Scared about chemotherapy

I also start my chemo on the 15th March ,I had my first meltdown in the oncologist appointment when they told me 

Gander are you having a Picc line this is the worrying thing for me as I feel it will be getting in the way of my everyday life-the drain was bad enough after surgery for 8 days 

I posted my pathway to this point  , I still have not told anyone outside my family so I needed to get it of my mind and it helped after I read it back to myself 

A PICC line will make life so much easier so if you're offered one I urge you to have it. It is a pain having to cover it in the shower and going up to hospital every week to get it flushed but it saves your poor veins. 

I had 12 chemos, plus 12 pre-chemo bloods, that's 24 times to get stabbed with a needle. I had a period of no PICC line and all my veins were blown so it was taking them 2-3 times to get the cannula in.

This was mine. The light brown thing is my PICC cover. 

Hi Rach, I was hesitant to respond to your post in case I gave you false hope, (and I know we are all different with different treatments) but I had my first chemo about 2 weeks ago and I honestly feel absolutely fine! I’ve continued exactly as before, keep fit classes twice a week, daily 90 minutes dog walks and continue to be a clean freak around my house. The only teeny tiny thing was a bit of tiredness in the middle of my second week (after keep fit and a pile of ironing), but it was a nice tired, so I lay on the sofa watching TV with a bag of Haribo! The worst part of chemo for me was worrying about it, so assume you’ll be fine and deal with any bad days when/if they come! I’ve a way to go yet, 5 more, so who knows, I may get a few surprises along the way (probably will) but I’m sure that it will be the odd day here and there . I know I’m lucky enough to not have anything else to think about, work, kids etc. and I have a wonderful support network and I’m grateful for all those things, so try stay positive and it’ll all be over and done with before you know it. Try and enjoy the good days, that’s why we’re doing this, to get on and have a happy life. Wishing you the very best of everything xxx

I am about to start chemo too and this was a very comforting comment to read. I am terrified of not being able to look after my kids and was worrying it would be 18 weeks of absolute helplessness. This does give me a lot of hope xx

I’m so glad it’s helped you! I was looking for similar reassurance before I started my treatment. Nobody knows how it’s going to be, but it’s nice to know that there’s a real chance of it being not such the bad time we’re all trained to expect, and there is lots of hope for a relatively positive experience. Also, I think our heads can make us imagine bad things if we’re expecting them. Lots of luck and best wishes xxx

Hi,

Nice to meet you! i also have HE2 positive cancer and have had two cycles of chemo so far. I am having the drug EC do you know what you are having yet? 
The main side effect with chemo is that it makes you really tired often nauseous too. Don’t be afraid though it doesn’t hurt! And it works :). 
know how you feel about being shocked and scared it’s devastating isn’t it? Hard to think about anything else.

sending support your way and positivity

I'm not having PICC line. Starting 6 cycles of FECT for HER2+ on 15th March. Herceptin and RT to coincide/follow on. Had meltdown yesterday when letter arrived with dates for chemo etc. X

Bless you. It’s really emotional. I’m having Herceptin too I need an echo scan of my heart first. Have they said the same to you? Echocardiogram it’s called. 
it’s very daunting but it will be okay  once you’ve had the first one you will get into a routine with it. I know how you are feeling  xx

Hi 

I've got Grade 3 TNC and due to have 2nd chemo on Wednesday. Want to see if side effects are the same. I found my biggest one was feeling spaced out, very tired and having a mouth like the bottom of a birdcage!!

But it is doable & manageable so you will get through it try not to think about the possible side effects we are all so different, 

Wishing you luck for your lumpectomy I had mine 8th Jan it was totally fine.

Best wishes x

Hi Jacala 

wow thanks for the pic ,in my head I just visualized a long tube dangling out my arm but that looks very neat 

I think I went into panic overdrive ,as first oncology appointment they threw it all at me and I was given dates when I needed to be there for the Picc line and My bloods and first chemo session along with all the side effects that may come with it.I guess each trust work differently as reading some posts many have to wait for letters after their appointment where as where I go they make the appointments there and then while your there

Lots of Love 

Stubborn