Forum Discussion

airlie's avatar
airlie
Member
10 years ago

First chemo down

Hi everyone.  I cant believe this day has arrived.  It seemed a little way off.  After 3 surgeries in 3 weeks now I'm on this new road.  It has been a very worrying few weeks trying to come to terms with all the side effects and avoiding infections.  Well here I am.  I didn't have a melt down (yet) and the nurses were just wonderful.  Gave me lots of confidence. I read that the side effects don't kick in for a day or two.  They can just bugger off.  Mouth is dry already.  I have a big calendar and every day is going to have the big TICK. one less to go. Can anyone share their chemo road for 5 to 6 months.  Love you all.  Airlie

 

chemotherapy

3 Replies

  • HIT's avatar
    HIT
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Airlie one down already, great...  I think I had similiar diog to you.  Lump and nodes HER2+ - 4 nodes very cancerous.  I had 4 rounds of AC (12 weeks) and 4 rounds of docs.hercepton (12 weeks) - 6 weeks radio and 9 mnths of hercepton.  Would I be right in that you are having AC + Taxol?  Your regime sounds better than mine.  The AC I handled fine, but the doxatel (wrong spelling) hercepton combo - I didn't handle well at all.  I think taxol is in the dox family but easier to handle, not sure.  Any how finished treatment last April (2014)  Few probs still nothing major.    This site is fantastic for practical ideas on how to handle some side effects.  (I didn't join till after chemo, bummer).  Accept help, write down all the side effects experienced and tell your onc.  Ring the hospital if you are really worried.  Know the experience is not all bad - you will meet lots of great people (nurses other patients). The time passes remarkably quickly.  Best wishes   Pam

  • ScorpionQueen's avatar
    ScorpionQueen
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Airlie!

    My first chemo was 16/2 and the side effects kicked in within a few hours of  finishing it! I was an absolute write off for at least 6 days.... They do however wear off, I am feeling way better today (day 9 after)but please remember everyone is different! Listen to your body and get plenty of fluids and rest, rest, rest! And if in doubt call your team and ask! 

    Wishing you all the best for your further treatment

    love and light for easy recovery and beautiful days...

    -Tracy

    xx

     

  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Airlie

    Congrats on first chemo down. Put a big X on that calendar! I just had my final chemo on Tuesday and remember those early days when I was trepidatious and unsure of what to expect. All I can say is that everyone is unique and our experiences can be very different. But for me coming to the end I have found the side effects are manageable once I got used to them. I used biotene tooth paste for dry mouth if that helps. Other than that I can't stress enough how important it is to take it one day at a time. One day you may feel lousy and the the next you can feel great and vice versa. Listen to you body. Rest when you need to and jump on here if you have any questions. I got great advice about some of the things I was experiencing in the early days. Knowing how others coped with the specific things I was experiencing honestly was the best thing to get me through this.

    We are here if you need us. Good Luck and take care

    Nadine