I wish I had known a lot of this before I started, I hope I won’t ever have to utilise it again.

In case you have any friends/colleagues about to start on chemo, do pass on the following if they are interested:

1. After you get diagnosed, take time to absorb what that means for you. Only in some rare cases of cancer do you need to rush – and even then I would question it. I took 2 months before starting treatment
2. Get a portocath or a Pic line before you start chemo. Research which is best for you and insist you get it while your immune system is functioning relatively well. If you can, get it under a general anaesthetic. I had it done after 2 veins had collapsed, which are still painful, with a lowered immune system leading to 2 days sick in bed after and with a local which was really not fun.
3. Look after your nails. I have used shellac on my finger nails from the start, just the varnish (don’t get the false nails done if possible as removing them can actually remove your nails at the same time when they are weak) and had them done regularly. So far, no nail loss and only some slight discolouration.
4. Talika Lipocils eyebrow and eyelash gel. I use it religiously day and night and still have some eyebrows and eyelashes. I use the eyelash one for both.
5. EC (or FEC in some places) is apparently the toughest of all the chemo’s. I still managed to work and carry on, but at a high price. The steroids for me were the worst – and on my last round I reduced them significantly with only slightly more nausea. Wish I has known I could do this at the start.
6. Your skin gets super sensitive – I had to buy new shoes that were soft as my regular ones hurt/caused blisters.
7. Chemo affects everything, mentally and physically. I have found the mental weakness the hardest as it makes me extraordinarily vulnerable. Suddenly forgetting things, feeling lost and confused, unable to respond to many situations as I used to, instead crying or just silent. Could I have prepared for this in advance? Probably not, but would have like a heads up..
8. Utilise holistic therapies to counter the side effects and help you. I have been doing acupuncture and homeopathy and both are life savers. Set these up before you start if possible. I wish I had found a good massage therapist and/or reflexologist
9. Dress up for chemo day. I also make sure I look good on chemo day – it makes me feel so much better, and also for those around me in the hospital.
10. Surrender to chemo day – it can be a very, very long day. The first one is utterly overwhelming and confusing – by the 8th one I draw great comfort from knowing the system, the people, the routine – we are creatures of habit.
11. I regularly become a ‘different’ person. I can fall into a pit of darkness –   its like getting sucked into a vortex at times – which can last hours or sometimes a couple of days. Know this is the chemo. Yes, for me it echoes against the past, but it is still the chemo.

More to follow when I have finished chemo 🙂