Hello everyone, so glad to join your group with my first post. I live in Cairns and was diagnosed in Nov with ER+ PR+ HER2- and underwent lumpectomy for 4.5cm tumor and removed 7 lymph nodes. Outcome was 4 of 7 nodes were cancerous so my prayers to avoid Chemo went unanswered. I remain very grateful that I got away without having to have a full mastectomy. Further tests showed lesions in liver and lungs which have since been cleared as not cancer, what a huge relief. I had a port implanted which is very irritating and a constant reminder of the chemo to come. The waiting as you all know seems to be endless from the moment the GP says you have cancer to the day of your first Chemo. My first day is Tue 9th Jan and it feels like a dark cloud hanging over me, I almost cant wait to start so the anxiety of what is to come finally arrives. I've read that you all say it's different for everyone, so I guess I wont know how to cope until I'm in it. Any practical advise for my first date with chemo would help enormously. And, is it okay to be on your own at home after treatment? Also, how do you cope with what to expect following treatment? I don't want to sit around waiting for symptoms to emerge, what does everyone else do when they get home?

Hi thereSorry, but waiting is an unavoidable part of the treatment - it is not possible to predict how you will react (or if it is, I don't know anyone who knows how to!). For a first treatment, it is useful if you have someone (a family member or friend) to go with you and to help you home if you feel unwell. What happens during and after the first treatment will give you some idea of what to expect thereafter, although if you change therapies (I had 3 months of A/C, then 3 months of Taxol) your reactions may change .I don't know if you are living by yourself, or mean is it OK to be home alone for periods of time (ie if others are at work). Again, it depends how you feel. I had no nausea or fatigue, some have nausea but are not frequently sick and have a degree of tiredness, some are badly affected by both. There does tend to be a cycle - you will get to know what that is, and then can plan better as you will know what days you feel better and what days you don't. Take something to do during chemo - whatever you enjoy - reading, crosswords, but something to occupy your mind - it can be tedious, and it doesn't help to sit fretting about what's happening. Most day oncology units will offer you something to eat or drink, but you may want to take something with you - It's another way to fill in time. If your chemo is likely to make you lose your hair, this may occur in about 14 days after you start. Scalp tingling and slight discomfort beforehand is normal. My day oncology had a small range of scarves and hats available (although I chose to wear a wig). It's almost impossible to shake off that dark cloud at this stage, but remember that every chemo treatment is one nearer the end of your chemo treatment, count them down! Best wishes.

Hi there,I’m 3/4 of the way through chemo - completed AC and finishing of taxol now.i understand your anxiety of just wanting to start. Wanting to know what it’s like. Getting on with it is empowering. Feels like control. I get you. I felt the same. When it did start I was ok. Anxious and teary but ok. No nausea. Bit tired but I was still recovering from bilateral mastectomies (one elective/I’m 41)All things considering I felt good. Head hair fell out about day 17 along with all other hair about day 14. I fell into the cycle of treatment. Feeling bit crappy for a week then 2 good weeks. It really was not too bad. I had no expectations so was never disappointed or surprised. Talk to the nurses. Tell them your worries: they will make referrals if necessary. Be frank and honest. Trust your team.Maintain gentle exercise. It helps with fatigue. I swear it. Referral to exercise physiologist will help.Try some mindfulness practices. I was pretty anti that stuff but it has helped my type a personality settle down a bit. Try to sleep well. Get help with that if necessary. Ride the wave. Don’t fight it. Best wishes.xx

Wow @Sunshine0206 you look great bald I looked like a big potato head lol! photos haven’t loaded chronologically so the first one is when I cut it short Before I stsrted chemo the second one was just after my mastectomy and prior to treatment the third one obviously shaved it when I stsrted to lose it the fourth one is me now and the last one is 3 months after chemo finished. Margie xx

Terrific advice, thank you everyone, I wanted to reply to each conversation separately, but can't work out how to do it.!! I don't have children, I only got married in March (2nd time) seems unfair to have to deal with this so soon after our wedding. I lost my first husband to mesothelioma in 2008 we were together 31 years, I cared for him for a year before he lost the fight, I never would have thought it would happen to me. I'm going to keep reading posts here and asking questions as a way to get through this. Thanks again xoxox

