New diagnosis

Hi Scotland70,

Sorry you found yourself here but welcome anyway. I think we can all remember that first month or so after diagnosis.  Surreal was a good word to describe it. You sound well organised and Thursday isn't now so far away. Once you start on your treatment plan almost everyone agrees you will feel more in control.There is certainly an element of the unknown at this point. It probably wouldn't matter if I were to go through the procedure minute by minute ....until you have been there too, it will seem terrifying. But I think most people on this site would agree the actual 'having chemo' is a lot easier than they imagined. I don't  know if you have a picc or a port.....it's easier still with those. If you are offered one and haven't already please think about saying ' yes'. 

However, I can't tell you that the side effects you have read don't  exist or have been exaggerated.  I can tell you everyone reacts differently......I hope you are one of the people who get a bit of nausea, a bit of fatigue and are able to keep working throughout. But if you aren't......some people are very sick despite strong antiemetics.....never feel guilty. If your body says lie down and rest.....do it. Keep an eye on your temperature as your unit will have instructed you...the contact temperature varies from hospital to hospital....and use the October chemo thread where you will  meet others all having chemo at the same time so you can support each other, share advice and feelings.

I hope it goes well. But in the event it doesn't,  it will pass. My own cancer was diagnosed on Oct 1st 2015. My chemo wasn't the easiest but it's a memory now. Since my operation in Nov 2015 I haven't had cancer and I am wishing you a sucessful recovery too.

Cyber hugs. Let us know how Thursday goes and ask if there's anything we can help with.....

L9ve Karen

Thank you Karen, my daughter was misdiagnosed with cervical cancer aged 24, she’s in remission now thank god but has so many long term health issues as a result , particularly from radiotherapy. Anyway if she can do it I can . 
Thank you for your kind words ️

caroline 

I am in a similar position with her 2 positive diagnosis 3 weeks ago and start chemo tomorrow will share how I find it but also a bit of a blur just now X 

Also how do I find the October chemo group thread 

I expect it still says September Chemo thread today. I said October because Scotland is starting on Oct 1st but it's  a continuous thread that runs month on month. It will certainly help you. During September there were lots of posts from people just starting so you will  all be able to support each other.

. I hope tomorrow goes well for you. Keep in touch. If you have any problems we may have a few answers from trial and error or recommendations from others long recovered.

Hi Scotland70, I see you've received some very good advice already from lacomtekp so will just say: rest when you can and have plenty of be kind to yourself moments.

My last chemo session was 5 Aug and had altogether 6 cycles, 3 cycles of EC, then 3 cycles of Abraxane. And I remember I was very nervous when I showed up for my first chemo treatment, but the nurses there were both kind and attentive and each session there was painless.

The side effects I would say in my case were mild, a bit of nausea, a bit of fatigue, for the first week of each cycle I had reduced appetite, funny taste in my mouth and the usual foods I liked didn't taste good, but it wore off. At the start of each cycle, I was given a pack of 5 injections to take home to boost my immune system. There was no pain as the needle only goes into the subcutaneous fatty tissue.

My hair is now really starting to grow out again along with my eyebrows and eyelashes and overall, I feel really lucky chemo went so well. I had read a lot of horror stories so I was apprehensive at my first appointment. The first thing they did in the chemo unit was show me a DVD with two people talking about their experiences of chemo, and they were very positive. So I remember I got a good feeling, a little voice piping up within saying: you can do this! You'll be fine. 

Wish you the best of luck. Hopefully it will go well for you. x

V

Thank you so much xx

Good luck for tomorrow xx

Hi Scotland 70, I had my surgery in November and just found out today I’m HER2 positive so starting chemo in January I think once I’ve spoken with oncologist on 6th. 
hope you are doing okay with your chemo, sending hugs️