Chemo

Hi Carolyn321

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

You will be given either a prescription for or meds to counteract any possible side effects on your first day of treatment before you go home. Be sure to take them as you need them, with the anti-sickness meds take after each cycle to help prevent sickness. You will also be given a phone number so that you can contact the hospital out of hours if you have any problems.  

You will be given meds before each infusion either in tablet form or infusion, probably both to help counteract any possible side effects you may have. You will also be given steroids to take for three days after each infusion to help prevent side effects.

Everyone reacts differently to treatment. I had hardly any side effects while I was undergoing treatment and I was able to get out for a walk most days.

Wishing you the best of luck when your treatment starts.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Thank you Daisy - your reply has really helped. When you hear about all the side effects it's quite scary. To hear you say you coped so well has got me back on the positivity horse. 

Did you lose your hair? 

Cx

I found it helpful to read some blogs. That's what gave me the best advice.

Ive got a blog on here called Cancer Messed with the Wrong Boobs. It starts back in June where I first found the lump.

I had my last chemo on the 9th Feb and I coped really well.

Lou 

My turn too, first Oncology appointment tomorrow, so following these replies. 

Thanks for that I'll check out some blogs.

Well done on finishing your chemo and coping so well with it. Fingers crossed I have the same experience.

Good luck for the future 

C x

Good luck!! Hope all goes well for you.

C x

I start in about 4 weeks also- 3 x ec followed by 3 x paclitaxal on a three week cycle.  Can I please ask what regime you have been put on as I can see a lot of others have taken the paclitaxal weekly and I am a bit worried mine isn’t going to be enough. I’ve yet to meet my Oncologist and have been told by the BC nurse that everyone gets the same where I am, which seems a little bizarre. 

Just remember that each of you may experience different side effects. My tips are have a well stocked medicine cabinet. My support drugs from the hospital were steroids, difflam mouthwash, loperamide (for diahorrea), and metaclopromide (for sickness) I supplemented this with lactulose and glycerin supposetries (for constipation) paracetamol, ibuprofen and omeprazole (for acid reflux) and Gaviscon. Many people get acid and it makes the nausea worse. Buy a thermometer and use it! Take all the support meds given by the hospital (apart from difflam, use as and when) including the metaclopromide, don’t wait to feel sick, it’s easier to manage if you stave it off. Practice good oral hygiene, go to the dentist and hygienist before you start chemo and use a daily non alcoholic mouthwash, usually marked as ‘sensitive’. Be aware that quite a few ladies get UTIs with the first couple of cycles but misinterpret the symptoms as chemo related, if you start shaking, slightly burny wee, lots of weeing get it checked out even if you don’t have a temperature. Also if the dip stick at the surgery comes back ok, insist the sample is sent to the lab as the dipsticks are only 50% effective. UTIs very treatable with antibiotics and boy you’ll feel better! Many people describe the feeling of chemo after a day or two as having the worlds worst hangover, I found that helpful to know what to expect. Any questions then post, but follow your instinct above all else, if you think something isn’t right, get on the phone to the support team, it’s what they’re there for. All the best of luck xx

Chemo isn't pleasant but it is very doable. I really recommend keeping a diary of side effects and anything that you were able to do day by day as that really helped me in subsequent cycles and I could al start to see a pattern.

Everyone reacts differently but take all your meds as prescribed, even if you don't feel sick etc as prevention is a lot easier than stopping vomiting if you are one of the unlucky ones like me.

I would say be kind to yourself for the first couple of days or so and allow your body to process that chemo without too many demands. Keep you fluids up and try and eat as you want to nourish your body as it recovers all those cells that get killed off.

I found constipation an issue for the first few days as the anti-sickness meds and chemo itself can case that.

If you can, try and get our for a walk each day as that does help.

Good luck!

Hi

I'm on ec 3 times, 3 weeks apart then paclitaxel weekly for 9 weeks. But everyone is different so please don't worry.

Your oncologist will explain it all to you. Take your questions and preferably someone who can take notes. There is a lot of info!!  My head was spinning but I felt much better for having a plan.

Everyone's treatment is different so saying everyone gets the same is definitely bizarre.

Good luck for your appointment and for your treatment.

Cx