Tomorrow is the big day – chemo session number one. I have been seeing my BC sisters struggling through chemo, being hospitalized, feeling defeated, vulnerable, and it has prepared me for the worst. Still, I keep hoping for the best – a friend told me his Dad had chemo and was never sick nor did he have any side effects. It happens to some people. Why not me? Keep sending me those warm, fuzzy vibes.
As a refresher, tomorrow I will be getting TC (taxotere/cytoxan) chemo for 3 1/2 hours, beginning at 8am (although I think the actual chemo part doesn’t start till 9ish – check in and blood tests first). I will be getting it through my portacath, which incidentally is still sore. I will also be getting Lupron, which shuts down my ovaries. Studies have shown this helps preserve fertility in pre-menopausal women. Additionally I believe this will also block estrogen from reaching any of those little ER+ cancer cells that might be hanging out anywhere. Down side: I’ll basically be menopausal, with all the awesome symptoms of that, for the duration of the chemo.
I talked to my doctor and we have opted to go cycle one with no Neulasta or daily shots. I am young and healthy, so he says he will check my WBC count before the next cycle. If numbers are good, we can avoid the side effects of those meds. If not, he says he will “have to encourage” me to get them.
Right now the biggest issue for us is everything is the unknown. Will I get sick? How sick? When? Will I lose my hair? All of it? Some of it? My eyebrows? Will I get fat? Lose weight? Be nauseated? Constipated? Have diarrhea? Anything is possible. Nothing is possible. Which makes it all rather impossible.
complikated 
I’ll be sending lots of good vibes your way tomorrow. It’s totally possible that you could breeze right through this. My Mother just finished chemo (she was diagnosed 6 weeks before me, WTF?) and her biggest side effect was tiredness. Her counts were incredibly good too. Polar opposite of me. Netflix the shit out of the next few days! And, make sure to hydrate before, during and after. Drink a half a gallon to a gallon of water a day, it helps with side effects.
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Jesus, sounds like your 2015 has been even more awesome than mine! Thank you for the tips (and optimism!) and I hope you and your Mom are both feeling better than ever in no time. Thinking of you! ❤
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Sending you all the good vibes I can send! Wishing you the best of luck. Chemo side effects definitely change from person to person and even cycle to cycle… I just started a new trial since the cancer seems to be refractory to apparently everything, and usually I handle chemo very well but this time apparently not so. Tired, nauseous, haven’t been able to eat in days, weak, and haven’t been able to control my normal pain levels minus what the supposedly helpful shots add… But years ago when I first started this journey chemo seemed a breeze! I know it will be the same for you! Young and strong is the best starting point! Good luck tomorrow!
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Wow, I’m so sorry to hear it’s been a years-long struggle with you! Thank you so much for the kind words – the optimism is really helping me cope today!
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Good vibes your way! I’ve had 3 treatments of dose dense AC so far with very few side effects. Worst se is I’m a bit tired. Nausea has been very minimal. I also have had no side effects to the Neulasta shots! Your attitude is great, you’ll do so well!!!
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Wow, thank you! I think TC is supposed to be gentler (?) than AC, so your words are super inspirational to me. Thanks so much for commenting, it really does help keep me optimistic!
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