Day 1 of Chemo

[ssrih]

Hi. 

I think overall compared to others i have got off lightly. However EC does take your body and mind to its limits. EC is hard as it is very toxic, I had nausea for first 2 days, mild breathlessness walking for first week and ectopic heart beats. But they really look after you, ecg sorted, results showed temporary effects of drugs. Dont be afraid to ask for help with any side effects you are worried about. The ectopic beats went away once EC finished.

docetaxal and phesgo to be honest is a breeze compared to EC. I suffer with a very sore tongue with ulcers around day 4 which lasts for about 3 days. Dry skin and sore nails. Otherwise I feel great ( chemo great). 

I mainly feel a bit out of sorts for the first week primarily due to the gsr injections which you give yourself daily.

It is a learning curve what foods work for you at different points in the cycle and for different chemo drugs. Be ready to just adapt your foods from what you learn on each cycle. 

I have cycle 8 next week, super excited. 

I have to have phesgo for another year but hey ho.

After the 1st cycle of EC my lump had massively reduced and by cycle 4 the oncologist could no longer feel it. So I try my best to remain positive for the future and it helps me to reflect that the chemo was worth it.

I hope your journey goes well. Remember any side effects you get are temporary and the end goal is what to focus on. You will need a good support team during your chemo as it is physically challenging. 

In answer to your concern. No I felt better and stronger as the cycles went on. Cycle 1 absolutely flawed me, but its like your body suddenly goes,  whoah wtf, and fights back stronger on the next cycle. Well for me it did. 

Here anytime you want to chat

[emc1017]

hi @ssrih looks like we have a similar plan. i am 4 x AC then 4 x docetaxal plus the two injections (i cannot remember their names right now but same as what you had typed below) just wanted to check in and see how you are doing? is your chemo finished up now? how have you found it? did you find side effects got worse with each cycle or stayed similar. hope you are doing well 🙂 

[ssrih]

Hi

No cold cap. I've resided myself to the fact I'm gonna lose it anyway so why make chemo harder by freezing my head off. 

Just not sure what to expect the lump to do

[angela1234]

Hi @ssrih I will have my 4 rounds of EC after Paciltaxol. EC is said to be one of the toughest. My friend, I met in the chemo center, is 4xEC followed by 4X Docetaxol. She told me she had nausea for 3days and lost her hair after 15 days of first cycle. Do you cold cap? 

[ssrih]

Hi

I have 4 rounds of EC followed by 4 rounds of Pertuzumab,trasuzumab and docetaxel. 

[angela1234]

@ssrih Ive just done my 6th out of 12 Paciltaxol. Which drug they use for you? If you are on the same boat, I would let you know what I experienced 

[Jaybro]

Boy, am I impressed by your laid-back approach. I was a quivering wreck until my oncologist prescribed 2 lorazepam. I hope it goes well for you. You may feel side effects as soon as you get home but, if you are given steroids for the first few days, you’ll be full of energy. Then BAM! You may be lucky but just be aware that the side effects can hit at any stage in the cycle and that some of them are cumulative so report everything, even the smallest mouth ulcer! Wishing you all the best x

[ssrih]

Hi All

I'm weirdly happy to be starting my neo adjuvant chemo today after all the wait, just a little nervous. 

Hope the side effects are not too bad

Ive been working hard on my mental health over the past few weeks, reiki, hypnosis

I am trying to view this as Day 1 of fighting to kick its ass and get myself better. 

I might say differently by cycle 2 of 8 

Sending love and light to all