I am 39 and New Here. First round of Chemo

Hi Cat, Im new to this forum, but its a great one. It was a roller coaster for me too, and im a nurse. What i learned about chemo,was all on my own, not from Dr's,drink lots and lots of water, i like smart water,take anti nausea pills, before you get sick or you may not,i never got nausea and vomiting, just got tired alot. I exercise but not a whole lot, walking in place, bend and stretches. Eat small meals and fruit,soup goes down well for some. My Dh is retired, so he cooks. These women here will help you more than google, just ask. Please keep one calendar for your dr. Appts.

Chemo will go by fast, nice to meet you, im from illinois, usa. My last chemo is oct. 15 ,then radiation, ask anytime you have questions.

The first one is the hardest. So yeah for getting that crossed off



My appetite was so crappy during AC I just ate when and what I could. If you want a milkshake then have it.

Put blinders on. If you have 16 chemos, etc etc. Only focus on what you are on at present.



I drank 33oz three times day everyday during chemo.

You will learn all the other stuff.

Hi Cat, and welcome to Breastcancer.org.

You might also want to connect with others who are at the same stage of treatment with you, by joining the October or September thread in the Chemotherapy - Before, During and After forum.

• The Mods

Welcome Cat! You're in good company! Definitely look and see if someone has started a Sept. Chemo group...that made all the difference for me. Steroids do make you hungry. It was a strange mix for me...hungry & nauseated at the same time. Grrr Drink lots!!!!

Post questions, fears & milestones! This is a great place.

Hi Cat,

Wow, very similar stories except I am a little newer diagnosed than you. I am 39 as well, right breast. Diagnosis was IDC, stage II, grade 3, 3.1cm. I just got done last week with all the testing (BRCA, MRI and first Onco appt.) and awaiting results from BRCA to make the lumpectomy vs mastectomy decision. The Oncologist dropped the chemo bomb on me last week and I was NOT prepared for that. When I found out I was told the tumor was 2.1cm and no lymph node involvement. After the MRI, it changed. Lymph nodes are swollen (Surgeon said maybe from the biopsy) and the tumor was bigger than they thought. Honestly, I am scared to death to do chemo. I work full time and live alone so I can't see not working and going bankrupt. I read so much and Googled everything under the sun but nothing prepared me to have to go thru chemo, as I was told lumpectomy and radiation before the MRI test. How many treatments do you have to do? How much time in between? How was your first one? I want to know everything so I can mentally prepare myself for this part of my fight. The one thing I keep hearing at every dr. apt is "You are so young". I keep thinking well, I can happen to anyone right?

For all of you about to start chemo - please do not fear it. It gets a bad rep, but at least for me, it was much easier than expected. Just remember that the chemo is killing any cells that may have come off your tumor prior to/during your diagnosis and trying to set up shop somewhere else in your body. Once those cells set up shop somewhere else in your body, you become a Stage IV patient, and although treatable, you are no longer curable. I did dose dense AC - for me the worst side effect related to the GI tract - I could not eat very much because my GI tract was hit hard by the chemo (burning, etc). I had only very mild nausea. I actually hate nausea, and it was one of my biggest fears, but those anti-nausea meds are really strong. Do not be afraid to take them! I also worked during the entire chemo regimen (except a couple of days for each infusion) while also taking care of two young children. For AC, you may want to take off 2 days after infusion. Taxol was a breeze compared to AC, and I could literally get the infusion in the morning and be ready to work that evening. One thing that was easier for me though was the fact that I could work from home (and go to the office as needed). If this is not an option, it may be more challenging to work, at least during the AC portion of the ACT (if that's the regimen you are doing).

Also, it is sickening to me that there are so many really young women who get hit by this beast. And there are so many of us. Just the other day at my oncologist's office; I met three women who all had children under the age of 10 (just like me). One of them had just given birth (had a 3-month old) and was there for her post-op appointment.

hello Cat, I was 42 when diagnosed and planning my wedding when I found the lump, during my chemo I took anti vomit pills, and on days when I received chemo I had only soup, which worked great for me, it "TOO shall past"so hang in there and come here often, we are here for you, take it from a 19yr Survivor,i,m here telling of long survival for "INSPIRATION" to others.

Hi honey, First, I am so sorry for your diagnosis. Yes, everything can be pretty overwhelming. However, you came to the right place here. These women here are so helpful and supportive. I turned here when I was diagnosed in 2006. Yes, you came to the right place. Get some rest. If you have any questions, feel free. I am here.

Take Care, Kaloni