Chemotherapy

hi there,

Are you having EC chemo? It kind of sounds like it if it 3 weeks apart. If so that’s the same as me and I have had 3 sessions so far. Waves of fatigue on some days but all tolerable in my case so try not to be terrified (I was too on first session though). Also I have used the cold cap and have retained my hair.

I don’t know about long term fatigue but I’m sensing will be ok as ok now. Try not to overthink - honestly it’s the work of the devil and will take you to unhelpful places. A woman I met yesterday told me that when she was on treatment for breast cancer she imagined the chemo as an army of soldiers with a mission to march fast and kill the cancer cells - maybe helpful to focus on that?

Also - plan in some nice treats for yourself. Bless you going through this again - you certainly deserve them!

Jan x

Hi Summer23 

I had chemotherapy last year for breast cancer and, like you, I was dreading having it having heard about all the side effects I might end up with. In the end, apart from losing my hair, I tolerated the chemo very well.

I know everyone is different but this is my experience. I had 3 cycles of EC, three weeks apart, followed by 12 weekly sessions of paclitaxel. With the first type of chemo I found that I felt under the weather for the first 10/11 days afterwards but then felt fine after that before having the next infusion when the same would happen again. I did lose my sense of taste but found if I ate spicy food I could taste that. It was during this regime that I lost my hair.

While having paclitaxel I didn't have any side effects and my hair started to grow back. I haven't suffered with fatigue or any long term side effects.

Try not to worry too much as you might sail through the chemo and, if you do have any side effects, the chemo nurses are experts at finding solutions.

x

Hi Jan

i don’t know if I am having EC chemo all I know is I am having Docetaxel  IV infusion and Cyclophosphamide IV bolus. I am seeing the Chemo nurse on Tuesday so I will ask. I am not having a cold cap as I would have had to wait longer so I am sure I lose my hair. 

Are you sure you would have to wait longer for the cold cap? I’m surprised. The treatment does take longer as you have to have it on half an hour before the treatment and an hour and a half after - so treatment time is extended. Definitely the chemo nurse will be able to answer lots of your questions - I write my questions down as i think of them, otherwise run the risk of forgetting.

You may choose not to cold cap anyway - it seems to work for 50% of people with no known reason why it doesn’t  work for the other 50%. But worth putting in the pot. My oncologist told me not to bother as I would lose my hair with EC anyway - the breast care nurse disagreed that this was necessarily true - for me she was right!

Thank you