Starting chemo

Thanks @arpie - I love logic problems so will definitely take those, among other things. I’m thinking of buying myself a new tote bag to take to chemo.  Xx

All the best with your chemo, @HelenlovesSnoopy  - hopefully you won't get all the side effects xx .... take a little bag of 'bits to do' (crosswords or suduko etc)... or take your iPad/magazines ... as you'll be there for a while.  Even some nibbles - tho you are usually given morning tea & lunch ... 

I didn't do chemo, but my husband did..... he was told to drink lots of water after each session to help 'wash it thru' ...   Definitely let your Onc & Onc nurses know if you have any long lasting nasty side effects once you are home - and if you ever get a temperature during your treatment, you are usually advised to go to hospital, making sure they know you are on chemo when you arrive.   Do you have a reliable thermometer?  The new digital ones are very easy to use. 

You may need to stay out of the sun or put on heaps of sunscreen lotion - as some chemos can make you susceptible to sun & you can burn SO easily .... maybe ask the Onc Nurses about that one xx

take care & all the best xx

@Afraser and @Blossom1961 thank you very much for these replies, they are a huge help and I'm taking note of everything.  Starting tomorrow it's my 'getting ready for chemo week' as I like to be prepared as much as possible.  That's my way of coping.  
You've made me feel better about the mild throat thingy, I"ll take care of it with the gargling and check in with the nurse, but sounds like it might be ok.  BY the way I'm so glad I went to the dentist when all this was starting and had my teeth cleaned I hadn't been to the dentist in years!

Hi @HelenlovesSnoopy

Reactions to chemo vary immensely so be prepared! With A/C, the most common side effects are hair loss, fatigue and nausea. Cold cap may offset the effects and save your hair so worth checking out. I didn’t have any fatigue, chemo brain (cognitive confusion) or nausea. You will be provided with medication to offset nausea - if, like me, you haven’t any, you can ask to skip it - I found it caused constipation. But many have found it a great help as nausea is pretty horrible.

The taxanes (including Paclitaxel) are considered easier by most but I really loathed mine. Most side effects were annoying but relatively short lived - cleared up
quickly once treatment stopped. Bloody noses were helped by nose oil (from the chemist), loss of tastebuds just had to be lived with (happily the few things I could taste were healthy, all alcohol tasted vile during chemo!) but peripheral neuropathy can linger. Some day clinics offer ice gloves and feet covers to help, also worth checking out. In any event, tingling in the hands and feet should be reported ASAP to your oncologist as it can get worse. Some don’t have any problem with PN at all. 

I got ‘something’ ( it turned out to be a recurrent infection caused by a large and stubborn seroma) just before my first chemo so my oncologist kept me in hospital overnight after discussing it with me and my surgeon - just in case! I was fine. But if it has to be deferred for a week or so, it’s also OK.

Best of luck, I found counting the sessions down helped, a smaller number to be gone through every time! When I got to half way, it felt remarkably good. 

Was it worth it? I will never know for certain but 11 years on, I am here, living well and it all seems a long time ago. That’ll do me. Best wishes. 

Hi Helen, As I had nearly every side effect I won't go all the way down that road. I do suggest you have some heartburn medication handy especially for the first night. You may not need it but have it just in case. Also keep other things on hand. Something for constipation and something for the runs. Most people get one or the other. Swish salt water around inside your mouth after chemo and continue this for a few days even if you don't think you need it. Keeping mouth sores away is easier than getting rid of them. Have some easy to prepare meals on hand as well as frozen meals. Your taste buds may change but you won't know that until after. I could eat anything except oats. They made me feel ill so I had to change my morning brekky.
They are the main things. As you continue through your treatment, ask for help on any extra tips on side effects as we have all found different things react differently for each of us. I think I tried most things for the individual side effects until I found something that work.
Take care of that sore throat. Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day. I often get sore throats but mine are because I forget to drink enough water so my own fault.
All the best. Hope this helps. Sending big hugs