Terrified
texastwister50
Member Posts: 1
On friday I am having my port put in and on the following tuesday I have my first chemo treatment. My children do not understand why I am so scared. Is it normal to be as scared as I am. I read on aarp.org website of a womens experience with her first treatment and she went into all the details of what was happening to her as she was recieving treatment and I just have to say its alittle bit scarry I thought that if I kept reading it it would ease my mind, but the closer tuesday comes the more afraid I am. I am at stage 3 breast cancer and I have agreed to do the Phase III study. Man the anxieties. This day shall too pass.
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Comments
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This too shall indeed pass!
Welcome to the club nobody wants to join. Of course it's normal to be scared before your first chemo treatment. It would be seriously abnormal if you weren't.
But the good news is that you have entered a strong, supportive community who will help you through the entire process, step by step. My beloved Moopy was diagnosed in November, had a radical mastectomy over Thanksgiving, and began chemo the second week of January. Were we scared? Hell yes! But Moopy came through with flying colors. And so will you!
God Bless!
Joe0 -
It is scary
Dear texastwister50,
It's normal to be afraid. I found the more I read, thinking that knowledge was power, the more afraid I became and my doctor even told me to stop reading. It's good to be informed, but understand that everyone is different in their reaction to the drugs we take to fight this disease.
What the author of the aarp article wrote regarding her chemo experience may be very different from yours. I have known women who have had minimal reaction to it, while others have been at the other end of the spectrum. You don't know how you will respond until you go through it. Also, remember, that there are drugs out there to counter the side effects, just ask your dr.
Another thought, the treatment center where you will be going may have an on-site social worker who can help you through the chemo, when you are unable to make contact with us. They can offer you some emotional comfort.
Someone is always online here, so sign-on whenever you feel you need a shoulder to lean on. The folks here have an extra abundance of love and support. Be strong, but when you're not--we're here.
What's the "Phase III Study?"
dmc0 -
Hey Texas
I just had my 1st
Hey Texas
I just had my 1st chemo on the 3rd. It's scary just sitting down in the chair for the 1st time..but the actual proceedure is really a piece of cake.Once they hook the IV into your port you're really not aware of the meds going in. I just read a book and they brought around drinks and snacks every so often... I didn't feel any side effects until a couple of days later with a little diarea.The anti nausea meds do the trick, just be sure to take them.
Good luck!
Dee0 -
Texastwister
welcome to our group of the most supportive, caring, funny , sisters in pink you will ever find. I am sorry that you have to go through this..yes it is scary, but you can do it...I was and am the biggest chicken ever and I am almost done with all treatments.
You will not be alone when you come here ..you can talk with us nite or day.
Keep us in touch and you will be in my thoughts and prayers,
Jackie
P.S. what is a phase 111 study? I also was dx stage 3 bc.0 -
Hello.....
Hello and welcome to the fold. I'm sorry about your dx, but am very glad that you found us.
Terrified, yes. I was as terrified of all of it, as one can be! But you will get through it, and all of the lovely sisters and brothers here will help you.
I found that I was stronger than I ever imagined, and I suspect that once you get going with your chemo, you will find a strength that you didn't know you had.
Big hugs for you,
CR0 -
Welcome to the fold! I too
Welcome to the fold! I too am new and will be starting my first chemo treatment but not until next Thursday. I am counting the days and hope I do not get to counting the hours. I too was very scared until I came here and learned that not everyone has a bad experience so I decided that I was going to pray alot and hope a whole lot that I am one of the lucky ones. If not then at least I will know the possible side affects and ask for help right away! Lots of meds for the side affects.
Good luck on Tuesday!
K0 -
The First One is the Scary One
Welcome Texastwister, though I am sorry for your diagnosis. The first chemo is the frightening one because it is an unknown. It does help to have someone with you if possible.
Also, bring reading materials or relaxing CD. Most treatment centers have TVs, books, and magazines, as well as snacks and drinks. Some people sleep through the entire chemo. I tended to get sleepy toward the end.
There really is no pain, unless you have a twinge when the IV is set up through your port. There is cream that can be used beforehand if you want. It is called Emla cream, and you can read a lot about it here. Just enter "Emla" in the Search field--or just ask.
