Starting Chemo and Christmas!

Hi, I understand how you feel and your reaction is normal. I had chemo from mid April through to the end of July and we ended up cancelling our holiday which was booked in June, I missed my nieces wedding and didn’t see my granddaughter in a theatre production. It is your decision but if I had delayed a cycle of chemo to go on holiday or became ill after a social gathering which delayed chemo and I later developed a recurrence, I would have concerns that my decisions had affected my outcome. 
In the future I may well develop a recurrence but I know I did all I could possibly do. 

Hello, I too had a lumpectomy (x2) plus sentinel node biopsy. I am HER2 + and ER +. Grade 3 invasive ductal .I had a phone call today to say I need to be seen tomorrow to prepare for chemotherapy next week.!!  No date as yet. Like you my mind is spinning. I have son and 2 autistic grandsons arriving on 23 Rd from Holland. I am nowhere near prepared for Christmas and like you hoped to attend some social things. Hoping I willbe told more tomorrow. Not the best timing but has to be done. Do you know which drugs you will be given ? 
I hope you are able to attend the events that are safe for you ,  I hope too that you have a lovely Christmas and the side effects don’t cause you too many problems . Xx

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Hey JPP, what drug will you be having?….if it’s EC, then I think you probably won’t be up for one on 15th, but 22nd might be ok. I felt a bit rotten for about a week on EC (fatigue and nausea). On weekly Paclitaxel I have no symptoms - have my infusion on Thursdays and then just carry on as normal xxx

Thank you OlivaGA!  Sounds like you have a lot on your plate at the moment!  Not sure what drugs - will find out Monday.  Hope you have a lovely Christmas too xx

thank you.  Yes EC for 6 cycles.  

Hi JPP, I had 4 cycles of EC and 4 cycles of Docetaxel. EC was every 2 weeks and Docetaxel every 3 weeks. I found EC harder and also harsh on the hair loss. Whilst I didn’t start to loose my hair until the second cycle it was Christmas Eve it started to fall out. I had my 2nd cycle on 20th Dec. I used the cold cap to help and whilst it didn’t stop the hair loss I lost about 80%. I was due to have my hair cut and coloured too and decided it wasn’t worth spending all the money to do it just to loose it. Obviously it would be up to you but if you were wanting to colour it might be worth doing it before you start chemo. As to how you will feel it’s difficult to say as everyone reacts differently to chemo. I found it was from day 3 I felt rough through to about day 7-10. As to whether you will want to drink again it depends on how you feel. As soon as I had my diagnosis that was it I stopped drinking. It’s 8 months since I finished chemo and I have only just recently had the odd drink. 
I would take each day as it comes and decide on the day whether you feel up to celebrating or going out. 
Wishing you all the best.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x