I have had masectomy for breast cancer and lymph node removal, cancer in 2 lymph nodes underarm. It was explained to me that chemo that will kill any stray cells in my whole body that have escaped from the original tumour. I was given a 77% chance of living for 10 years without chemo and an 85% chance if I have the chemo, so it seemed like a no brainier. That is until I began the chemo 7 days ago and have felt so unwell with side effects. The sickness and tiredness is overwhelming and the thought of 5 more cycles of this is debilitating. But I've embarked on this journey, my decision and hoping for a good outcome. 
Does anyone know if when you see the Consultant Oncologist they can tweak the drugs to help, or are these side effects just part of the course? 

Silver 

Hi silver, as you say there can be stray cells of cancer going round the body and cemotherapy can kill them off. Yes dosage can be changed if side effects are to bad. But remember first session can be a shock to your body. If you can manage as it is its better for you because the dosage is done to do most good to get rid of the cancer. Anyway choice is yours good luck and best wishes for the future........ 

Billy 

Thank you, I've never felt so ill and the thought of 5 more sessions of this...eek.Weirdly, I feel a brighter this morning as nausea less but only Day 7 . 
Ive phoned the nurses 3 times in the night and they ring me in the morning which is helpful. 
I will try and get some food down me now that doesn't taste like sawdust! 

Best wishes with your health issues

Silver 

Hi silver if you want something apart from sawdust you want the stronger tasting things they still don't taste right but they do have taste that isn't woody. Good luck. Hope things work out better next session..... 

Billy 

Hello Silver.

i hope you don't mind, but how did things work out for you following that first session? I have a very close friend going through exactly as you did, at an almost identical stage as you were in February, so I'm keen to understand how things developed for you? Did the anti-nausea tablets get changed? Did you find the sessions got more manageable, even simply with experience? Anything you'd have done differently looking back a few months?

i would be very appreciative of any information.

thank you,

Sidney

Hi Sidney, 

I can only tell you about my experience.after my surgery in Dec 2019.  I had 3 cycles of chemotherapy but it made be very unwell. Oncologists decided in my case stopping the chemo was of more benefit to me . I am now having Radiotherapy, 3 weeks every day. Then my treatment is over, apart from one hormone tablet a day. Every person is different and the amazing Doctors and team will decide on the best treatment for your friend. 

I would recommend the book Dear Cancer Love Victoria, the BBC Reporter who has been through breast cancer and a book on Cancer by Liz Oriadan who is a breast surgeon that had breast cancer. 
 

Best wishes

Silver 
 

Thanks, Silver. I will check out those books - just had a read of the blog.

Good luck to you.

Sidney