Chemotherapy begins

Hi Jean

Great to hear that you have finished your  first chemo today... congrats...  :)

Yes, I think the anticipation of the "not knowing" when you have your first chemo. Hope you don't get too many side effects.  Just remember to take all your meds given to you, when you start to feel whatever the side effects. Try not to put up with them..... as I found out.... it isn't worth it. I thought I could handle some of them, but to no avail. I took the meds which helped heaps in  the end. So lesson learned for my next chemo.

Sorry to hear that you lost your dearest mum to this disease. It's just not fair is it? I actually lost my father to  Mesothelioma (asbestosis) last year. And I was diagnosed with BC basically a year later by a month. So I saw my father go through chemo and radiation. My parents live in Adelaide and I was commuting from Brisbane each fortnight. I couldn't bear to not see my dad... so I flew each fortnight to stay on the weekend. I did this for 18 months... must admit accumulated serious frequent flyer points...

It is good that you did catch this early, and now having the treatment needed to cure this. And also you need to do all the treatment as the oncologist has advised. As this will cure you.... Keep positive..

Keep us posted. Love as always Julie XX

Thank you chipmunk.  Overwhelmed by the responses as I said above.  Aren't women just the greatest when you need some solace and help. 

First chemo over today.  A few tears I have to admit but I think the anticipation is the worst thing.  I feel fine just now but not sure what to expect in the days to come:)

What the medical oncologist did say was " I can cure you" but only if I complete all the treatment which of course I have to. 

Having lost my dear mum to this disease at just the age I am now is pretty devastating but mine was caught early and hers wasn't.  Her cancer was pretty advanced when discovered.  There was not the screening and publicity then that we see now. 

Your aye

JeanW

Hi Chrissy, I understand the concern re infection and ingrown hair.  I think we become super vigilent when we start chemo.  I took the option of a no blade on the little clippers (these are little clippers with all these extra attachments not big hair clippers) rather than a shave (it is very close to a shave).  I have sensitive skin so I get a rash even when I shave my legs so I thought best not on my head (much to my husbands disappointment as he is bald and has all the "right stuff" for head shaving).  I have just been letting my hair fall out naturally on my legs and arms, so I figure it will happen on my head (although suprisinglynot yet).  I wash my head with my facewash or the cepetal soap and then every couple of days rub sorbolene and glycerine over it.  I also have little cotton caps with no seams that help when I go to bed.   I hope you find a solution soon.  Sleep is so important.

Thank you so much for your comments. I find them very helpful. I really need a friend who can relate in least situations and that is why I am here with you all. I had a bad third day yesterday and today I have started to feel like I belong again. The tablets must be better as it didn't take so long this time to stop the nausea. As for the spiky hair, I am a bit worried about getting an infection from shaving completely as I have been told it can cause ingrown hairs which can be a problem. I do toss and turn all night trying to get some sleep as it is very uncomfortable.

Hi Dan,

Your treatment sounds identical to mine last year. I'm still having 3 weekly herceptin until October which is 12 months. Hope you are travelling ok. I found the AC knocked me around a lot more than the Taxol/herceptin.  I also had 36 rounds of radiotherapy which I finished in mid March. Long haul but you so find the strength to keep going.

Good luck with the remainder of the treatment. Thinking of you and everything you are going through. This site kept me going and still does. The journey in some ways never ends.

Take care,

Alison (Perth) xxx

Hi Dan

Yes, we are a special bunch.

Glad to hear, you are feeling better than last time :)

Yes, I have the headaches after chemo. My oncologist gave me stronger headache tablets to take, to which helped.

Oh the tender scalp. Oh honey....... do the shave. Don't let it get to the stage I had, where it will start to feel like "cactus spikes" That really hurts, and I think that was also a contributing factor to the headaches as well. I got my hair cut real short and had the cactus spikes to which also lead to me not having a good nites sleep. I tossed and turned endlessly, trying to find a spot on my head that didn't hurt. It was awful. :(

Once you hair is falling out, get it just real short and shave. Trust me on this one......

Let me know how you get on, my lovely.

Love as always Julie XX

Hi Chrissy

Don't worry, we all feel sorry for ourselves, at some point. I know, I have.

I just had my third chemo, last Friday, and am still  not feeling 100% percent. Bugger.....

I had bad headaches to, and my oncologist gave me stronger headache tablets, to which helped. So maybe tell your oncologist, they should give you something for it.

Yes the crawling out of bed, I know as well. Feeling nauseous and needing to eat something. 

I think ( not a proper  medical diagnosis)  haha , but having more chemo sessions have made me feel not as sick, but the duration of feeling sick lasts longer. If that makes sense.

Hope you are feeling well real soon and you also give us strength to. So don't forget it.....

Stay in touch love Julie XX

Hi Girvan8

Just take one day at a time sweetie. We all are......

Let us know, how you get on next Friday.

Just think all this is relatively short, compared to how much having life is really worth.... After treatment a whole new world will be. You will look back and wonder that it WAS ALL WORTH IT.

Thats my way of thinking. When I have a bad day, I keep thinking, in the scheme of things, this is all for a reason. To make me feel better and rid of this horrible BC. I will look back and be happy that I did find it, I did do something about it, and I am being treated for it. And now I am happy and proud of myself.

You go girl - chin up and remember, we are all here for you.

Love Julie XX

I dont know if it will help, but my breast care nurse advised 1 maxalon plus 2 panadol for the big post chemo headache.  Works for some not all.  Worked for me. Wish I know about it on round 1!.  Love arrowroot biscuits. Green tea with a slice of ginger. Apple cider vinegar (weak) with teaspoon of honey. Ice pack on head or face flannel that was popped in the freezer resolved the head itch as did a massage with olive oil.  For some humour check out headcovers.com.  A USA cancer website.  I bought some "caps" which are really light and fit under my beanies and hats so no irritation.  My sister in law bought me the multi colour floral swim cap for summer when my radiation is finished.  Very 1950's.  Laughed so had when it arrived in the post.  Also check out the hats with hair much laughter there.  I'm thinking denim hat with plaits for a treat.

Take care.

Thanks for the reply. I always feel bad when I have had a moan to know that there are so many people worse off than I. I have had a lie down and I am now eating arrowroot biscuits and sips of water. My daughter shaved off my hair as it was falling out and messy. I now have a problem with the prickly hair and I wear a t-shirt tube I cut and find it the best thing to sleep in and keeps my head warm.