Hi, I’ve had my letter with my first appointment on for this week. I’m keen to get going but also it’s on the same day as my daughters school awards dinner that I’d promised I’d try and go to. Am I right in thinking that’s not going to work? How did anyone find they were on the day of their first treatment? Knocked about straight away? Or maybe able to sit through something like this awards thing?
Beth x
I have now had 14 rounds and after chemo I am ok also ok the next day then the side effects kick in for about a week before coming out the other side
Not everyone is the same but personally give it a go and hope you enjoy it
Good luck and hugs xx
thank you - sounds like you’re unfortunate enough to be an expert at all this. I hope I can offer others some reassurance once I’m less in the fog of this bit. Can I also ask how you handle going out and about? Do you isolate or is meeting up with friends etc more helpful than risky? x
I mask and just go with it now 1st time round I isolated but missed so much I have had all vaccines and have my next one plus flu jab at the end of the month xx
You will have had big doses of steroid and antihistamine, which are more likely to impact the same day, the chemo effects are more delayed.
If you go then get someone to take you and be prepared for not feeling quite yourself. I found that the steroids could make me pretty buzzy so often spent ages talking rubbish to family! x
thank you - I thought I was doing okay but I’m suddenly feeling very frightened now that it’s here x
awww you’ll be ok, the chemo nurses will take good care of you ❤️
Hi,
I felt fine afterwards,but during the night i had awful stabbing like pains in my legs,so went to A and E in the morning,and for the following dose they reduced the Taxol. Normally though like others have said things don't kick in until 3/4th days. You would be wise to go with someone else. Take care and good luck.x
thank you for replying, it’s really helping hearing how other people have found their treatment. Hope you’re okay xx
Hi,
I had my first round Today high doses Carbol/Taxol and am fine. As Lindy2 said think its masked so hopefully you can make it. I was in at 9 AM and finished by 3.30 X
oh that’s good to hear. Hope you continue to feel okay 👍 x
Personally l was really ok so much so l had the chemo on the Saturday and went to Tenerife the following day. Not that ld recommend that if lm honest rather stupid in fact but it was my birthday and it was already booked no excuse for stupidity really but that's me. But they do give you steroids, & anti sickness tablets although l was lucky l never felt sick l was lucky were all different. But l remember by the Weds feeling incredibly tired that lasted a couple of days each time really. They are really good and makesure your ok. Temperature is something they really take seriously . Good luck you'll hopefully be fine. Sending ❤ SheilaFxxx
thank you for replying - it’s kind of knocked me off my feet today with the fear and unknown of it all x
I ended up at A&E with an allergic reaction the first evening. Probably not overly necessary but not knowing what to expect it was difficult to judge. Further treatments went long the normal rise and fall with side effects not kicking in until days 2/3.
thank you - it’s definitely the unknown that feels so scary and out of control. Hoping I’ll settle once I get an idea of what it does to me. Take care xx
hi beth sorry to hear you've joined our club, but as you're having chemo just imagine that liquid kicking the ass out of the cancer cells as it goes around your body (that wasn't your question i know, but I'm sure visualisation helps and just wanted to pass that on!)
As to your question they will give you some heavy duty steroids to take for a few days after and you will feel completely fine, then. I found that i was brilliant, straight after - was even doing 10k steps when i got home from the hospital and it was only on about day 3 that i started to feel side effects. I had no nausea at all, just a feeling of being run over by a truck and but this usually lasted only a few days, so for 2 weeks out of every 3 i felt good. Enjoy the awards ceremony 😊
thank you 😊 that visualisation definitely feels powerful and I’ll try and hold onto it! Hope you’re doing okay xx
Hi Ordinary Soul
It goes without saying that everyone responds differently to chemo. All I can say is that I was usually ok on chemo day. A little woozy from the drugs but would have been fine watching a school concert, just don’t drive. If you have someone with you, sit near the back, if you can, so you can slip out easily. The next 5 days you might feel tired. I usually don’t make any important arrangements for the next 5 days except go for a walk, do jobs at home. Do some baking or sort out your winter wardrobe! I had six rounds of chemo and never had any reactions that needed medical intervention. Arrange fun outings for the second half of your 3 week cycle as that is when you will feel your best. I know it sounds like a cliche but stay positive and trust that you will sail through this, as many people do 🤗
thank you meadow girl (lovely username 🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸) - it’s so helpful to hear your experience. I’m mostly okay with the staying positive thing but it seems to have really whacked me hearing that it’s starting next week and I’m frightened. Have just bought myself a new bag for taking my bits and bobs into the ward with me and trying to get organised with freezing dinners for my kids so doing things is that might help is helping me I think x
Hello Beth
After my first chemo I felt ok, it was a few days later side effects kicked in. I also felt relieved that the chemo itself was not as frightening as I thought it would be.
