Chemo Impact & required support

It's terribly difficult for you as the side effects can vary a lot from person to person. Fatigue and nausea are common but I didn't have either (I was 67). I had 3 months of A/C, then three months of Taxol with 12 months of Herceptin. The oral medication may be an AI such as Letrozole. I have been one for 5 years. Your mother's oncologist can and should provide written information on side effects, but it's a long list, many won't be experienced at all and the severity of what is experienced is also highly variable. Age and general health may have an effect but that's also hard to guage. You only really know for sure when you start. I haven't had radiation, but that can also vary. My best advice would be to do what you can (particularly hard when the person is resistant, but that's also understandable!) to put some support in place for the first 2 - 3 weeks particularly. At least by then all parties will know what's what. You may also want to think about some of the emotional issues - I didn't have too much of a problem about losing my hair (wore a wig and continued working) but it can affect people strongly and impact on what they want to do/where to go. It's particularly hard when you live at a distance and have your own family to think about too, perhaps you can arrange to be closer for a short time at the beginning. My daughter came from Canbera to spend time with me, but as I was remarkably OK, we ended up going shopping a lot! I hope your mother gets through as well, but as @sister indicates, you just have to deal with it as it is. If things are difficult, your mother may bemuch more receptive to some support services. Best wishes