Hi I start chemo in 2 weeks

Hi MRW

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.  Treatment effects everyone differently, some people have little or no side effects and some people have a lot.  If chemo is causing you any problems make sure to contact your chemo unit to let them know so that they can tweak your medication and or chemo.  Also if you have any problems while receiving your chemo on the chemo ward do let your nurse know straight away so that they can do whatever works to make you more comfortable.  Drink plenty of fluids as they can help prevent side effects.  Before you set off for your chemo make sure that you bring plenty of stuff to keep you occupied like a book, puzzles, maybe download something on your tablet if you have one and bring headphones so that you can listen to music or watch a film.  Make sure you rinse out your mouth after every meal to try to prevent mouth sores.  You can either make up a solution of water and salt or ask for a mouth wash on your first visit to the chemo ward.

There is a chemo thread on this forum that you can look at and ask any questions you way have about your treatment.  Here's the link: https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/breast-cancer-forum/f/questions-about-diagnosis-and-treatment/240592/june---august-2022-breast-cancer-chemo.

Wishing you the best of luck with your treatment when it starts in two weeks time.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi, you never know how chemo will be and some people sail through it and others have more challenges. I found the anticipation was worse than the reality. It was OK and I got in to a rhythm. I agree with hydrating well the 2 days before chemo and in the days afterwards to flush the chemo out and avoid dehydration headaches.

I had a list of essentials for my 2 weekly chemo.

For EC and P- eczema creams and a soap substitute like cetaphil for the shower. No scented products. A greasy cream for the hands and any very dry patches of skin to apply regularly.

For EC:

Eye drops - hypomellose for dry eyes and a good pair of sunglasses to stop the wind drying them further.

Good nail strengthener - I used the OPI one, but there are others - nails get fragile and break easily. Along the same lines industrial gloves for washing up and housework. Pay attention to moisturising cuticles on your hands and feet - vaseline intensive care rather than a scented cream is better.

If you can, persuade your dentist to do a good hygienist clean before starting chemo. Invest in floss or interdental brushes. A mouth wash like difflam is soothing and cleans your mouth that little bit more. A gentle non-foaming toothpaste like sensodyne is kinder to your gums and mouth. Keep up with the regular brushing and flossing to avoid issues.

Some unscented or gentle shampoo like faith in nature is also helpful.

And a sweet to suck when cyclophosphamide goes in - it gives an odd though not awful taste without it.

Take your laxatives regularly until you get a result. A prune or two at night can speed things along. It can take five or six days for your gut to recover.

I found I could only drink a particular brand of bottled water. Most people find a bit of citrus cuts through the change in taste and that foods need to be better seasoned or of stronger flavour. Everyone is different and you will find your way and you may not even have taste changes.

Think about whether you want to cold cap or not. It adds time to your treatment, but may save your hair. Cancer hair care support group online has great advice on that.

And exercise every day, even if its just a walk to the first lamp post and back. If you can manage any higher intensity exercise once or twice during your cycle it will help you process your chemo and help your recovery when its all over.  

Regarding diet - you can only eat what you can eat, but where you are able pay attention to the amount of protein in your diet - try to eat some at every meal. Treat food like medicine - you need to eat to help yourself get through chemo. Sometimes easier said than done, but mostly I was able to eat little and often. I wish I'd known about the importance of protein intake in advance of starting chemo. Some preprepared meals to quickly heat up or some soups can be a godsend.

For paclitaxel - the only addition is that I needed to wear dark nail polish as nail changes are sensitive to sunlight and I didn't want to lose my nails. My nails are still delicate 6 months after chemo, but they are all in place, and are still being carefully looked after. And wear your most comfortable shoes so as not to squash/bump your nails.

I did a quick powder brow tattoo which helped me know how to fill in my eyebrows when they fell out at about 3 months in to treatment. I had an outline to complete. I couldn't get it touched up but was glad I arranged this in advance too. Its faded now and can barely be seen.

Wishing you all the very best for your chemo and hope it goes well. xx

PS the look good feel better make up and nail courses by zoom or at your macmillan centre are fantastic, as are the nutrition courses online with macmillan or Penny Brohn.

Sorry you are starting this journey. I am a little further ahead, just over half way through chemo. I have been blogging my experiences, partially to help me, but also to help others get a sense of what it might be like. See below.

Someone told me early on that it’s different for everyone but that you are not likely to experience all the possible side effects and I think that’s true. If I was to recommend one thing it would be Polybalm to rub into your nail beds. And for me, the ups and downs of my bowels have been the worst thing, you need something for constipation and something for diarrhoea- hopefully not at the same time. All the best. 

community.macmillan.org.uk/.../a-trip-with-triple-negative-breast-cancer