Newly Diagnosed

Hi Marg06, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Your oncologist should arrange the first chemo session. My oncologist would see me on the date of every session which he arranged. If my bloods were ok he would sign off on my chemo and then off I would go to the unit. I am at the Marsden and you are allowed to have someone with you during your appointment and chemo. No masks are needed they are voluntary. Each hospital is different and some I understand still don’t allow you to have someone with you. Even if you’re not allowed anyone, the nurses will spend time with you and make sure you are ok. Everything is on hand should you need extra help. The nurses will listen to any problems or concerns you have so just speak with them. Take some things like a book, magazine, puzzle book, something to watch on your phone or iPad to keep you occupied. They should give you some tea but I always had snacks and drinks in my bag just incase. 
Wishing you all the best. 
Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Thanks Cuffcake! I must say I’m feeling so much better since my initial post - it’s really good to know that there’s an army of experience to hand. I think I’ll pack a very large bag with snacks and distractions, apparently I’m having a port fitted - does this mean my hands are free? 

Yes they will be. I think the port will go in your chest area. If you need something inserting in body port much less visible than the picc line I had. And I think wil mean less hospital visits for cleaning. I had to go once every 7 to 10 days to have my picc line flushed.

Yes he mentioned it would be in my chest and I might get a blood clot - can’t wait!

 Marg06  TNBC = triple negative breast cancer. No receptors for oestrogen, progesterone or HER2

I have a port (short for portacath), it sits in my upper chest on the non-affected boob. It’s under the skin and is docked for each treatment by them putting a special needle through the skin into it (they supply numbing cream). It’s no trouble at all, and unlike a PICC line, I don’t have to worry about getting it wet, or disturbing it. If you have periods when you are not in treatment, it only needs flushing once every 4 weeks or so. It’s been brilliant. 

I’m so ignorant about different breast cancers, I’m only just finding out about IBC, mine is HER2 positive which I’ve been told is a good thing. Thanks for explaining the port, yes that sounds much better, is it uncomfortable when you sleep?

I don’t notice the port at all unless I catch sight of the raised dots under the skin in the mirror when I am cleaning my teeth. It’s been in for over a year and has never given me a moment’s bother. I originally got it rather than a PICC as I wanted to run, swim, go to Aqua classes through chemo. Worth its weight in gold once I found I had metastatic cancer and would be on and off treatment for the rest of my life. 

Polybalm for nails is brilliant - i found it so anyway. After 5 months of chemo my nails have never been in such good condition down to my obsession with applying the highly recommended polybalm. Also the cold cap worked for me - I didn’t lose my hair - it’s worth considering.

Hi JPH

Thats really good - I’ve just had my very long hair cut short and if I can keep it that would be great. My first chemo is now booked in for next Friday so I’m getting a bit nervous!

I found that fasting to 600 calories 2 days before until 24 hours after chemo finished reduced my side effects hugely. There’s also evidence that it increases the benefit of chemo against your cancer. Take a look at cancer active website if you are interested in supplements that can help you alongside chemo. Vitamin D is a great one as most of us are deficient at the time of diagnosis.

exercise and good hydration also help too.

it seems daunting now, but as you know all of a sudden you find yourself at the other end. Thinking of you as you start chemo