what can my mom expect while on chemo?

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jdlott74
jdlott74 Member Posts: 6
edited January 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

My mom Will be starting chemo in a few weeks. What can she expect?  What kind of tips,suggestions do you have?  We know there is a certain time frame that she can not be out in public.  How long is that?

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  • GG27
    GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
    edited January 2015

    I was never told not to be out in public. But your immune system isn't great while on chemo, so I did avoid places like a mall etc. Actually I went for a long walk every day, just to get out & get some fresh air.

    Your mom should be offered chemo class which will help get her questions answered & give her some tips & suggestions.

    I dressed comfortably. Made sure that I had supplies at home for constipation & diarrhea and because I had to travel, I made sure I had snacks & drinks in the car with me. Chemo day was usually a good day, not a lot of problems. She should take all the meds she is told to, even if she doesn't feel nauseous, they will help, because once you're nauseous it's harder to stop it than if it never starts.

    As for eating, we went grocery shopping everyday to buy whatever appealed to me that day and if I didn't feel like eating, I didn't eat, eventually I would get hungry & I would eat. So I didn't end up with any bad food associations afterward.

    Others will post here for more suggestions. Good luck to your mom, GG

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  • Deb5013
    Deb5013 Member Posts: 133
    edited January 2015

    Everyone responds to chemo different and to different chemos different however that being said, I will tell you I was an avid pop drinker and after about 2 days it literally made me sick to drink pop or eat chocolate.  Also while she is receiving chemo I was told to not drink anything hot so I didn't and I didn't get mouth sores MO said chemo tends to attract to heat maybe that's why I actually don't know but did as was told and no wretched mouth sores, also was told to keep lemon candy or lemonade on hand at all times and before I ate to either drink a bit of lemonade or eat a piece of candy to neutralize the chemo taste and it seemed to work.  Your Mom may get tired a bit usually hit me a day or two after infusion and depending on the type of chemo may lose her hair and although she may not be a vain person it may bother her I was not a vain person or so I thought but, something about losing my hair really got to me.  The only time I was not allowed out in public was when I was neutropenic and that didn't happen but a hand full of times, however during flu and cold season I did and still do limit my public outings as our immune systems aren't so great and also if the kids had colds I tried to keep my distance.  Oh and MO (my oncologist) said no grapefruit as it effects how the chemo works or its strength and avocadoes as well best I can recall.  I hope this helps and if you have questions along the way feel free to contact me or any of the women on here as I have gained so much knowledge, support and inspiration from them.  I hope your Mama knows what a very special daughter she has and even when she is not feeling well Know that she loves you!!!! as I was lucky and have a daughter whom without I don't think I could have done this..

    Hugs,

    Debbi

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