Hi all……. I was diagnosed with bc over 3 weeks ago and I start my first chemo session out of 8 on Thursday (over 6 months) before I have surgery, it’s all come about so quick that’s I’ve barely had time to think about it and it’s all just very overwhelming!! I think I’m in a state of shock as I don’t really feel anything right now.
As my chemo is starting so soon, I’ve barely prepped for it so feeling a little nervous…… I had my pre chemo appointment today which went well……. but it’s just the fear of the unknown for Thursday. She said my infusion will be 1.5 hours but guessing il be there a little longer than that, she also said I can’t have anyone with me as visitors is very limited right now (not sure why, unless it’s because of covid)?? so worried I won’t have anyone with me and also just worried in general about what il feel like having my first chemo and how the first week or so will be. I feel so well now, hate the thought of feeling poorly :((((
I’m in Birmingham, England by the way.
Also, big love to everyone!! Thanks in advance for listening to me blabber on, lol.
Welcome to the forum @stevie86 . You will get lots of support and advice from people going through chemo at the same time as you if you joins the November chemo starters thread November 2024 chemo starters - #13 by mrso2
Best of luck with your treatment . Jill
sorry you find yourself here so think about joining the nov chemo 2024 thread you’ll all get each other through together get a thermometer so you can track your temperature during chemo, soft toothbrush, ideally you should get your teeth checked by dentist prior to starting chemo. Ask your macmillan about a wig voucher and pre loved wigs if you don’t plan to cold cap and also book yourself in look good feel better at your Macmillan take it a treatment at a time and be kind to yourself, keep reaching out on here as much or as little as you need everyone will reach out Shi xx
You will get as much support as you want from this forum. Sorry you have joined but there are so many of us on a similar journey. Everyone reacts differently to chemo, and it does depend on what you are having. Do you know what type it is ?
From a practical point of view, take a bag with you. In that I recommend you put some snacks, ie crisps. Also take some lemon sherbets….if you are having EC, they will make a difference. Phone fully charged, IPAD etc. Hand gel, tissues. Bottled water or some other kind of drink. Also, the best advice I saw, was wear leggings, jogging bottoms etc, something with no zips or buttons etc. This is because if you need the toilet you have to take the drip with you and it is far easier to cope with clothing like that. I can’t have anyone with me, I think space is a bit restricted, but the nurses are all lovely. The time doesn’t really drag for me. I have had 4/6 cycles. I am not far away in Wolverhampton.
Hope this helps. I am certain others will be along to help you. All the best xx
Thank you so much for your reply…… I haven’t actually got time now to go to dentist, so will see how things go, il go gently on my teeth and have just brought a soft toothbrush. They’ve started be asap on my chemo so it’s all happened quite sudden!! I literally found out today that I start in just two days!! I have brought an in ear thermometer and they gave me an under arm one too for out and about times. I’m thinking of not using a cold cap as I wear glasses, so may be a bit different, so I think my sister might take me to look at wigs, I also need to look at scarves etc. Especially as it’s over winter time, I don’t want to be cold.
Thanks so much for the advice!! I’m definitely trying not to think or stress too much about it…… as it’s not going to help at all. I’m going to pretend that it’s just another job I have to do…… and not focusing on side effects etc until they happen.
That’s is such good advice!! thank you so so so much!! and I’m sorry you’re also on this journey, but go girl for getting through all those sessions, not many more for you to go!?
I can’t quite remember the words for what I’m having (my paperwork is all downstairs) il post what they are soon ——- but there’s about 3 or 4 different ones for x4 cycles and then 3 ones for another x4 cycles…… so 6 months in total…… so I have a long road ahead but I’m feel ready and to stay positive!! I just want this horrible cancer out of me and this is the only way.
I have some ginger sweets, water, blanket and il make some food to take too (as I’m gluten free) so probably can’t have any of the snacks that they provide. I have Disney on my phone…… and music (presuming you can use their WiFi)?? il listen to music too. Il see how I go the first session…… I can always take laptop/or iPad the next time?!
Deep down, I’m more worried about the scary bad side effects but just trying not to think about it too much:face_with_peeking_eye:
Hope you’re doing ok!! Sending love and thank you for replying to me♥️
Do you know what type of chemo you are having and how often? Remember your treatment is tailored specifically for you. I had 3 fec, 2 docetaxol and then 1 fec. Your treatments can change during chemo, make sure they give you a rapid response card and don’t be afraid to ring the number your team will pleased you are keeping vigilant day at a time, step by step you’ll get through, do join nov24 chemo thread as jill1998 linked for you above Shi xx
If your antisickness meds don’t work ring your team, they will tweak them if they need to till they get right combination for you, but there have been lots of us who got through chemo with no sickness so just take it a day at a time and focus and tick them off one by one. It’s like doing the double Dutch skipping off the Malcolm McLaren video from the 80’s you just keep going and reach out here, this is your safe space to come and reach out as much or as little as need Shi xx
Welcome to the forum! I’m so sorry you are about to got through this, but here is some advice:
Only use sugar free sweets so you don’t damage your teeth, try something like a mild mint
Pack a book or a journal to keep you occupied . talk to your fellow chemo buddies! I made a lovely friend when I had chemo last year and we still text each other now!
