Evening everyone I’m likely to be starting Chemo sessions soon going off the recent result for an IDC 13mm lump removed in December. Not 100% sure if chemo is recommended but oncologist said going off results they currently have and my age has said its likely so… I was wondering if there was anybody out there who hadn’t had a completely horrendous time with chemo and not been completely wiped out with it?
I have young children and I know everybody reacts so differently to it but I would like to live in a naive little bubble that there are some people who do react OK to it so any positive little stories of not losing much hair/being generally ok/still being able to do bits of exercise and function ok-ish please share them with me!
Hi @katie91 ive done two rounds of EC so far i have round 3 tomorrow and it’s been nowhere near as scary as I had thought, I tried the cold cap but have lost loads of hair so shaved it a week ago that also wasn’t as scary as I had imagined it was actually a relief! Apart from fatigue I’ve felt fine, most importantly I’ve carried on mum duties to my kids that’s all I care about so for them everything has stayed pretty normal, on treatment day I go to bed at tea time but after that’s I’ve been probably 80/90% fine xx
Thank you so much I know we all have different journeys with chemo but its so reassuring to hear some of the more positive ones too! So glad to hear you’ve been ok most of the time with it. Has much changed in the things you can do with your kids with germs etc or is it life as normal?
I hope round 3 goes ok for you tomorrow Lots of love xx
My chemo was 10 years ago, but wasn’t horrendous. Ok, I would rather not have gone through it, of course. I used cold cap and my hair did thin but I only had two small bald patches, and it grew back quite quickly. I had cycles every three weeks and the first week was a bit rubbish but could do quite a bit of normal stuff for the second and third week. I know it’s different for everyone, but you can do it, especially when you think of what it is doing to the cancer!
Life with the kids has been the same, I guess unless one of them was unwell I would keep a distance but so far all has been fine, my youngest 7 and has dealt with it all so well bless him xx
Thats great to hear as I’m sure meds have come on alot in 10 years too like anti sickness etc!! Thank you for sharing your experience with me its really easing my worries!
I was 61 when I had chemo. I did lose my hair, so did the shave. I felt tired for the rest of the day after my chemo but 99% of the time could carry on as normal. I had the one or two duvet days. Good luck.
@joodles have a read of some of these ladies chemo journeys, it might ease your worries abit. I know everybody reacts so differently to it but it’s nice to hear from some people that didn’t have too many awful side effects!! It makes it feel at least do-able for us
I will share the experience of having the actual chemo. I never in a million years expected to hear myself say this, but it was a really lovely experience!
How is that possible? I know! However, the atmosphere is nurturing and relaxing. The nurses and other patients and their families are lovely. We all have a shared experience that we’d rather not have, but there is a sense of comradery about it.
You sit back and relax, it is painless and a chance to switch off and just do lovely things like read, eat snacks, watch stuff on your phone or chat to the people around you, even doze off!
I’d recommend keeping a detailed set of notes in your first iteration. Mark down everything you are experiencing and scale it from 1-10 in terms of pain/discomfort. Print off and take to your first onco review. My review included a pharmacist in the meeting, so they were able to give me meds to ease symptoms for round 2 on the spot.
All in all, there are clusters of days within the cycle where you might just want to hunker down, and if so, give yourself permission and demand special treatment. Those days are fewer than the days where you are just operating normally, to the point where you even forget you’re having treatment. You will find a rhythm.
Hi @emilyxxx your story brings comfort. I am really struggling with the thought of having to have chemo. I suffer with anxiety anyway but gone up a few levels. @katie91 thank you for tagging me
@sammy75 I struggle with anxiety too I promise you the fear of the unknown is far worse than cracking on with it, I had round three yesterday I feel fine a bit tired so having a lazy day I know everyone is different but I’ve found it all manageable xx
@emilyxxx im glad all went well. I am waiting for appointment having just waited 5 weeks to say they didnt find anything else and all cancer has been removed.
Can I ask what your cancer was if you dont mind.
Guess your right its the fear of the unknown im also worried about my job as had 3 months off my 1st surgery was 5th November but 3 weeks later had to have huge hematoma surgically removed then back for full node clearance which showed 2 from 14 positive xx
Hi I had invasive ducal carcinoma I had one tumour and some small satellite areas so had mastectomy and full node clearance in October 4/17 nodes had cancer, I was told everything had been removed but having 8 rounds of chemo as a mop up belt and braces to prevent reoccurrence xx
I’m likely to be starting Chemo sessions soon going off the recent result for an IDC 13mm lump removed in December. Not 100% sure if chemo is recommended but oncologist said going off results they currently have and my age has said its likely so… I was wondering if there was anybody out there who hadn’t had a completely horrendous time with chemo and not been completely wiped out with it?
so any positive little stories of not losing much hair/being generally ok/still being able to do bits of exercise and function ok-ish please share them with me!
Lots of love xx