Diagnosed stage3, grade3, her2 positive
A wild trifecta but I am determined to beat this as I have a young son who depends on me. This has to be the scariest journey of my life and I’ve been through a handful. Looking for fellow thrive...
Forum Discussion
Hi @J_Nelly
I was like you this time last Christmas - diagnosed HR+ and HER2+, starting 6 rounds of TCHP chemo on 29 Dec before surgery. I was 47 with two teens.
It is a crazy and stressful time, but you will get through this. I was relieved to start chemo because it felt like I was doing something to fight back. My tips for chemo are:
- take books, crosswords or a laptop for movies as your first session is likely to be all day (the next sessions will take less time)
- take snacks and a big water bottle
- you can move around while having chemo, just ask the nurse and take your IV trolley with you!
- consider cold capping (I didn't do it and lost all my hair, although it is slowly growing back now!)
Always check with your oncologist before taking anything, but for home afterwards:
- get Oral 7 mouthwash and spray (I had the spray by my bed and gave myself a squirt if I woke up with a dry mouth)
- get eyedrops for dry eyes
- drink lots of water (during and after chemo)
- use Hydrolyte etc if you can't stomach water
- eat mild foods (not spicy) whenever you can
- get some Sustagen if you are losing weight
- use Metamucil (I got capsules because I can't stand the texture of the drink)
- use Gastrostop if you get diarrhea
- keep up the exercise if you can
Try to enjoy your Christmas, hug your son lots and feel free to ask any questions xx
I was like you this time last Christmas - diagnosed HR+ and HER2+, starting 6 rounds of TCHP chemo on 29 Dec before surgery. I was 47 with two teens.
It is a crazy and stressful time, but you will get through this. I was relieved to start chemo because it felt like I was doing something to fight back. My tips for chemo are:
- take books, crosswords or a laptop for movies as your first session is likely to be all day (the next sessions will take less time)
- take snacks and a big water bottle
- you can move around while having chemo, just ask the nurse and take your IV trolley with you!
- consider cold capping (I didn't do it and lost all my hair, although it is slowly growing back now!)
Always check with your oncologist before taking anything, but for home afterwards:
- get Oral 7 mouthwash and spray (I had the spray by my bed and gave myself a squirt if I woke up with a dry mouth)
- get eyedrops for dry eyes
- drink lots of water (during and after chemo)
- use Hydrolyte etc if you can't stomach water
- eat mild foods (not spicy) whenever you can
- get some Sustagen if you are losing weight
- use Metamucil (I got capsules because I can't stand the texture of the drink)
- use Gastrostop if you get diarrhea
- keep up the exercise if you can
Try to enjoy your Christmas, hug your son lots and feel free to ask any questions xx