Scared as heck

I just got my pathology results yesterday and was told that they took 5 nodes and I had micro metastases of 1 node consisting of a 0.5 mm cell. Not sure if I worded it right. I haven't met with my oncologist yet so don't know my exact plan but I will have to do chemo and radiation since I had a lumpectomy. I have read about the toenail thing and neuropathy and I am so scared. How do I avoid all this as well as the nausea????

Dear Scdali,

Most people I talk to say chemo wasn't nearly as bad as they'd feared. That was definitely the case for me.  I felt crappy on and off for five days after each AC infusion, but the nausea wasn't bad and I never threw up or even came close to throwing up.  I had mild mouth sores after the third and fourth AC infusions, but they really didn't feel like a big deal.  On taxol I had neuropathy, but it wasn't awful, just some numbness in toes and fingertips and achy feet sometimes.  Nothing that impacted work or life.  Neuropathy went away within a couple months of chemo ending.  My fingernails changed color but never fell out.  I had a fair amount of fatigue throughout chemo.  I still had enough energy enough stamina to work full time and continue with my normal exercise routine, though I had to push myself harder.  I recommend talking to your chemo nurse about your fears.  He or she will be spending a lot of time with you and part of his or her job is to answer questions and allay fears about chemo and potential side affects.  My chemo nurses were amazing - incredibly smart and knowledgeable, kind, compassionate, and comforting.  They really helped ease my fears about chemo.

Thank you all for your kind words aND helpful information. I find out my plan tomorrow when I meet with the oncologist and will let you all k kw what I find out.

Wishing you well as you begin treatment! I had the exact same chemos as you, 4 AC, 12 Taxol with Carboplatin. I had great results and I'll hope the same for you! Side effects usually are worst a couple of days after chemo, but it varies person to person. You'll probably lose your hair after the second AC. 

Dear Sdcali,
Prayers for you as you begin your chemo tomorrow. I finished chemo one year ago in October. Side effects not bad. I had a lumpectomy, partial radiation, 4 AC, the Neulasta shot the day after AC and 12 Taxol treatments. I had my port put in the same day as the first chemo treatment - that was a rough day but otherwise side effects were minor. Some nausea, very minor neuropathy, a few toenails and a fingernail that changed but I did not lose them. Instant menopause - it was just days after chemo that I had a very heavy last period. Also had very runny eyes, runny nose, bad headaches & with the Taxol a reaction to the steroids where I could not sleep for over 24 hours.
All of the side effects were monitored & managed by my Oncologist (steroids were cut back, chemo dose was changed when I had severe runny nose, eyes & headaches).
Prayers are with you. Scared of the unknown was exactly how I would describe myself prior to the treatments but looking back - chemo saved my life so I consider the side effects minor annoyances.
Keep us posted on your progress.
God Bless,
Tamara

Sounds like you may be in the same trial that I will be in