Forum Discussion
AC Chemo..First session
Hi..My first blog, so a brief background. Found lump myself early May, had lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed early June and my first chemo session today, 22nd July. Was very nervous last night but also keen to just get the journey started. I prepared as much as I could before hand, read up on side effects and chatted to friends and just keeping positive about it all. I've got the anti nausious tablets and even a chemical free toothpaste and mouth wash, so now it's wait and see. The morning went very smoothly. The doctors and nurses are lovely and cheerful. I had my blood tests yesterday, so I just met with my doctor this morning before the chemo session. Got the good news that the CT scan and bone scan did not show any signs of cancer spread to the rest of my body.I had my 16 year old daughter with me, again cheerful company. We even managed a decent coffee between doctors appointment and chem session. Trying to stay 'normal' for as long as possible! I had no problems with the drugs, the stinging sensation (ants in my pants) was a bit weird, but stopped after a few minutes. The session took 2 hours, but that included all the preparation, the discussions so the actually drug part was probably only about 40 to 50 minutes. I brought fresh strawberries and blackcurrants for us to nibble on, and it was a nice bit of sweetness to keep me distracted. So, now that I'm at home..my head is feeling just a little woosy, ringing in my ears, but not too bad. I'm sure there will lots worse to come. I took our little dog out for a short walk, and while I don't know if that was a good idea it doesn't seem to have done me any harm. It's an out of space feeling..not sure what to do and not sure what not to do! I guess I'll work it out as I go along..
11 Replies
Hey Gwenny, I have just had chemo 4. 2 to go. I try to walk my dogs everyday. Helps with managing the tiredness and gives me a sense of normality. Some days it's the good walk and others it's just around the park. Good luck with the treatment and being positive is your greatest assistance. Vx
Lisa all the best tomorrow...and do not worry - all will be fine as they will take great care off you...
Drink lots of water tomorrow and thennest few days and if you have not had any make sure to get some movicol sachets from the Chemist and have them twice daily initial 2 to 3 days as ore Chemo meds make you severely constupated otherwise - only an issue initial couple of days...
Overall, just rest up, take the meds they prescribe and take it easy and do not worry too much - all will be well and do not forget we are all here if you need us
Hugs ????????????
Jel.
Hi! I am one day after you...had blood test today, 11.30 tomorrow I start chemo. Hadn't heard about the stinging...so thanks for the heads up! A bit nervous...but sooner I start..the sooner I finish! I have 5 mths of chemo then 6 weeks of radiotherapy ...hope to be finished early January...Is that your treatment plan too?
Good Luck..hope it's smooth sailing for us both!!
Lisa
Hi Gwen, you are most assuredly encouraged to keep up walking your dog if you feel up to it. Just make sure you have someone with you should you start feeling a bit woozy. Don't over do it but they say exercise does help a lot. Also drink plenty of water even if you aren't thirsty. It will flush the toxins out of your system faster.
good luck with it all. I found the first and second round side affects not so bad, its the third and fourth. Especially the fourth that I have found the hardest to cope with. I hope you don't have to have too many rounds of chemo. I've completed mine 2 weeks ago.
Exercise it good while going through treatment, keep it up if you can, even if it is just walking the dog.
Sorry for the reason for joining this club but welcome neveretheless as this is a good place to be undergoing Chemo and dealing with BC...
Nausea was most anoying for me the first 12 hours and then amigraine that set in followed by constipation (or a case of cement poos) nobidy warned me about... The blue white capsule they give us orenchemo is at fault so if you have not had any Movicol.make sure someknenruns out and buys you a packet 1st thing tiday and have one straight away and another tonight and try not to force the poos in the meanwhile as it can cause fissures and hemmoroids. Movicol will take care of it for you and just take Movicol twice daily until stool softens then all is good...
Make sure you rake the anti nausea tablets regardless of feeling queezy or not as the first 2 to 3 days they are needed ore meals at least and work like a charm.... If extra helpnis required I found sucking on segments of grapefruit helped heaps or drinking just half a lemon in a glass of cold water...
I found the 1st AC to be the hardest and weirdest to take as felt like I was running a low grade fever and my body reacted a bit weirdly to the meds that first time giving me a heavy dury case of so called Chemo Brain - ie foggu brain that interfered with my ability to perceive what I was hearing seeing or even thinking properly initial 4 to 5 days. Also almost caused me to take wrong meds and overdose so since then I have my steroid taking supervised initial 4 days post Chemo just in case. Inalso knownifnsomekne who did OD in the initial 24 hours on another med so highly reccomend some supervision in meds department.
Chemicals do kind of hit us harder the first time and you may find yourself feeling sleepy and tired so be kind to yourself and listen to your body and rest up. Initial 5 days or so are the hardest in terms of tiredness so do not be surorised if you sit diwn to watch TV and find yourself waking up 2 hours latter... I kept on falling alseep every time I sat down that 1st week and I never ever normallu can fall asleep so quickly learnt not to cook and allow myself to sit down without a loud alarm set to wake me up asnkept on being waken up by stench of burnt food...
All in all eat well, drink a lot of water and if water becomes yucky after a while a 1/4 fruitnjuice mixed with 3/4 water makes is easier to swallow as dies soarkling mineral water, remember heavy duty sunscreen any time you go out, and movicol and heaps of rest will get you looked after...
Also, tummy once you stop steroids may play up and do not bebshocked if you get a case of butt scortching poos after steroids stop. Or uncontrollable flatullence... It is normal... Have some hemmoroid cream at ready when the backside plays up... Also not unlikely afterwards to have a day of runs so if it does happen do not panic. Just good old white bread ricepotato and banana diet will get you through it quickly...
All in all I genuinly believe that it is a lot easier than any one of us had imagined it to be beforehand and you will be OK.
Just take it easy, listen to your body and rest when you feel the need for it.
All the best and do not forget we are here and have been through it and this forum for me at least has been the most valuable resource and has keot me sane through my AC Chemo...
Hugs
Jel.
Constipation was a real issue next day...movichol sachets are a godsend. Get onto it as quick as you can if it happens.
I forgot about the stingy bit. I felt really tired and weird and hot...and downright scared later in the day. My sister had stayed at home but my husband came home late and I rang him and said please come home I feel so weird. Nausea was ann issue for me...no vomiting and I didn't find maxalon good. Eventually though nexium, ondasertron and stemitil made it quite Okay...just left with bloating and farting. ...and exhaustion for a week. Got light headed too. I felt okay the second day. .it was usually day 3 to 5 were I felt yuk. Let them know all symptons and they will adjust what you need.
You're doing well so far! Sorry that you've had to join us. doing a little bitvof exercise when younfeel up to it is the right thing to do. Everyone reacts differently, but you can probably expect it to get a bit harder each time. I didn't find the first round too bad other than the spaced out feeling, but it definitely got harder.
Good luck!
Kristy??
