I had my second chemo last week. I think Ive managed most symptoms better this time as I knew what to expect.
What has knocked me for six is my emotions.
I have always suffered with low mood this time of year. Compounded now by the prospect of another 3 months of chemo. How on earth do I get through this?
@Kara I did my first jab tonight, I was so nervous but it was over in a flash and didn’t hurt so much at all !! My mind has now completely blanked out what I did though, so I’ll probably have to read all the instructions again tomorrow!!!
@jtspg about moods , I do suffer with mine a fair bit, and yes particularly at this time of year. But I’m also thinking that it’s there are benefits to treatment being now. Wearing wooly hats is one thing! Also I feel less like I’m missing out. I’d hate it being summer and wanting to get out walking in the countryside and sitting out in the sun and not being able to….
I’m surprised how well I’m coping actually, maybe found some strength inside I didn’t know I had. Another thing is that I think I am often very hard on myself, thinking I should be doing more, achieving more, making better use of my time etc. But right now I can’t do that, because all I have to do is look after myself and let the medicine do its thing. In some ways it’s a burden off me, which sounds weird I know. And I’ve also got the space to appreciate what I have, the people I love, think back at the things I have managed to do, and think well that’s not too bad really. I’m learning to be kinder to myself.
Be kind to yourself too!!! Xx
That’s 33% of all the EC you’ll ever need to have! After the next one you’ll have passed the halfway mark! Had my first EC today and feel slightly delicate (probably more frightened of side effects suddenly kicking in) but I’ve been able to eat small bland things after. I’ve read that having chemo on an empty stomach can make side effects less likely / severe so I try to have only water for at least 12 hours before and I’m very liberal with the take home meds. Wishing you a speedy recovery x
I really relate to this, I always feel like I should be spending every moment on useful things and feel bad for resting but now it seems a bit more justified
I had something similar at the surgical nurse appointment - she was going through complications and got to the very rare very serious stuff… I said “oh, so more chance of getting run over by a bus leaving the hospital then?” She didn’t know what to say! I only meant in terms of absolute worst case scenario is super unlikely and not something I’ll try to spend too much time worrying about! I guess I phrased it clumsily 
Also really relate to the burden being taken away. The choice has been made for me. After plugging on through a lengthy diagnostic journey (owing to loads of scans leading to other scans, which was exhausting ) during which time the lump grew bigger and changed the whole shape of my breast, which was alarming despite being on tamoxifen at that stage, then surgery, recovering from that, more scans, it’s like oh . I can rest now. And my poor tired mind and body have just sunk into it with relief , once the scary ‘firsts’ are done.
Eating actually seems to help my nausea… an empty stomach makes it worse for me. We are definitely all different!!
Haha!
When I was with the breast care unit they kept giving me a different colour robe each time. Eventually I said, if you give me black, is that really bad? Two out of three nurses understood the black humour and started laughing. Turns out they are colour coded by size. I must have looked a different size every time I went in 
@jtspg it did shake me a lot too. The nausea seems to amplify low mood as it just makes me feel so off colour. I think it’s totally normal and we will take a while to recalibrate while we get used to it. We’re in it together. Vent here as much as you need.
I have about two hours after waking where I feel very wobbly indeed.
It’s hibernation season I guess we should be like a dormouse! At least we have a great excuse for curling up xx
@Kara sounds like you’ve had such a hard journey to get to this point, im so glad you can see this chemo time as some kind of a rest . I’m like you , I find eating helps me. It was also a distraction from the ice head pain!
Can I ask how many injections you’re being shome with? I had 3 a few times after the taxane treatments but those cycles I had weekly infusions and needed to bounce back quickly to stay on schedule. Was surprised to get 7 after my first EC! I told the nurse they must be intending to really whack me if I need that many to be ready again in 3 weeks - he said that yes they are!
