starting chemo...eeeeek!!!

acknowledging that the hair loss sucks, while relating that chemo is totally doable.

good luck

What kind of chemo are you doing? There are different SEs with the different chemos. I first had FEC100, which I think Canadians also often get. FYI, FEC100 is stronger stuff than FEC60 or FEC75, so if you get one of those, your SE's will be milder.

For me, I felt just fine for 4 hours after I left the hospital, then started to feel nauseous. The first time was worse than the other 3 times. I went to bed and was super nauseous for about 8 hours- I curled into a ball and didn't move or say more than one word at a time. I threw up only once and felt better for a short time after that. As horrible as I felt, it still wasn't worse than a really bad flu or being awfully seasick. Finally I fell asleep and when I woke up the next morning the worst was over.

For the next 3 days I was somewhat nauseous and didn't feel like going farther than the sofa or kitchen, but I could read or watch TV. The week after that I gradually got my energy back, but always had to deal with "chemo-tired". It is a different kind of tired than I had ever experienced before- it was a kind of feeling of desperation and burning inside. Sometimes I felt "desperately" thirsty or "desperately" hungry, but mostly "desperately" tired. I would be at the grocery store and would feel the chemo-tired coming on- it really felt like I wouldn't make it home, that I would just collapse right there on the floor. After more experience with it, I realized that I could keep going through the chemo-tired much longer than it felt like but I learned not to plan much for the first week-and-a-half.

The first time is definitely the scariest, until you know how it is going to be for you. Everyone's SE's and experience is very individual. I would absolutely recommend having someone with you from about 3 hours after you come home from the cancer center. I was surprised by how quickly the nausea came on and didn't call my boyfriend to come home before I was in a state. If you are easily sea- or car-sick (I throw up just looking at a boat...), ask for for the good nausea medication: Emend. It is very expensive, so they might not give it to everyone. Take ALL the pills you are supposed to or else the nausea can come back. 

You will probably have another type of chemo when you are done with the first and that will have completely other types of SE's. But by then, you will be an old hand at dealing with it all :-) 

In my experience, everything has been MUCH scarier before-hand than it turned out to be. Also, losing my hair. Before it happened, I was completely obsessed by  when it would happen, how it would happen, what would I have on my head, how would I feel, how would people look at me..... I used many, many hours putting a plan into place (well, I had lots of time, recovering from the Mx)- deciding to wear scarves not a wig, how to tie them, ordering scarves on the internet, deciding to shave my head 2 weeks after first chemo etc. The worry and anxiety all climaxed with wearing a scarf to work the first day. I really was afraid I wouldn't make it in- with the amount of adjusting and looking in the mirror and retying I did! Well, everyone said it looked nice and from that day on it was no big deal. It takes a little more time getting ready in the morning, because I have to find a scarf that goes with my outfit, but I probably have 40 scarves by now (many bought at Goodwill) and I always find one. 

I didn't mean to write a novel, but I remember when I was starting out that everyone kept saying "it is different for everyone" while all I wanted to know were the day-to-day details of how  THAT person had experienced it. Just take one step at a time and you will get through it. There are lots of women on these boards that were just as scared as you are now and we all got through it. You will too.

As pupfoster said everyone is different.To tell you my experience,and I am in my early 60's,and also had very aggressive chemo.it was not bad at all.There were days I would be tired,but not the whole day,hardly any nausea,because of all the meds they have today.                                  

As for hair loss,I started loosing it after about 17 days,I then cut it short,then a few days later shaved it,because I could'nt stand the hair falling out all over the place.I'm not going to lie after a few months,I did get tired of coordinating scaves,using my wig,and got tired of looking at myself,but I will do anything to get rid of this demon.My hair is now about 2 inches long,stll hate it but I can deal with it,especially me being a hairdresser this was hard.

Good Luck and I wish you no SE.

I had no se's except hair loss. I was tired and emotional the 2-3 days following then I figured out it was the decatron (steroid) and asked them to remove it. They lowered it then finally removed it alltogether. Then I felt like I wasn't even in chemo as I had no side effects and felt totally normal.

