Need to talk
Hi I am priya a 36 yr old mum of 8 yr old daughter. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I had 2 surgeries and the 16mm lump was removed and all the lymph nodes aswell. Surgically m cancer f...
Forum Discussion
Reactions to chemo may differ from person to person, even on the same regime, so any advice needs to be considered in that light. Many chemotherapies will result in hair loss - the chemo is targetting fast growing cells and unfortunately hair follicles fit the bill. You may be offered cold cap, a head treatment that may preserve all or some of your hair. Some people hate it, others find it worthwhile. You may want to prepare your daughter for this, in either event - if she knows it is part of your recovery, it will be easier for her to accept.
The most common side effects are nausea and fatigue. You will be given medication to assist combatting nausea, but you may not get it at all. I had two different chemotherapies and was never sick or ever felt nauseous. Unfortunately it's not clear who is not affected, or why! I didn't take any nausea medication after a short while, but only becase I had no symptoms. They can be very helpful for those who do. Fatigue can hit all at once or may creep up. Many people find they have good days and bad days and can plan accordingly. Again, I had none and continued my employment during treatment.
The taxane chemotherapies can cause damage to nerve endings (fingers and toes most often, peripheral neuropathy). Let your oncologist know straight away if you experience tingling in your extremities, in most cases it will dissipate after chemo but it can linger.
There tends to be a natural concentration on physical side affects - after all, your doctors work with the body. But your feelings and emotions get stirred up by this stuff - feelings of mortality, of uncertainty and anxiousness are incredibly common and very normal. Cancer is a serious illness you weren't expecting! Sometimes you need to talk to someone who is not a friend, not family, to acknowledge your fears and concerns without landing them on someone close to you. A good counsellor can be very useful, even for a few conversations, in helping you face these, focus on the future and not the past, and help your mind help your body with recovery. Your oncologist, day oncology or GP can assist in locating someone suitable. Best wishes.
The most common side effects are nausea and fatigue. You will be given medication to assist combatting nausea, but you may not get it at all. I had two different chemotherapies and was never sick or ever felt nauseous. Unfortunately it's not clear who is not affected, or why! I didn't take any nausea medication after a short while, but only becase I had no symptoms. They can be very helpful for those who do. Fatigue can hit all at once or may creep up. Many people find they have good days and bad days and can plan accordingly. Again, I had none and continued my employment during treatment.
The taxane chemotherapies can cause damage to nerve endings (fingers and toes most often, peripheral neuropathy). Let your oncologist know straight away if you experience tingling in your extremities, in most cases it will dissipate after chemo but it can linger.
There tends to be a natural concentration on physical side affects - after all, your doctors work with the body. But your feelings and emotions get stirred up by this stuff - feelings of mortality, of uncertainty and anxiousness are incredibly common and very normal. Cancer is a serious illness you weren't expecting! Sometimes you need to talk to someone who is not a friend, not family, to acknowledge your fears and concerns without landing them on someone close to you. A good counsellor can be very useful, even for a few conversations, in helping you face these, focus on the future and not the past, and help your mind help your body with recovery. Your oncologist, day oncology or GP can assist in locating someone suitable. Best wishes.