Pregnant and preparing for Chemo in June

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Hstigs
Hstigs Member Posts: 2

Hello all,

I'm new here and would love to pick some of your brains! I am currently 12 weeks pregnant. I was diagnosed a week after taking my pregnancy test which was emotion overload to say the least. I just had a very successful surgery last week and finally found out my treatment schedule - 4 sessions of AC starting in June with Taxol/Herceptin beginning after the baby is born. I feel ready to tackle this treatment and get through the summer of being extremely pregnant and in chemo but I would love any insight people had to share! I'll be getting treatment every 3 weeks so in general, when do you feel the worst? Obviously I will be in my third trimester so i'll be tired anyways, but what can I expect on a daily/weekly basis with the chemo added? Do you come home from the hospital and are drained for the next 3 days? Do you feel ok then feel drained?

I know everyone is different, but if there are any other pregnant women or moms who have gone through this I would love to know generally what your immediate reactions were after each session. I'm already planning to do as much baby prep as possible before June so I can use my good days to be with friends and family this summer!

Thank you!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2016

    Hi Hstigs and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

    We're so sorry you have to be here, but really glad you found us. You'll find our Community an incredible source of knowledge and support!

    While you wait for the ever-helpful advice from our other Community members, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's pages on Being Diagnosed During Pregnancy.

    We hope this helps! Please continue to check back in and let us know how you're doing!

    --The Mods

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited March 2016

    Hi Hstigs. So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Though not quite the same, I had chemo when my baby was five months old. The worst days were day 3-10 with 5 being the absolute worst. That day I couldn't do anything but lay on the couch. The rest of that seven day window, I still managed to do what I had to do. Hard and exhausting for sure, but doable for your baby. After the ten days, I felt not too bad. Best wishes that you sail through treatment. Hugs.

    Forgot to add, the 2 days directly after the treatment were unpleasant, not because I felt ill, but because of the steroids that accompany chemo made me absolutely manic. Don't know if everybody has that experience, just a heads up.

  • Hstigs
    Hstigs Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2016

    Thank you - this is really helpful! I am sure once i have my first treatment I will know more but the summer and baby planning has me trying to make plans and I don't want to overburden myself.

  • hikerchic
    hikerchic Member Posts: 48
    edited April 2016

    Hi...I'm also pregnant...14 weeks...and starting chemo very soon. I understand how challenging it is preparing for the unknown with chemo and bringing a sweet baby into this world!

  • elisewin
    elisewin Member Posts: 19
    edited April 2016

    hi there,

    I found out I was pregnant the morning I was due to have my mammogram and fine needle biopsy, I'm convinced the pregnancy saved my life "pushing" the lump up.

    I had mastectomy when I was around 7-8 weeks pregnant. Luckily for me it was a DCIS so the mastectomy was all I needed to do.

    I breastfeed my baby on one side till about 6 month old.

    big hug to everyone of you.




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