Mos people actually don't have se's and do just fine. I also did a lot of nutrion such as juicing and wheatgrass to keep my counts up. I even travled to California in the middle of chemo.

I cried like a baby at my first session but by the middle I would sometimes go alone. You will be ok....You can do this and we are all here for you!

Hello Mo,

I had 6 treatments of TAC 3 weeks apart.  I was also nervous at first and the unknowing of what to expect.  I would have to say the worst part of Chemo for me was THE DREADED PORT!  It was uncomfortable for me and hard for me to get a good nights sleep!  Other than that I was blessed to not have any nausea and my parents came to stay with most of the time to help me with my 4 year old. 

There were some days that I didn't do anything but sit in my recliner and watch TV-- By the end of 7 months-- I was ready to quit watching TV!! 

I lost my hair 2 weeks after the first infusion --I was prepared though because I had my DH shave it all off a week before.  Most of the time - I went without a wig.  Alot of times I would think to myself that I was in the military - BUT IN a War Against Cancer!!

I am now 6 1/2 months post neo Chemo, 4 months post BMX and 2 months post RADS and starting to feel like myself again!  I look back now and can't believe all that I've been through--seems like a dream!

Soon -Chemo will also be a thing of the past to you as well.  It's easier if you have family or friends that will support you through it all.

Loretta

Hi,

I've gotten lots of great tips from this site, but this is my first post. Nice to maybe help a bit! 

I started A+C every three weeks 4 times January 19, and now am on Taxol weekly times 12. Here are some things that helped me.

Drink lots of water the day before treatment to plump up your veins. Eat a nutricious, high fiber, low fat breakfast before you go in for treatment (granola, bran cereal, banana, O.J). Take an apple, almonds, yoghurt to eat during treatment. Drink water during treatment. The nurses are your friends. Ask them how to take a pee-break (walking with your I.V.) during the time you'll be there. I had "delicate" veins, so for the first four infusions they used a heating pad on my arm to help find a vein to use. Chemo is hard on veins, so after 4 sessions I had a port installed in my chest.I am sooo glad I have it even though it required a short surgery. The infusion process is so much easier now.

Have a quiet friend drive you to chemo. For my first few sessions I took an Ativan (for anxiety) before I went. I told the nurses I had taken it. Now I no longer need that. Take good magazines or music. With A + C I came home and got right in bed to rest. I took the anti-nausea medications in the afternoon and at night for the first two-three days. I eventually found that I did better just eating breakfast and lunch and nutricious snacks (fruit) and didn't eat much dinner for the first week. Keep drinking  lots of water. By week two I was still really tired, but felt O.K. and by week three I felt almost like normal and was enjoying all my favorite foods.

Distract yourself with fun activities that YOU like. I have watched a ton of movies and have done lots of emailing to friends. Go on walks and admire the scenery. Say no to anything you don't feel up to.Let your family wait on you.

Be very careful about exposure to people who are sick. I got a cold during my A+C period and it lasted three weeks. Send friends or family to the market for you. I hardly did any cooking during the A+C period. Lost some weight.....that was nice! Tell your family about keeping away from you if they are sick. You could get really sick if you catch something and you don't want that!

Taxol is much easier for me. Thank goodness, since it is weekly! No more problems with nausea and food tastes good again.

My hairstylist shaved my head for me. At first I was embarrassed to have my husband and daughter (15) see, but I got over that fast. I go bald at home. Get some cute scarves,caps, dark glasses, earrings, necklaces and an eyebrow pencil at Target. Go wig shopping with a stylish, kind friend. At first I thought I hated my wig (cause it's a little itchy), but now I realize it is fine. I know my hair will grow back.   

You might try a local bc support group in your area. It's most helpful to talk to others who have been through this.

Chemo is strange because it makes you feel sick, but eventually you will feel well again. It's a long road and patience is required. 

Take good care or yourself and enjoy your good days. 

