I have my treatment plan in place and im full of anxiety over it, i no so far its contained and it hasnt spread to organs, going for bone scan this week, mri and to have a clip put in. Petrified of Chemotherapy and how it will effect me. If anyone could calm my nerves i would love to chat

Hi @Penny001,Welcome to the forum sweets. Such a supportive place to be and always some great advice and warmth here. Chemo scares the heck out of everyone. It's the big bad boogeyman of the ride. The initial oncology appointment I found the hardest of the lot apart from the diagnosis and really lost the plot. Luckily, for the most part it's probably not going to be as disgustingly horrid as our brains like to conjur up. Depending on what regime you are having there will be a lot of people on here that have had the same cocktail to provide helpful hints and support.The hardest part is nobody can tell you how you are going to react. Some people get through not to badly at all and there are a lot of drugs these days to counteract the side effects.I had the ever popular ACT so 4 x 3 weekly AC and 12 x weekly taxol. While the AC was no walk in the park I was still able to work, run my farm, ride my horse, do the shopping and renovate my living room. I kept my hair with the cold cap and had a lot of fun times along the way. Some days were shit but there were a lot that weren't.Keep talking to us lovely, we've been there and understand the fear, confusion and emotional ups and downs.xoxoxox

Great thank you i wasnt aware of that

Hi @Penny001 agree with all the wise words the others have mentioned. It is always worse in your minds eye than what it actually is. The actual having the infusion is not as bad as what you have imagined. You have to remember these chemo nurses have chosen to be in their field and I found nothing but compassion and understanding and as well as plenty of bad jokes to make you laugh. I had one issue where I had a reaction ( I was on a different regime to you ) but I can tell you the nurses where with me within seconds and did what they were trained to do as well as putting me at ease. Also when you go in for your chemo take a few little snacks and drink which you enjoy. They usually also have a choice of sandwiches and plenty of volunteers ready to make you a cuppa. It is doable and you got it. Just breathe and take each day at a time. Good luck with it all. xo

Hi there @Penny001. Sorry you've had to join our group...the group that nobody in their right mind would want to join. We're a mixed lot here...young and not so young, single, with partners, with kids and without, rich and poor, female and male. What we have in common is this godawful disease. We also all "get" it. This is a safe place to talk, vent, or share...whatever you need or want at the time. It is quite natural for you to be frightened of chemo. The media portrays chemo patients as pale, wan, weak, bald, puking bed bound people in God's waiting room, waiting for death. Far from it. There are great drugs and treatments out there to help with any side effects you may have. One of the first things I bought, after hearing my diagnosis and before chemo started, was a plastic bucket from Kmart. It remains a virgin. Never vomited once. Had quite a few other things, like bad taste in the mouth, lost my hair, problems with nails and a few more, but no puking. This old chook got through it and so did many others in this group. (Not everybody has chemo...depends on their cancer type), and you will too. Don't anticipate the worst...it may never happen. Much like pregnancy and childbirth, some have it easy, and others a bit harder. You can come here, day and night...(visit our Night Howlers thread), and you'll always have an electronic shoulder to lean on. Big hug...Ally.

Perhaps try the helpline as they may be able to give you some guidance and or point you in the right directionhttps://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/bcna-helpline/

Newly Diagnosed and overwhelmed | BCNA Online Network

Penny001
Member
7 years ago
thats the one
Sister
Member
7 years ago
It'll probably be 12 x Paclitaxel @Penny001 .
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Hi Penny. I was petrified before I started chemo. I had memories of my mother's in 1986, and other horror stories that had lodged in my mind. Humans are wired to remember bad news as a protective function, so you never remember the good ones. I had a massive panic attack for 45 minutes two nights before my first infusion. I pulled up my big girl undies nice and high and got myself there for the first infusion.

The horror stories didn't come true. Like the vast majority I had a range of grotty but largely manageable side effects. These days chemo is doable. Be kind and gentle to yourself, come here for advice and whinges whenever you want, exercise everyday (it reduces the severity of the side effects) and keep your eyes on the prize, a cancer free life. Deep breaths Penny, hang in there. K xox
Blossom1961
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Penny001 The drugs will get you through IF you need them. Many don’t. Once you have started treatment it actually feels like a weight has lifted. I didn’t take drugs before chemo but as @Sister says, take what is offered, it is only for a short time and makes things very doable. Big hugs.
Penny001
Member
7 years ago
hi @kitkatb i start on 26th with 4 fortnigh x ac then 12 of something else weekly
kitkatb
Member
7 years ago
HI @Penny001 Sorry you have to be on this site but as everyone has mentioned it is a great place to get the support from people who have been there and understand how you feel. Do you know what chemo regime you will be on at all yet. I was on TC chemo. Have you got a start date as yet. xo
jennyss
Member
7 years ago
Dear @Penny001,

from jennyss in Western NSW
Sister
Member
7 years ago
It's good to have information from people who've gone through chemo and good to know someone who's going through it at the same time.

As has been said, we're a diverse lot and we have different experiences of chemo. Some sail through, some have it very hard, but most of us fall somewhere in the middle. It's not a pleasant experience but it is doable. If you're a person who insists on being minimalist with medication, suspend your beliefs for the time - take what you're given and ask for more effective drugs if you need them. The first treatment is the hardest as you don't know what to expect. Don't suffer in silence if the meds aren't working - in fact, make sure you have a number to ring if they're not. Saying that, the stuff you're sent home with might be all you need. Ask your clinic about oncology exercise programmes in your area, or the lovely people here might know of one, but you'll probably need your onc's signature to access something. It really does help you to get through things and apparently helps the chemo work better, too. @sazbe there's one at Walkverville specifically for breast cancer patients that runs through Calvary Hospital - they're really nice there. I think there may be one at the RAH, as well.
Penny001
Member
7 years ago
Thank you @Sazbe do you no when your starting you treatment
Sazbe
Member
7 years ago
@Penny001 sending hugs. Can't offer advice on chemo yet as it sounds like we will be going through it together :)

You have found a great group of people to support you through it here. Sometimes in life its just about taking things one day or even 1 hour at a time. 6 months sounds like a long time but in reality it goes so fast ( my youngest just started school, where did that time go?) this too will pass.