Hi, I was diagnosed with breast cancer last week, and am starting chemo on Thursday. Im 40 years old and it was such a shock when they told me. Has anyone any tips, I just dont know what to expect. I have read all the leaflets but would be grateful to hear from anyone. Its the fear of the unknown. thanks.
Hi Ness, Sorry you have had to join us here. I’m sure there will be lots of people stopping by to offer you advice soon. This site is priceless.
I have been having chemo since the end of August. Only 1 more to go now. Do you know what chemo you are having? I am having FEC x6.
The fear of the unknown is the worst bit and I read the thread about preparing for chemo before I started. To be honest, although it is helpful in some ways, it can also frighten the life out of you when you read about all the possible side effects! I have been lucky and not suffered much from anything. Obviously everyone is different but the best advice I can give you is to prepare for the worst but expect the best. Don’t sit around waiting for side effects to happen. Carry on with your life but listen to your body and rest when you need to. Drink lots of water or herbal tea before, during and after each chemo. It really does help to flush it all out of your system and stop you feeling awful. Some people recommend ginger biscuits or tea for sickness but as I hate ginger I went for peppermint tea which can settle your stomach just as well.
I have managed to keep working during chemo for the most part. I only do 9.30am til 2pm Monday - Friday in an office so its not too strenuous and I can still get a nap in the afternoon!
As for hair loss, well unfortunately it is inevitable but its not forever and I have been the envy of all my friends being able to try different styles and colours of wigs. (ebay has an array of cheap but very real looking wigs). My hair is beginning to come back slighlty already and I’ve still one more chemo to go so it won’t be long before I can ditch the wigs altogether.
Anyway, if you need any more advice just ask. You will always get an answer from somebody.
Good luck with your treatment. I hope you don;t suffer too many side effects.
Take care
Debs
x
Hi there
Sorry that you find yourself on this forum but you are more than welcome and it is incredibly helpful and supportive.
Depends on the exact chemo that you are having but there are two threads running at the moment about us lot who have just or just about to start chemo - Starting Chemo on 30th Nov and Starting my pink road of chemo on 15th Nov.
I had my first chemo yesterday, and was very, very anxious, but although I have felt better, I don’t feel too bad at all. My comments are on the 30th Nov thread.
Debs comments are also absolutely right, but I completely understand how you are feeling as does anyone who has found themselves here.
Easy to say, but it is true, try not to worry, be kind to yourself and realise and accept the feelings you have are normal.
We are all here for you, as we are for each other.
Lots of hugs
SJ xx
Hello nessp.
Sorry you’ve had to join us. It is very scary at first but you will find lots of support here. I found the nurses at the chemo unit were very good at reassurance, especially for newcomers. Everyone does react differently to chemotherapy so don’t be too alarmed by some of the threads. It’s unlikely you’ll have all of the side effects although most of us had at least some of them at one time or another. Most side effects can be overcome too so don’t suffer. Tell your medical team quickly and they’ll give you advice and any prescription drugs you need. They will also give you a pack each time with drugs to prevent some of the most common side effects. It sounds a bit crazy but try to relax as much as you can as it does help if you are calm. Take a magazine or 2 as there’s usually a lot of waiting around on treatment days.
Hopefully you’ll come across someone else who’s having the same treatment regime at the same time either on here or at your chemo unit. I found it helps to talk to someone who’s at the same stage.
I was diagnosed on 30 March 2009 and I’m at the end of my treatment now. I started with chemo, then surgery, radiotherapy and herceptin. Last herceptin session due on 28th Dec so I’m an old hand. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.
Best wishes, Jan
Hi nessp!
I had my first cycle of chemo last Wednesday and like you I was very nervous about what to expect.
Anyway it only took about 2 hours to go through me. I haven’t felt sick or nauseous so the sickness tablets worked for me. The only effects I have noticed really are that there’s a metallic taste in whatever I’ve drunk, also the steroids keep me awake at night, but I’ve finished them now so hope for a better rest tonight.
