Chemo cycle 1: Day 1 - 14

I have been meaning to diarise my chemo experience since day 1, to check if any patterns in my symptoms develop over the time - I like to be organised and know what to expect!

Anyway, I have breast cancer. I started chemo on 7th July. So here's how it has gone so far:

Day 1: first chemo day, scheduled for 11.30. I freaked out in the hospital and had to be taken into a private room to calm down. But it was fine in the end. I had weird tingling in my nose whilst it was happening, but that was about it. I got very tired towards the end of the day and had to take a couple of anti-sickness pills as I felt queasy. Went to bed about 6.30pm and slept till about 7.30am.

Day 2: felt fine in the morning and wondered what the problem was! But got more and more tired as the day went on and went to bed early.

Day 3 - 5: very tired. Rested.

Day 6 - was supposed to have help with my youngest (2) today but she wasn't able to show up. So coped alone with her - she is a gorgeous and sweet girl but she is very demanding of my attention. So I think this helped to lead to....

Day 7 - 9: completely exhausted. Put DD2 into nursery both days and did very little as obviously now I was into the period where my immune system is very low. Had another little freak out on day 8 as I was so, so tired and so was DH.

Day 10: I could feel I was less tired and 'coming out' of whatever I was in. I know I wasn't supposed to, but I went to DD1's school celebration evening and open evening with her teacher. This felt good! I was super pleased to be out of the house.

Day 11: had a chilled morning. DH took the girls out so I had more time to myself. Then took the girls to a birthday party - again, it felt so good to be out doing normal things. I made sure no-one coughed on me!!

Day 12: DD1's birthday party. Had fantastic help from DH and my dear friends and one of the parents who stayed. But it felt good to do stuff. Still tired, but definitely better.

Day 13: chilled out day alone, felt fine. Went to Tesco!!

Day 14: today. DD2 has been home, it's been fine. However, my head hurts a lot and I suspect it means my hair is about to fall out - I just kind of itched it and a small clump came out. One of the people on here has advised me to contact my breast care nurse to ask about it, so I may do that in the morning. I also intend to visit Cancerwise this week - a charity in the nearby city who offer complementary therapies.

Introduction

About me

I am a 35 mother of two young girls whom I breast fed. I have no family history of cancer. I eat well, don't smoke and I exercise. I live as healthily as I can. I still managed to get breast cancer.

Background

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2010. At that point, it was what is called DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) which is a non-invasive type of breast cancer. It is not life threatening if it doesn't spread outside of the milk ducts, so it's probably a good type of cancer to get. However, it was everywhere in the breast meaning that I had to have a masectomy. The consultant also told me that they would have to remove a few of my lymph glands and test for invasive cancer. If they found any, I would have to go on for further treatment, including chemo.

I had the masectomy in May 2010. About a week later, I was told that the cancer had spread from the milk glands and was considered invasive. Therefore, I needed further treatment.

A consultation with the oncologist revealed that, at the least, I would need 6 rounds of chemo 3 weeks apart and hormone treatment for the next 5 years. I possibly need radiotherapy, but I find that out in September.

So I started chemo in July and have kept a diary since. I am going to transpose it on to here as it will help me keep track of how it's going and maybe, just maybe, it can help others.