Hi all, I am new to all this, and am 5 days post my first round of AC chemo, and I am interested in hearing how other people felt at this stage. I was ok for the first 3 days, then nausea (but no vomiting) and extreme tiredness. My oncologist emphasised the need to stay active and try to get some exercise, but I have no energy except to move from the couch to the kettle to bed. I am a bit concerned that the longer I go without exercise, the more prolonged recovery will be. I would also be interested to hear the tactics people use to not "hate" the chemo, as I am already dreading the thought of having to go through this again. Thanks. Jane

Tactics are take each day at a time and don't worry about tomorrow or the next day or next week. I am 10 days post my 3rd chemo and I walked the dogs this morning, albeit nice and slow and cycled up to the local shop, also snail pace but I managed. For my first chemo my white blood cells plummeted to zero which showed up on the 10 days after blood test. Now, they send me home with a neulasta injection which I give myself in the belly fat so my body actually makes white cells and doesn't make me spend a whole 3 weeks in virtual zombie mode.

I have 4 rounds of AC.... Silly me wanted to do every fortnight instead of every 3 weeks that put a BIG strain on my body. 1 AC put me in hospital with 0 neutrophils, tonsiitis and high temperature, which I thought were hot flushes as I felt fine. 2nd round was ok except for joint pain from the neulasta needle but that lasted about 2/3 days. But 3rd round had me on couch for 10 days, 4th round though was not that bad even drove daughter to school and continued with normal activities just a little nap here and there. Good luck, like Brenda said take one day at a time xx

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

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??

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

First week of AC chemo | BCNA Online Network

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ChrissK
Member
10 years ago
I have 4 rounds of AC.... Silly me wanted to do every fortnight instead of every 3 weeks that put a BIG strain on my body. 1 AC put me in hospital with 0 neutrophils, tonsiitis and high temperature, which I thought were hot flushes as I felt fine. 2nd round was ok except for joint pain from the neulasta needle but that lasted about 2/3 days. But 3rd round had me on couch for 10 days, 4th round though was not that bad even drove daughter to school and continued with normal activities just a little nap here and there.

Good luck, like Brenda said take one day at a time xx
Brenda5
Member
10 years ago
Tactics are take each day at a time and don't worry about tomorrow or the next day or next week. I am 10 days post my 3rd chemo and I walked the dogs this morning, albeit nice and slow and cycled up to the local shop, also snail pace but I managed.

For my first chemo my white blood cells plummeted to zero which showed up on the 10 days after blood test. Now, they send me home with a neulasta injection which I give myself in the belly fat so my body actually makes white cells and doesn't make me spend a whole 3 weeks in virtual zombie mode.

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First week of AC chemo

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