1st chemotherapy

Syt, I hope treatment goes well for you. Let us know how you do with it. Just did my first ac  chemo last Tuesday and went well.

I'm will be having the AC Chemo 4times fortnightly,  and 4-6 weeks of the taxol. Followed by 4-6 weeks of radiation and finally  10ysers of anti cancer pills. 

All of your advice has been fantastic. Thank you so very much. 

All I can say is I am so looking forward to Christmas this year!!! 
Julie x

Hey!

I didn't have a port either, I had friends with Her2 and they had ports but none of friends who had just ER+ I think as its a longer duration with 12 months of Herceptin. 

I was told the day before your Chemo infusion to hydrate, drink loads of water, agree its really just eating what you feel like. Recommendation is only to eat a balanced diet but you may find like most of us through chemo just getting anything in was more than fine. Once you get through you could start Magnesium, Vitamin D and C. No point whilst on chemo. Agree about the Coloxyl for constipation, rinse your mouth with saltwater day and night too for ulcers. Maxolon was no good for nausea for me, Ativan was better it helped me relax and sleep. 

Dress comfy, I did most of mine on my own, but plenty of people to chat to if you felt like or could take an ipad, there was wifi, or read a book, listen to music in earphones. 

Best thing I could say is just make sure you do whatever you want to do in terms of being at home, put you first rest as much as you can, dont push to do more than you can. I couldnt work after 8 weeks, and that was the best thing for me..I got to nurture me through it. So important. I dont put work above me anymore, thats not living..:) 

All the best, you'll do great! :) Melinda xo

Hi Julie,
I had 4 AC's (3 weekly) and 12 Taxols (weekly).
Not sure which one you are having or for how long but the most important thing I feel I should say is that at first, it felt as though the 6 months would be an eternity and I felt overwhelmed every time I thought of it. Now, having done it and on the other side and having just had reconstruction surgery, I feel like it went quite fast and it is totally do-able.
I didn't have a port, managed with a cannula each time. 
i had a rough time with the AC and found that I had a super strong Spider-Man sense of smell which made my nausea much worse. It helped to keep all strong doors away from me.
I read on this forum that many women had a strong metallic taste during AC, which I did and the occasional fruit tingle really helped that to pass. :)
I also has pretty awful constipation but jumped on that with regular coloxyl and senna helping enormously.
Keep all channels open with your day ward oncology team and always ask, no matter how small the concern might be, if you have any.
Wishing you a speedy, merciful chemo trip.
hugs,
A. x

I also used Emla cream on my port it was supplied by the breast care nurse. You can also buy emla patches from the chemist. My oncologist recommended them as less messy than the cream .I bought two and didnt realise they cost 7.50 each otherwise the cream was free.
AS for food I ate a normal diet. I was served lunch during chemo which was fine. If at times I had chemo out of lunch hours I always brought snacks with me. Fruit nuts  sultanas maybe a sandwich. Whatever you feel like. 
I was encouraged not to loose weight (first time ever) and eat normally. 
Accessing the port was okay even without the cream . It did sting but only briefly. good luck

Re: pain with port. Perhaps pop in the chemo unit day before. I used local anesthetic cream 1 hour before (can't remember what it's called now ) so port didn't hurt when they accessed it.

Re: before hand I would suggest something quite fibrous like nuts and dried fruit  (I got constipated on AC).  After I ate what I tolerated. Nothing spicy. I craved salty foods. I eventually needed movichol (for constipation) started 1 day before AC treatment and continue 3 days. Worked a treat.

I was told to avoid soft cheeses, cultured yoghurt, shop prepared salad (coleslaw etc) and reheated takeaway food, smoked salmon. Anything tbat might have bacteria or lysteria risk. 

I could have fruche, bacon, hard cheeses, fresh salad so all not lost.

Hope goes well.

Kath