hi everyone my chemo starts mon 9th june and i am dreading it iv been reading some of your threads and everyone seems fine when they start i have worked myself up into a state over it has anyone got some advice i have had some advice of a friend but she is not well and i do not like to bother her so any advice would be welcome xxx
Hi jaydeek
I understand your anxiety around starting chemotherapy on Monday. I am sure you will receive lots of support and advice from other users but in the meantime, here is a link to our booklet on the subject which I hope will be of some help:
breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/chemotherapy_07_web_0.pdf
I do hope you find this information useful.
Kind regards.
Louise
Facilitator
I found the first time frightening (because I had got myself in quite a state) but actually it was surprisingly do-able. From then on I was more relaxed about going and it made a difference. It’s not nearly as melodramatic as it is sometimes portrayed on films/tv. I had this very bad mental image of what would happen, but my ward was a calm cheerful place and the nurses were great - sympathetic and full of helpful tips. I walked home afterwards (about 20 mins) much to everybody’s surprise!
I found it helped to try to focus on the nurses, get to know their names, who they were etc, and the same with one or two patients.
The best advice is to make sure you have the telephone numbers of several Breast Care Nurses so you can ring if you think of anything or are worried. For example I felt rather sick after the first one (although I never was) and the next morning they swapped my anti-sick pills and the new ones worked really well.
Sarah
Hi Jaydeek
Read the thread ‘Top Tips for Chemo’ - will take you a while to get through it but it is priceless.
As Sarah has said - it is no where near as bad as you think and it is ‘doable’.
Hope all goes well for monday, try and have a good weekend.
Anita
thanks for the tips i did look at that thread about chemo tips and it was very helpful its just that i needed some reasurance luv sue xxx
Hi Jaydeek,
I was dreading it too, the 8 weeks between lumpectomy and starting the chemo was torture - I wanted it to start but at the same time I was terrified of the long list of side effects. Most of the side effects didnt happen at all or were relatively minor. I had my last one (Taxotere & Cyclophosphamide) 7 weeks ago and I can now harldly remember any of the unpleasant feelings. Everyone I met had much the same experience, no drastic effects. Wishing you the very best for Monday.
Katie
Hi Jay
the first time for anything is always weird and like the people above it wasn’t as bad as i thought it was going to be. My onc BCN did the first one and was reassuring and very careful/gentle.
I was on a epirubicin and it is a beautiful colour. It helped me to think of it as me doing something about any remaining lil cells. i felt a bit rubbish for the first few days after each treatment but, again, if i felt grot how were the cancer cells feeling?
I have finished the epi and am now on xeloda which is easier.
You’ll prob get meds to take eg anti sickness - take them!!! Drink loads of water and if you have any concerns post treatment - ring your BCN
Best of luck for monday
Jen
Dear Sue
Good luck for Monday. Take the advice of the members above! The nurses will be lovely and distract you from any fears. I have just finished my chemo. Not nice but I have coped Ok and have worked week three of every cycle, and done lots of social things in weks two and three so there are good times to puncutate the more difficult days.
I say this an awful lot but…“Just remember, your cancer hates your chemo even more than you do!”
Take care
Louise x
if it is any help… i was able to start back at work after the first chemo because my job is paper based
hi everyone i just want to say thanks i just needed reassuring and you have all done that so a million thanks i will keep in touch and let you know how it all goes love sue xxx
I think it’s so amazing that they can treat us. The side effects are managed and brought down to the minimum they can be. It isn’t nice but it does the job and for that I’m very grateful.
take care Pauline
Hi Jaydeek,
I’m starting the first one on Monday 9th too - and have similar fears. I know that it’s just the fear of the unknown though, and once I’ve done it the rest will be easier.
Right now, I just feel like I’m sitting here waiting waiting waiting. I’m driving my family mad to play cards with me…
Roll on Monday!
Caron x
hi yes i can relate to that iv washed and ironed everything that has stood still just to keep busy im just having 5 im going to have a shower and try to relax well thats the idea its good we have people to talk to on these forums love sue xxxx
After a few delays,I am starting on Thursday,so will maybe join you on this journey.
Hi jaydek and weetricia All the best for your chemo . I got into a state going for my Ct scan and Rads markings. Staff vey reassuring , chemo no picnic but if it kills the little b/stards we do it. Love Bobbie
Hi everyone
I’m starting my chemo this week too. I go in tomorrow to get a Hickman lIne put in then start my chemo on Wednesday. I feel exactly the sam as the rest of you - really want to ger started but terrified at the same time.
Keep busy and good luck
Jackie B
Advance warning: over dramatic moan. Tell me to shut up if you want.
I dreamt that I was in a secure locked down hospital and they were holding me down for chemo. That tells you how I feel about it then doesn’t it. They won’t actually have to hold me down tomorrow, but by the same token I don’t feel I have a choice about doing it either.
Choice 1. Have it, feel seriously foul for the next few months, possibly have it recur anyway as I’m HER2+++ and they’re still doing trials on Herceptin and still don’t really know the therapeutic dose for adjuvant treatment.
Choice 2. Don’t have it and possibly die.
Choice 3. Slap myself and realise I might die crossing the road anyway.
I’m going for choice 3 for now, but might need more slapping later on…
I can’t offer any advice on getting through chemo as I did not have any - but just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow.
Lilac
xxxx
hi everyone i just want to say thanks to everyone for the support and reassurance you are all very kind people and i am glad i have you all to talk to so thankyou from the bottom of my heart lots of love sue xxxx
Hi
Been there and totally totally understanding how you all feel but you know you just have to do it. One consolation, I was not prepared for how good I felt afterwards that there was something going down the veins to get rid of any micro cancer cells and then that the first one was DONE. You may not have any terrible days, most people have some yukky days, but most of you have been through post op nausea or morning sickness and it is a similar feeling. It travels around to various bits of the body so you change side effects as the week goes on. Wish I could give you a glimpse to take away the fear. I have number 2 on Tuesday and no I am not looking forward to going but I can honestly say I am not scared this time. I get 8 prescriptions each time for every known side effect and they all worked last time, so fingers crossed for all of you too
Hugs, take the tablets as told and drink a lot to get it out your system asap.
Lily x