Hope you can make it to your daughter's event.
Love and hugs.
Beth xx
I am feeling very scared and panicky at the moment - it’s all the unknowns again I think. Thank you for replying, hope you’re okay xx
It is the fear of the unknown. Once I was sat having my first chemo, I felt more at ease. I am doing ok thank you.
Love and hugs.
Beth xx
Hi glad you are starting quickly, but you have a bit of a dilemma, it may be worth asking your chemo unit if they could delay for a day or two, things like your childrens awards are very special. I actually felt ok on the first chemo day a bit tired snd morning after chemo then I “flopped” for a few days everyone is different though so really hard to predict how you will feel. Good luck whatever you decide, I hope it goes well for you. Xx
thank you - its so hard and scary not knowing how it’ll affect me but it’s really helpful to hear other peoples experiences so thank you for sharing. Hope you’re doing okay xx
thank you, I’m five cycles in and having debulking surgery next week. Never thought I’d get to this point! Take it a step at a time and You will rock it! Good luck xxc
I bounced off the walls for three days after each chemo, because of the steroids. You'll be fine!
😂😂 fingers crossed! Take care, thank you for replying xx
good luck. To let you know on my first day I was absolutely fine after day 2 Was when I began to feel tired. Hope all goes well
thank you 😊 xx
Hi there, it's always the unknown that is most frightening, I became incontinent straight away so maybe have some Tena/Always handy for the awards. Like lots before I was always fine for the first 3 days. You will be tired but don't miss the Awards dinner. Have a lovely time. Gill X
thank you - I’ll pop to Boots, I’d not heard of that side effect x
Hi, I felt fine on the day of chemo because of the steroids that were given. My energy level was great, but it only lasted one day. The next 4 days were fatigue and slight nausea. Donna
thank you for replying, hope you’re doing okay x
hi again, I seem to be doing ok lately. Thanks for your caring 🥰 Donna
Hello,
I found that my fear (totally justified) of the first chemo was worse than the treatment itself I really had no side effects aside from being hyped up on steroids for 3 days afterwards. I chuckled reading Lyndy’s comment about talking rubbish from them to Family members can make you a bit high strung and snappy. After they wore off I was a bit fatigued but fully functional after resting really that was it I had 6 Carbo/Taxol treatments.
thank you ♥️ They’ve said I’ll have 4-6 treatments - did you find the fatigue worse as you had more treatments?
Yes in my case the 5th and 6th were the hardest since I had sailed thru at the highest dose (never had to decrease) due to side effects I asked the Onc if I could stop after the 5th she told me 6 was the magic number. The fatigue was very bad I rebounded but when I would hit that wall of post treatment exhaustion it was nap time it came in waves out of nowhere everyone is different it dissipated in 2-3 months aside from that I functioned normally grocery shopped, socialized returning to exercise took a bit longer.
Like most people hete have said, I was fine gor first couple of days. Most important thing I learnt along the way was to take my Coloxyl/Senna from day one. Constipation was one of my worst side effects. You will probably have some other yucky side effects but I think the fear of the unknown is worse. You'll find that you will cope better than you thought.
Yes go to the concert if only for a distraction from your anxiety. 🥴Sending love & hugs. 💜
thank you very much for replying, it’s really helpful to hear from other people who’ve done it and get it. In for my “chemo chat” - which sounds more fun than it probably is - this morning so I’ve got another place to say all that’s worrying me before I crack on with treatment 1 next week. Hope you are doing okay xx
I’ve just had my second round and since starting chemo I’ve moved so I have chemo and then get the train from London to Durham and on the day I feel ok. I start to feel it day 3. I still manage to go for small daily walks as I find that actually helps with keep my mind busy. Just see how you feel. My daughter is 9 and I’ve talked to her about sometimes I can do things and other days I can’t. I just then make sure the days I’m feeling good we do something small together like getting a hot chocolate. Your body will tell you what you need though. X
thank you for sharing - sending you love x
On my first treatment, I felt no side effects. I think you can make it to that awards dinner. Those are important.
Taxol/Carbo any advice?
Carbo/Taxol chemo cycles
Taxol/Carbo 
Nausea 1 week after carbo taxol
