Needing advice on managing chemo side effects
Hi,
I've had a tough time so far with my chemo treatment being really tough. Here's a little snapshot on me. I am 39 years old with a strong family history of breast cancer. I was diagnosed in late June with stage 2 invasive BC, one lump only and no cancer cells in my lymph nodes. I had two surgeries - first to remove the lump and then to remove the remaining cancer cells in the surrounding margin. I have had two rounds of AC chemo so far. Chemo nurses have said that my body's reaction to chemo treatment has been extreme. My first round of chemo was really, really tough. I spent five nights in hospital with a few scary moments, including the need for a blood transfusion, chest pains, the need for a CT scan to check for a blood clot in my chest, and the need to use an oxygen mask because my oxygen levels dropped a lot. My poor body freaked out after the first round of chemo and the nausea was extreme, lasting seven days. Round two was a lot easier and my body is getting used to chemo. I still had severe nausea lasting seven days and I stayed in hospital overnight. I now will be an inpatient for my next two AC chemo rounds. Then, I will have 12 weeks of weekly Taxol chemo treatments. I started to lose my hair a few days ago and my hubby shaved my head last night. I am feeling sad about losing my hair. I am such a girly girl and I have always had long hair.
Does anyone have any advice on managing the side effects of chemo, particularly severe nausea and side effects from AC chemo? I really want to do whatever I can to lessen the side effects.
Also, I would love to connect with other young women in their 30s or early 40s who have or are going through BC treatment. It would really help to get to know other young women going through what I am going through, especially if they also have a young family. I have a son named Kobi aged 8 and a daughter named Paige aged 6.
Thanks!! Jude x