As far as side effects, there are meds for most all of them, especially nausea. Do take the meds as prescribed by your oncologist, and report any problems promptly. There is always something that can be done: e.g., Immodium for diarrhea, if you get it.
Today's chemo is so much more manageable than treatments of the past. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always come here. Someone, or many, will have experience and can share valuable information and give you advice and support. You will not be alone.
I hope t his well help you some. It is natural to be scared--I bet your kids would be, if they were the ones with chemo scheduled next week! We all were scared. But we made it through. And so will you.0 -
Hey Sister Twister,
What you
Hey Sister Twister,
What you are feeling right now is totally normal. We have all stood where you are standing and we all felt the same way. I was diagnosed with stage IV bc back in Aug. of 2005. I, too was terrified of my first chemo session. They will give you medicines to take before the chemo and they will give you meds. there to prevent nausea. Anytime during chemo, that you do not feel comfortable, or you hurt, or are nauseated, let the nurses know immediately.
How old are your children? Many people don't understand how we feel because they have never experienced anything close to cancer. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love and gentle hugs,
Donna from arlington0 -
Warm welcome. texastwister50
Glad to have you amongst us, though sorry for the reason.
Heck, yeah, chemo is darn scary! Yet, doable. You will get through it.
Best wishes to you for tomorrow, and on Tuesday.
Visit us whenever you'd like, whenever you feel the need. We're all here to support and encourage each either.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
Take a deep breath....
If I was in your shoes, I would be hiding under my bed!! I'm not sure what a port is since I have never had one, but I want to welcome you and wish you luck as you get it put in. I am waiting to find out if I need chemo still (waiting on oncotypeDX test) so I may be coming to you next for advice!! Keep us posted. Pammy 0 -
The first chemo is the
The first chemo is the hardest. I had stage IIb breast cancer and participated in a clinical study. I am glad you are getting a port. It made chemo a lot easier. It is so so normal to be scared. I was terrified. It turned out that the chemo sessions were not as bad as I thought. I actulally ended up going to most of them by myself. It kind of became my quiet time. I always took a good book with me and magazines. I also met wonderful people during my sessions. One of the things that helped me tremendously was having a chemo countdown. I had each chemo session on the calendar and crossed off each one with great excitement.0 -
1st chemoTrishyG said:The first chemo is the
The first chemo is the hardest. I had stage IIb breast cancer and participated in a clinical study. I am glad you are getting a port. It made chemo a lot easier. It is so so normal to be scared. I was terrified. It turned out that the chemo sessions were not as bad as I thought. I actulally ended up going to most of them by myself. It kind of became my quiet time. I always took a good book with me and magazines. I also met wonderful people during my sessions. One of the things that helped me tremendously was having a chemo countdown. I had each chemo session on the calendar and crossed off each one with great excitement.
You didn't say what type of chemo you are having ... but I can just tell you about my first treatment. I had 12 weekly infusions of taxol and herceptin. I was scared. The first treatment lasted for over 2 hours. I took a xanax before the appointment. I took a small CD player ... put my earphones on. I'd bought a relaxation/meditation CD and I started playing that. The first "drip" they gave was benadryl and other stuff and I actually fell asleep. I do know that others have much stronger chemo ... so I consider myself very lucky. If you are going to be on the stronger stuff ... please listen to what the others are saying as far as nausea drugs and side effects.
I do have one thing to say about the port ... I am so glad I got it. I'm such a weenie I can't imagine being poked with needles every time. In fact I was concerned about being poked with just one need each time ... but several women on this discussion board suggested EMLA cream. I called the oncologist immediately and got a prescription. It is wonderful. You blob it on the port an hour before your chemo ... and by the time you get to your appointment ... the port site is numb. Most of the time I didn't even feel the needle go in. That stuff is amazing!
