only very slightly hot) indian curry after one of my treatments and it HURT SO BAD I'm not kidding. I ended up in ER, lol. Bland is best most of the time, hehe.
One of the things I had with chemo was the smell. Did they mention a heightened sense of smell to you? It might be different with yours, but regardless, any smell at all that you start associating with chemo will start making you feel ick. After one or two rounds I couldn't stand the smell of the chemo room itself (and those buckwheat heat packs, bleugh), so I started taking a handkercheif with some perfume on to smell while I was there, but of course, I had to use a different smell each time because once you do that, you never want to smell that perfume again, lol.
Good luck, and hugs!

[cynnalia]

*HUGS BACK* They didn't mention a heightened sense of smell, but bringing a scented hankie is a great idea! What they did talk about was one of my chemo drugs might make any food eaten with metallic utensils taste metallic so I might have to use plastic utensils if that happens.

They also said that my finger nails and toe nails may darken and fall off. >.< They recommended using a nail strengthener, so that's something else I'll have to go out and get.

Good advice on the spicy foods - thanks! I love hot and spicy foods, so it's good to know I should give them a wide berth after the treatment. Bland it is, baby! lol

Oh, and happy birthday, Selina! ^_^ *throws confetti*

[selinafenech]

Oh, on the nails thing, it didn't apply to me, but the chemo nurses were on this big black nail polish kick... something about the colour stopping the light activating chemicals from the chemo in the nails or something... I have no idea... anyhow, they were pushing black nail polish, lol. Might be something to find out more about.
And thank you!