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 taxol.I know that everyone's experience is unique and I won't know how I will respond to the treatment until I'm in the thick of it but I would be so grateful (from those of you had the same schedule), if you hit me with your answers to the following, just so that I can get some idea of some of the things I might be able to expect (I'll also trawl through all the previous discussions on this topic over the next few days!):During the AC and Taxol cycles, which days were your worst/best?What was your worst symptom?Did you feel pretty good straight after the treatment? Should I be able to drive myself home?When did you start to lose your hair?Any other advice is so so welcome - as much as I was cool, calm and collected about surgery, I'm pretty damn terrified about chemo :neutral:

Sorry ladies! Yes I’m home - mind you, they wanted me to stay another night because my neutrophils were not back to the magical ‘1’ but I threw a wobbly - went hysterical actually. Bit melodramatic now that I think about it but hey, it’s actually the first time that I’ve cried since my diagnosis in January (true fact!) so it sort of all came pouring out. I went home with oral antibiotics for a week (just in case) and will have my blood test on Monday as planned, to see if my neutrophil count is sufficiently high enough for me to enjoy the pleasure of chemo number 2 on Tuesday - funny what you wish for! Thanks for all the support!

@"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:

Midday @kmakm :)Just went wig shopping with my friend - we had a lot of fun!

Hi @Eastmum I’m on the same regime pretty much (AC fortnighly x 4, Taxol weekly x 12). Monday is my infusion day.AC: I suffered more than most on this. Tried all of the nausea meds and only sort of got it under control by the final infusion. I was in bed for a week and even getting up to pee made me feel sick. Had a window of about 2 hours each evening feeling normal. I got febrile neutropenia (despite being given neulasta) and ended up in hospital - my immune system has never been great though. Other girls I know were pretty much fine though!My hair went after 2-3 weeks and I got the tell tale “feeling like you’ve just taken your hair out of a pony tail” the day before so I shaved it to a #2Would advise getting someone to come with you for driving but also because the first session can be confronting. I considered myself a badass coming into this whole thing, and had to accept some serious tears at chemo #1. Speaking of tears, I got a day of overwhelming emotion each Thursday the week after chemo. Only thing for it was a sad movie marathon and comfort food. I felt amazing after crying it all out. Taxol: I’ve had 5 weekly treatments now and have got some mild to moderate bone/joint pain and experience slightly blurry vision but otherwise feeling good. I’m still really fatigued but it’s more manageable than on AC. This can still of course all change with 7 to go!Re useful products, I’ve found body crystal deodorant, “organic care” shower gel and organic vegan baby lotion (I’m not even vegetarian so don’t ask) are all I’ve needed for skin and body care. Got all of them from Coles so no specialist vendor required. Gentle, good for the environment and natural ingredients (no carcinogens).Hope this helps you!

Thanks @Zoffiel - yes I've heard from others that winter can be a bit kinder on the head-wear front - I was already freezing last night with a full head of hair! About to go online and order one of Carrie's Beanies for Brain Cancer I think! @jennyss - a chemo diary is a fantastic idea and I think I'll do just that. I'm already regretting that I haven't documented the journey so far (especially because I write for a living!) so I think I'll find some time to back track a bit - might even start a blog......wow @primek - that would be a great option - I'll see how I go with the first chemo and what they say about my veins and I'll definitely ask my oncologist about this.@Sannahkate - YES, this helps so much - I can totally relate to the 'just took my hair out of a ponytail' feeling so I will absolutely keep my antennas honed for that. Thanks also for making it all sound so 'real' - I'm also feeling pretty 'badass' about all of this at the moment but am crumbling a tiny bit at the edges. Just had a chat to hubby about my treatment and was absolutely fine until I got to the sentence 'of course I'll take the recommended Chemo regime, I have too much to live for' and got very teary! He's coming with my on Tuesday for the first round but I've already told him I'm sending him back to work after half an hour otherwise he'll just get totally bored and start annoying me LOL - I'll be iPad-ready and will uber/taxi home. Thanks for the list of useful products, I'll definitely check them out! xxxx

Chemo here I go! | BCNA Online Network

97 Replies

Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
Nothing wrong with throwing the odd paddy. We are wired to do that in times of extreme stress or heightened emotions. Having a meltdown can be embarrassing, but as long as no one gets injured, what's the harm.

You've got to wonder, sometimes, why it gets to the point of tears and snot and 'I want to go home.' before anyone takes you seriously. Pay attention to reasonable requests? No. We will wait until the wailing starts then go 'Holy shit, get her out of here!' Glad you are home, regardless of what it took to get there,:)
Sister
Member
8 years ago
Glad to hear it @eastmum. And I agree - funny what you wish for. I was in a holding pattern yesterday at chemo as there was a "problem" with my bloods and I was on the verge of tears until they called me back in and said it was fine.
tigerbeth
Member
8 years ago
@Eastmum so glad your home & your perfectly entitled to chuck a wobbly !!!
Hope you enjoy a peaceful sleep tonight !
Go those neutrophils !!!
xx
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
The sweet sweet relief of your own bed!
Eastmum
Member
8 years ago
Sorry ladies! Yes I’m home - mind you, they wanted me to stay another night because my neutrophils were not back to the magical ‘1’ but I threw a wobbly - went hysterical actually. Bit melodramatic now that I think about it but hey, it’s actually the first time that I’ve cried since my diagnosis in January (true fact!) so it sort of all came pouring out. I went home with oral antibiotics for a week (just in case) and will have my blood test on Monday as planned, to see if my neutrophil count is sufficiently high enough for me to enjoy the pleasure of chemo number 2 on Tuesday - funny what you wish for! Thanks for all the support!
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
We're on tenterhooks here!
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
@Eastmum did they let you go home in the end?
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
@SoldierCrab I know it would have worked on me... A diamond ring? Yeah baby!!
SoldierCrab
Member
8 years ago
Bribery of course is what worked ;)
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
Hooray!!! So was it the stern talking to or the bribery that worked?!