Hotel break whilst on chemo.

Hi Bernie. I dont know about the chemo as im not at that stage yet. Im going in on the 5th of may for a left mastectomy. No recon at the same time, my surgeon didnt think it was a good idea. So im going to wait, but I want to have the DIEP done when im able to.

Hopefully Ill be starting chemo six weeks after that.

Im sure some of the girls here will be able to give you some info.

Hi Bernie
Your surgery and treatment sounds very similar to mine. Diagnosed at 35.
I had 4 rounds of TC following left mastectomy and expander. How many rounds are you having?
Unfortunately, you really won't know till you have your first round of chemo how you're going to feel. My worst days after chemo were days 3 and 4 and by day 5, I was starting to feel better. Other than that I was okay apart from being tired. No sickness. I was a bit "burpy" on days 3/4/5 and peppermint tea sorted that out.
If you have the break booked - go. It'll give YOU something to look forward to as well as the kids. You may not need to rest all the time and it's good to get out for a walk if you can.
If you decide to go, try to have most of your packing organised before you go in on Monday. That's one thing you mightn't look forward to doing IF you're not feeling great.
Other than that, if you decide to go, enjoy the break.
Susan

Hi there, sorry to hear another member joined the club that noone wants to be in.. however there is lots of support out there so reach out and grab it where you can. re Chemo i just wanted to give you low down on mine.. if you are starting on the monday & if you are similar to me (& lots r the same so can take it as a good rack marker) you should be ok on mon, a little tired maybe, on tues you will give yourself neulasta injection (to boost white cells) this is fine but you will feel flu like from it within 24 hrs (which is totally fine if you take normal painkillers as you would with aches) so on the friday you will most likely be feeling flu like and a bit achey, a bit crappy exactly like you would with a cold..so you can absolutely brave it with normal painkillers & chill in bed when kids are having fun.. my opinion is it would do you good to head off somewhere actually. You should feeling normal again on the 6th day so thats on Sunday..this pattern stayed with me alwyas.. my chemo day was a Tues and I would be getting back to normal on the Sunday/Mon...its not that bad really.
I didnt feel nausea at all on first, but did once or twice on other cycles but nothing more than mild travel sickness/morning sickness - i also never took the anti sickness meds as didnt need to but some people do, some people don;t its really different for all however MOST people would say that you won't feel anything more than flu like ... & exhausted but nothing you have never felt before after a hard nights partying or up with babies in the night so you can totally do it. Good Luck :@) ps i had cyclophosphymide and taxotere .. not sure what chemo yr on.. they all very similar tho.

Hi Bernie,
Just sorry to see that you are in our club! If its only 1 week your Oncologist might defer your treatment, sure in the scheme of things what would one week matter? My Oncologist gave me a week off at Christmas.
Hope chemo goes well for you.
Celine

Hi Girls,
Thanks so much for all your replies. You are all great. Its is great to know the side effects that you had as it gives me some idea what to expect. I know docs say that everyone can have different side effects but I will know if I get any that ye mentioned that they are normal.
I will ask if I can delay a week, thats a good idea ( that way I can stuff myself at hotel and enjoy a few glasses of wine).I am meeting oncologist this week to get all the details but think it will be six rounds. I dont need radiotherapy as clearance was good enough with mascectomy.
I have relaxed a lot since the op I think because tumor is gone and now the battle is to make sure it doesnt come back.
The first thing the Oncologist said to me is you are part of a very small and elite club but you are all so helpful so its great.
Bernie

Hi Bernie
I had left mastectomy last August. Began my 8 cycles of chemo in October, I had it every 3rd Monday. To be honest it was tough but managable,in fact I got through it better than I thought I would. The Irish cancer society society have a great book on chemo side effects etc. it would be worth giving them a ring and getting a copy of the book.
The break would do you good I think but do ask the breast care nurse what she thinks. I took all the anti sickness meds and never felt sick once, just a lot of burping

Evelyn x x

Hi Yaya,

Sorry you are in the middle of BC. The chemo can be tough for some people but there is no way to know how you'll do beforehand. I expected it to be absolutely awful, completely incapacitating and would turn me to skin and bone. But I found it ok. Tough, but do-able. There are so many things now to help counteract the side effects.

I think its a good idea to try to postpone your break for a week (or two if your chemo is going to be given every three wks). But if you can't then I'd just cross my fingers and go for it! You need to do nice stuff and pamper yourself during chemo - I'm always telling people to spoil themselves to make up for the c*@p you have to go through!

How you get on might also depend on how far away your break is and how much travelling you'll have to do to get there. If you are feeling nauseous from the chemo, being stuck in a car/train/bus is not the nicest.

Anyway, I've just realised that your first chemo is tomorrow! So GOOD LUCK!!! Hope you sail through it!

Come back and let us know how you are feeling. You can get lots of tips here from everyone who's been through it before you. And just knowing others have done it and SUCCESSFULLY completed it all can help you get through it too.

Hugs,

Flo.

Hi Bernie, just wondering did you get away on your trip, and how is your chemo going for you?