Chemo 101: Embrace the Suck

📦 What Kind of Chemo Are We Even Talking About?

Not all breast cancer chemo is created equal. Your doctor chooses a regimen based on:

• Tumor type (like HER2+, ER/PR+, or triple-negative)
• Stage of cancer
• Whether chemo is needed before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant)

Here are a few common regimens:

• AC-T: Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide, followed by Taxol – often used for aggressive or early-stage cancers
• TC: Taxotere + Cyclophosphamide – typically for hormone-positive, node-negative cases
• TCHP: Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin, Perjeta – frequently prescribed for HER2+ patients

🔗 BreastCancer.org – Chemo Types

🗓 How Long Does It Take?

Treatment is delivered in cycles (each “round” of chemo), spaced out every 1–3 weeks. A full course might look like:

• 4 to 6 months total
• 4 to 8 infusions, depending on the plan
• Some are weekly, others are every 3 weeks

Session length? Usually 1 to 4 hours depending on pre-meds, hydration, and the drugs themselves.

🔗 American Cancer Society – What to Expect

☠️ Side Effects & Coping Tools

Side effects vary by person and drug combo, but some frequent flyers include:

• Hair loss (common, especially with Taxanes)
• Fatigue (sometimes bone-deep)
• Nausea (managed with anti-nausea meds—ask for them!)
• “Chemo brain” (foggy thinking, memory slips)
• Neuropathy (numbness/tingling in hands and feet)
• GI issues (constipation, diarrhea, mouth sores)

Coping Tips:

• Ask about cold caps if you want to try to save your hair.
• Keep a side effect tracker—it helps your team make adjustments.
• Use biotene or salt rinses for mouth care.
• Try compression gloves/socks for neuropathy prevention.
• Stock up on bland, easy-to-digest snacks.

🔗 American Cancer Society – Managing Side Effects

💡 Tips From the Trenches

These aren’t doctor-approved (because they’re better—they’re patient-tested):

• Hydrate like a cactus. Bonus points for electrolytes.
• Keep snacks nearby. Nausea and cravings are unpredictable.
• Pack your infusion bag with a cozy blanket, entertainment, and mints.
• Ask about getting a port. It saves your veins.
• Schedule rest days after infusion—you’ll need them.
• Thermometer = non-negotiable. Fever = call your doctor.
• Accept help. No awards are given for doing cancer solo.

🔗 Young Survival Coalition – Real Talk

🔗 All Links in One Place

1. BreastCancer.org – Chemo Overview
2. American Cancer Society – Chemo for Breast Cancer
3. American Cancer Society – Side Effects Guide
4. Young Survival Coalition – Treatment Toolkit
5. NCI – Breast Cancer Types & Treatments