Getting Nervous

Hey Helena,  What you're feeling is absolutely normal, the thought of chemo frightened the life out of me! I had 3 cycles of FEC, and 3 of docetaxol.  But, actually, it wasn't as bad as I expected. Yes, the hair started coming out after 2 weeks, but I found that the anti nausea drugs etc. that they give you worked really well. Had some nausea, but no throwing up. It helped me to snack on dry salty biscuits like jatz, pretzels were good too. And there was no heartburn!! Also, don't take dexamethasone too late in day, as it may be hard to sleep, mid afternoon with food was good for me. You can do this Helena, take care,Kath x

You have by now read all the above blogs. I had the same chemo as Tonya and have to say I didn't feel great for the first few days after but always managed to eat !! Make sure you take the dexamethasone with food as it is a known stomach irritant. Lost the taste for wine well alcohol in general. Physically hair loss and some muscle aches and ridgey nails. I had 6 cycles which made me quite tired by the end but always took the dog out for a walk even if the walk was shorter some days felt great, exercise is great for helping your white blood cells return to normal levels.

Good luck

Sarah

Hi Chrissy,

I think I should stop reading stuff on the net now! 

I have a wig ready to go as I look pretty tragic in a scarf. 

Thanks for the reply- hope your hair grows in beutifully!

Helen

Hi Helen,

I'm the biggest whimp here.I was sooo anxious about my first chemo that they had to give me a "calm you down pill".It's only natural to be worried because it's the unknown -you don't know how you will react to the first chemo.Everyone reacts differently to a degree.Each chemo combo has different side effects.I had the TC combo.I never got heartburn but then I wasn't eating much.Inside of my mouth felt like fur and food tasted weird.I couldn't eat my favourites-tea and chocolate.By day 4 it hit like a ton of bricks and I stayed in bed.I had aches and fatigue and a bad headache.I never threw up.I gradually improved over the week.Keep your week following chemo free so you can rest if you need to.

                                  Tonya

Hi helena,

I think u have pretty much covered all the main side effects...some depend on ur meds..i also experienced hot flushes (which were interesting to say the least!). most also experience a metallic taste, tenderness & sensitivity of the interior of your mouth, ulcers, etc..u may also get constipation or diarrhoea altho i only suffered these mildly (hardly worth mentioning)...but as i say a lot depends on which chemo drugs u are going to be on...nausea should not be an issue as u normally are prescribed anti-nausea meds (take them when told) so follow up on that if they haven't given them to u to take home on chemo day.., go with the flow, write everything down (i kept a diary of side effects) so u can discuss these with ur oncologist

Good luck..come back here often as there are always really constructive and positive postings

Sam  :)

Sorry if all this information is scaring you. It all depends on what chemo you are having and it does different things to everyone. All the side effect were explained to me by my oncologist and chemo nurses prior to starting. None of them mentioned heartburn to me but that is what i get.My hair started falling out 16 days after the first chemo and I shaved it all off on the 18th as it was everywhere in the house and bed.

I hope you get to ask a professional any questions so you know what you might be in for but doesnt necessarily mean you will have all the side effects.

Take care and dont freak out too much..sometimes too much info can be a bad thing.

Chrissy D. :)