Scared of Chemo

Hi. I was diagnosed with a TNBC (also got a her2 positive and a her2 negative and BRCA1 gene). I’ve had 4 cycles of EC Then on 20th December I started weekly pac with 3 weekly carbo on top. (Missed 2 as wbc was too low). Due to finish on 20th March. Then will have lymph nodes checked then hopefully double mastectomy with reconstruction.

pac is hard and just when I feel I’m getting over it I get another. But I do have good days and manage to work from home. The injections make everything ache and my wbc is all over the place. Been as low as 0.4 and as high as 56 (today). I’m counting them down 

you can do this. Just mark each one off and know that for every bad day, there is a good day around the corner xx

Our diagnois sounds similar.  I was diagnosed on 10th December.  I have had the EC combo and I am alright for 2 days then fatigued for 3 day then fine till next cycle.  I picked up a tip on here to drink lots of water.  About a litre before the chemo and drink bits though out the chemo.  My results have been amazing.  Both my enlarged lymph node which was 3.4 cm and the tumour which was 2.8 cannot be detected by touch,   I am due round 3 this afternoon.  I manage to run and exercise on the 2 weeks that a feel alright.   I will then be going on to to the PC but for me this will be weekly for the Paclitaxel.    The leaflets are scary  and we fear the unknown.  I keep a not in my diary of how I was on that day and both cycles have so far done the same.  Hope your first session went well.   

Hi 

How are you feeling now ??

Do check out and get involved with the regular monthly February Chemo Help discussion in the Main Breast Group here.

The March discussion will be started sometime tomorrow it is the best place to get support from others who are going through, or already completed chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Hope this is of some help at a tough time, hugs, G n' J

Thanks for response....

unfortunately Day 2 I had a very adverse reaction (constant vomiting/diarrhea) no help from team I hoped wld help (it was Saturday) 111 wasn’t working, they told me not to go to A & E but we have an excellent urgent care service in Louth 15 mikes from me so we went there & I crawled in & collapsed. They tried 2x intravenous anti sick until trying ondansetron which worked instantly at midnight Sat night. Been hard coming back to being able to eat/function but I’m much much better now. 

About to call my Onc team to discuss how to manage next time (now I’ve decided to risk it again. All lymph nodes removed so no idea what effect it’s having.

didnt you feel sick? 

I went through chemo almost 4 years ago now - 4 cycles of TC chemo. The first chemo was the worst - very nauseous and had a UTI and neutropenic so hospitalised for 3 days. I had Ondansetron and antibiotics intravenously and made a rapid recovery. For the second and subsequent cycles I was given Ondansetron tablets and had few problems. My GP was fantastic and gave me mouth gel and antibiotics as needed which meant no more visits to A&E. it’s really a bit of trial and error to get the anti nausea drug that works for you. 

My tumour was 5 cm and 2 out of 26 lymph nodes removed had cancer. I am very well now and have good movement with my arm but still have discomfort because of lymph node clearance. I do my stretching exercises every morning with my arm and that really helps. Sending best wishes for your recovery and hope the rest of the chemo will be better for you. 
Elle

I did not have any sickness at all.  This is with the EC  I have an anti sickness tablet to take one hour before chemo and then was advised to take the anti sickness tablets I was issued for the following 2 days and it has worked so far.  I have had my 3rd treatment of EC today and feeling good.  I always drink plenty of water to flush stuff out.   I swap to Carboplatin and paxitaxel from next treatment.  The paxitaxel is weekly so will see how it goes,  I hope you fair much better for the next ones.  

I had to stop the EC after 2 cycle as was still sick to the point of feeling suicidal nearly 3 weeks in. Onc said clearly didn’t suit me and recommended moving to next treatment (outlined above). Unfortunately that has made me really sick too & I can’t bear it. I’m struggling so much, have tried 6 anti sickness drugs now, none really work. Onc thinks it’s snxiety, I have no way of telling but not consciously anxious. Agreed to go for next treatment tomo (no 2 in a 3 weekly cycle) but am desperately scared and really feel I shouldn’t go as I still feel sick from the last lot. I’d rather be dead. Does no one else experience this? I hope not but finding it so hard & wondering why???? 

I had to stop the EC as it was way too harsh for me. (extreme nausea) Have had one session of the next treatment (can never remember the name, paci taxel and carbo come into it) but feel dire. I've reluctantly agreed to go tomorrow for next session but still feel sick from the last lot. taking many anti emetics but they don't work. Feel desperate. poor prognosis without chemo so really don't know what to do, but every fibre of my being is crying out never to have that poison in me again. What on earth can I do? The sickness makes me suicidal.