What should I expect from my first AC treatment?

Thank you for all your advice.   I had my first treatment yesterday and feel generally ok. Not too much nausea but woke up feeling warm, 37.3 degrees. Will keep an eye on it

You will be carefully monitored for any reactions first time round. Try to relax or get the anti anxiety meds. I found the worst part was the anticipation prior to chemo that actually made me nauseous before the drugs even went in. As suggested by others take something to do as you are there for quite a while. I generally read or listened to music or slept. Make sure you have plenty of fluids and don't plan on doing too much for a few days after. Take care 

Hi there

Good advice to have someone around just in case you feel unwell, but bear in mind that some people have very limited reactions. I had no nausea and no fatigue, didn't need any nausea medication and worked through. Others can feel pretty poor. Your first treatment is likely to be pretty indicative so you will know a lot more after that. Best wishes, hope it all goes well.

It shouldn't hurt as going in as they are very gentle with it. I just had someone with me to chat to as I was scared. It was a great distraction.

Perhaps get some sick bags from the chemist for piece of mind for home. I never used one but because I was a bit squeemish it was good to have close by. Also ensure somebody at home with you that 1st day. I felt hot and just unwell and was scared, and my hubby was working OT. Felt much better knowing he was just in the house if there was issues.

They don't give it in the blood test vein, nor will they touch the big one in your wrist for catheters. Its usually in the hand or arm somewhere they can find a vein and a pretty good one which on my first time I felt rather nauseous about. Yes, I also took so long to get the first lot of chemo through as the first time they set everything on slow to see if you react or not, that the second lot hanging up in a bag had gone really cold in the air con so I told the nurse and she put a heat pack on the arm to warm the meds as they went in. Much better!
I took my laptop and a dongle for internet and one hand typed to my friends on face book during my time in the chair. I also took one of my favourite dvds and played that on and off with the uplifting music through my head phones. Although it was hours, the time seemed to go by quickly then. There are usually spare plugs behind the chair for a laptop. ;)

Hi KatherineH, I will be starting ac on Tuesday 9th May. Chemo doesn't hurt at all. Maybe we could check in on each other and compare notes with how we tolerate it. It's all so scary at first. I've already done the taxol and next Tuesday is my last.
All the best
Lisa x

Hi @Katherine, the only problem I had with first AC was finding a vein but once this was resolved it was fine. The drugs feel cold going through your veins so they put a heat pack on your arm & I was also given a sedative which after the second time I didn't need again.  You will be fine, the thought of it is more scary than it actually is. I also got my wig from Suzanne's. They are horrendously expensive but I had so many compliments, people asking me where I get my hair done & people who knew me but didn't know I had cancer saying they liked my new haircut! Mine was made with real hair. Best of luck.