Dark days
Just diagnosed this month, 1.5.cm invasive tumour, plus 3mm by 3mm tumour I couldn't feel. I am 46, have had regular mammograms and ultrasounds for years due to lumpy, dense breasts. I self checked re...
Forum Discussion
Hi @ddon I've just got back online and saw your post and everyone has said the important stuff. I had massive panic attacks before chemo so you're not unusual. I have to say that I never really became relaxed about it but I learned to recognise that was just me. I used to take plenty of stuff to keep me occupied then would spend most of the time dozing or chatting to people! You will be surprised how sociable the chemo room is.
My best advice - be prepared for all eventualities - nausea, reflux, constipation or the opposite, etc. but don't expect it. You may have no side effects or you may have some. I kept a sheet of paper next to the thermometer on the bench to record how I was feeling, meds taken, temps. It gave me something I could transfer to a diary for the onc, a record of when I'd taken meds, and it provided a useful guide of my reactions for the next time. The other thing I would say to anyone is, don't suffer in silence. If the meds you're sent home with aren't good enough, ring the clinic (find out what number to ring after hours) and get a script for something stronger. They tend to send you home with the minimal stuff but sometimes you just need something stronger. I went through a miserable first weekend because I didn't know any better. The right drugs, when I got them, fixed me up fine.
And don't worry, there's a great discussion on here somewhere of the things people have said to members that are just, "really????"
Found it: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/17916/is-that-right-did-you-really-say-that#latest
My best advice - be prepared for all eventualities - nausea, reflux, constipation or the opposite, etc. but don't expect it. You may have no side effects or you may have some. I kept a sheet of paper next to the thermometer on the bench to record how I was feeling, meds taken, temps. It gave me something I could transfer to a diary for the onc, a record of when I'd taken meds, and it provided a useful guide of my reactions for the next time. The other thing I would say to anyone is, don't suffer in silence. If the meds you're sent home with aren't good enough, ring the clinic (find out what number to ring after hours) and get a script for something stronger. They tend to send you home with the minimal stuff but sometimes you just need something stronger. I went through a miserable first weekend because I didn't know any better. The right drugs, when I got them, fixed me up fine.
And don't worry, there's a great discussion on here somewhere of the things people have said to members that are just, "really????"
Found it: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/17916/is-that-right-did-you-really-say-that#latest