Anyone else having to do chemo for breast cancer?

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I've had a bilateral mastectomy and am now facing chemotherapy in a few weeks time. I guess I can be thankful for being Aspergers as I'm not hung up on the body image part of illness and operation. However, I'm really nervous about chemo and the effect it could have on my energy levels. I also have ME/CFS so the energy levels are already low and I'm afraid that I will end up bed bound.

Has any one had chemo for breast cancer?


I found it really difficult dealing with a breast care nurse as she was very pushy....ended up overwhelmed my information I was unready to hear.....bombarded with stuff about prostheses when I'd just come out of surgery and having blood transfusions etc....I have been so anxious about dealing with this person but fortunately my Oncologist has allocated me a different person.

For some reason people find my reaction to my position very strange.....as if I should be crying and raging about it all.....what is the point of that sort of behaviour...I don't know......yet another time in my life I seem to have to explain my disposition to others ......I feel like a weirdo having to tell people that my disposition is most likely due to being Aspergers.
It seem most NT women have body image as their main concern...and I'm considered weird for having my health as a main concern...

Any one relate to what I'm going through?

Not really, but you sound like a strong person. Good luck and good health.

Thanks for your encouraging words sluice [b]

Thanks for your encouraging words sluice [b]

I am sorry to read that you are ill. I remember reading your posts a while back.

I think we all react to things in our own way, there is no way you "should' be feeling. I am glad that you found another professional, that one did not sound very helpful at all... a helpful nurse would listen to your concerns and questions and not assume you were feeling in a particular way...

Anyway I wish you a good recovery.

I've had chemo for brain cancer and it was one drug that they also use on breast cancer (temodar/temozolamide). Now, I was on a really low dose so I felt okay while I was on it, but a few months later I got "chemo brain" which was basically this really hardcore brain fog and I couldn't figure out what to do about it. My neurologist put me on Provigil and that really helped. You may not have that problem, but in case you do, now you know there's something to try.

Good luck!

Been there done that....I have lots of advice.
Bi-lateral Mastectomy w/ reconstruction and chemo

Take iron (if possible...I still have to take it daily to feel right), take what ever they give you for sickness, listen to your body. If you don't feel you can do a session you probably can't because of iron levels. Rest, don't push yourself. Look up the website for lotsahelpinghands and see if you can start a network that can help you with meals while you recover. Enjoy the down time, document your feelings,

I had to go into the hospital each day for 3 days after each round to have fluids and anti-sickness meds so I would not get sick. If you have any more surgery be sure to have that patch behind your ear to prevent stomach sickness after an operation.

I found my chemo brain went away after I stopped taking meds to sleep and for anxiety. I am 6 years out cancer free, I go days at a time where I don't think of it at all. Life goes on.

I would not have expected me to feel the way I did after the operation either... but I felt.. so what I'm alive. My kid has autism and can't talk or wipe his butt at 19 now that makes me cry.

You will find a new inner strength when you are done with this and see what is important in the world and that is to take care of you first and foremost. With that note I will sign off and swim my laps. xoxox

My great aunt is/did. She's 63 years old and this is her fourth round with cancer. Granted, it's in the liver this time but it was in the breast twice before. They have to keep her on chemo just to keep the liver functioning. I worry for her.

I have heard great things about having acupuncture and Chinese herbs in conjunction with your chemo. Maybe you could look into that? I hope you recover swiftly, and feel much better soon!

Thank You everyone who has responded to my post...Thanks for sharing your experiences, thoughts and advice... I really appreciate it! I'm living about 10 kms out of the nearest town and have not been able to drive for the past two months so your input helps me overcome the feeling of isolation.