Some practical knowledge- just how sick?

Hi Bec, Sorry to welcome you to the bc group but I hope you find lots of support on here. I was diagnosed just over a year ago with locally advanced BC and am also a single Mum with three kids 8, 10, 13, so older and not as needy as toddlers. To be honest I couldn't have coped without help from my family. One of my sisters would always come and stay during the difficult times. With the mastectomy I think my hospital stay was 4 days but the sorest part was under my arm and this restricted me at home for a couple of weeks, including driving. Chemo is different for everyone & some people work through. However work & toddlers aren't the same, you don't get a break. I had two different types of chemo, the first, FEC, the effects hit the next day & I couldn't have looked after kids. The second,TCH, hit about four days after and for approx 2-3 days I was in bed and then very slowly improved. The 3rd week just before going back again was fine. Fatigue is another factor and seems to build up over time so you may find you need some more help in your later treatments. Please remember you may travel through chemo a lot better but I'd plan for as much help as possible and then if you don't need it, great. Hugs to you, it's a really difficult time. Barbara xxx