Due to start chemotherapy and dreading it!

Hi Becki/Beckiboo 

It's natural to worry about how you'll be affected having chemotherapy and you're right that everyone reacts differently.

I had two different types of chemotherapy. The first was epirubicin and cyclophospamide, or EC for short, which I had every three weeks for 3 cycles. Fortunately, I got off fairly lightly with main side effects being hair loss and a sore vein. For the first 10 days I felt just a bit under the weather and slightly tired but for the rest of the 3 weeks I felt completely fine. 

Then I had 12 cycles of paclitaxel, which was given weekly. This was kinder than the previous chemo and I just felt a bit tired for the first evening.

Hopefully you won't have too many, if any, side effects.

Thank you ️ . It’s the fear of the unknown I guess because I won’t know anything until that appointment as regards how many rounds, what drug it’ll be etc

I was the same. I had no idea what chemo I'd be having until I sat down with the oncologist.

I wouldn't worry too much about his supposedly 'dreadful bedside manner'. He may just have been having a bad day when the person who told you that saw him.

During my interaction with various health professionals over the years, I've encountered all sorts but the one thing they all have in common, is that they have your best interests at heart!

Anne

Yes you’re right about best interests - I have had an amazing team so far and I know that will continue to. My breast care nurse has also warned me about the particular oncologist’s manner I’m having but has assured me he is excellent so to stick with him! Thanks for your replies and I hope you are thriving

This is exactly how I felt before I started chemo. I think wait until they tell you how many sessions, what type of drug and how often then you can do your research. Do you definitely need the chemo? Have you had an oncotype test? 

I am having 9 weekly sessions of taxol and carboplatin then 3 sessions every 3 weeks of EC. I’m taking it one step at a time so only thinking about my first lot at the moment. 

Everyone is different with side effects, I have had two sessions so far and both weeks I have suffered with constipation and a bloody nose but they will give you a pill for everything you are suffering with. 

I hope everything goes well with the oncologist and keep us updated xx 

Thank you . I have to have chemo because the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes and I had a clearance at the same time as my mastectomy. So they want to ‘mop up’ just incase. I’m hoping once treatment start I’ll be less anxious. I think the fact I had to come off HRT has not helped with the constant crying! I hope you are ok and yes I’ll keep updating - bound to have more questions/concerns as time goes by ️!! 

Hi did you have the oncotype test I’m just waiting for my results from it to decide my plan … Polly x

Yes once you know what’s what then it will be reassuring. 

A friend of mine had spread to her lymph nodes and she did not need chemotherapy because her oncotype score was only 6. 

Hi Polly. Yes I did. My score was 26 so just entered the high bracket for pre-menopause women. My oncologist did say she would have recommended chemo regardless of my score due to the cancer I had was grade 3. 

I’ve just had a Google of oncotype test and think maybe it’s not applicable to me as I had 5 lymph nodes affected and my tumor was 9.3cm so the MDT I reckon have decided chemo is best for me. I don’t know really - just trying to navigate my way round all of this!