starting chemo

jerseysue · October 2007

Hello I'm normally on the colon site I have stage IV colon cancer however my Mom was dx with stage II breast cancer and I'm trying to get her situated with her upcoming chemo. I live in Mi and she is in New Jersey. She drives but my dad doesn't. I called the ACS and they have volunteers that could transport her back and forth if she gives them enough time. She thinks that she will be fine with the chemo and thru experience (colon only) I said that you will probably have days that you arent feeling well. Question...How is the chemo? Is it different for everyone? Do you get sick? tired? Could she drive herself to and from chemo the trip isn't that long about 10 mins? Thanks for your help.

babs49242 · October 2007

Hi jerseysue, If your mom's treatments are only 10 mins away she should do ok. I drove myself 20 miles RT, at 1st, then as the treatments took their toll, sore joints, fatigue, no energy, I asked people from church to transport me, which they were happy to since I was single and had no other family around. The only thing I didn't like was the MI winter w/o hair..a tad cold on the head.hahahaa

3cbrca · October 2007

I had 2 months of Adrym/Cytoxin - for that one I had people take me, even though I probably could have driven myself. After that I had 12 weeks of Taxol and I drove myself - it was no problem. I had surgery between chemo and RT. I was able to drive myself to RT everyday for almost two months. It really depends on the chemo agent. A/C hit me much harder than Taxol, but they gave me some many prep drugs, I was never really sick. Hand and Foot syndrome and muscle pains were a problem with A/C. Tired? Progressively - Once I finished all my tx I had to take time off work to get rested and restored. The effects are cumulative and you're really dragging at the end of RT... Best to your mom

chenheart · October 2007

Hello Jersey~ first of all, I know you find great support on the colon boards~they have wonderful postings and are so involved.
Your mom and chemo~I second the comments you have already received. Many of us have chemo "only" once every three weeks. Of course your mom can drive herself IF she feels up to it. The "Road To Recovery" program through the ACS is also a great resource. And, if your mom has willing friends, neighbors, church/work acquaintences, by all mean, allow them to help! As you no doubt know, not all know what to do for us, and we can give others an opportunity to do something! A ride is a great help! I was always hungry after chemo ( go figure) perhaps she can have a chemo and lunch date with a group of friends! Whatever works to capture this beast and get us through it with strength and dignity!
The fatigue is indeed cumulative. I at one point passed the Twilight Zone of tiredness and entered a demension only imagined by writers of The X-Files! I was really happy to have the help getting to treatment.
I am sorry your mom was dx~ and yet I welcome her to the loving arms of this Sisterhood of Survivors! Perhaps we will see her in here or in chat soon????
Hugs,
Claudia

Unknown · October 2007

Hello Sue.
Sorry to hear about your mother and hope you are doing well in your cancer challenge as well.
Chemo (I had 2 years of it) is different in some respects for everyone, but I have never talked to ANYONE in my 21 year experience with cancer that said they felt good about driving after chemo. The doctors usually include a mild sedative along with the treatment and sometimes something for nausea as well. Your mom may not feel 'sick' but chances are she will not be fully alert either. I suggest taking advantage of all the help she can get with transportation and anything else she qualifies for.
God bless both her and you.

Susan956 · October 2007

I drove myself to and from all of my Chemo treatments (I was about 45 minutes away). Of course, My Mom went with me... She lives just and hour away... and she let me drive, but didn't want me going alone. I think your Mom will be fine getting too and from chemo. Her tough days will be a couple of days after chemo... they were by far the worst for me and toward the end of the treatments you just get very very tired. But if a friend could go with her some of the time, it would probably help her pass the time.

Good luck to both of you.

Susan

jdubious · October 2007

hi jerseysue!
my A/C chemo (dose dense)was weekly for 12 weeks followed by 6 weeks(weekly)of taxol. I worked full time and drove myself (45 minutes each way), plus caught a ferry both ways. I didn't have much trouble with it. Toward the end I was more tired and sore, but I could still drive ok. (after 3 years, I'm still tired and sore!) I didn't get any sedatives, just anti-nausea meds before and after, plus "all-you-can-eat" and drink during the treatments. My chemo day was Wednesday - so I was back to work the next day at a desk job.
Your Mom should just see how she feels, it's different for all of us. I liked going by myself - it was totally "me" time and I could just relax (and read trashy magazines that I would never buy) without having to "entertain" someone else. I got to know the people working at the cancer center (Swedish in Seattle) which made it a comfortable and positive situation.

warm thoughts and prayers for you and your Mom!
jill d

toninasky · October 2007

Hi,
I am 65 , 64 when I went thru chemo. They give you so much to prevent the sickness, that my husband and I went to the movies after every treatment. It is different for all, but the drugs they give do make it easier. I really have to say that I did not have a problem. Not everyone is the same though, and I guess you really should have someone with her for at least the first treatment. That should give you both some insight into how she will handle it. Good Luck, and God Bless

seof · October 2007

I'm getting to this a bit late, but I second what everyone else said. I have been very fortunate that I have not been sick from chemo. They give be Benedril in the IV, so I sleep through the 4hour treatment, then I am fine. I feel like I would be able to drive myself to and from (about 15 min. in Fort Worth) but my husband feels like he can make a contribution by taking me, and I do not mind being pampered, so I let him. I have found the fatigue to be cumulative, and I have experienced "chemo brain"...difficulty staying focused and organized. But I am still working full time and managing to help run the family schedules, I just have to be very diligent about writing EVERYTHING down and checking my planner several times a day. Your Mom may want help with transportation. It is also nice to have someone along when you talk to a Dr. to help take notes and write down Q and A.

Sorry you are both having to go through this. seof

starting chemo

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