Chemo here I go!

@Eastmum If you haven't already, book into a Look Good, Feel Better session, although you may have already done so having a friend who works with it.  I can't say that I learnt a lot as most of the makeup tips I've accumulated over the years but you do get a set of fresh clean makeup which is nice to have when you're in chemo.  See if there are any wig libraries/services in Sydney as they cost a fair bit to buy.  Sometimes the libraries are not well advertised.  I didn't find out until later that the Royal Adelaide Hospital volunteers (lavender ladies, although we're not allowed to call them that, now, apparently) run a service where you can hire a wig for as long as you need it for only $25.
@kezmusc is right about the loo.  I've found that as soon as I'm aware that I need to go, it rapidly gets urgent...and I would advise that you never wait if you're verging on diarrhoea (almost came undone on that one - too much info?)
I still hate the port and get shockingly anxious before each treatment until the blood runs freely, but I'm still glad that I have it.  My body has been (and will be) affected enough by bc without the veins in my good arm shutting down.  I will be clamouring to have it out quickly after the chemo, though!

I love that you're going cray with wigs @Eastmum! So cool. We all rock our own styles eh? I went nuts with chemo hats and statement earrings. I'm deeply irritated at the moment because I can't find my black hat. You know, the one that goes with everything. It's turned cold here too so I really need it. It's somewhere in the house...

I got my hair buzzed off at a too cool for school local hipster barber shop. Millenials everywhere and tattoos for miles. They offered me a beer which I declined, but then they offered me a gin and tonic. I've barely drunk since my diagnosis but I did that day. It was big and strong and bloody marvellous. The guys were sweet and there was no pity face. And they wouldn't let me pay for a thing. So so kind. K xox

Way to go @Eastmum! Enjoy playing with new you re hair -it can be fun despite the reason. Yes I did mean dexamethasone and had it for a couple days as part if the chemo prep. Go well 

@"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:

PS @Eastmum -my hair fell out 3 weeks into AC treatment just as dr said! 

Hi @eastmum  -as you can see there are many different reactions to AC. I didn't do well on it and it had to be stopped after 3 cycles as I ended up in hospital with neutropenia. I felt pretty ill most of the time on it but others have found it ok. However I was a bit high on the dex they give you and had no trouble driving home! What I have found is that I react really strongly to each of the chemo drugs but I am reassured that there are others to try. After Paklitakel which gave me hand and feet neuropathy after the first dose! Xeloda has been much better. After some complications with hand and feet! ( see what I mean)  the dose is now adjusted and am tolerating much better than other drugs. Hope all goes ok for you. Like others I learnt to roll with it and take it day at a time and learning to really accept living in the moment -knowing even when a bad day or days come there are also good ones around the corner. Wishing you the best.

@eastmum Before I started, many members shared there must-haves list with me so I could stock up in advance as we don't live near any shops or 24/7 pharmacies.  You can probably find the post - would have been February I think...  But here is what I have found useful so far to have on hand:
Sorbolene (for dry skin in many areas)
Dove soap
Very soft little kids toothbrush
Biotene mouthwash
Baby shampoo and afro comb to take care of your hair if you're keeping it
Coloxyl with Senna
Movicol (haven't had to use it yet)
Pocket sized sanitiser lotion
Large antibacterial wipes for public loos
Picket sized wipes for whenever
Mylanta double strength for indigestion
Truckload of Panadol for headaches
Flushable bottom wipes for when things get tender.
I haven't used all things all of the time but everything except the Movicol has had more than one go and most have been regularly reached for.

I will be thinking of you @Eastmum xx

I forgot that you asked about hair loss as well...  I had cold caps for the first 2 AC but developed a large bald strip across the top from ear to ear that I couldn't hide.  That brought the tears.  So, I decided to forgo the caps for No. 3 and got a No. 2!  Strangely enough, although the onc said that my hair would be gone by Day 10 of treatment 3, I've still got a fine fuzz but my hair has always grown slowly so I suspect that has something to do with it.  I'd shave it but I'm scared of cutting myself.  I have lost a lot of eyelashes and my eyebrows are almost gone - that is what I hate more than losing the hair.  I've got that bald face chemo look - a bit like a turtle, I always think.  If they had cold patches for eyebrows and eyelashes, I'd have gladly put up with the pain...or maybe not.
A bonus of chemo brain I think is that while I know the treatment is crap, it's a bit like childbirth - it's hard to look back and capture just how lousy I felt each time.  It's all a haze.
I kept a chemo diary with AC to show the onc.  I think he must have found it useful because he always asked to keep the printout.  I divided it into day by day and into symptoms (usual and new).

I didn't do well on either and always had someone drive me. My concentration was very poor on taxol.