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Enaj's avatar
Enaj
Member
13 years ago

First chemo session

Hi, my name is Jane and I live in North Queensland.  it's been an "interesting" month, found a lump 2 December, diagnosed 7 December, left mastectomy 13 December (in hindsight I wish I'd had a double mastectomy, but I plan to in the future............but that's another post!), axilla 20 December.  I have IDC, there was only one node involved and I'm waiting to find out whether I'm H2 positive or not.  All scans were clear, that news turned me into a blubbering mess for some reason.........I haven't cried at bad news but I disolve when I finally get something good!!!!!!

I'm sure there's info somewhere on this sight about how to prepare and the best things to take to your first chemo session, which will be next Thursday.  So far all I'm definitely taking is my wonderful partner ;-)

My head is spinning at the moment, I'm keeping positive, there's nothing to be gained from crumbling, but to say I'm scared would be an understatement.  I've walked into so many appointments in the last month where my heart is screaming "turn and run, run as fast as you can"  and I have to tell it to shut up and listen to my head that's saying "just get in there and do this, you need this".

Anyhow if there's anything that particularlly helped you I'd LOVE to hear about it, I've done LOTS of reading on the internet but I've decided not to continue with that because it tended to scare the cr@p out of me rather than educate!!

Thank you for a wonderful community

Best

Jane

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  • anniep's avatar
    anniep
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Jane, that sounds like me prior my chemo, I was scared, really didn't want to do it but deep down knew it was the path I had to take in my journey. I've only had one session of chemo (FEC) so far but i can tell you that you needn't worry, the chemo itself is not that bad. I drank lots of water before, and minaral water during and after chemo. I was also given ice to suck during chemo. The anti-nausea medication works wonders, I was given stuff to take the night before and others for few more days. I had no nausea and in general felt okay, even now two weeks after. White blood cell count went low but no major dramas there. Am taking supplements to combat some side-effects too. I basically went in expecting nothing, tried to relax as much as I could and realized that it's really not that bad as some people make it out be. Its good that you have your partner there, I had my mother-in-law and she was good distraction, talks so much all the time :)

    I hope your 1st chemo goes well!   /Annie