I'm new here

Many thanks to everyone for kind words and advice.  I had my first chemo treatment last Thursday and really had quite minimal side effects.  I've been warned it may be worse next time though :(

Anyhow, I'm doing Ok and really appreciate everyones encouragement.  It really does help.

Sue xxxx

Spot on Karen, if you have side effects get help, sooner rather than later I was like you Karen vomiting diarrohea but assumed All normal took 4 days in hospital to get on top of it and never looked back, not everyone will get side effects and some are milder than others too, good luck, I'm HER2 positive did 3 months chem, 25 rounds of radiation therapy and am on herceptin for another six months, already completed six months hang In there 

Hi Sue

i had 6 treatments of TCH chemo, 33 radiotherapy sessions and am finishing off 12 months of herceptin. I was dreadfully ill from the chemo. I felt woosy straight away on the Thursday I had it with the sickness really kicking in on the Sunday. Hints from my experience were as follows:

* take everything they tell you to take when they tell you to take it whether or feel sick or not

* if you are really crook, don't assume this is the way it is meant to be. I spent 4 days on a toilet with a bucket in my lap before going to hospital. I was admitted to hospital for 5 days. Don't be afraid to call the hospital. If you have the runs more than 4 times a day, call the hospital and if you are really crook for 3 days, call the hospital. 

* tell your oncologist EVERY side effect you have. They will be able to do things to help. I had my chemo changed after the 2nd treatment as it made me so I'll. 

* every treatment was different for me. Some better than others. I managed to work part time in the second two weeks of my 3 week cycles

Good luck with it all. Karen xox

Hi Karen

My three kids are late teenage years too, they and my husband have been great.  I think it's important to be open and include them so they don't think you are hiding anything.  They've surprised me with how helpful and supportive they've been.

I have trouble sleeping too around appointments - its just a lot of information to digest.

Best of luck xx

Thanks Maureen

Will make sure I have some on hand.

Thanks Tracey!!

Already helping, hearing from others going through same

Hi Sue,

I'm a newbie, recovering from mastectomy (didn't have clear margins after 2 earlier surgeries). Micromets in 2 of 5 lymph nodes. I'm seeing my medical oncologist on Tuesday to find out what's in store for chemo.  I'm hormone receptor positive but HER neg. Radiotherapy appt for info, if that's after chemo, is later in the week too. I'm 48, with 2 teenage kids, and not looking forward to looking really sick in front of them.

After the surgeries, I was sleeping a lot better, but since the appts have been made to find out about chemo and radio, I'm having trouble sleeping again.  It all seems so real.

Once I know what my chemo drugs are, I'll be posting a lot of questions to the wonderful women here. 

Sorry if I have no answers to your questions, just wanted you to know that you're not alone.

Karen xx

Hi Sue, you will get medication for the nausea but ginger is wonderful and I used that to help.  I had ginger beer in the fridge or I would make ginger water which is lovely if you like ginger - boil ginger root with water, strain and keep in the fridge.  I also had the old faithful savoy crackers.  Good luck.  Maureen

Hi Sue and welcome to our site. You'll find a really supportive bunch of people who care and are safe to debrief with. Every time I've looked for advice, it has been really sound. Beet of luck with your treatment, Tracey B ??

Thank you Rowdy

My treatment is looking to be the same as yours, great to hear you got through.  It is comforting to hear from people through the other side.