hi,  hope I can help by sharing my experience but of course everyone is different.  I had a lumpectomy and full node clearence as I had 5 out of 11 nodes infected. this was in December, I was put on 4 cycles of EC followed by 4 cycles of Docetaxal.  I will be having cycle 4 of ec in about 10 days. I have to attend hosp for line flush for my PICC line every week  and then on chemo week, go 2 days before for blood tests and line flush. it doesn't hurt, it's just to make sure bloods are good enough for another round. I also have an oncologist review just before   chemo day ist was face to face now its telephone.   I was extremely nervous on my ist chemo day. didn't sleep and had frightened myself by reading others bad experiences. 

doesn't help doing it all on your own, hubby went off to nearby town. don't forget to do LFT test every time , well, I do at my hosp.. I have weight height blood pressure and temp taken then go into waiting room. when they call  I go to chemo Bay.,.has about 10 chairs in and there are two bays. what I wasn't expecting was that the nurse manually gives the stuff ...I had 4 big tubes of it....some are red....literally pushes it through gently. they just chit chat. First time you can tell they are watching for reaction. now I know them better we are more relaxed. 

takes about 90 mins altogether and they pack you off with meds and an injection. nothing to panic about..,all easy, although I did feel overwhemed due to anxiety , head nurse kindly took meds out to hubby and explained what they were for, anti sickness, steroids, Injection to boost white blood count. I just couldn't take it in!

I was expecting immediate side effects that night....didnt happen... just red wee!

as the cycles have gone on I have found, like most people, days 1 to 3 you are supported by the steroids but then you can have a crash where you don't feel right, tired but I wasn't floored. just  paced myself. 

have had slight diarrhoea,  constipation,ulcers in mouth but nothing horrendous. hair fell out just before cycle 2. I did feel miserable, snappy, tearful some days. 

now it's getting easier, bouncing back quicker after crash, by day 9 I'm normalish...even working from home reduced hours. nervous about the change of chemo I have asked if I  can go on to weekly pacitaxol as its gentler dose

the whole thing Is tiring and some days I have coped better than others. .you will get loads of support from hosp, 24hr no you can call etc. it really is about taking one day at a time and speak up if worried. I did on day one and they were very understanding. Happy to answer any questions x good luck

Hi yes I saw my Surgeon, she referred me too Onco and had my appointment two weeks later, started Chemo 2 weeks after that,  So 6 weeks after my surgery. 

Let me know if your having Chemo I have lots of tips, I won't Bombard you now, look into have a Pic line instead of a Canula, the positives out way the fact you can't swim etc, it's speeds everything up, you go too Hospital every week too get it flushed but that's nice too touch base with the Nurse, I'm having FEC-T for 6 sessions over 12 weeks I have 3 weeks off inbetween. Maybe speak too Onco about that if your think it could suit you.

Also if you consider cold cap let me know. 
 

i hope you Dodge it, everyone is different with side effects but don't be scared of it. 
 

love lots xxx

Looks as though I'm due to start my chemo next week, providing I can get an appointment to have a port fitted and get sign off from the cardiologist - long Covid issues.

I would LOVE some tips on surviving chemo please! Anything that has helped you would be great.

The breast care nurse has really recommended giving the cold cap a go although I know it doesn't work for everyone. How did you find it?

Hope you're doing ok xx

Hi [@Daisy79]‍ 

I also had four sessions of EC, followed by four sessions of fortnightly paclitaxel.  I think those of us who've been through it can probably write pages and pages of tips but I'd say my top tip is to let your team know of any side effects because it's very possible they'll be able to give you something to relieve them.  They can prescribe much more effective meds than you can get over the counter.  Also - you won't get all the side effects, and you might be lucky and get hardly any.  I wasn't quite so lucky but even I still had more good days than bad.

The important thing to bear in mind about the cold cap is you can stop at any time, either between chemo sessions or even during them.  I must admit the cold cap didn't really work for me and I lost about 80% of my hair by the end.  But the loss was gradual and I didn't need a wig until about 3 months in.  I am now 3 months past chemo and have a thick head of hair, albeit only about about an inch and a half long, so maybe it helped with regrowth.  The first 10-15 minutes of cold capping is uncomfortable to say the least, but your head soon gets used to it.  If you do cold cap I'd recommend taking a blanket and a scarf to keep the rest of you warm.  

Best of luck and do let us know if you have specific questions or concerns - I'm sure there are lots of people here who'd be happy to share their experiences x