Hi Tabicat, 

I'm so so happy you posted this. I am due to start chemo on the 22nd of Nov for breast cancer (currently going through fertility treatment) and although I'm trying to be brave about it and I want to start, I'm also terrified of what it will do to my body. 

Thank you so much and please keep us posted on how you feel! Hope side effects will be manageable!

xx

My wife is about to start her treatment in 2 weeks.  Just wanted you to know your post is inspirational. I have no words other than your post has helped this one person.

Hi Elvira, 

I too was terrified. Felt I would cry but held it in! I was the only newby there! It's the very thought of if that terrifies us. 

I'm on day 4 now, and yes a bit nauseous, energy levels do seem to be dropping. 

Obviously not pleasant but so far manageable, trying to go with it and not worry to much.

We all know it's not going to be a walk in the park, it's the means to an end I guess!

No our bodies won't like it. Moisturise moisturise is all I can say. 

Keep in touch with the chemo nurses at this time - they really are a god send. We so need them.

It made me so happy to have helped you feel a little better for what lies ahead. 

My very best wishes to you.

Will be thinking of you

Keep me us informed on how it goes xx

This post is so encouraging- I'm awaiting surgery for breast cancer and have been told I'll have chemo after. I'd love to know how you progress- good or bad! Take care xxx

After two surgeries, one to remove a tumour in my breast and then because cancer was discovered in one of the sentinel lymph nodes that was removed. I had further surgery for axillary node clearance. My chemotherapy has been delayed because my surgery wound has not fully healed after more than six weeks ! The thought of the chemotherapy is like facing an express train head on ! 
I am already wondering if I should not have it ! My tumour was removed with clear margins, so technically I now do not have cancer. Anyone who can tell me  like you Tabicat, that it may not be as bad as I fear is helpful x thank you 

[@Nanaroo]‍ 

Take whatever treatment you are offered. As it's still fresh in my mind, the reason you will receive further treatment is because it was discovered in your lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes are the highway to your entire system and once in there, there's every chance a very small piece of that cancer has begun travelling elsewhere. The chemo is given to kill those small pieces that may have begun to travel.

You've come this far, don't undo it all through hesitancy.

There's no "technically" about it. You, the oncologist, the surgeon etc can't say you don't have cells still remaining. You may have no evidence of disease (that's the term they now use, not cancer free), doesn't mean there isn't any still floating around elsewhere.

In a nutshell: 1 course of treatment is better than having to do it for a 2nd time because you decided not to follow through with the full 1st course of treatment.

Dear Nanaroo,  for your own piece of mind please Carry on with all treatment adviced by specialists. 

Lymph nodes should be cleared of any minute possible cancer.

You  are probably a lot stronger than you think. You got this 

Think we all feel so afraid of the unknown.

I definitely was! But keep going it will be over eventually.

My very best wishes to you and good luck with it xxx

Thank you, it's a scary time for us.  Good luck with everything 

Will be thinking of you.

I will post progress from time to time.

You take care too xxx

I remember being terrifed for my mum when i went with her for her first chemo session but it was physically a bit of a non event lol. The nurse explained she might feel a bit of an indigestion feel and like her sinuses were filling up - which she did and that was it! I wish they would have explained that the chemo was bright red - that was initially a bit alarming! We then went home and I watched her like a hawk but she just felt a bit tired - that was it. The next day she was very flushed (we panicked but it turned out to be a normal side effect of the steroids). She felt tired and a bit off it 3/4 days later but she got up and put her make up on everyday throughout treatment and only felt incredibly sick just one time where they changed her anti nausea pills. She felt a bit ill if she over did it but at no time was she ever bed or sofa ridden so yes - i'd say her side effects were completely manageable plus you have a care team on call 24/7 x