Frightened of starting chemotherapy on Thursday

[Tanyette]

Thankyou GeriF, it's good to hear it's doable! And I'm really glad I've found this forum as I have felt better reading people's experiences and speaking to you and other members it makes me realise I'm not alone with these feelings. Hopefully will speak again soon xx

[GeriF]

Hi tanyette, just want to echo what the other May ladies have said. I had my 1st chemo last tues & apart from morning sickness & tiredness felt ok. It's doable! This forum is a great source of support & info & will help you through this. Good luck xx

[Flower2016]

You can definately read too much. When I went in to my local Macmillan centre, every leaflet seemed to start "coping with..." It all seemed too much.  Much like childbirth (i guess) the horror stories are what you remember. I have to say I am way happier having started chemo than waiting for it. I think it will help if you keep open rather than expecting every side effect on the list. The paperwork is scary, but nurse told me she had never seen an allergic reaction since they gave steroids. X

[Tanyette]

Thanks Tracy, I will be glad to get my first one over! But hearing you were ok makes me feel more positive. I have read a few horror stories and was dwelling on those I think, hearing that a lot of members have only had minmal side effects is reassuring, Take care X

[Wosteart]

Hi tanyette
I had my first chemo last monday and i can honestly say i felt fine. I had slight tiredness and nausea but nothing to bad and my tongue went a bit numb on day 5 but 6 days on and i feel like nothing has happened. The chemo going in just feels a bit cold but it doesn't hurt i did feel a bit tingly in my fingers and lady area but this went after a few minutes and this also happened to a friend of mine so it must be quite normal. If you should be unlucky to get a reaction to the meds the nurse will stop it immediately so you won't come to any harm and try to remember the reactions are very rare...you will be fine
Tracy xx

[Tanyette]

Hi Flower 2016, thanks for the reassuring words, it does help to know it's manageable! Glad things are going ok for you so far and good luck for your next round xx

[Tanyette]

Hi Tina, I am going to join the May chemo buddy group. It's good to hear that your first treatment wasn't a problem for you. I have got my wig fitting on Wednesday and like you I'm attending a feel better class in the next couple of weeks, it's not my thing either but my nurse said they are really good so thought I would give it a try if I feel up to it. My daughter has bought me lots of snacks today ready for after my first chemo on Thursday she seems to think ginger will help. I've got a bone scan on the 23rd. We have also had to cancel a trip to London but as you say no biggy we can go later in the year. I also am missing work but as I have to do a lot of lifting I've been told to stay off till all my treatment is finished so it's going to be some months by the time chemo and radiotherapy is finished. Everybody is keeping in touch but I really miss the laughs! I suppose we just have to get on with it and look forward to getting back to normality! Thanks for replying Tina it makes such a difference knowing other people are with me and understand how I feel and have a lovely birthday next week. Hopefully speak again soon xx

[Tanyette]

Thankyou, I am going to join the May thread, it feels better already having other people to talk to who know how I feel X 

[Flower2016]

Hello

I am a week after first TAC chemo. The horror of the word has been so far much worse than reality. I was horrified to hear chemo was on the agenda for me and the mind visuals were not good. Have had no nausea. Day 3 and 4 was really knackered and just on sofa but still able to have shower and get around house. After that largely back to normal. Did a 40 min brisk walk today, and have been to Tescos etc this week. I hope that helps a bit. It is the unknown which is scary but so far more than manageable. Best of luck xx

[Tina Jinks]

Hi tanyette,

Join the may chemo buddy group hun!

I had my first fec last Thursday and cold capped.

