First week of AC chemo

Thanks for the feedback everyone. It seems there is such a large range of reactions to chemo. Maybe whatever I feel or do is just my reaction, and whatever that is, it's ok. I can't imagine how anyone could work full time through this, so my hat (or hair!) is off to those that can. Maybe we are all just everyday heroes fighting the fight in little ways every day. Today has been a good day, and for that I feel rapt.

Thanks everyone

Jane

Thanks Tracey...

I am sure you will do fine going back to work.

My work has been awesome to me, they close a toilet for a week after each Chemo for my use only & have not blinked an eye to any appointment/test time I might have had, even when its at the very inconvenient end of month! They have been a tower of strength for me (along with my husband 7 boys). Yes, I have to say work is one of my 'Happy Places', keeps my mind active & occupied.

Cate

Wow! Cate, you're awesome! I've had a year off work and a bit nervous about going back soon. You're an inspiration to me xXx

Hi Tracey,

I like the way your friend thinks, its exactly how I look at it.

Stupid as it sounds I look forward to chemo, to get more cancer killing drugs into my system.

Luckily apart from the hair loss (which I find kind of cool - didnt think i would - as it takes me no time to get ready for work, put it on instead of washing, drying, styling, straightening it etc).

I have suffered no other side effects apart from being a little tired around day 4/5/6 but that falls on Sat/Sun  so I still go to work full time, go to parkrun every Saturday & basically just go on with my life as it was before.

Cate

Woops! Jane hit the wrong key and posted mid-sentence.  What I was going to say was if you are anxious tell the nursing staff and the medical oncologist.  Their job is easier if you aren't anxious.  They want you to get through your treatment to get the best from it.  Relaxation, meditation, walk the dog or take the anti-anxiety drugs (like lorazepam) the night before or the day of- whatever gets you through.   

Hi Jane,

Brenda and the others give good advice.  Taking it one day at a time and not worrying about next week is what I keep repeating to myself.  Exercise made me feel better- when i say exercise sometimes it is just a walk around the garden, or around the block.  Some days you will be able to do more than others. Pace yourself.  Chemo can be hard going.  You can see from all the other posts that everyone experiences it differently.  I experienced that feeling of dread with chemo; I tried not to think too far ahead.  What probably worked the best for me was some lovely lorazepam with my scalp cooling.  I was asleep soon after chemo statred and woke up very close to the end of each time.  I

I can remember levelling out at say day 10. First few days in I was quite hyper due to the steroids.. I was working full time and had the day of chemo to do emails etc as I had heaps of energy. Then I'd get fatigued from day 3 onwards..  e a small nap here and there. Not too long as I felt more groggy. Walk the pooch. Kept my activities up. 

I viewed chemo as strong medicine doing it's best to flush out my system. My skin looked radiant which I put it down to having a face lift underneath! All the old cells were replaced with new ones! 

All the best. AC is and can be the hardest one of the chemo drugs hence why it's done every 3 wk so your body can recover in time for the next round. 

Donna 

Hi Jane, 

As Tracey said chemo is on your side, it's not the enemy.  Cancer is the enemy.  I think of my treatment as Pacman running through my body eating up all those horrible bad cells.  I am due to have my 4th dose of A/C next week.  I have been feeling rotten after each dose and I have found that just a gentle walk even around my own yard for 5 minutes and some deep breathing can be quite helpful.  Sleep when you're tired. Our bodies are hard a work fighting off the real enemy  and it's a war we must win.

Take Care

Jackie

Hi Jane, a friend of mine used to be an oncology nurse. He told me to think of the chemo as my friend, big stretch I know. His reasoning was that I was going in to battle with bc and chemo was the weapon I could trust to kill it. He suggested that as I sat in the chair with chemo running to visualise my weapon reaching all the extremities of my body, kind of like a super hero and this was my secret weapon. I admit, at the time it sounded a bit out there, but it really helped get me through each treatment. Don't worry too much about being tired and not exercising, it does pass. Your body will tell you what it needs. Hopefully you will recover some strength before the next round of chemo. Wishing you all the best, Tracey??

While I had TCH instead of AC chemo my doctor said the same thing about exercise. I was really worried I couldn't exercise. The reality is that on some days it just wasn't possible. Day 5 - 9 were my worst and very rarely did I manage to get out of bed due to extreme tiredness, achy and short of breath. I'd feel like I would never be normal again. Then I'd wake up one morning and feel somewhat back to my old self (except still will the breathlessness thanks to one of the drugs I am on) and be able to get back into the swing of things.

Listen to your body and rest if you need to. Don't beat yourself up if you can't exercise, you won't be like this forever.

Take care, Nadine