Chemo here I go!
Hi everyone! Just came from my first oncology appointment - Chemo starts next Tuesday! My schedule will be the very standard four cycles of AC - over 12 weeks, 3 weeks apart then 12 x weekly taxo...
Forum Discussion
@"Kiwi Angel" @Finch @RR - thanks so much for the good wishes!
@AllyJay you absolutely crack me up! I was in the car with one of my closest friends who has also been a mentor to me with this BC gig and we were howling with laughter over your birth analogy - hilarious! I think I'll put your story at the furthest extreme end of the AC range of experiences! (had to google neutropenia) Wow you really went through the ringer!
Thanks for the pee tip @kezmusc - I hadn't heard that one before so have taken note. I'm usually the one in the office who announces that I'm going to the loo and still sitting at my desk an hour later, sometimes finding myself at the end of the day having not gone even once, and busting by the time I get home! No more of that for me it looks like. I won't have the option of a cold cap but that's OK I'm researching cool, colourful, funky wigs - think I might have a few alter egos over the next few months.
@Janny54 - I know everyone has a completely different experience and I'm crossing my fingers that mine ends up being similar to yours! I'm hoping to work all the way through but I'm totally open-minded and don't have any expectations, plus I'm lucky to have a very supportive workplace.
@Sister I actually remember reading your post about your first (failed) chemo experience, and then at my Onc appointment he was telling me how important it is that the AC goes properly straight into the vein and not into the surrounding tissue - I thought of you while he was telling me! So I'm glad to hear that it all eventually becomes a dim memory. Documenting the whole process sounds like a great idea - I think I might steal that one! And THANK YOU for the awesome list - I will follow it to the letter!
@Fionap2017 - I'm heartened to hear that your experience was also 'mild' in comparison to some others and I'm crossing my fingers that I'll follow suit. I'm always so grateful to hop on this forum and ask for advice - this is really the most incredible and supportive community!
Thanks @primek - I'm definitely keeping my expectations 'real' and totally recognise that I might have a difficult time - it's really great to get a whole range of experiences.
Hi @MoiraC - I'm guessing Dex is Dexamethasone? I've just looked that up too! My Dr has given me a prescription for it and told me to take 8mg the day after chemo then 4mg on days 2 and 3 - then he's given me maxalon to take only if I need it. It sounds like you were given Dex as part of the chemo treatment on the day though - I wonder if I'll get that too? He did warn me about neuropathy and to let him know immediately if I experience any symptoms so he can change my dosage.
I'm actually pumped and ready to go! Bring it on I say - the sooner I start, the sooner I finish right? I'm also going to go from long, past my shoulders hair, to a number 3 or 4 cut the minute I start noticing the first strands falling out - I'm not going to wait until I start losing clumps. Cancer treatment might take my hair but there's no f&%$ing way I'm going to let it dictate when it all comes off! That will be MY decision. Saturday, I'm going with a very close friend of mine, who works with the 'look good feel better program' to try on some wigs - I think I'll try something really out there and different - If I'm going to go through this, I'm going to try and have some fun along the way!
Thanks again everyone - I am always so grateful :smiley:
@AllyJay you absolutely crack me up! I was in the car with one of my closest friends who has also been a mentor to me with this BC gig and we were howling with laughter over your birth analogy - hilarious! I think I'll put your story at the furthest extreme end of the AC range of experiences! (had to google neutropenia) Wow you really went through the ringer!
Thanks for the pee tip @kezmusc - I hadn't heard that one before so have taken note. I'm usually the one in the office who announces that I'm going to the loo and still sitting at my desk an hour later, sometimes finding myself at the end of the day having not gone even once, and busting by the time I get home! No more of that for me it looks like. I won't have the option of a cold cap but that's OK I'm researching cool, colourful, funky wigs - think I might have a few alter egos over the next few months.
@Janny54 - I know everyone has a completely different experience and I'm crossing my fingers that mine ends up being similar to yours! I'm hoping to work all the way through but I'm totally open-minded and don't have any expectations, plus I'm lucky to have a very supportive workplace.
@Sister I actually remember reading your post about your first (failed) chemo experience, and then at my Onc appointment he was telling me how important it is that the AC goes properly straight into the vein and not into the surrounding tissue - I thought of you while he was telling me! So I'm glad to hear that it all eventually becomes a dim memory. Documenting the whole process sounds like a great idea - I think I might steal that one! And THANK YOU for the awesome list - I will follow it to the letter!
@Fionap2017 - I'm heartened to hear that your experience was also 'mild' in comparison to some others and I'm crossing my fingers that I'll follow suit. I'm always so grateful to hop on this forum and ask for advice - this is really the most incredible and supportive community!
Thanks @primek - I'm definitely keeping my expectations 'real' and totally recognise that I might have a difficult time - it's really great to get a whole range of experiences.
Hi @MoiraC - I'm guessing Dex is Dexamethasone? I've just looked that up too! My Dr has given me a prescription for it and told me to take 8mg the day after chemo then 4mg on days 2 and 3 - then he's given me maxalon to take only if I need it. It sounds like you were given Dex as part of the chemo treatment on the day though - I wonder if I'll get that too? He did warn me about neuropathy and to let him know immediately if I experience any symptoms so he can change my dosage.
I'm actually pumped and ready to go! Bring it on I say - the sooner I start, the sooner I finish right? I'm also going to go from long, past my shoulders hair, to a number 3 or 4 cut the minute I start noticing the first strands falling out - I'm not going to wait until I start losing clumps. Cancer treatment might take my hair but there's no f&%$ing way I'm going to let it dictate when it all comes off! That will be MY decision. Saturday, I'm going with a very close friend of mine, who works with the 'look good feel better program' to try on some wigs - I think I'll try something really out there and different - If I'm going to go through this, I'm going to try and have some fun along the way!
Thanks again everyone - I am always so grateful :smiley: