Newly Diagnosed and overwhelmed

thats the one

It'll probably be 12 x Paclitaxel @Penny001 .  

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

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.

hi @kitkatb i start on 26th with 4 fortnigh x ac then 12 of something else weekly

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

Dear @Penny001,

from jennyss in Western NSW

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.

Thank you @Sazbe do you no when your starting you treatment

@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.