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Advice on how to prepare for TC chemo?
Hello everyone! First time of me starting a thread on here, hoping to get some advice from someone who’s had experience going through TC (Doxetaxel & Cyclophosphamide) chemo recently? I’ve just had...
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Did my TC chemo last year - remember that everyone is different so what I mention might not happen to you. I was lucky with some effects - I had little nausea, only one bout of chemo mouth (Biotene saved me), cold capping/foot/hands was very tolerable (bring cotton gloves) - but horrible with other - I had a reaction to the first infusion in the chair as my hand swelled & my wrist blistered, horrible Day 1-2 pain & the horrendous fatigue where you cannot move an inch. But it’s done now and only a series of sensory memories.
If you want to try cold capping my only advice is be realistic - I had hoped to save my hair but I ended up with a Mr Burns loss pattern - strap that cold cap on so tight it’s uncomfortable & if your hair is thick like mine I strongly suggest coming with your hair soaking wet & ideally cut it short or even get it thinned - if the cap can’t cool your scalp/follicles your hair will sadly go. The day it came out in clumps was the hardest day of my treatment. 18mths later I cut my chemo curls and I almost look like myself again when I look in the mirror but it’s been hard.
I also did cold booties & gloves which make chemo process a complete hassle as couldn’t read or play on my phone but I haven’t had any side effects in hands or feet which has been a blessing.
Wear something easy to pee in with cables connected to arms & head ie skirt, dress, elastic waist pants
Bring noise cancelling headphones - sometimes other people in ward drive you crazy.
If you’re in pain at home, call or have someone call for you - don’t just tough it out until next appointment. Steroids helped (I felt like superwoman those days!) but I had awful bouts of pain the next day that only the strongest opioids could touch. I wish I had the script ready at home just in case from the first cycle.
Good luck with everything - here’s hoping that in a year like me it will just seem like a distant, unpleasant memory of an event that you managed to overcome, with some good support & tips from those who’ve done the same
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this, I found it so imformative and it has really helped eased my anxiety about what to prepare for both mentally and with things to buy and take with me/wear etc! I find it a lot easier when I have things I might need on hand and know at least a little bit in advance what the experience might be like. Will make sure to wear a comfortable elastic skirt thats such a great idea I probably wouldnt have thought of otherwise! And great to know about having painkillers on hand from the get go! I still have some left over from my surgery but will make sure to get some more! it all feels very daunting but I'm going in on Monday and will try and stay as positive as I possibly can! Thank you so much again, this has been such a huge help! <3
