Chemo - New Member Redflower posted this on Activity page...

Ok now i am wondering re chemo!! Was hoping to skip that bit. I would have hoped with clear nodes no chemo. I had the mastectomy and several removed as a number of nodes looked "suspicious" so now im wondering  if chemo when lymph nodes are clear , if they are not clear does this raise the odds i will need it afterall? Grade 3 idc

thank you 

Hi @redflower, just sending you a big virtual hug. Xx

@redflower It can be daunting and I found it was the fear itself rather than chemo infusion had me panicking. I was petrified first infusion, but Staff really are so lovely, compassionate and professional. You will be put at ease very quickly, so deep breath, I think you'll find that you will be more than ok. Its more as it goes and accumulates, just make sure you hydrate the day before your infusion and try everyday from then, that I found hard to do, impossible actually. I did most of mine alone, even the first one so didnt have alot of support which was tough. I chatted on with other ladies there, but lots took in ipads or ipods to pass the time. Make sure you communicate everything to your Team, I took coloxyl drops for constipation, I was allergic to Maxolon, no anti nausea meds worked for me so Ativan was the only thing that helped. Rinse your mouth the first 4 days with saltwater as you will be prone to ulcers. :) Hugs Melinda xo

Hi @redflower I am 37 married with two boys 4 1/2 and 1 1/2. I had my first chemo nearly 3 weeks ago. My treatment plan is I have chemo once every 3 wks for 3 months then once every week for 3 months. My advice try not to feel anxious about it.  It was a major anticlimax when I got in there and was hooked up. The nurses are amazing and really attentive and talk you through every step. Drop lots of water the day before and try and have a good nights sleep. Bring warm clothes it gets cold. So a zippy top or cardigan and some tracksuit bottoms or yoga pants or leggings something comfortable. Bring a good book or someone who is good company. I also had a tv too. For me the symptoms I got after was like a hangover after too much wine. Fuzzy head (like the start of a headache) and nausea and that was it. That lasted for 5/6 days but now I know I should just have rung my oncologist and asked for better anti nausea tablets which I will do this time. Also on day 6 I got 2 mouth ulcers nothing major! Actually I was also quite constipated for the first 3 days but then my Irish Mammy stepped in and made me have a glass of prune juice every morning which I drink down like a shot or tequila because I hate it!! BUT it works. By day 7 after treatment I felt great again and back to normal. Day 14, which was yesterday,my hair started to fall out so this morning I got my hairdresser to shave it off. So for me my experience has been pretty good and my symptoms have all been very doable. Hope this helps. Just think whatever way it goes for you each chemo is one less and the end result is a cancer free body! You can do this xxxx

What sort of chemo @redflower ? It probably doesn't really matter when it comes down to it. You will have heard 'look after yourself' in the past and thought 'Yeah, right. As if I have the time.' You now need to make the time.

You may have very few side effects, you may get the lot. There is no way of knowing until you finish. But, whatever happens, now is the time for you to put yourself first, listen to your body and let the people around you look after themselves..My son was 13 when I was first diagnosed. He quickly figured out how to feed himself if I didn't want to cook. After a couple of weeks he decided he could use the washing machine. Teenagers are resilient, they will cope for a couple of months.

Don't sweat the small stuff, be as kind to yourself as you can. Ask questions as problems come up; there is so much information it is best to concentrate on what actually applies to you to start with.

Good luck. Marg xx

@redflower I have put this post you made onto the discussion board you will get more answers here as anyone who reads discussion board will see it....