Chemotherapy

of course you are anxious who wouldn't be. I was beyond anxious, couldn't sleep for days and I was shaking on day one. I told my nurse how I was feeling and it was the best thing I could have done, I had 4 x cycles of EC which is given slowly by hand and she just chatted the whole way through, I had a bit of a panic when she gave me lots of meds to take home and I couldn't take it all In, she wrote it down and also explained it to my hubby waiting in the car.

you will learn a lot from watching how the chemo Bay works, you will see nurses being busy but also chatting  and laughing, they love thier jobs. some patients have a sleep, some read tablets and phones or magazines. it doesn't hurt. 

you will be given anti sickness tablets and other meds to counteract any side effects. I had 6 months of it and my main side effects were cold sores on lips and fatigue but managed to work reduced hours at home. main thing is to speak up if you have any side effects ....I had a PICC line, so no pain giv8ng blood for tests or painful veins. was pleased to get it out after 6 months tho. 

the endless travelling back and fro from hospital for scans, tests, onco appts, picc line flushing and chemo did get me down but has to be done. 

they will get to know you as you are there for 21 weeks and my team all knew me by name and that really helped, I felt welcomed and supported. 

you will be fine think of the thousands of women and men going through this at any time you are def not alone! Good luck let us know how it goes xx

Hi Cariad

A warm welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  While chemo is not easy it is doable.  You will be given an emergency number to ring if any side effects you have proved too much for you.

Just take things one day at a time, one treatment at a time and you will be fine.  There's plenty of support on this forum if you need it.  I found taking exercise everyday helped with the side effects so do try to get out for a walk everyday even if it's only a short one.

Wishing you the best of luck with your treatment and remember you're not alone.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm feeling very much as you were. I  really anxious about the steroids also and wondering has anyone tried to do chemo without them? What would your tips be for coping with treatment? I also plan to try snd cold Cap, did you try this? 

i hope Your doing well now

Thank you for your response. I am considering trying to do chemotherapy without steroids. Do you know anyone who has been successful in doing this? I will try my best to keep active and maintain a clean diet and drink lots of water. Did you cold cap? 

thank you again, I hope your doing well

Just to add I will do 12 weeks of 3 weekly cycles and then 12 weeks of weekly cycles 

I started chemo in Jan and cold capping wasn't an option due to covid, they have just re introduced it now, but plenty  forum users have so I'm sure if you search you'll find some useful posts.  you'll need to ask nurse about steroids they are part of the treatment and I think you're expected to take them but speak up if you get unwelcome side effects, they will tell you what to expect. coping is a day to day thing, each day after each chemo may be different and unexpected  or you may well just breeze through! pop on here if you are worried or speak to your lovely chemo team . x

Hi I used cold cap with TCHP chemotherapy and kept all my hair, I used the manual ones I took in myself and a cooler with dry ice They worked fine very successful

Hi Cariad

You are welcome. I don't know of anyone who was successful in doing chemotherapy without steroids but as hev999 said talk to your chemo team and they will be able to give you advice on taking steroids as part of your treatment.

I didn't bother cold capping as chemo takes longer if you decide to cold cap.  I ordered a couple of turbans online and wore those once I lost my hair.

I doing okay.  I've been in remission since March 2021. x

Hi there Cariad, like you I was anxious about the steroids; they frightened me more than the chemo! I expressed my concern to my oncologist during my pre chemo consultation and she asked me why I was so bothered. I told her I was worried about the side effects of them (moon face, swelling, blah blah) and she told me that side effects are only an issue if you’re taking them long term (years). I only took them for three days after each treatment, plus those that are administered during the chemo cycle. Anyway, I actually found them to be a lifesaver! I felt like I was on a bit of a “high” for the days after each treatment and went to my keep fit classes and carried on as normal with a big smile. Don’t know what your concerns are, but discuss with your team, they may just help. Best of luck xxxx

I cannot tell you how much reassurance these words have had for me. At a time  when I feel so overwhelmed about all the medics and side effects hearing you say this has brought tears to my eyes. I was so worried about the moon face and weight gain and i know it sounds silly but on top of loosing my hair and everything else it would be something else to handle. What chemo did you have? I have twelve weeks of 3 weekly AC and twelve weeks of Pacitaxel. How did you find chemo? 

thank you again xx