Needing help and insight about chemotherapy (Male 27)

[u/RainS__]

Hi, I'm Male (27 years old) reasonably fit and healthy until I got diagnosed with synovial sarcoma about a month ago. I underwent surgery to remove the tumor located at my left armpit. Luckily highly local and no found metastasis from the scans.

My chemo treatment is starting in a few weeks time and will be given daily for 4 days and repeated every 21 days for 5 times. I'm receiving Doxorubicin + Ifosfamide + Mesna. I've searched it's also called the "AIM" protocol.

This is not something I know a lot about and would like to know more before my treatment. Has anyone done a similar protocol? How have you managed the side effects? A quick search online shouts that it's a hell of treatment and I'm bound to have the worst time; making me worried. Any chemo tips, heads up/what to expect, or personal experience with recovery is greatly appreciated.

Update: Thank you all for the generous response. I now get that it would be tough but not impossible especially with your valuable insights. I’ll keep this post updated as i move towards a cancer free life. Stay healthy, take care.

[u/ronak_oye]

My wife just finished her 5th cycle today. Same protocol

During her first cycle Ifos and doxorubicin were really hard on her body in terms of side effects.

Since her second cycle the oncologist have started adding alot of hydration in her protocol. This helps reduce the side effects a little. Heres her full routine.

Dexa in saline 100ml Mesna in saline 100ml - this marks the 0 hour of routine Mgso4 (hydration)in 500ml saline for 1 hour Ifos for 5 hours Mesna at 4th hour Kcl (hydration) in 500ml saline for 1 hour Doxorubicin for 1 hour Mesna at 8th hour.

6 cycles - 3 days each.

Note: yours may vary based off of your oncologist advice.

Keep your spirits qnd motivation high. Drink a lot of water. Like alott.. Play some games or watch movies as divergence therapy.