How to prepare or take on my first chemo session

Hi 29300ab and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

It's natural to be nervous ahead of your first chemo, I know I was, but the nurses there are very supportive and will answer any questions you have.

I can't help with the cold cap questions so, as I can see you've joined the breast cancer forum, it would be a good idea to post your question there as you'll then connect directly with others who have had a cold cap when having chemo for breast cancer.

I just stuck to my normal meal times. My sessions were usually around 2 o'clock so I had lunch as normal at home before going to the hospital. I was once in over lunchtime and there was a choice of sandwiches, fruit, yoghurt, etc for lunch. Even if I wasn't there over lunch they always offered drinks along with biscuits if you wanted them.

As for what to wear, it was always warm on my chemo unit. I had my chemo at this time of year so I used to wear a t-shirt and trousers and take a cardigan or something similar in case I got cold, although I never did. I'd recommend that if you are wearing trousers to wear ones without fastenings if you can as it's difficult to do zips and buttons up one handed if the other hand has a cannula in it!

As the time at the unit can be several hours I'd take something to keep you entertained, ie a book, magazines, iPad, phone, puzzle book, etc.

As for side effects, we're all different and I was lucky and didn't really suffer any except for losing my hair and finding things tasted strange for the first few weeks. My first chemo was a combination of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, commonly called EC. I had that every 3 weeks for 3 cycles and found I felt a bit under the weather for about 10 days after but would then feel fine the rest of the time. This happened each time I had it. I then had 12 weeks of paclitaxel and that didn't have any adverse affects on me at all and my hair started to grow back while having it.

I hope that helps but if you want to ask me anything just fire away!

I hope it all goes smoothly for you and you too are largely side effect free.

Hey, how are you doing after your first session? I had my first the day before you. It’s all a bit surreal isn’t it? I am surprised at how tired I am feeling but feel that I have been a bit naive abt how I am going to feel tbh! Hope you have a good day

Hello. Yes it doesn’t seem real that it’s happening. So 1st done I went in thinking it would be horrendous but wasn’t that bad at all it went quite quick, 7 more to go and counting lol. I haven’t really been struck too badly with tiredness my down fall is the nausea and not having an appetite. I’ve noticed in this 1st week im having to eat very small portions and snacking and certain foods even looking at it just make me feel sick. Also keeping hydrated a big must. We’ve just got to listen to our bodies and keep going forward. Hope all goes well with you