I love playing More Brain Training on my Nintendo DS but my scores have taken a dive since Wednesday.
My OH cut my hair short yesterday - I don’t see the point of paying to go to a hairdresser when it’s all coming out anyway!
I’m a bit concerned that I haven’t got an appointment yet with the Orthotics dept yet.
How are you feeling now that you’ve had your first treatment?
Wendy
Hi
thanks everyone for your support, reading all the info on here I will be more prepared I think! Im having 8 x FEC treatments starting on Thursday 2nd dec. I had my picc line put in on Friday ready. Im going to go shopping this week for some scarves and a few of the things on the list of tips like soft toothbrush, pineapple, bonjela etc etc. Im still waiting for a wig fitting so hope I get that through soon. Thanks again everyone and I will be back on here regularly as Im sure it will hekp me through this. x
hey
sorry to hear you have joined in the bc club! but ts not half as bad as you think. take it all one day at a time n listen to your body xx
welcome to join our post as some on there just started n im having fec number 2 next monday
Starting my pink road of chemo on 15th nov
G’day Nesp,
I was really scared to when I had to start my chemo ( I have had 3 now). I don’t really sleep the night before, but as you know what to expect after you have had your first one, it is a bit better each time you have one.
I hope you aren’t sufferring too much after your chemo?
Have you been able to write a journal of your symptoms matey? It helps you remember what to expect next time, although you can tell your oncologist at your next clinic appointment what effects you have and they may be able to give you something to help them so they aren’t as bad next time.
You may get your bad days when you feel very frustrated with what you are going through, and your days when you may feel scared, but hopefully, like me you will get your days when you feel so much better and can laugh and enjoy yourself. I try and make it a goal to find something to make me laugh each day…
So go easy on yourself and good luck with your journey mate. We will all be here to listen to the good and the bad.
Lone xx
hi dont be afraid, i am just finishing my chemo, fec x 6 and apart from a few colds and constipation its been fine.You will have your down days as you can get a bit tired but try to carry on as normal.I have 3 children under 5 so they keep me busy.Let me know how you get on and just focus on getting better and treat the chemo as a medicine and a friend to help you get well xxxxxx
hi everyone, well 5 days since my first FEC chemo and feel ok, I was terribly sick 2 hours after, all thursday evening and then all Friday morning. In the end I went to the Dr’s for an anti-sickness injection which definately helped. The breast cancer nurse who phoned said mention to the nurse how sick I was before my next treatment and maybe they can adjust the ant-sickness drugs. Now I have my appetite back I feel fine, just a little achey thats all. I suppose Im waiting for side effects that may or may not happen really! Having my second chemo on 22nd December so Im hoping to feel ok on xmas day, even if its just to watch the children open their presents. Thanks to everyone for your great comments, like you say, we can support each other through these times. x
Hi Nessp,
Glad you’re feeling ok. Yes, your medical team will adjust your anti-sickness medicines if you tell them you were sick. They always told me it’s better to prevent the sickness than try to treat it once it’s started so they will do their best to get you the right dose.
I hope your next one goes smoothly and you feel fine at Christmas.
Jan xx
Hi Nessp,
Hope you are feeling a bit better now sweetie? I agree with Jan that if you let the doctors know before your next session they can help you with the some of the symptoms you have been experiencing this cycle, especially the sickness.
I am due my 4th FEC chemo on the 21st of December so we will sympathise with you the next time you have it. With my side effects, (I am pretty dizzy and headachy for 5 days after chemo and not up for chewing meat until my 3rd week cause of sore gums), so… We made a family decision to write to Father Christmas and asked him to bring xmas forward to the weekend before chemo so that I can enjoy playing with the kids (2 young boys) and eating yummy xmas food. Have you considered doing this too?
Take care all
Lotsa love Lone (Kulakatz) x