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Chemo for breast cancer - its not all bad

Bionic
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Firstly let me say that this is from my perspective and I know that everyone is different as is their treatment but chemo is scary and I thought this might help someone.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer earlier this year. Had an op and 2 lumps were removed. Luckily no problems with the lymph nodes and thought I was going to get away with radiotherapy. However, the samples were sent for analysis in the US and my OncoDX score was 29 so chemo was on the cards. To say I was scared would be an understatement. My treatment was started 3 weeks later which didn't give me too much time to contemplate.

Walking into the chemo unit on that first day I put on a brave face but didn't feel brave at all. However, I need not have worried because all of the staff are lovely. 

I was on AC drugs (adriamycin and cyclophosphamide) one session every 3 weeks for 4 sessions. I took home a bag of drugs after each session, steroids and antisickness and more antisickness, as and when necessary. Taking the drugs as instructed I never felt sick and never needed the 'as and when necessary' antisickness pills. Over the 12 weeks I sometimes felt a bit as if I had been drinking, I felt tired and at times lost my appetite although not for long. I was told that I might get a sore mouth, that red wine and chocolate would taste metalic, that my hair would fall out between 10 and 14 days. I had my head shaved to very short in advance and on day 15 the last bits fell out. That was probably the worst part but at least it didn't hurt. Every session I would go back they asked me how I was feeling and really I was feeling fine. After those 4 sessions my drug changed to the P drug, Paclitaxel. This is given every week for 12 weeks and will take me right upto January 2022. I have just had my 4th session and feel ok. I'm cooking, and doing all the usual household chores. I don't work but think I would have been able to if necessary, albeit that I would have been very tired. 

Because of the effect the drugs have on the imune system I am more or less self isolating, apart from going for routine blood and covid tests, as I don't want to take any chances but I do feel human.

I bought a new sick bucket which hasn't been used.

I do hope this post helps some of you about to go through the same thing. We hear such awful things about chemo and never anything positive. 

So, to finish as I started, Its not all bad

Sally

 

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    Hiya.  My wife starts her chemo next week and this kinda ties in with what the oncologist was saying.  Those horror stories you see depicted in movies and tv series are more fitting for the 80's and 90's when almost all chemo was harsh. He said reality isn't like that for many people nowadays. Especially the treatment my wife will receive for her BC.

    However, it hasn't stopped her from focusing on the chemo and she's dreading it because she thinks she's gonna feel brutal. Even though the oncologist said she won't be bed or couch ridden.  And if she is, it won't be normal and they want to know about it. But yeah, those preconceived ideas are difficult to shake until we see what happens with our own eyes.

    She's read your post and it has helped her massively, so thank you.

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    Hi bionic this post is actually really positive, thankyou so much it made me feel a little better. Xx

  • Offline in reply to ProfBaw

    A funny story that the nurse told me that might make your wife laugh.

    Recently a woman was going in for her first chemo treatment. Her neighbour had told her how awful it is and that she was going to be throwing up the whole time (nice neighbour) Anyway, the woman turned up for her first treatment with new sick bucket in tow in case she was sick at the hospital or on her way home. She never needed her bucket :-)

     

  • Offline in reply to Keeleyl1977

    Glad I could be of some small help Keeley. I hope you find the whole experience relatively easy, as I have done. I am keeping my fingers crossed of course because I still have 8 doses of the second treatment to go. x

     

  • Offline in reply to Bionic

    Lol. Nothing quite like the "helpful neighbour", huh? :laugh:

    Anyway, your post has at least helped 2 people.  Me and my wife and we're so thankful you posted it.

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    Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience, I'm due to start chemotherapy in few weeks (awaiting an oncologist appointment for final dates that should be through next week) then will be having surgery after. 
    chemo is something that has scared me due to having 2 little ones and not wanting them to see me being poorly. 
    hope the rest of your sessions go as smoothly xx

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    Dear Sally

    Thankyou for this!  I'm 38 with two young sons, to say the least I was devastated to be told I BC and am still coming too terms with it, I am waiting for the OncoDX score to come back from America, initially it was a grade 2 now it's a Grade3 after they tested it. That has really thrown me to be honest.

    Originally they said Tamoxifen and Radio but because of grade Chemo is likely.  I am so scared of re occurrence I will throw everything at it. 
     

    you post was really great thank you xx Sarah 

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