Chapter 5
Chemotherapy Begins
Visiting The Chemotherapy Department
The week before treatment began, we visited the chemo department to meet the nurses and get a run-through of how things would work. My treatment would take place on Wednesdays, but every Monday beforehand I’d have my bloods taken. My immune system needed to score 1 or above - otherwise, chemo couldn’t be given.
Chemo drastically lowers your immune system because it targets all rapidly dividing cells, not just cancer. The three-week gap between cycles is to allow your body time to recover.
The department had four rooms: two with two chairs, and two with just one. Appointment times weren’t exact - they served more as a queueing system, since patients could need more or less time depending on how their body responded.
We learned that I’d have a cannula in my hand connected to a saline drip. At the same time, a nurse would administer the EC chemo manually with a syringe - like making a drink with strong cordial, diluted with water. That analogy made it easier to understand.
Treatment Times
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EC chemo: Around 1 hour (including 30 minutes for steroids and anti-sickness medicines to kick in)
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Docetaxel: Around 1.5 hours (administered more slowly through a drip)
My husband came with me. Although he wouldn’t be allowed in for the actual treatment sessions, it was important for him to see the space and understand the process. We took photos to show the kids - it made explaining everything much easier.
Chemotherapy One
We saw my oncologist, signed consent forms for EC, and waited for a chair to become free. Several hours later, it was my turn.
After taking the tablets, I waited 30 minutes, with a heat pack on my right hand to help raise the veins. (My left side could never be used again due to lymphnodes being taken from that side.) Unfortunately, I don’t have good veins. It took four attempts—the fourth near my knuckle. Ouch. That was the worst part.
Once ready, the nurse sat with me and administered:
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Two red syringes (the Epirubicin drug)
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Two clear syringes (the Cyclophosphamide drug)
Once the nurse was with me it took about 20 minutes. Then I was done, given a bag of medicines, and walked out feeling slightly woozy, but okay.
The First Seven Days
Part of the chemo routine was checking my temperature daily. Anything below 36°C or above 37.5°C meant calling the emergency hotline - signs of infection and a potential sepsis risk.
In my medicine bag:
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Steroids (Day 1 and 2)
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Anti-sickness tablets
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Bone marrow booster injections (7 days)
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Mouthwash (to prevent ulcers)
I logged everything: temperature, symptoms, how I felt. The nurses encouraged it, so I’d know what to expect for future cycles.
Daily Summary
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Day 1–2: Tired, but okay
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Day 3–4: Slept almost non-stop
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Day 5: Bone aches, ulcers, felt like I’d been hit by a bus
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Day 7: Slight improvement - still light-headed, dealing with night sweats, foul taste in my mouth, and achy bones
I was prepared with masks and sanitiser for visitors. My head had begun to itch. Hair loss was coming. I wore hats daily to get used to what was ahead.