Anne

I exercised as much as I could throughout chemo to maintain my core fitness and think I was successful.  My take was that I might as well be fit and dragging as opposed to just dragging.

So I slowly lost weight.  Have to say though I am thrilled to have the energy to power walk again.  This came back about four weeks after final chemo.

I did weights/crunches to rebuild my core post surgery, and walked at least a mile every day I didn't cycle.  Did about 30 miles of cycling every weekend, but flats, not hills.  (My oncology team signed off on this.)  Picture with bicycle was taken first Saturday after chemo.  Did chemo on Mondays so I would be recovered enough to cycle on the weekends.

A friend of mine was really helpful with the hair loss part.  His words were that (unlike his) mine would grow back!!!

I was achy with Taxol, and hot scented baths helped.  (Just soaked my sore butt a couple of hours, as was protesting after the 30 mile ride I did today with a group that is faster than I am.)

Final piece of advice is to make sure you eat tons of protein.  The ACS site says this, and I found I needed it to maintain energy levels.  I am finally eating a lot less protein now, but certainly needed this all the way through.

As for my wigs, I have two.  I think I will still do red streaks once my hair grows back in, which I expect to happen in a couple of months or so.

Thanks for the good words.  I slugged down communion wine, but otherwise abstained also.  So nice to have real dinners with wine now.

I had odd tastes, but otherwise ate normally.  So still lots of fruits and veggies. Eggs were a Godsend.

Ready for bed now, as butt is telling me what it thinks of exercise I did this weekend.

BTW - had a very funny discussion at about the 60% point where I had picked up the pace cycling so butt muscles were protesting.  Oncologist said that this didn't sound chemo-related and that sports medicine was outside his area of expertise!!!

I had my first chemo on the 11th & and am happy with the way it went.. I took my meds (like a good girl) 1/2 hour before chemo started.  From start to finish it took about 1 hour 45 mins.  I felt pretty good.. went and picked up a couple of wigs, scarves & hats  from the cancer society.. went home & cleaned the house a little.. couldn't believe it myself! That night I had heartburn & a touch of headache.  Day 2 - My face was flushed & was tired.. slept quite a bit.  Day 3 - pretty much slept all day.  Day 4 - I woke up & feel better by the day.  It is Day 10 & knock on wood I haven't started shedding yet!  I just need to get through my daughters highschool graduation on the 28th.. it can all fall out on the 29th  

I hope everything went well for you yesterday and that today is as good as it can be!!

Let us know how you are doing!

Hi Ladym13,

Sorry about your day 3 and 4. Someone else will have to help you with the particulars of TCH. I had AC every three weeks for three months and now Taxol every week for three more months. The AC was tough. First week not so good as you describe, then week two and three I was having lunch with friends to lift my spirits. I got very nauseated with AC. Try cold foods: I ate a lot of Subway sandwiches and ice cream. Stay out of the kitchen to avoid odors. Maybe someone else can cook.

I've been on chemo for more than 4 months and have another month to go, so I'm letting you know that although it is pretty unpleasant and sometimes really depressing, you will get through eventually. It's a trial for our patience! Find something to look forward to. After chemo I have a bilat. mx this summer and then radiation, but I try to think about and look forward to my niece's wedding in October to keep me going. Try to find and enjoy the good things that happen around you. Some days that will be hard to do, but when you can do it, you will feel more like yourself. Cancer treatment is like a very long march.....you can do it.  

Dear ladym

Thought I'd chime in to say that my husband finished Cisplatin, taxol and 5FU in November. His hair thinned (and looked really tired and limp) but never fell out. The  Platinum based drugs like Carboplatin and Cisplatin are hard on your kidneys, so be sure to drink lots of water. DH had extra saline infusions to protect his kidneys, because he has some kidney damage, but he made it through fine.  The nausea meds worked perfectly, he was never sick, never lost or gained weight.

Many women who have BC get Adriamyacin and Cytotoxin, and that is absolutely a hair killer.

I wish you all the best, so go out and SLAY THAT BEAST!

Sue