I start chemo tomorrow. I'm not coping so well today, I think I am going to scream if I hear anyone else tell me how important it is to stay positive! Today I'm having a picc line put in, chemo education and an appointment with my onc this afternoon. I also have an appointment with the hairdresser to cut my long hair short. I am feeling really overwhelmed. I have read many of the post from you ladies who have bravely gone through chemo. I guess I fear the unknown but am so concerned about the list of side effects (which I know are different for everyone). My onc says that she thinks I will do well through chemo but obviously there are no guarantees. I didn't fare so well through surgery, finding out that I don't tolerate opiate pain relief well and that many of the nausea drugs didn't help when I was on IV antibiotics for axillary infection. I think this is adding to my anxiety. Sorry, I just needed to vent as my husband and teenage daughter, although caring, just don't understand how I'm feeling today.

You know your biggest anxiety will be that hair cut? It was for me, all my lovely long locks gone. Over a year later and I am still not used to short hair so it is my mission to one day get it long again.Stick to the Panadol for pain killers. It works fairly well and keep up short walks as the exercise does your bones good. Perhaps you could look into the Ginger seasickness tabs to help with nausea? After your first infusion you will probably be thinking what all the fuss was about. Good luck with your treatment. <3

I so feel your pain. I'm hanging in there also. Good luck with your treatment. I don't have much to advise as I'm also at the beginning and start chemo in May. My husband also says to stay positive ad can't understand why I have moments of tears, but I have told him to have a diagnosis of cancer and see what it does to your psyche! Thoughts are with you x

Feel free to check out my blog about getting through chemo... https://carlysfighttowin.wordpress.com/

Hey Piccme, vent all you want that is what we are here for. It is surreal at the start, especially when we don't feel sick. The thought of chemo is scary. It is overwhelming, but even if it is hard you WILL get through this. I never thought I could do chemo but I did. I had a lot of complications so it was never a walk in the park but I did get through it. Once treatment starts you will calm down a bit. It is more the unknown that gets us so worked up. Whatever you need we will be here for you. And yes, it really got to the stage where if another person had said to me to 'stay positive' I really think I would have punched them!!! They just don't know what else to say. Come on here any time if you need some encouragement. Having this network available 24/7 when I was going through chemo made a huge difference. Sending you hugs, Nadine

Hi Piccme My name is Laura, I'm 37 and have 2 small children at home. I was very scared about my first chemo, which was on the 7th of April. Was so worried about what side effects I would get and how could I look after 2 little ones if I got all these symptoms etc.... To be honest it was a major anticlimax! I went in got hooked up into my port, sat in a very comfy chair for bout 3hrs drinking tea watching tv and then it was over. That night I slept really well and the next 4/5 days I felt what I can only describe as symptoms similar to morning sickness or a wine induced hangover. Fuzzy head and nauseous! I rang my oncology nurse and she got my oncologist to write me a script for better anti nausea tablets and life was good again. Apart from that I was fine. I am 11 days post chemo and feel back to normal apart from metallic taste in my mouth and 2 mouth ulcers. Next treatment on the 26th. Don't be scared you can do this. Whatever symptoms you get your team will help to manage. Just focus on the fact that chemo is clearing up and getting rid of the cancer. Each session you do is one less and you will be cancer free after its all done. You can do this. The fear of the unknown is the worst but just breath and try and have a good sleep tonight it will all be fine xx

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