Side Effects

Hi Erica,

I am new to all this. Just been diagnosed don't have to have Chemo, though will need a mastectomy of the right breast. The reason I am commenting is that my son had lymphoma at 15 so as a family we have experienced chemo before. (BTW he is a strong healthy 25 year old now!)

What I cannot stress enough from past experience is look after your mouth care. It was drilled into us early on during chemo about the possibilities of ulcers. Ask your doctor for some industrial strength mouth wash as this saved my son from getting ulcers. Others that overlooked this were not so lucky. Last thing you want on top of everything else is a mouth and throat full of ulcers.

Good luck with your road ahead. Remember cancer is beatable!!! I've seen this first hand!

Cheers, Jillian

Hi Big Sis

Just wanted to get into the thick of it so been reading your blog to catch up. Sounds like a bit of a roller coaster ride ahead.  

We keep praying for you, which is about all that we can do from here :/ .  Being positive, as you always are, will help.  So glad too that you have fam and friends to stick by you.  Have I missed the pic of your room full of flowers?

Love you heaps. 

Lil Bro

Thanks, Mich. Just asked my daughter who's a midwife (and a mum) about a digital thermometer. She said she has one but easy to get from National Pharmacies. Good tip.

Thanks, Sue. Yes I think they were mentioned as well. Knowledge is power. It is good to know.

I hope you are getting some good days in amongst the $%^#@$ days.

Not a journey to look forward to but looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hey Erica

If you can find the post "What has helped you through your journey" it will be very beneficial as it lists all the things that will help you with your symptoms. I had a digital thermometer and checked my temperature a few times a day and recorded it.

You may or may not experience all or some of these symptoms. Please remember that every single person is different and where they may experience one symptom you may not but you may experience something else.

My mantra is and was it is pretty much all temporary and all doable.

you will have to take very good care of yourself and stay clear of shopping centres, people with colds etc as your immune system will be low.

Please pop on here as needed and ask away about any questions, queries you may have when you need to.

Lots of love, Mich xoxo

Hey Erica

If you can find the post "What has helped you through your journey" it will be very beneficial as it lists all the things that will help you with your symptoms. I had a digital thermometer and checked my temperature a few times a day and recorded it.

You may or may not experience all or some of these symptoms. Please remember that every single person is different and where they may experience one symptom you may not but you may experience something else.

My mantra is and was it is pretty much all temporary and all doable.

you will have to take very good care of yourself and stay clear of shopping centres, people with colds etc as your immune system will be low.

Please pop on here as needed and ask away about any questions, queries you may have when you need to.

Lots of love, Mich xoxo

Hey Erica

If you can find the post "What has helped you through your journey" it will be very beneficial as it lists all the things that will help you with your symptoms. I had a digital thermometer and checked my temperature a few times a day and recorded it.

You may or may not experience all or some of these symptoms. Please remember that every single person is different and where they may experience one symptom you may not but you may experience something else.

My mantra is and was it is pretty much all temporary and all doable.

you will have to take very good care of yourself and stay clear of shopping centres, people with colds etc as your immune system will be low.

Please pop on here as needed and ask away about any questions, queries you may have when you need to.

Lots of love, Mich xoxo

Hi Erica,

I am 3.5 months in to Chemo and thought I would add some more side effects to your list.

I am triple Negative, and have not had surgery yet due to the agressive nature of my cancer.  I have finished 12 x weekly taxol and am now enjoying the delights of dose dense EC.

Add to your list-

Heartburn

Bonepain

Tenderness (pain) in the neck and upper chest

Tingles in fingers and toes

swapping between constipation and dirrohea

food tasting like cardboard and red wine like dishwater

Don't mean to scare you some more but you are better off knowing.

Good luck with the rest of your treatment