My question is, when do most of the side effects start to occur? She had her first chemotherapy treatment Friday (two days ago). I hear horror stories about what chemotherapy does to the body, but right now it is hard to keep my mother still. As a matter of fact, the doctors seemed to be surprised that she didn't get sick the day of her first treatment. She refuses to sit down and relax- she continues to want to shop and clean the house. Her legs began to hurt today, and that is what it took for her to sit down. She refuses to lie down. Her doctor gave her medication for nausea, nutrition, and pain, so maybe that is why she does not feel sick.

I think I should also note that two alternatives were given to her: 1) An expermental chemotherapy treatment in which 4 sessions would be done instead of six AND 2) Not undergoing chemotherapy treatment and "watching" her for 5 years My mother chose to go with the normal 6 treatment plan.

My mother has so much willpower and positive energy. The only thing that seems to worry her is hair loss. She wants to keep her hair, and worries about it falling out. Other than that she's upbeat.

-Many patients take their treatment and get on with life. Some even travel and take a chemo pill. (pills) So why would you want her to sit still? That's the absolute worst thing for patient to do. If they're inactive, their muscles atrophy. If they're bedridden, pneumonia may set in. Cheer her on. Her legs may hurt because she overdid. Go with her and help her pick out a wig.

-I had 6 cycles of chemo for ovarian cancer starting last February. I did not have much nausea and was careful to take my anti-nausea meds on time. After I recovered from my surgery, more extensive than a hysterectomy, I returned to normal life, work, hiking, camping, etc. I am 52 years old. My hair did fall out starting about 2 weeks after the 1st session. I wear a hat or cap rather than a wig. My hair hasn't grown back yet but then I just finished a second set of chemo. The only other problem I has was numbness and skin peeling of my fingers and toes, that caused my oncologist to switch me to taxotere.

I found being active and returning to normal life very helpful in getting through treatment. BTW, I did find that some of the anti-nausea meds made it hard for me to concentrate and I prefered to do active things rather than read or rest at times.