Hi

Hello PDarlo

Welcome to the Online community.

I am sorry to see that you were diagnosed with breast cancer. Am glad that your surgery was successful and hope that you are recovering from it.

I can understand your anxiety about what the next few months are going to be like and about it not feeling real. I felt similar before I started my chemotherapy. Its natural to feel worried when facing something new. I will pop some links here that you might find helpful. I found that knowing what would happen and a bit more about the treatment helped me feel more prepared.

There are ladies in the breast cancer group who will have had chemotherapy who will have experienced what you are going through and will understand. There is also a chemotherapy forum on here that I joined and although not specific for just breast cancer I did find it useful as I found the drugs and side effects I was given were the same as others. Also just the experiences were helpful to share. 

Chemotherapy forum - Macmillan Online Community

Here are some links to chemotherapy for breast cancer that may help.

Chemotherapy for breast cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support

EC Chemotherapy | Macmillan Cancer Support

Docetaxel | Macmillan Cancer Support

Here is a link for the targeted therapy treatment

Trastuzumab | Macmillan Cancer Support

I have put a link to some more information on scalp cooling in case you want to know more.

Scalp cooling | Macmillan Cancer Support

I did scalp cooling throughout my chemotherapy last year. I found that the first 10 minutes or so were quite uncomfortable. The nurses let me take some paracetamol before hand and that helped. It added a bit of time to the chemo days. I had to get there an hour early and had to stay an hour and a half afterwards but from my point of view I was there for the day anyway and it gave me time to settle in and get everything sorted before the chemotherapy was started. It does not work for everyone but it did for me. I did lose some hair- it thinned all over but I was able to get by without a wig or scarves. (I did have them on standby in case) It was important to me as hair is part of your identity and I also did not want to look ill- It is a decision only you can make. Some people are strong enough to just shave it off- but that wasn't me. I also found that it did protect my hair follicles and the hair has grown back quickly. I had one month after my final chemotherapy that it didn't look great but other than that I managed. 

My idea was to try it for the first session and see how I got on. I carried on and would do it again if I had to. 

For me chemotherapy was hard at time but it was doable and a necessary thing to do to help prevent my cancer returning. The chemotherapy ward was not at all what I expected. There were reclining chairs in bays and I met the same people who were on similar cycles to me. The nurses were lovely and everything was kept really calm and it was a bright and warm atmosphere. The thought of it before was worse than the reality. I had my chemo through a canula in my hand. I was given a book to write down any side effects and was given medication when they arose. I was also given a phone number to call with any problems. 

I hope this helps but please let us know if you need anything else.

Good Luck with your treatment

Jane

Thanks Jane, 

that’s really helpful. 
That’s my plan, give it a go, see what happens. 
I think the unknown is a hard place and once I’ve been for the first treatment I will know what to expect. 

I was really nervous before my first chemo but within an hour of getting there and settling in it was ok. I would suggest keep a note of any side effects and how you are feeling each cycle. I found that each cycle I had a similar experience with good days and bad days. It also helps with the doctors prescribing for any side effects. 

When they tell you the possible side effects it is very daunting but my reality was not the same as my fears. I would just advise going with the flow and listening to your body. If it's telling you to rest- rest. 

You might find your taste and appetite change. I made sure I had a lot of snacky foods in and plenty of drinks. Little and often was the way to go. I did have some nausea but was given meds. I found flat lemonade and those very thin ginger biscuits helped me. I found the first few days of each cycle were the worst and then would improve. The cycles with me had a cumulative effect and was shattered by the end of my last one. 

And the other thing is to be careful re immunity and try and avoid anyone with coughs and colds etc. And if you do come down with the signs of an infection - to contact the hospital straight away. I had a UTI during my second cycle and ended up having to go to hospital for antibiotic drip. 

With the cooling cap- you do feel the cold a lot more- even in the heatwave last summer I took in a blanket from home. And warm socks. They did use a heating pad on my hands to encourage my veins to pop up and I admit I kept it on all day! Comfy clothes too and layers. You'll likely have a drip stand but can unplug from the paxman (scalp cooling machine) for a few minutes to go to the loo. 

Good luck

Jane

Thanks 

much appreciate your support x