Starting chemo on 16th March

Thanks for all the advice, if you can all get through it then there is no reason why I shouldn't.  I do have a good support group around me and will accept all the help I can get!!!

Wow Emma, looking after 2 little ones with another on the way is hard enough without this happening.  Makes my problems seem small compared to you. Hope everything goes well for you xxx

Sorry to hear you are going through this. Everyone reacts differently with chemo so you won't know till you do it but put as much support in place as you can before you start.

I also had 4 x 2 weekly AC and the 12 x 1 weekly paclitaxel.

AC wasn't much fun but went something like:
Chemo on monday morning.  Nausea started late afternoon (start taking that dexmathosone before the nausea gets hold of you!) and for me, continued till Friday. Lots of sleep, felt better lying down than being upright.  Started tapering off over Sat/Sun.  Starting to feel human on Monday.  Then the rest of the week was normal, although I tired easily.  See if you can get someone to help on "chemo" week as you may be feeling pretty miserable (sorry to say). You can probably manage on the non-chemo weeks. First round was not as intense as the rest.

Paclitaxel wasn't too bad - didn't really experience any nausea.  Lots of tiredness and vague-ness though. Numb fingertips a bit. Make sure you let your doctor know about that as they may adjust the dose.

Hope that helps.  Wishing you all the very best  xx

Dear Marjohnp

Best of luck. The problem is that side effects are very individual so it's hard to say what yours will be. IN GENERAL, many people find AC hardest, as it often causes fatigue and/or nausea. That said, I didn't have either. People often find their side effects run through a  cycle - some effects immediately after treatment, recover a  bit, slump mid cycle, feel better then start again!  You will probably have a much better idea after two cycles, but it may change again when you go onto the 2nd therapy. I was on Taxol weekly. It's supposed to be much easier than A/C but I found it harder - partly because some overall chemo side effects started making themselves clear when I was on Taxol (although possibly caused by A/C) and partly because I was anxious to get to the end.

It's obviously much harder when you have someone else to care for so I hope you have some supportive family or friends.  I found the day oncology staff great and very helpful in advice with some problems. It goes without saying that an informative and friendly oncologist is good - when in doubt talk it over.

Three and a half years on, it seems to have passed very quickly, but when you are having treatment, it stretches out in front of you for ever. All the usual information is true. Take one step at a time. Don't worry about something until you really have to. Bad things will probably end/get better. Your hair will grow back.

Most important of all, you can get well. That's the one to try and keep at the front of your mind.

Best wishes

Hi There.  I started the same chemo routine last Tuesday and have been extremely fortunate to only have mild side effects so far.  Put as many supports in place as possible before you start just to be prepared.  I'm not sure where you live but in Vic local councils and community health centres often have volunteer drivers who can take you to appointments.  All the best.  Helen

Hi Marjohnp, sounds like you have a lot on your plate already.  There is help available through Blue Care nurses or Home Assist or Just Better Care. Perhaps there are other support services available in your community? Your GP may be able to point you in the right direction. You could arrange extra help for one day a week and then see how you manage. Everyone is different with how they respond to chemo, but one thing we all feel is really tired. You need some looking after too, so if anyone offers help SAY YES PLEASE. A cooked meal is always welcome, I did online grocery shopping that was delivered to home. No matter how much you are used to being the carer, you really can't drive yourself to chemo (I tried, it just doesn't work!). So plan now for family or friends to drive you, some hospitals have transport available to help you, just ask. All the years you've been helping other people, now is the time to accept help in return. You can make it through this, but you don't have to make it on your own, Tracey xXx

Currently on 4x 3weekly AC - so far the first 10 days or so prettyhard. Not nausea so much as just TIRED and feeling flu-like.... Having a couple naps a day, about day 5-6 I really crashed. Have two young boys (3&5) at home, and another on the way. Having some to help (just watch them and run them about) is an immense help. I'm still managing cooking, light house chores but not much more.

Online grocery shopping and plenty of rest. How much care does he need? Many appts etc? I would count on at least a few days where you will need help at least.

But as Chriss says, everyone is different. My first round was not so bad but my second knocked me for a six, dreading the third....

I've just finished 4 x AC but I had the first 3 every 2nd week which made me bed ridden and isolated most of January..... Yes you will need help so if hope you can ask family and friends to step in,  the 3rd AC chemo had me in bed for 10 days.... but just remember everyone is different.

Good luck with it all xxxx