Time for a new thread, but I saw your question in the welcome thread. There are a few different chemo options out there now, when I did it in 2000, most often we got adriamycin & cytoxin (AC). Positive lymph node were also given Taxol or taxotere. Some people had a different cocktail, but AC/T seemed most common. You can ask 50 of us about
our side effects and you will probably hear 50 different responses. It is soooo unique and individual.
For me, it was relatively easy and I was very lucky. Anti-nausea meds are really great now, and while they do not work for everyone, don't suffer...if you feel sick, ask the doc for something else, there are several things to try.
I had chemo on Tuesday, and felt tired tues and Wed. I never got nauseous, but on Tuesday night, at around 11 pm, I would get queasy, vomit once, felt fine and had no further nausea or vomiting. It was like clockwork. I took Wed off, slept in, relaxed. Thursday and Friday I went to work half days, needed to sleep in and then take a walk. My onc advised me to exercise, walk at least a mile. It was cold in Feb-March in Michigan, but it helped me to feel good and healthy.
I had a funny taste in my mouth on Thursday and then acid reflux on Friday, lasting a couple days. Then back to normal with how I felt and work. No real problems. I avoided malls and movies when my counts were lower. There will be weekly blood draws, and no other real issues for me...I learned to eat a bland diet when I had reflux, I learned how to avoid constipation from the pre-meds, I learned that ambien is wonderful for sleep (chemo can cause insomnia), and I learned that a salad is not considered "light" food...but toast and soup is.
Listen to your body...I found that i had no interest in coffee or wine during chemo, but drank tea instead...and I regained my taste for wine when chemo was done. The fear of the unknown is usually worse than the treatment, and once you know what to expect, it will be much easier.
Yes the hair loss for me was terrible. I cried and pouted all weekend after cutting it off, then I was over it. I hated the wig, but I told myself that feeling lousy would not help me at all, and I just did what I had to do,....I loved getting ready quickly in the morning and my skin looked better than it ever did....some untold advantages!
Hang in there Bern....the waiting stinks! ONce you get a plan, things will move quickly with you in the driver's seat.
L&H,
Lori