Good luck.
hugs.
teena0 -
The first chemo is
The first chemo is frightening and most of us have been there...and we survived. Hope someone can be with you at least for the first treatment. You'll find that nurses in the chemo area are usually very upbeat, caring and gentle. I was lucky enough to have the best one for each of my 4 treatments. I was given a sedative before chemo so I slept some of the time and was given anti-nausea meds also. I always took reading material and iPod for listening to my favorite music. It was cold in the chemo area and warm blankets and pillows were provided. Looks like you're in Texas??? I'm in Central Texas. Good luck and hope to hear how things go for you next week.0 -
Curious....tgf said:1st chemo
You didn't say what type of chemo you are having ... but I can just tell you about my first treatment. I had 12 weekly infusions of taxol and herceptin. I was scared. The first treatment lasted for over 2 hours. I took a xanax before the appointment. I took a small CD player ... put my earphones on. I'd bought a relaxation/meditation CD and I started playing that. The first "drip" they gave was benadryl and other stuff and I actually fell asleep. I do know that others have much stronger chemo ... so I consider myself very lucky. If you are going to be on the stronger stuff ... please listen to what the others are saying as far as nausea drugs and side effects.
I do have one thing to say about the port ... I am so glad I got it. I'm such a weenie I can't imagine being poked with needles every time. In fact I was concerned about being poked with just one need each time ... but several women on this discussion board suggested EMLA cream. I called the oncologist immediately and got a prescription. It is wonderful. You blob it on the port an hour before your chemo ... and by the time you get to your appointment ... the port site is numb. Most of the time I didn't even feel the needle go in. That stuff is amazing!
Good luck.
hugs.
teena
Teena....I'm just curious. As you know I am waiting on my test to know if I will need chemo and so I am paying attention now to all the post about it. If you don't mind me asking....what is a port? How do they put it in? Where do they put it? And anything else you can tell me about it? It actually sounds scary to me! Pammy 0 -
Just giving you a bigChristmas Girl said:Warm welcome. texastwister50
Glad to have you amongst us, though sorry for the reason.
Heck, yeah, chemo is darn scary! Yet, doable. You will get through it.
Best wishes to you for tomorrow, and on Tuesday.
Visit us whenever you'd like, whenever you feel the need. We're all here to support and encourage each either.
Kind regards, Susan
Just giving you a big welcome texas! Good luck to you!0 -
Port = port-a-cathAkiss4me said:Curious....
Teena....I'm just curious. As you know I am waiting on my test to know if I will need chemo and so I am paying attention now to all the post about it. If you don't mind me asking....what is a port? How do they put it in? Where do they put it? And anything else you can tell me about it? It actually sounds scary to me! Pammy
A port-a-cath or "port" is a device implanted (usually) in the chest wall. It has a bumpy little gizmo called a "septum" which pokes up beneath your skin. This is where they stick you with the needles. The septum conducts the infusion through a catheter into your vena cava, which is the biggest vein available.
The advantage of the port is that it is (unlike veins in your arm, for instance) designed to be stuck and to distribute infusions effectively. It has its annoyances too: Moopy has had to see a doctor at least three times because of annoying crap related to her port. That's not even counting the collapsed lung she got having it installed, which put her in an out-of-town hospital for a weekend. But she has ALWAYS been glad she got one.
So don't be scared, Pammy. You would have to read a lot of comments on a lot of bulletin boards before you found more than a handful of people regretting their ports. It's a good thing!0 -
(((((HUGS))))))
Sweet Sister!
You are experiencing what most of us did~ fear of the unknown coupled with cancer! It isn't quite like deciding you WANT to skydive and hope the parachute opens...you had no choice in the cancer diagnosis! I cried twice at chemo~ the FIRST treatment, when being hooked up to the IV made it all incredibly real..( even more than surgery) The other time I cried was at my LAST chemo...relief coupled with the thought that I was now on a high wire without a safety net.
Once you are familiar with your surrounding, and see you are nurtured and well-cared for not just by the RNs at the cancer center but also by your new Cyber-Family in here, your anxiety levels will ease. And, should they not, you will be prescribed meds ( like Xanax) to take the edge off.
So~ if at your chemo session you feel good vibes and a sense of calmness, go ahead and smile~ it's just all of us surrounding you. You never are alone in this...we are with you every step of the way.
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
Hi texastwister! Just want
Hi texastwister! Just want to welcome you. It is very normal to be scared, and, if someone isn't, that is weird. lol This is a scary journey for all of us, but just breathe, do what your doctors say and take good care of yourself! We will always be here if you need someplace to talk. Take care, Jeanne0
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