Needing advice on managing chemo side effects

Hi Jude,

I was 41 when I was diagnosed in Feb this year and I have 2 daughters aged 10 & 13.

I'm not much help with suggestions for what works with the AC as I only had Taxol. Make sure you make a note of all of the side effects and keep your Oncologist up to speed so they can try and counter things as much as possible for you. As inconvenient as it is being admitted for the next 2 cycles at least youknow that help is only going to be a press of a nurses button away. A possible glimmer of hope for you, the few people I know who had the AC first have all said it was hard, I guess it is nicknamed "red devil" for a reason, but all of them have then said that the Taxol was easier to handle. I will cross my fingers that it will be the same for you.

The hair loss, I thought I would be upset losing my waist length curls but like so many other women have found I'm actually really liking the short hair, so once you stop getting startled every time you look in the mirror you may surprise yourself. My fingernails ended up being a bigger concern than my hair - get some dark nail polish and lots of moisturiser if you haven't already.  Also if you get a chance go to one of the Look Good Feel Better workshops, it is amazing how the few hours at the workshop can give you a bit of a boost.

Hoping it gets easier from here for you,

Jen