Triple Neg Breast Cancer First Chemo Cycle

Hi I have triple neg breast cancer and am being treated with chemo I thought I’d share my journey so far as it may helps others in their own upcoming treatment and give some insight as to what to expect. Everybody will have a different journey so this may or may not help you personally.

3 years ago I was diagnosed with HER2 cancer which was treated with lumpectomy and reconstruction to both breasts radiotherapy for 5 consecutive days and anastrozole tablets to be taken until further notice alongside daily adcal tablets  and weekly alendronic acid drinks to support bones as the bone density scan I had showed early osteoporosis. the lumpectomy went great and I was back to living a normal life in no time gym, drinking, travel etc.  I had  2 years of clear annual mammos and this year it came back with a completely new Triple Neg Cancer in different breast.

i was advised to my horror that I needed a lot of chemo treatment so then I began my google to death anything that could help with my preparation of treatment . I have just finished my 1st cycle of 4 for phase 1 of treatment plan which consisted of 3 x weekly treatments Pembro/ taxol/carb/ec so here it what insight I can give so far and tips that may make life easier.

• chemo treatment can be delayed on the day. I got an appointment time each week but often was kept waiting in the waiting room and for over an hour on one occasion. Not great for nerves when it’s first treatment 
• there are a lot of,people being treated at one time. My hospital chemo suite has about 6 bays of 6 beds and people come and go all day depending on the length of their treatment 
• it wasn’t a zen piped music chilled atmosphere as I expected. Lots of chatter amongst various patients some very overbearing people loving the sound of their own voice with a captive audience so take headphones so you can tune out.
• not all the nurses are full of joy and positivity I understand they are all underpaid and overworked but I didn’t expect one of them to tell me I wasted NHS money by having a port fitted instead of a Picc line for treatment. I enlightened her quite firmly that I was advised to have due to previous cancer but she continued to mumble under her breath anyway. 
• I am cold capping and it makes chemo treatment day a lot longer. 45 mins wearing pre chemo treatment starting and at end for another 45 mins plus another 15 for it to reach level where it can be removed. Wasn’t informed of that so came as a surprise
• the cold cap is quite heavy and intense to wear I followed a tip to take 2 paracetamol about 20 mins before it goes on to help with potential incoming headache. I have never been offered paracetamol by the nurses and thankfully took my own just let nurses know you are taking them. I’m using the Daniel field chemo hair treatment which is expensive £150 ish for pack of lotions and potions to help keep hair in conjunction with the cold cap. It can be quite faffy and for someone who only washed their hair once a week prior it requires a lot of commitment but  up to now I haven’t lost any hair on my head although it could be the cold cap itself or that it’s yet come but it certainly hasn’t done me any harm in using this. I do have very very thick coarse curly hair so I have topped up their recommended usage a bit just so it actually reaches my scalp.You can go online and book free consultation to talk you through it. 
• before they give you your chemo you have blood test to make sure you are ok to receive this takes about 45 mins for results to come back so in meantime they do your blood preassure weight and administer anti sickness and other stuff
• i take a cool bag with cold cordial Robinson type  drinks in added some ice into bottles and cool blocks to keep them cold all day. They do give you a jug of drink but it’s luke warm . There is also a lovely tea lady who comes round my unit 3 x a day with tea coffee sandwiches crips biscuits all free of charge but I also take some plain biscuits and crackers as it helps me with nausea. I’m using lotus biscoff and Jacob’s salted crackers.
• I take a lot of stuff with me as I am there at least 5 hours in an holdall as I have trouble sitting still. I have a book, reading glasses, iPad and charger  full of films and tv series, phone and charger with long lead,. Blanket as I get cold , bed socks , hand towel and water spray bottle and comb to help with the Daniel field chemo hair thing hat for after the cold cap removed to keep head warm. Snacks drinks, slippers for loo trips, extra fleece jacket, lip salve and nail treatment stuff and anything which helps pass the time in comfort.
• i am using the poly balm nail treatment which a lovely friend got me it’s supposed to be be the best in nail care as you may loose nails on hands and feet so this treatment helps prevent this again it’s not cheap £50. But I will add to birthday lists when it runs out. I also paint my nails black when going outside in sun as it helps protect against UV which apparently is what makes nails change colour.
• i get  dropped off and picked up for my treatment there are no visitors allowed I thought I would be able to drive myself but I have c9me out feeling a little fuzzy headed so can see why they say not to but this could be my medines and your may be different. I drove myself to and from all radio treatment previously. 
• on leaving hospital I was armed with a load of meds it can be very overwhelming write down when and how to take and get them to repeat everything as there are a lot of instructions first time. My experience has been to take the anti sicknesses tablet as soon as you feel the lightest bit icky. I am on domperidon.  I must say for the week following my first treatment it wasn’t the head spinning exorcist moments I was expecting just nausea tiredness and some constipation. Another tip is to get some senator type meds as all these drugs either bung you up or the opposite.
• my treatment is given on Fridays and I have been feeling fine Friday evenings Saturday and Sunday and start to lull around Sunday early evening Monday tired but all much better than I thought. I manage to take my dog out for half hour every morning and again with hubby later no probs. I have been shopping one lunches on Saturday and driven quite happily. I haven’t been to gym as I don’t want to push my  luck but been doing some yoga and stretches at home
• i hope you find this useful