This is my first blog in the world of bc. I am about to start my first round of chemo tomorrow and am not sure what to expect. I have read many inspiring stories on here and by the sounds of it everyone reacts to treatment differently. I would like to know some handy tips on how to approach the first treatment without loosing my mind. And how to manage symptoms which follow. As i am new i would greatly appreciate all information i can get. Thank you all and may you stay strong

Hi Olga, A big welcome to this site. There is a wealth of information here through all of us who have been through what you are just about to experience. I had 4 rounds of chemo from January to March this year, for a grade 3, 21mm tumor.I had no nodes involved, amd my chemlo was Taxotere and cyclophosphamide. I was lucky and didn't experience bad side effects. The oncologist will send you home with lots of different medications, and my advice to you is to take it, as it is much easier to prevent nausea than to treat it. I found the nausea a little like morning sickness, and it was relieved by eating little amounts often. I also wrote down all symptoms I had, what medications I took, and how they helped. This is really useful for the second cycle so you can be prepared. One thing I discovered on my last cycle, was that the clear lime or lemon flavoured flat mineral water tasted great. I wish I had known this earlier, as I found that water tasted so foul, and you really need to drink. Somehow this mineral water over rode this taste, and it was really refreshing. The other thing I wish I had done was take more photos. It never occurred to me to take any while I was having chemo, and now I wish I had a record. I didn't even think to take a picture of my bald head until my hair was growing back. At the time I probably didn't want to be reminded of it, but now I regret that I didn't do it. All the best for tomorrow, and please feel free to come onto this site and vent and rave, or complain or whatever. We have all been there, and know how you are feeling. Love Chris xx

Welcome to bcna site where you will get lots of support and information. I was very anxious about my first chemo and it didn't help that the nurse had a few go's to get the cannula in.You can ask the staff for a "calm you down pill"if you are feeling tense.You lose your appetite and taste buds and your mouth feels like it's lined with fur.I could only stomach vegie soup,dry crackers,lemonade iceblocks and lemon cordial.You may or may not feel really crook by day 3.Just do what you feel like - I stayed in bed for a few days but everyone's different. Good luck for tomorrow and let us know how you go. Tonya xx

Hi Olga, Welcome to the site. You will find so many helpful people on this site. So many willing to help calm our fears. The nurses will guide you through everything you need to know. Write down any questions you may have for them and ask them. No question is silly. You will most likely receive an information pack about the chemo that you are having and be given any other information about what to do to get through the first few weeks. Allow yourself to do what you want. If you want to have a rest then do it. If you want and feel like doing something normal then that is okay too. You just need to learn what your limits may be and be aware of them. Just don't overdo anything. All the best for tomorrow and feel free to ask any questions on here at anytime. Someone will always find you. Take care. Tracey xx

waiting for the unknown | BCNA Online Network

hilsandglen
Member
14 years ago
Hi Olga, When I had my 1st round of FEC I felt great afterwards. Couldn't work out what all the fuss was about. Then the steroids that they had given me wore off. I was very tired and everything tasted like metal. I was very lucky as I could rest when I needed to and I found that mints helped with the funny taste in my mouth. The other hint that helped me was to eat with a plastic fork, might sound funny but it really helped. I also found that lemon cordial helped me keep my fluids up and paw paw ointment was very soothing for my mouth. Will be thinking good thoughts for you, all the best Hilary
hilsandglen
Member
14 years ago
Hi Olga, When I had my 1st round of FEC I felt great afterwards. Couldn't work out what all the fuss was about. Then the steroids that they had given me wore off. I was very tired and everything tasted like metal. I was very lucky as I could rest when I needed to and I found that mints helped with the funny taste in my mouth. The other hint that helped me was to eat with a plastic fork, might sound funny but it really helped. I also found that lemon cordial helped me keep my fluids up and paw paw ointment was very soothing for my mouth. Will be thinking good thoughts for you, all the best Hilary
olga_m
Member
14 years ago
Hi everyone, hope all is well,well its been more than 24 hours after my first round of FEC. I was a bit nervious on the morning of the treatment but was surprisingly calm when it all began. I didn' feel anything untill about half way through the last drug when my eyelids wanted to shut and my stomach was a bit yucky.

As i got home i felt hungry and tired, so i ate and then tried to have a sleep but couldn't. I also felt very foggy in my head and couldnt concetrate ( felt like a real blond LOL)

I know everyones body is different but if you dont feel too bad on the day after treatment when should i expect the worst?

Have a great day everyone
Julia44
Member
14 years ago
Hello,

Something that can help is that you ask your doctor for calm me down pills before chemo- if you are nervous. I think mine was called something like Lorezapam??

you can also get a script for them so you can take next time before you go in or also to sleep the night before.

Good Luck,

Julia
Julia44
Member
14 years ago
Hello,

Something that can help is that you ask your doctor for calm me down pills before chemo- if you are nervous. I think mine was called something like Lorezapam??

you can also get a script for them so you can take next time before you go in or also to sleep the night before.

Good Luck,

Julia
olga_m
Member
14 years ago
Thanks Maxene it's great to speak with people going through the same thing. Good luck for your next round and please let me know how it goes.
Maxene_36
Member
14 years ago
I'm relatively new too, but as you can see, the BCNA members are not only a wealth of information and sharing, but they are also invisible angels, full of love, comfort and support.

I'm going to have my second dose of chemo in a week's time. After my first session, I was tired, and as Tonya says, felt like I had fur in my mouth and had pretty bad reflux. I just drank icy water and ate lots of fruit and had a smoothy or two as the days progressed. I had a portacath put into my chest, so all of my chemo will go through that, thank goodness!!!! I picked up some mylanta today in preparation ....

Will be thinking of you & hope it all goes well for you,

Maxene xx
Maxene_36
Member
14 years ago
I'm relatively new too, but as you can see, the BCNA members are not only a wealth of information and sharing, but they are also invisible angels, full of love, comfort and support.

I'm going to have my second dose of chemo in a week's time. After my first session, I was tired, and as Tonya says, felt like I had fur in my mouth and had pretty bad reflux. I just drank icy water and ate lots of fruit and had a smoothy or two as the days progressed. I had a portacath put into my chest, so all of my chemo will go through that, thank goodness!!!! I picked up some mylanta today in preparation ....

Will be thinking of you & hope it all goes well for you,

Maxene xx
olga_m
Member
14 years ago
Thank you for the info. I am sure I will be a frequent user of this site as it is full of great people and great advice.
olga_m
Member
14 years ago
Thank you for the information I will keep you posted on my new adventure.