Oncologist Appointment

Thank you for your advice, I will do a blog after it and let you know how I travelled.

Julia

I had a rotten cold when I started chemo too! I was having AC (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide). I thought (hoped) my treatment would be deferred, but no such luck. I don't think it made much difference to either the chemo experience or the cold -- except that it probably lasted a bit longer than it would have otherwise.

Overall, it might not be as bad as you think -- it certainly wasn't for me. I have two to go, now.

Good luck, hope your first (and future) treatment goes well.

Heather

Samantha & the others are exactly right, the whole chemo ride can be a bit up and down, and you need to do what's right for you. I agree that it's good to ask for what you need -- whether that's company, or a phone call, or a hug.

Amanda (I think?) reckons you need to think of chemo like a pac-man, munching through your system. If you feel a bit crap, take comfort in what it's doing to those pesky cancer cells.

You don't need to be fearful so long as your medical team is available -- they will help you get thru it and try to minimise whatever side effects you experience. Personally I've had a couple of rough cycles but each time the next one is much better, because they can alter the dose and/or give you different medicines for side effects. If fearfulness isn't helpful to you, acknowledge it and let it go.

Also Tonya (I think?) says that if you're very anxious, you can ask for a 'calm-me-down' pill -- if that's what you need, ask for it.

Good luck to all of you just starting chemo. Nearly everyone here has some tips and tricks for managing side effects, so come back & tell us how you're getting on. Go well,

Heather

Hello,

I too am awaiting chemo for the first time, mine is next tuesday.  As it gets closer my apprehension increases, wondering what my symptoms will be like.  I also have a cold virus which has really taken it out of me this week and I am disappointed as I wanted one last week to be feeling good before chemo hits.  anyhow can't be helped...

 Today I went in for my pre chemo blood test, which i was nervous about, not likeing needles and was relieved that it was so quick and pretty stressless.  my ongologist said it is ok to have blood done before the day of chemo and for me this is one less stress for the chemo day already taken care of.

Hope yours goes well!  Julia

Hi Pacwood and Al,

I also had a grade 3 tumour with no node involvement. Due to the aggressive nature of the the tumour I also had a mastectomy following my lumpectomy last December. I was told I would need chemo, and of course was scared stiff. I had 4 cycles of Taxotere and cyclophosphamide over 3 weekly periods, and have now been finished for 3.5 months. I just wanted to tell you that it was no where near as bad as I thought it would be. I experienced most of the side effects that they tell you about, but on a scale of 1 - 10, nothing was worse than about a 2. Be kind to yourself and let others help you. My one bit of advice would be to take all the medications that the oncologist gives you for nausea, at the required times. Don't try to be brave and not take them. My oncologist said, that it is easier to prevent the nausea than to stop it once it hits. I kept a piece of paper and wrote down the times I took medications, and the symptoms I was experiencing. It was useful to have that with each cycle, so you can plan things. I have enjoyed a very normal life during and after my treatment. I'm still quite bald, but my hair is starting to grow back. I'm still wearing a wig, and it is such a good wig, that people are surprised when I tell them that it isn't my new hair all grown out. My daughter, (22) commented yesterday, that she can forget that I had cancer and chemo if I wear my wig. I tend to wear it most of the time these days.

Good luck with the chemo and I will be thinking of you and wishing you well.

Chris xx

With your great positive attitude feel empowered that you have the opportunity to klick this to the kerb!!!...and if it takes some toxic drugs then so be it!

My main advice to anyone is   1/ to let others help as they will want to-so ask for what it is u need-often those wanting to help don't know what they can do and    2/ give in to ur body and how it feels-rest when u feel u need and function when u can-don't try to do much when ur too tired-it just frustrated you

Remember-its only for a few months, then some more recovery time, then u can say u have beaten it..wow, what an achievement

plan and focus on something positive and wonderful at the end of treatment, good luck with it all..

Sam  :)

 

Dear Pacwood,

I feel exactly the same - I had a lumpectomy and my 1 node was clear but the cancer was grade 3 so chemo will be offered. This also scares me as I too hate being sick and feeling as if I'm not in control.  My initial oncology appointment is on the 19th and I am getting a little scared.

Take care and stay positive

Al xx

Dear Pacwood,

I feel exactly the same - I had a lumpectomy and my 1 node was clear but the cancer was grade 3 so chemo will be offered. This also scares me as I too hate being sick and feeling as if I'm not in control.  My initial oncology appointment is on the 19th and I am getting a little scared.

Take care and stay positive

Al xx