What Does Chemo Feel Like?

Lately a lot of people ask me what does chemo feel like. The day that you get treatment it does not feel too bad. Once they get your IV hooked up to your port the medicines are given intravenously. I sit in my recliner, with warm blankets and sometimes the massage therapist comes around and gives light shoulder and neck massages. You may feel a little tired and sometimes a little nausea but today for instance I don't feel anything.

Chemo is cumulative so it takes time for the medicine to work through your body. So as the days go by you start to feel it more and more. So the first day or two you may have mild nausea and fatigue which feels likes morning sickness. Then the third day and depending on how long your cycle of symptoms last you start to feel more severe symptoms such as bone pain, headaches, neuropathy (which I have in my feet / numbness, pain and tingling), constipation, mouth sores, flu-like symptoms, etc.

The first month I had two good weeks and two bad weeks, the second month I had three bad weeks and one good weeks. The third month I had one bad week and three good weeks. So it can change.

Back in 2009, I did chemo for six months. I was fine the first month or two and by the third month I felt totally toxic. I felt poisoned. There are no two cancers that are alike and no treatment plans that are alike. Everyone reacts differently to the drugs and it also depends on the strength of the medications. The medications and technology they use today do not cause symptoms as severe as they use to years ago.

I must admit the hardest part is watching the effects it has on my body. They say chemo ages you 10 years and it feels more like 20. For me my tongue turned black, my palms, and bottoms of my feet are turning black and my nail beds. I notice changes in my skin, etc. But one thing is for sure.... none of the effects I feel are worth my life. I am grateful to be here to help other women who have to face this same path or anyone else who just needs a little inspiration.

For my friends who have questions about cancer and chemo, I do not mind sharing, especially if it can help someone cope with cancer more easily. Hoping my transparency continues to encourage others.

xoxo

ADVANCED (METASTATIC) BREAST CANCER

A diagnosis of advanced breast cancer means that cancer cells have metastasized (spread) outside of the breast to other parts of the body (such as the bones or other organs) or to the lymph nodes that are not near the breast (such as those above the collarbone). If breast cancer spreads to a different part of the body, it is still regarded as breast cancer. (For example, if breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it is not lung cancer; it is still breast cancer.) Advanced or metastatic breast cancer is referred to as Stage IV breast cancer.

When breast cancer metastasizes or spreads, it usually goes to the bones, lungs and liver. Less commonly, it may also spread to the brain, spinal cord and eye.

What are some of the symptoms?
Metastatic breast cancer can be the initial diagnosis. It may also be a recurrence (return) of breast cancer following initial treatment. (Recurrence will be discussed in more detail later in this section.) Diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer is generally done using some combination of the following tests: bone scan, chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan or PET scan. Some symptoms of metastatic breast cancer may include:

• bone pain that does not go away;
• shortness of breath, chest pain, or cough;
• pain or discomfort under the right side of the ribcage that won’t go away;
• lack of appetite;
• unexplained weight loss;
• neurological pain or weakness and headaches;
• confusion;
• irregular gait.