You look damn great @Sunshine0206, I found the loss of hair liberating at the time and yep one less thing to worry about in the morning. While having a shower one day, no hair washing, no leg or pits to shave and then no make as eyebrows and eyelashes gone - it dawned on me ....this is what it's like for blokes!!!! No wonder they can get ready so quick!!!!@Braveheart60, I too had long blonde locks - very smart to go shorter. Good for you! You may find your taste buds are not effected til down the track a bit. Definitely prepare and freeze meals. If you think of your diet a it like a pregnancy diet, no soft cheese no salad bars etc and buy a baby toothbrush to be gentle on your gums. You will mouthwash after each meal - I didn't like the salt mouth wash so used Biotene no alcohol mouthwash which was good. I too too had both breasts off - as I didn't want to be doing this again. Depending on your pathology is if you still need radiation even if you've had mastectomies. I chose bilateral masts as I didn't want to do the rads. All the the very best. Xxoo

Dread of Chemo | BCNA Online Network

56 Replies

Fionap2017
Member
8 years ago
Hope your first chemo went well today.
CassieB
Member
8 years ago
All the best for today. It's a big thing but you'll be fine. I stayed with my sister for a week after my first chemo ( I was single at the time) so I don't recommend being alone. The worst thing I recall was terrible heartburn. My tongue and mouth was completely white and furry. Like thrush. A quick trip to the chemist for some Zantac fixed it immediately. It only happened on the first chemo after that I went home by myself and was fine. I'd go back to work one or two days after each chemo. Xx
Caseypinto
Member
8 years ago
@Braveheart60 thinking of you tomorrow <3

@sangeetamo hugs <3
Spiv1803
Member
8 years ago
To feed the whole country @onemargie you funny bitch.
RachelG
Member
8 years ago
Hi @Braveheart60 and welcome. I was diagnosed in September with TNBC and have just completed four rounds of AC and on Wednesday start weekly taxol. I remember my first treatment feeling anxious, not knowing what to expect and how I would feel. Firstly, this website is fantastic and the ladies on here are so supportive and give brilliant advice.
The three things that have helped me through the last twelve weeks have been - exercise (I haven't been able to run which I love) but walking every day, reaching out to family and friends (a phone call or message makes all the difference) and thankfully I have still been able to carry on working part-time (it has helped me to keep busy).
I found the first week after treatment the hardest with nausea (but the anti-nausea meds helped) and fatigue. The following two weeks I felt a lot better and I just had to learn to listen to what my body was telling me. The steroids they give you I found had me up at crazy hours the first two days with lots of energy that day and then day four you hit a bit of a wall but push through. I haven't had any problems with food tasting metallic and thankfully have just carried on eating what I normally have. I try to drink lots of water with lemon/lime in it and I decided early on to break my journey into chunks part A chemo, Part B chemo, surgery, etc otherwise if I looked at the big picture it was at times a bridge too far.
My hair fell out by day 21 and this was probably the hardest thing for me but I got a really great wig, lots of caps and had my eyebrows tattooed on before treatment (which has been great). My brows and lashes have thinned a bit.
The power of the mind is important also, continue to do things that you love and enjoy.
Good luck for your first treatment tomorrow xx
Imo
Member
8 years ago
@lgray3911 that is an awesome head you have there! I'd never have thought of that (though it's crossed my mind to let my toddler loose with his washable textas, if I do this I'll be sure to post the outcome).

@sangeetamo I'm so sorry for your latest news. I'm also triple negative and I fear metastasis. Good luck with the trial, I have my fingers crossed for you.
Payne
Member
8 years ago
Best of luck for Tuesday @Braveheart60.
onemargie
Member
8 years ago
Hi there @Igray I love the henna how cool is that!, and @sangeetamo I am thimkimg of you. There is some greats advice and support on this forum. Please keep us posted on how you go with the trials and everything else. We are all here for you anytime and will always listen to you and send you a big virtual hug. Where abouts are you? There are some fantastic local support groups that you could reach out too as well for support. Also please contact the BCNA they have heaps of knowledge and resources you can access too. Margie xx
Sister
Member
8 years ago
@sangeetamo Thoughts are with you.
primek
Member
8 years ago
@sangeetamo Thinking of you. Please join the metstatic breast cancer group to fet valuabke support. There is also a kit you can order called Hopes and Hurdles. X

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