Starting Chemo July 2025? Gather here for support!
Join together to share experiences. Discuss your chemo regimen, how to prep, what to expect, how you're feeling, side effects you're having and tips to alleviate them.
We're all here to support you - you've got this!
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I'm starting TC chemo on July 1st - looking for others who are starting soon, too. The anxiety in these last few days is quite BAD, but I know I'll feel much better once I have the first infusion done and start to see how my body handles it. Really grateful for this space and everyone here who is looking for support and community in this. <3
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@alliec1068 I posted here, too, but looks like it’s you just and me right now! 😂
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I start TC chemo on 7/10. I'm anxious how well I'll tolerate chemo and how bad side effects may be.
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Welcome @mo0208! We're so sorry for the reasons that bring you here, but we're really glad you've found us. You're sure to find our community a wonderful source of advice, information, encouragement, and support — we're all here for you!
You and @iambecoming are doing the same chemo regimen, TC, so you might both benefit from this thread to get by!
Tiffany's Twenty Terrific Tips for TC Chemo
Also @iambecoming how are you handling your first week after starting chemo? Any advice for @mo0208?
We hope this helps!
—The Mods
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@mo0208 we are here for you! Just had my first round on 6/30.
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@mo0208 Hello & welcome! I feel you on the anxiety leading up to starting chemo. I felt it ramping up beforehand, too. I am also doing TC chemo, had my first infusion on July 1. I'm doing 4 rounds with 21 days in between, give or take, depending on how things go. Everyone kept telling me to hydrate really well the day before, and then day of and thereafter throughout chemo to flush it from my body. I decided to fill a water bottle that is marked 800 ml on the side and am trying to get 3-4 of those in each day!
I felt a lot of relief to get the first infusion done, but in the days after that, I felt the new anxiety of watching and waiting to see how my body handles things. I keep saying, "I know what to expect in terms of side effects (bc they give you the whole list!!), but I have no idea how MY body will respond to any of this."
I used ice socks and ice mittens to hopefully prevent neuropathic pain in my hands and feet. My hands were painfully uncomfortable from the cold at a few points, but it eventually lessened and so far, my hands and feet feel good, so I'm hoping it's worth it! One could also use ice packs with towels, just bring a small cooler with several ice packs to change out while the chemo drugs are infused. I didn't ice during the steroid or any of the other preliminary things given via IV, only the chemo drugs and while I had to sit for an additional hour with my cold cap on after the chemo drugs were infused.
The first day after infusion, I felt quite energized from the steroids - they gave me dexamethasone and it amps me up and prevents me from sleeping :( I had to go back the afternoon after for a shot (Fulphila, aka Neulasta or pegfilgrastim) to stimulate WBC) and I honestly think that has been worse than the after-effects of the chemo. I had very bad bone pain/aches and muscle aches — felt flu-like for 3 days or so after. They told me to take Claritin to help, and it helped, but I think for this next round, I'm going to refuse getting the shot so long as my blood work and WBC counts are good, so that I can see how my body handles things without the bone pain and body aches.
I'll be thinking of you as you approach 7/10 & sending positive vibes for a smooth experience. Do you have someone going with you for support? My sister-in-law went with me and that helped so much. If you have other questions, don't hesitate to tag me!
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Starting TC x 4 this week.
Scared and anxious. About all of it. Glad to know there are others who are with me.
I'm going to try the ice mittens and booties. Hope i can get it all coordinated.
Thanks for posting.
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Hey @pershing, welcome!! If you're willing to share, tell us what part of the world you're in.
You are definitely not alone in being scared and anxious leading up to starting chemo. 💜 I think it's actually such a normal human response to something that is NEW, scary, and that one has never experienced before. I keep reminding myself, "All of this is new." Do you have someone to go with you, at least for this first one?
Great to hear you're going to try the ice mittens and booties! That first infusion felt like a lot to coordinate to me, too. All we can do is the best we can in any given moment. Let that be enough.
My infusion center had crushed ice which they brought to me in a cup and I had my sister-in-law help feed them to me throughout the chemo drugs being infused to hopefully help cut down on mouth sores. I could sort of pick the cup up with the mittens on, but was pretty clumsy, lol. It continues to be humbling and challenging for me to ask for help in this, as I've always been very independent and live alone. I am grateful for the opportunity to practice. :)
Sending positive vibes your way and hope you'll come back and share an update once you're through the first one and have a chance to let things settle a bit in the days after. ✌️
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Welcome @pershing! You've found the best group right here! We're sorry for the reasons that bring you here, but really glad you've found us.
Here's some good info on using cold gloves and socks to prevent neuropathy:
We hope this helps!
Please, all, continue to let us know here how you're doing as you navigate your care. We're all here for you!
—The Mods
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Hi everyone, the spring threads aren't very active and I have five rounds to go. Hope it's ok to join you here.
I did dose dense A/C in March and April, then started weekly taxol x12 in May. This is my second time doing chemo so I thought I knew what to expect - NOPE! It's been a strange course, with all kinds of random and unexpected side effects: shingles (too young for shingles vaccine, nobody thought to suggest it), pneumonia requiring IV antibiotics (4 days in the hospital, 2 weeks' chemo deferred), a weird yeast infection in the creases of my underarms, and an atypical kind of mucositis. I'm a tough cookie, but this has been the most difficult thing I've ever done. I don't say that to scare any of you, it's more of a reminder for all of us to extend ourselves a lot of grace because this shit is hard.
That said, I've got tons of experience and would be happy to answer any questions if that's helpful. I've been doing the ice mittens and booties since the beginning and so far no neuropathy…
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