re: Chemotherapy? How did you cope?

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You know what I've been through - 12 cycles of that stuff. Between cycles I'd load up on boost w/extra protein drinks to keep the nutrition up while I wasnt eating. The vast majority of food isn't going to have any flavor while you're going through it - it sucks but try not to make it a big deal. I found that I could taste honey and maple flavors - that's it. I ate a ton of oatmeal during chemo just so I could have some flavor.
Stay on top of the nausea with the nausea meds they prescribe - don't miss a dosage or that low grade nausea will become a fountain of puke in the bathtub while blowing out your arse. Its horrible but it will go away after the last round.
Fatigue - your body needs to rest, so give it what it wants. When this is over you'll have to get back in the gym or on the streets to rebuild your stamina. Just a few months ago I couldn't walk to the end of my driveway without being gassed, but I've spent the last month really hammering away at getting my stamina back up and its working.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER - This must be stressed.

Gotta fight through it - sleep as much as you can and find a way to distract your mind when you're awake. It's awful but its going to be worth it in the end. Stay strong!

Order these from Walmart/Zon/whatever - they're worth it. It'll help your body recover and will help keep you hydrated.
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I was hoping you would respond. I've read your threads about yor ordeal and pray things are getting better for you.

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I’m starting another round of chemo tomorrow for incurable brain cancer. It’s 5 days of pills and the fatigue gets worse with each passing day, followed by the next week which is even worse. The third week slowly starts getting better until you are almost back to “normal” then start the process over. Embrace that it it sucks and try to find joy in the extra time it hopefully buys you with your family. I’m 44 and was diagnosed at 42

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Dude, that's terrible. Prayers sent.

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The tiptoe-ing ray of sunshine doctor isn't what I wanted - I wanted to know the facts and what is going to happen to me. Don't sugar coat it, just throw it on me and let me deal with it emotionally later.

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Yup

I had what sounds like the same treatment you are going through about 9 years ago. Very fatigued, little appetite but I think I only threw up once. Dry foods the worst as I had dry mouth but could drink nothing cold due to the meds. Felt like shards of glass. The hand/foot was bad as far as cold as well touching an Ice cube was painful , I honestly don’t think I could have done it up here in the winter. My hands and feet still seem to get colder than normal in winter but not too bad.
As horsemeat posted, ensure and boost help. I used a specific mouthwash for dry mouth, biotene. Keep hydrated.
I lost 50 lbs I had a whipple surgery so that contributed to that. My dr stopped the chemo one week early due to the weight loss.
You start to feel better after the off week the back at it. It sucks, from the whipple in January, some setbacks then ending chemo in October it was a long 10 mos, however at the end of the day I am going on 10 yrs cancer free. I hope the helps and I’m sure you’ll kick cancers arse

Any cancers I have had were cut or burned off. My wife has done the chemo thing a couple of times. We tried different stuff to help with the nutrition angle. I used to make her strawberry/banana smoothies, with a spoon of strawberry jam, just for a few extra calories.

I would also boil some unseasoned, boneless/skinless, then blend it to goop, adding 1/2 a breast to her strawberry-banana smoothies. I would salt and lightly pepper the broth I boiled it in and let her drink it. The milk and banana coating her stomach seemed helpful.

This is still low-cal, so you can hit the gym and get all Mingo'ed up during chemo weeks.

Sorry you are having to deal with this, brother, but it sounds like you are close to the downhill side.

Stay strong.

Praying for all of you guys who have cancer. Kick its butt and may God bless you all!!

Had 12 rounds with my rectal cancer. I agree with those who said EAT. I didn't like the Ensure type drinks too much, used Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed with Beet powder and Peanut butter powder. Also drank a lot of electrolyte powder mixed in water. Do you have the problem with cold liquids and touching cold or metallic things ? Plastic utensils, room temp orange juice and shelf stable milk. Moisturize the heck out of your skin, esp feet and hands. My Doc gave me a butt load of steroids with each round. Hang in, you got this ! Come up with a "mantra" to say to yourself during tough times. "geaux Tigers " worked for me

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could drink nothing cold due to the meds. Felt like shards of glass. The hand/foot was bad 

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Yeah, the cold drinks and food is painful as is the hand/foot pain. Sometimes it's hard to walk.

You had rectal cancer?