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The Unknown

By now, you already know that this form of treatment is putting toxins in your body, in order to kill off the cancer cells, before they can spread any further. Unfortunately, since the chemo cannot differentiate between good and bad cells, even the healthy part of your physical makeup will be under attack. As a result, you will probably suffer unpleasant side effects, to say the least, and it will take longer to eradicate the cancer from your body.

However, it seems like the worst part of dealing with cancer treatment is the fear of the unknown.  Even if test results confirm that the treatment is having a positive effect on shrinking the cancer, it is natural to experience the inability to truly rejoice over the small battles won, in the fight against cancer.  You want to win the war, and not have to worry about what is over the next hill.  Will the cancer start growing again?  What if there is a new spot somewhere else in the body next time the tests are evaluated? How much worse can it get?

Goodbye to Normal

Nothing nice can be said for chemotherapy treatment and breast cancer, other than it has improved the survival rate of this horrible disease, after is has traveled to other parts of the body. Life is going to drastically change from this point forward.  You will need to adjust your schedule around the cancer.

For example, as you continue to fight the cancer, it may become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to maintain your job.  A business woman earning a 6 figure income has to resign.  Once a real go-getter and always super busy, her job now is to take care of herself and fight the cancer.

Instead of going to work, she visits the cancer treatment center for her scheduled doses of chemo. The infusion takes some time, and the process takes so much out of her that the chemotherapy treatment may be the only meaningful accomplishment that day.

What to Expect

Of course, not all cancer patients are created equal.  So, it is important to remember that how someone else responses to the breast cancer treatment is not indicative of your prognosis.  Nevertheless, there are some aspects of having chemo that are to be anticipated.

Although cancer doctors have more options when administering chemotherapy than in the past, there are some types of toxins that will make your hair fall out.  It can be totally disheartening and messy.  Therefore, some cancer patients opt to be proactive in their approach to this very unpleasant side effect.  When the first clump of hair is found on the pillow or at the bottom of the shower, many ladies simply shave their heads.  

Not only does it save cleaning up the mess and wondering how much hair is going to fall out tomorrow, but it truly gives many ladies a sense of empowerment over the cancer.  Instead of waiting for things to happen, it is better to take charge.

Losing hair is definitely an emotional blow in the fight against cancer, but it is the other physical changes that will require you to be a real fighter in this war raging in your body. As you system has to keep recovering from the toxic effects of chemo, you energy level is probably going to go way down.  You will have good days and bad days.  

On a good day, you may almost feel normal and want to resume some of your regular activities.  On a bad day, you may simply need to sleep, so your body can recoup some energy for the next battle. Some people initially feel pretty decent the day after chemo.  But, many patients simply come to expect that the second or third day after the infusion is going to be pretty tough.

A Positive Attitude

Although it may be one of the most difficult things you are asked to do, it will be important to keep a positive attitude.  Not all of your experiences in coping with breast cancer will be negative. 

For instance, during chemotherapy, you will get to know and trust the doctors and nurses that regularly administer your treatments.  You will likely develop friendships with these people that have dedicated their lives to helping in the fight against cancer.  In addition, you will probably have treatments at the same time, on the same schedule, as other breast cancer patients. You will have a chance to visit and receive support from one another.

In short, breast cancer chemotherapy is not pleasant in any way, other than the fact that you have a fighting chance of survival, and you have the opportunity to develop close relationships with health care providers and other patients that will become your friends, and join you in the fight against breast cancer.