Feeling anxious

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Mine was similar and I finished my chemo about 2 years ago. It is a very cary and difficult time but you will get through it. There was a post on here called something like 'What helped you get through chemo?'  Many people have added their useful tips to it and it  was about a mile long last time I saw it. I tried to search for it just now but couldn't find it. Hopefully someone else will see this and will be able to remember the exact name of it.

That aside I woud recommend that you plan to take it as easy as possible during the chemo phase. Everybody's experience is a bit different and it is difficult to know exactly what to expect but generally most people seem to feel pretty awful at about day 3-5 after each chemo - for me it was a bit like the flu - exhaused, achey muscles, a bit feverish, also itchy rashes, reduced appetite and a sore mouth. By about day 6 you start to feel a little better and you can mostly do normal things although I never felt completely well on chemo.

I would also recommend you accept any help that is offered from family and friends. I was releuctant to do this being a very independent sort of person but regretted it later.  

The hair loss was very difficult for me. If you can afford the expense get yourself a nice wig mine was about $400 but I felt it was worth every cent.  Also get a few different beanies and hats. You probably won't want to wear a wig all the time. I wore hats at home and my wig when I went out.

Eating is a bit difficult because your mouth becomes a sore and you lose your sense of taste to a large extent. I think it's best to just eat what you feel like during this time and not worry too much about losing or gaining weight (either might happen). I remember eating things like 2 minute noodles and drinking my kids Up and Gos.

Also keep in mind that some vitamins and supplements can interfere with chemo or diminish its effectiveness so if you do take anything it's best to run it by your oncologist first. 

You also need to be very conscious of germs I think about 7-10days after having each chemo because your immune system will be weakened. Best to avoid shopping centres and public places at that time. I have never been one for using anti-bacterial products but I used everyone I could find during chemo. I went through chemo in winter and my 3 kids seemed to be constantly getting colds so I was forever spraying Glen 20 around the house and wiping everything down with anti-bacterial sprays. I managed to avoid any infections.

Being on here helped me a lot too. I remember on some of my worst days sitting in bed with the laptop reading this site and it really helped to get advice and sympathy from other women going through the same thing or had been through it and were now doing fine. Also I remember reading a book called I think The Elegant Art of Falling Apart which is true story about one women's breast cancer experience. It was so relevant to what I was experiencing and with a bit of humor as well. 

Good luck Lindy. Keep posting on here if you need advice or you just want to vent your frustrations. Sometimes it helps just to write it down and send it off into cyberspace. It's never easy but I hope it all goes as smoothly as possible for you. Janet.