Theres things ill do differently regarding the  cap but as far as the chemo itself is concerned for me it was no problem. My worst side effects so far have been a queezy tummy n trapped wind which gaviscon and ginger beer soon sorted! I wasnt hungry friday so just nibbled  crackers n crisps  n ginger  biscuits  and drank plenty of water n juices. Yesterday i donned a cap, put makeupon n took my  youngest daughter out for a walk....felt fine. Today i washed my hair v gently and that in itself made me feel better. Im taking all the anti sickness meds regardless and feel great, a bit tired occasionally but hey ho! Got a bone scan tomorrow and need to arrange collection of my wig. Im gonna go in charity shops n look at pretty scarves to disguise the unruly mop lol! Ive booked myself on a look good feel better masterclass next Thurs  (my 49th birthday ), not my thing but my mindsets changing somehow. ...why not do things a bit different!  

Im gutted i cant work, as i work in a special school, miss them so much! And had to cancel our family summer holiday but no biggy....will look at going away between  chemo and radiotherapy.  Its just a different path were all on,  unexpected yes but hey....j think we'll all come through it with a different perspective on life in general.  Xx

[chascat]

I should add the monthly chemo threads are a great help, the ladies from our March 2012 are still in touch and meet regularly and some of us have just returned from 5 days in Spain, we have a very special bond and love for each other. I am sure you will get the support you need x

[Tanyette]

Hi Rosie 14, thanks for the reply and the reassurance it's good to har other people's experiences. I will join the May thread as it would be good to speak to others going through this journey at the same time. Great to hear you are getting on with your lives I look forward to reaching that point. I just need Thursday to come now because I am hoping I will feel calmer once I have my first round done. Once again thankyou for the tips about fluids, snacks etc X 

[Tanyette]

Hi Chascat, thanks for replying, it was good to hear that you managed to carry on with most things and run the house etc. I hope as you say that as with most things in life the fear is probably worse than the actual event. I honestly thought I was scared of surgery as Id never been in hospital but compared with this I managed well! I'm just hoping I can keep calm and reading your experience has certainly helped, thanks again xxx

[rosie14]

Hi Tanyette I am just popping on from the April 14 thread! The ladies on this thread have stuck together through the whole cancer journey. Happily we are now all getting on with our lives. We have found this forum a great comfort as here we have and still do discuss any issues that others may find meaningless! 5 of us have our second reunion planned!
I would encourage you to join the May thread as these ladies will be starting the same journey as you!
As far as chemo goes I wasn't sure what to expect. The administration of it is quite straight forward. Any side effects that's you may encounter can be dealt with by medication. Most people feel nauseous the first few days but with anti sickness pills it is manageable. The secret is to drink plenty of fluids and also eat snacks such as dry biscuits or toast. Ginger biscuits are good to nibble on!
Most people get through chemo with very few side effects so I would try not to worry about severe reactions. Looking back it is only a short period of time and it will give you the rest of your life! 😏

[Tanyette]

Hi Bottyboo, yes I have had surgery on the 5th April I had wide excision biopsy and axillary node clearance. I had 3 lymph nodes positive the rest were clear. I'm having 6 rounds of chemo followed radiotherapy then 10 yrs of hormone treatment. Thanks for your reply I will have a look at he May starters thread, I like you want to throw everything at this but I can honestly say chemotherapy is a lot more scary than the surgery! Good luck for Friday xxx

[chascat]

Hi Tanyette, I underwent chemo 4 years ago and never really had any problems. I was quite sick after my first one but my sickness Meds were adjusted and I was never sick again. I continued to work full time and looked after my 4 year old daughter and ran the house, I pretty much carried on as normal. I'm not saying I didn't have sofa days because I did, but on the whole I was fine, the fear of the treatment was far worse than the reality xxx

[Bottyboo]

Hi Tanyette. I'm scared witless despite wanting to throw everything at this. However I have a phobia of vomiting so approaching the whole thing with trepidation. I have my first one on Friday and belong to a group of friends who are all having chemo first. One is sailing thru two have mild effects and one has migraines brought on but has meds that help. There are a couple of threads on here for May starters. Have you had your surgery yet? Xx

[Tanyette]

I'm very nervous about starting chemotherapy on Thursday. I've read people have had severe reactions and I am getting more anxious as it gets closer. Has anyone got any positive experiences I just don't know what to expect.