The nurses are amazing and lovely where I was, hopefully you have the same
If you can’t sleep from the steroids just go with the flow, get out of bed, do a calm activity like journaling (again haha)
Check out the little lifts website, they do a lovely gift full of freebies.
I needed pickles and strong ribena for my weird taste buds!
Aw thanks so much!! yes I’ve recently started journaling…… well not necessarily writing but sticking and cutting and collaging, it’s very therapeutic!! I started before diagnosis so might have to carry on with that as I’m already getting bored of not being at work:broken_heart:
Thanks for the sweet advice, not sure where il get them from now but il get someone to pick me some up!! I have brought some ginger sweets (as they are my favourite anyway) so hoping them help a bit.
I’m pretty scared today as it’s tomorrow morning at 8.30 and I have to started taking the steroids today……… I really don’t want to because I’ve never taken them before!? will I have side effects??? starting to get anxiety and feel sick at the thought.
I can see you have had some lovely replies from this caring forum, we are all here for you.
Wishing you lots of luck for tomorrow, feel sure your breast cancer team will take good care of you. It’s all so daunting at the moment, but you’ll surprise yourself, how well you will cope.
Keep posting to let us know how your getting along.
Wishing you happiness ahead with the biggest hugs Tili
aw thank you!! Yes the lovely young girl yesterday who took my pre bloods etc told me I’m in good hands and she was lovely!! but she could tell I was nervous as my heart rate was up!!
I will pack a little bag today of things, I also have Disney+ on my phone and have music etc. I’m hoping the day goes quick!! They said my session is 1.5 hours but I presume il be there way longer……. I can’t have anyone come in either with me which is a little concerning for me but I’m sure il be fine.
Everyone is different and it depends on your dose, but yes steroids have some side effects. Just embrace the steroid high, you might be organising cupboards or polishing at 3am!
All the best x
Hi stevie86.
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
We have all been there, as i’ve said before, it’s the unknown.
I suffer from anxiety/ocd, the nurses didn’t know at first & was told hubby couldn’t sit with me due to lack of space, but once they knew, they let him in, they were brilliant, the check-in nurse said to me, you should’ve said, we’re here to help.
I’ve never really been ill, it all came at once.
Stevie, you will be ok, talk to the nurses during chemo & other patients, it helps.
Yes it’s scary, but you’ll surprise yourself, i did.
We’re all here to support you, however trivial you think your questions are.
Take care, keep us all posted. x
Hi everyone!! just to let you know I’m home now after my first chemo session!! I started at 8.30 and came out around 2-30-3ish…… so about 6 hours, but the actually treatments only took about over 3 hours there’s just a lot of waiting. BUT I did it!!! so happy it’s finally over until the next time:heart:
I feel way better now I’ve overcome the first hurdle. The chair is super comfy and I just watched a fav Sandra Bullock movie on my phone…… make sure to take lots of nibbles and snacks because it passes the time for sure, and helps to keep your mind off of things too!!
Nurses were all lovely and they do just leave you too it, I’m sure they have their eyes on you but on the while they just are around incase you need them.
I got talking to a lovely lady who just started hers today too, so that passed the afternoon away.
I’m glad to be home now and snuggled in a blanket. My experience so far was fine, I didn’t feel any difference, just maybe feeling a little hotter and more flushed than normal (but I am very warm blooded anyway and the room was very warm). I’ve since got home and ate fruit and had my next steroids. I am ready for some nice warm food in a bit though, maybe mash and veg.
You’ve definitely got this!! message me if you need any advice for your first day!! I know lots of people are starting soon too!!
Sorry your going on this journey so many of us are on and what a journey it is firstly you will feel so much love from this community even if you don’t feel like it now I know it’s scary I’ve just rang the bell after 12 rounds of paclitaxel and 4 EC and kept my hair due to cold capping obviously a little thinner but I’ve kept it. I’m due to start my radiotherapy in a few weeks then I’ll be done xx My little tips would be have a hospital bag with all your essentials in tissues, ipad lip balm sweets etc. wear loose clothing I took thick socks so I could sit back and try and relax. Ask questions I found asking other patients experiences helped me too and I’ve made good friends too. I really hope your treatment goes well it’s not easy but the support from your chemo ward will help you it’s a shame you can’t take anyone with you but maybe it’s because of winter and more bugs about xx sending hugs
sorry you find yourself here so think about joining the nov chemo 2024 thread you’ll all get each other through together 
yes I’ve recently started journaling…… well not necessarily writing but sticking and cutting and collaging, it’s very therapeutic!! I started before diagnosis so might have to carry on with that as I’m already getting bored of not being at work:broken_heart:
xx My little tips would be have a hospital bag with all your essentials in tissues, ipad lip balm sweets etc. wear loose clothing I took thick socks so I could sit back and try and relax. Ask questions I found asking other patients experiences helped me too and I’ve made good friends too. I really hope your treatment goes well it’s not easy but the support from your chemo ward will help you it’s a shame you can’t take anyone with you but maybe it’s because of winter and more bugs about xx sending hugs 