The most newbie question ever?

Good luck with the rest of your chemo. I finished mine in December and found once you had the first round over you knew what to expect. Just take one day at a time - I got great advice here during my treatment - steroids were my party animal - I was up all night . I’m glad your first one went well . I had a little notebook and wrote all
my side effects down each day so I could tell my oncologist ( I had a few 😂).

Wow @Blossom1961 I’m glad you could laugh about it! The list of side effects doesn’t seem to end does it? I’ve drunk a tonne of water this morning, taken it easy and eaten small regular snacks and seem to be a bit better. Probably staring at my phone reading fact sheets about breast cancer doesn’t help 😂😂😂

@RiotAtMidnight I got vertigo probably after my third treatment. I got up during the night and bounced off one wall into another as I made my way to the toilet. As I have had vertigo before I recognised it and by the time I got back into bed I was laughing so hard I woke up hubby. The next morning I couldn't get up for about 30mins after I woke as I was so woozy. I had to end up on anti-vertigo pills.

Thanks @Abbydog. My port is a “PowerPort” - a PICC line in my arm with the port just on the sort of inside of my bicep. The bruising is epic but it appears to be healing well. 

Dear RiotAtMidnight,
You seem to have got off to a good start. I hope that continues.
Is your IV access a PICC line? Or Infusaport? Just curious.
Stay positive.
Good luck with the cold cap. Make sure your hair is very wet, and the cap fits as well as possible.
I sometimes needed an extra strap that went over the top and under my chin.
On those days I was aware of an air bubble on top.
As you you said you will probably know about the success/failure of the cold cap after the next chemo.
Expect some thinning, but it won't be as bad as clumps of hair.
I'm glad that they gave you ice chips, while they administered the red IV drug.
I was given an ice block to suck, even though didn't actually want one.
I was told it can help prevent severe mouth ulcers.
A similar principle as to how the cold cap works.
Let us know how you progress.
Take care.

I feel incredibly lucky @Zoffiel - and thinking a lot about how the treatments I’m having are the result of so many people before me being part of this vast continuum of research into breast cancer. x

@RiotAtMidnight Excellent news about the chemo and even better news about the trial.
Being part of a trial is a terrific experience, particularly if you are getting something so valuable as a personalised exercise program--something that is either inaccessible or unaffordable for many of us.
The other great thing about clinical trials is the extra support that becomes available. You are an investment, and are treated as such--so much less chance of falling through any cracks and those running the trail can be powerful advocates if there are issues with any other part of your treatment. Mxx

Thank you so much everyone. I thought I’d report back especially in case anyone in future reads this thread! So much of your advice has proven to be golden ✨✨✨

I did indeed have to go alone due to lockdown restrictions but that was actually fine. The nursing staff were incredible, my doctor popped in a few times, and I felt very well attended to and cared for.

The port insertion went smoothly. Basically a light sedative made me relaxed but awake, plenty of local anaesthetic meant I felt nothing in the arm as they put it in. It’s fairly bruised and sore on Day 3 but that’s to be expected.

I decided to try to the cold cap and found it fine - not as unbearable as I thought it would be. However I was given another light sedative so I could have been a little cuckoo. Round two might tell the tale!

The chemo itself - I didn’t feel anything as it went in. With the “Ferrari red” AC chemo, I ate ice chips throughout and the nurse stays with you on that one to make sure it all flows through continuously. The second bag takes about an hour and they leave you for that one.

The cold cap stayed on for an hour and half afterwards which is a bit of a pain but nothing terrible. I just read and dozed like many of you said above.

I had an overnight stay for observation as this was my first round. Slept absolutely terribly between the sore arm and the hospital environment, but that could also be the steroids.

In a piece of good news, I’ve become part of a clinical trial looking at chemotherapy and heart health in women with breast cancer, and whether increased exercise support leads to better outcomes. As part of the study an exercise physiologist will do three sessions a week with me over the next four months, either via zoom or in person, as well as bringing some equipment to my home. I feel so lucky to have that opportunity and support - especially as I am already starting to feel GROTTY and I can tell I am going to need a big push to exercise through this!!

Dear RiotAtMidnight,
There has been lots of good advice here.
I didn't feel anything, with Chemo going in.I did have a port.
Luckily i never had nausea or vomiting. Only occasional tiredness, and several other side effects that were quite manageable.
I didn't attempt to work during my treatments.
Ie Mastectomy, 20weeks Chemo and 5 weeks Radiotherapy. Not working took some stress away. Also my work is in a Hospital. COVID started as my treatment started, so it was safer not working. I used my Income Protection insurance, that comes with my Superannuation.
Has anyone mentioned trying the Cold Cap. (to try and save your hair?) I did, and had a good result.
The only down side for me was the extra 1 1/2hrs time it adds to being in the Chemo suite.
I think most places supply sandwiches and biscuits, yogurt etc. And drinks. But bring your own treats if you want.
I usually read or watched TV, until falling asleep. 
Don't worry too much in advance. Do read the EVIQ information re your specific drugs.But don't expect to get everything. 
Make sure your Chemo suite gives you phone numbers for after hours, should you become unwell.
I didn't need it, but could be very handy.
Good luck to you, I hope you have a good go at it.

@RiotAtMidnight it's definitely ok to rest too and important for recovery. You will need it.

   I also saw an exercise physiologist to get some exercises for those bigger muscles eg thighs, but, arms to help prevent muscle wasting as while I walked about 45/50 min per day, that was all. So some 5 or 10mins of other muscle building exercise was also good. 

One other thing I did was a liver cleansing juice of beetroot, carrot, apple and ginger.  Some people use celery instead of apple.  There are various recipes for this on the net. I didn't have it every day but I drank it for a couple days prior to my chemo and then for a few days afterwards.

Be kind to yourself and listen to your body. If you can go for a walk that's great but don't beat yourself up if you aren't up to it. Remember this is about you and what is right for you and you will be the best judge of that. All this advice/tips etc are just what worked for us but you will  need to see what works for you.