Type 1 Diabetes and chemotherapy

I have discussed with my physicians and contacted ACS which are both good.  Still hope to hear about reality from a patient's viewpoint about the challenges of avoiding and treating low and high blood sugars surrounding chemo.  Insulin adjustments will likely be tricky.  I start on chemo in a few weeks.  Thanks.

nanacin said:

Diabetes and breast cancer is doable!

I have had type 1 diabetes for 46 years, dx'd with IDC cancer, stage 3 with lymph node involvement in Sept. 2014. I had 16 rounds of chemo, 33 radiations, lumpectomy and 6 lymph nodes removed. I just finished radiation appx. 5 weeks ago. I have to be honest, controlling my diabetes was very difficult. I worked with my family doctor increasing my Lantus massively the day of chemo and checked my blood many times a day. I tested in the 500's when I received chemo. I faxed my reading to my doctor who would then call and tell me how much to increase for each chemo treatment. It took a while but I kept it under control. I had massive infections during chemo and was on antibiotics many many weeks for one thing after another. The radiation wasn't bad until the last month and I developed a sore under my arm and under my breast which were very painful. Used a special ointment for weeks and wore no bra. Steroids are what affects your blood sugar reading so I worked with my oncologist and reduced them gradually for each chemo session until I was at the lowest possible dose I could take. I also refused the Benadryl they give you to relax you because i drove myself to chemo. I am raising a 16 year old grandchild and didn't want her to see me not being strong. I did have massive bone pain at the end of my chemo and became very very weak to the point I had a walker if I needed it. I am doing really well now but take a nap almost every day still. I am back to cleaning my house but It takes me two days now which is okay. Just tell yourself that you are going to get thru this. I was really pissed that I had cancer. We had lost out 31 year old daughter to cancer 6 years ago and are raising our granddaughter now. I am determined to not make her watch another peron suffer like her mom did so my attitude towards this was very strong and still is. I just had my port removed yesterday. Yeah! I will be happy to chat with you about all the side affects that you can get because of the diabetes but no two people are the same. They are all treatable and you can get thru this. Be positive and pull your big girl's panties up. We will beat this. Take Care, Cindy

Thanks for your thorough response, Cindy.  I started reading more on the breastcancer.org site and kind of forgot about this one.  You have certainly been through alot and have experienced some of the problems that concern me.  I guess you are past the bad parts now-congratulations!  I had my port placed this week and start chemo on Monday and am as prepared as I can be, after reading and studying up on how to best manage things.  Just today, the oncologist told me to reduce the amount of steroid he prescribed before the treatment, to minimize the effects.  I just hope to stay out of too much trouble, but expect the diabetes control to be less than optimal.  Any other hints are welcome and I will check back on this board!  Take care.