Newly diagnosed, about to start AC
I put this in a new discussion thread but realised I should probably have put it here.... Hi, Well as the title indicates I'm newly diagnosed with invasive DCIS, starting AC the week after next. I'...
Forum Discussion
Hey @"Little Duck" ,
Welcome to the forum. As you have seen already, everybody here is full of warmth and tremendous advice. Unfortunately no body can tell how they are going to react until they start. I really believe it's important for those who managed ok to share their stories for those just starting out. I had myself that worked up about the side effects I was so very close to bailing out on the whole thing. It's no picnic run but it was nowhere near as horrrid as what my brain had conjured up.
I had the surgery first but the same chemo regime then 6 weeks rads. I was 45 at the time of diagnosis.
You will get your chemo education prior and, like everyone, it will scare the daylights out of you. The list of side effects is long and daunting. However, they are all the possible side effects that could happen. It doesn't mean they will.
My first 3 x AC I coped well. Day 2 and 3 after chemo I was on a high from all the steroids and went flat out, got heaps done. Bit of a crash day on day 4 but then pretty good from then on. Number four was a bit more rugged, but hey, at least that's the last one. Maxalon is a waste of time so ask for the good drugs straight up!
Taxol was soooooo much easier. Next to no side effects with that one.
Hardest thing I found throughout was the hot flushes, mild light headedness at times, and everything tasted blah. (Lots of mints and fruit tingles) Luckily, wine and tim tams tasted the same or I would have been really ticked off. lol.
I kept my hair with the cold cap, so that was very helpful. I worked, shopped, cooked, ran the farm, rode my horse, went to horse shows, partied in the bar with the cowboys, renovated my dining room etc etc etc. I just planned around it. Keeping busy really helped me I found. It was a distraction for my brain and I didn't spend every waking hour thinking about treatment.
Get someone to take you to the AC definitely but I easily managed to drive there and back with the taxol.
Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you.
All the best.
xoxoxoxoxox
Welcome to the forum. As you have seen already, everybody here is full of warmth and tremendous advice. Unfortunately no body can tell how they are going to react until they start. I really believe it's important for those who managed ok to share their stories for those just starting out. I had myself that worked up about the side effects I was so very close to bailing out on the whole thing. It's no picnic run but it was nowhere near as horrrid as what my brain had conjured up.
I had the surgery first but the same chemo regime then 6 weeks rads. I was 45 at the time of diagnosis.
You will get your chemo education prior and, like everyone, it will scare the daylights out of you. The list of side effects is long and daunting. However, they are all the possible side effects that could happen. It doesn't mean they will.
My first 3 x AC I coped well. Day 2 and 3 after chemo I was on a high from all the steroids and went flat out, got heaps done. Bit of a crash day on day 4 but then pretty good from then on. Number four was a bit more rugged, but hey, at least that's the last one. Maxalon is a waste of time so ask for the good drugs straight up!
Taxol was soooooo much easier. Next to no side effects with that one.
Hardest thing I found throughout was the hot flushes, mild light headedness at times, and everything tasted blah. (Lots of mints and fruit tingles) Luckily, wine and tim tams tasted the same or I would have been really ticked off. lol.
I kept my hair with the cold cap, so that was very helpful. I worked, shopped, cooked, ran the farm, rode my horse, went to horse shows, partied in the bar with the cowboys, renovated my dining room etc etc etc. I just planned around it. Keeping busy really helped me I found. It was a distraction for my brain and I didn't spend every waking hour thinking about treatment.
Get someone to take you to the AC definitely but I easily managed to drive there and back with the taxol.
Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you.
All the best.
xoxoxoxoxox