Also what days have symptoms been worst and when do they wear off? I feel a bit jittery and dizzy when upright but that might be from coming off my medication for pots that clashes with the aprepitant - took a metochlopramide just in case though cos I need todo the dishes shortly and hoping for a little walk early afternoon before a cosy afternoon watching Sherlock Holmes with my dad 
See I’d have phrased that as “don’t give me the snuff it one!” …. sometimes things just pop out!
Thanks for giving so much detail bout your meds / side effects, meant to write that earlier but trying to get early nights! I knew exactly what you meant in terms of feeling yucky but not in immediate danger and that was pretty much what I held on to to get myself downthere for the infusion. Really great to have support from someone who’s slightly ahead.
I have 7 days fil. injections after each EC (3 weekly)
I’m only on day 3, symptoms so far just manageable fatigue, and fairly mild nausea. However I’ve heard it’s very much a case of everyone’s different with this trip. Some say symptoms get to their worst by day 4 , or 6, or sometimes 10, then start getting better.
Managed a short walk earlier and it was fine, and lovely being out xx
Hi, just introducing myself. I’ve been watching these posts with interest. I started chemo last week on the 6th. I have invasive lobular cancer, stage 3. I had a mastectomy in august, it’s in my nodes but my clearance is delayed as they found clots on my lungs…. I’ve had ct scan, pet scan and mri- there might be something else on my spine got to be rescanned in 3months.
Im having 4x EC every fortnight and then 4 x paclataxel. I’ve had my first dose, was v tired on day 6/7 and horrific back pain last night ( day 9) which I think might be related to the filgrastim injections…anyway round two on Thursday!
I have five fil injections to take, but am on a 2 weekly cycle of EC (4 cycles, then switching to 3 weekly 4x Docetaxel)
Like @nib32 says it seems very individual. What we all go through is usually quite normal but that normal differs! My first night after chemotherapy was worst. Then days 2 and 3 I was wrecked (in spite of steroids, goodness knows what I would have felt without them.) Day 4 and 5 somewhat better, day 6/7 started feeling more normal- still shattered but it is more of a passive exhaustion than an aggressive one? But some people seem to be the opposite way round!!
With the injections (oh good reminder, need to take out of fridge for later) I have been getting more intense headaches and neck/jaw pain on waking later in the course, tho it’s my last one tonight till next cycle. I guess if I am two weekly where you guys are three weekly they may only do 5 days for that reason, as those 5 days will come round more quickly for me. Three-weekers get a longer gap.
Love and strength to you xx
No problem at all and I get it - as I was an early November starter I have been keeping an eye on the October thread as they are a little ahead of me 
Hey all,
Still feeling rubbish on day 8 with being sick at least once a day and when reading your accounts honestly wondering if they are just throwing the kitchen sink at me cause I am getting three/four medications each time:thinking: Will give them a detailed breakdown of everything when I see my team. Also developed oral thrush so feel shit from that -making it horrible to eat! Sorry I am being super negative but feel low as anything. My support group (partner and a friend) have both come down with a bad cold/flu so feel even worse and I had to come out of my resting a bit. Not sure if I can do this five times over 
Then again I do manage walks most days so there’s that x
I spoke too soon….day 7 of the fligrastim injections and the pain hit as hard as last time.
I upped the codeine as recommended by the oncologist. I got about 3 hours of some releif in-between doses of codeine, paracetamol and antihistamine.
As of now, the pain has subsided. Im just exhausted from lack of sleep.
Ive been so grumpy of late. Feeling im being forgotten. My housemate/sister doesn’t seem to see that things need doing and leave them. It gets to a point where I can’t bear it any more and do the cleaning and hoovering, washing, poop scooping. Her reasoning is, it’s only us living here! Well, I don’t want to live in a mess with dust cobwebs and stinky litter trays.
Feeling neglected and sorry for myself
Oh I am so sorry to hear that. That’s awful!
Could you speak to your sister maybe and say something like yes it’s only us living here but it’s really affecting my mental health?!
I’ll have to do something similar soon I think X
Hope you feel a bit better soon. How long did the pain last last time? Sending hugs X