Cancer Survivors Network

Hi miccaldwell. I am so sorry that you have to do chemo. I was lucky and didn't have to. I want to wish you the best of luck. There was a post on here about a book about cancer that was aimed for children. I will bump it up for you to see if you might be interested in getting it for your daughter. Good luck to you and keep us updated on how you do.

Sue :)

I know this is really scary for you. I had chemo 6 years ago and I was terrified. For me, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The nurses were so good and kind to me, made me feel like a princess. Yes, there were side effects, but the worst one for me was the hair loss. But then, my hair came back curly and thick! It was worth it, knowing that I was killing the BEAST. My nurse told me to think of the chemo as a little pac man going through my body eating up the little bits of cancer that was there. I just tried to take it one day at a time. I learned to REST when I needed it, to listen to the nurses, to do what they said to do. I felt kind of like I had the flu for most of the time. Achy and tired, but I made it through and you will too. I tried to laugh at myself as much as possible. When I lost my hair, one of the men I worked with shaved his head and said he would show me 101 ways to wear my hair with markers! Your little girl will be your strength and you will be hers. You WILL find the strength to get through this. You just have to reach down and grab it within you. Prayer also helped me. I also read uplifting books and went on the internet. I found lots of people a lot worse off than me. YOU can do it. We are all rooting for you. God Bless You!
Grains

I just finished my 2nd round of chemo. I was so frightened of the unknown. My fear was much worse than the actual chemo. As stated you will be treated with great care. There were ladies chatting, eating, and laughing at my first chemo. I thought if they can be so nonchalant, so can I. It was really uneventful. I had my port. Everyone is so different with after effects. I was constipated so used milk of magnesia, which is offensive to me now. I had saltines, jello, apple sauce, plain white toast, and broth on hand. My symptoms show up on the 3rd day. I feel great day of and day after. Hope this helps some. I'm sending prayers and hugs your way. I've also needed a lot of rest, but I'm almost 67 years old.

The first one is always scariest because of the unknown...so let's get rid of that factor for you. I do not have a port because I am only having 4 sessions. They do a simple iv and that's just fine. First they will give you a pre-cocktail of anti-anxiety, anti-nausea, etc. drugs. You will feel a little loopey/sleepy. then they will start the chemo drugs. After all is said is done it will have taken anywhere from 5-7 hours. (The first time is longest because the nurse will interview you and go over everything and they go slowly to make sure there aren't any adverse reactions.) All doable.

I have two daughters, 10 and 8 years old. When I talked to them about it, I tried to be very matter-of-fact, scientific with the information. That helped them to not feel too scared. (They get their cues from our behavior.) Then I talked to them about their fears. I drew pictures of the cells and even got out a ruler to show them the size. Be honest and they will understand in their own way, in their own time.

As for the hair - losing it is just an example of how the medicine is doing its job. For my family, the thought of losing my hair was much worse than the actual process. Once it had happened (15 days post first treatment) then everyone's anxiety levels seemed to lessen.

I wish you all the best. None of us wants to be here, but we are all here for each other so never hesitate to ask for help.

Sending you the best, Pitt

I want to wish you good luck on Friday with your chemo.

Hugs, Diane ♥

I'M HAVING MY SECOND CHEMO ON FRIDAY, THE FIRST WENT REALLY WELL FOR ME, I WAS PRETTY SCARED, BUT THE NURSES AND EVERYONE ARE SO VERY CARING AND KIND. I HAD A PORT PUT IN DURING MY MASTECTOMY. MY HAIR IS STARTING TO COME OUT, SO WILL PROBABLY HAVE HUSBAND SHAVE IT, HOPE IT GROWS BACK IN THICK AND CURLY....I'LL SAY A PRAYER FOR YOUR GOOD REACTION TO CHEMO.
GOD BLESS,
LIZZIE JANE

we will be starting chemo the same day. Like you, it was a difficult decision for me but I know those that have gone before me on this site will be cheering me on every step of the way. I'm like Pitt, I've opted to only do the IV since I'm only having 4 sessions.
The worst part of every aspect of this process is the waiting. Now that I'm mentally and somewhat emotionally prepared (with the help of some meds) I want to start. My biggest fear now is that the authorization won't come in in time. What did they think was going to happen when they (insurance) paid the bill to have both breasts removed? I wonder about them at times. But I digress.
You and I will get through this - kicking, screaming, crying, being pulled or pushed, gently nudged by these wonderful sisters. But we will do it.
Thanks Pitt for the "in a nutshell" of what a chemo day may look like. Lola

If hair loss is the biggest thing, we are doing VERY well! I am at that point now and will admit that it's scary. BUT I know I was a wreck the day I went for chemo and it all turned out just fine. Thankfully, I didn't have much more than aches either from the taxotere or from the neulasta shot, but if that's all that I have to contend with, this is extremely doable! Instead of thinking of it as poison, I prefer to think of it as medicine that is attacking every bad cell floating around in me, and with this new neulasta shot, my white cells have been perfect at both subsequent oncology visits that I've had. You'll be right behind me, miz, as my 2nd treatment will be on Nov. 13th. It is doable and the hair WILL grow back. It's a bump in the road and I can't wait to look back at this, like so many others on here, and realize how strong I was. Wishing you the best during your first treatment!

just wanted to say hi and hope everything goes well for you! i took chemo (6) treatments and just finished on oct 1 2009. it was tough no doubt my counts were off just about the entire time. my daughter was 13 when i was dignosed and it was hard on her even though she doesnt really know how bad i really did feel the part of asking her to cut my hair when it started falling out think she realized what i was dealing with.. its tough for kids to understand when its something tough with have to do.. i wanna wish you the best and my prayers are going your way!!
brenda

Looking at day 2 now after fist Chemo. Last night was a little scary but this morning is better. Off to get Nuelasta shot this afternoon.

Will be thinking of you and praying for an easy day for you on Friday. Drink lots of water and eat small snacks. Hope they give you Emend.

Donna

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Hope all goes well for you both today, Lori & Lola! I'm thinking about you remembering how nervous I was that morning! I hope it goes as smoothly as mine and that neither of you experience many side affects. Please post when you can so we know how you made out!

Truly, Mar

Thanks for posting this. I start chemo Mon and was searching for info on real experiences and found this wonderful group. I hope all went well for you.

This seems to be the most difficult to deal with psychologially. Maybe because we all react differently so we don't know what to prepare for and swing between focusing on the best outcome and fear of everything horrible that might happen. On top of that, I kind of feel guilty for letting the fears set in even though I know that's a normal reaction.