I Think I'm Ready For Chemo.

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nangyjoe
nangyjoe Member Posts: 15
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm pretty sure I'm ready for chemo ,i guess you could say I'm expecting the worst and will gladly take anything better. My port will be put in Tuesday and first chemo. Wednesday. I have watched my husband for three years take chemo and he passed last year,so being the caregive and now being in the hot seat is a whole new game for me.I will get through it though and hopefully not feel to bad ,i have a autistic son who needs me to be here.
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  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
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    hugs to you
    so sorry to hear of your loss.........
    You will do fine in chemo........it is what it is and you will get through this! It is amazing what we can deal with when given the deal. Good luck on your journey........
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
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    Best wishes
    So very sorry about losing your husband......my heartful sympathy to you........hang in there.....we are stronger than we know....

    Peace be with you
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
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    MAJW said:

    Best wishes
    So very sorry about losing your husband......my heartful sympathy to you........hang in there.....we are stronger than we know....

    Peace be with you

    Nangyjoe .. My heart goes out to you .. Just a few
    items that helped thru my chemo journey .. 18 weeks straight .. no breaks..

    • Support your immune system with iron- and protein-rich foods (but check with doctor before taking supplement)
    • Careful with protein bars (or any other foods) that contain soy if you are ER+
    • Closing the toilet seat before flushing will dramatically reduce distribution of bacteria in the bathroom. I was told to flush twice first 2 days after chemo (
    • Replace (or wash w/ bleach) the shower curtain liners.
    • Get soft, seam-free (or as seam-free as possible) hat for sleeping-in
    • Wear latex-gloves when cleaning to avoid nicks and scratches

    Metallic taste
    • Use plastic flatware instead of metal
    • Biotene mouth wash and/or mouthrinse (and/or toothpaste and chewing gum, lemon/lime cordial, mints)
    • Regular exercise (e.g., a walk) seems to help lessen or prevent Neulasta pain for many of us

    Sleeplessness (esp in first few days post chemo) - exercise or read a book, watch a move


    Neuropathy and Hand Foot Syndrome (associated with the Taxanes)

    * Avoid going barefoot. Wear slippers or "crocs" always.* Gently massage feet and hands with lotion to keep them soft and improve circulation. (I like Udderly SMOOth with Urea. Reasonably priced; available at www.drugstore.com) * Wash hands (and dishes) in lukewarm water, not hot.
    * Ask onco about taking 50 mg of B6 to address neuropathy (tingling, numbness that often appears first in feet and hands)

    lastly:

    Constipation
    • Eating fiber in days before chemo can help prevent/lessen constipation. And trust me, constipation on chemo can be excruciating.

    • Prune juice (you can mix it with Milk of Magnesia for a "cocktail")

    • Colace (docusate sodium) is an over the counter stool softener to have on hand.
    • Senekot-S is a gentle laxative with a little Colace added in.
    • Snacking on things like prunes or dried apricots can help
    • Lots of water helps here, too.


    Best of luck ..


    Vicki Sam
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
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    Wishing you lots of good
    Wishing you lots of good thoughts and blessings as you start your bc journey...Know that you have lots of support on this site....
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
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    Good Luck to You
    Everyone is different, so no one will be able to tell you how you will be. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Keep a positive attitude. That precious son of yours is depending on you! Hugs!!!
  • Christine Louise
    Christine Louise Member Posts: 426 Member
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    Thinking of you, nangyjoe
    I hope your chemo goes smoothly. It's good to hear you express a positive attitude -- that will be helpful. Good luck!
  • bjmom1
    bjmom1 Member Posts: 152
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    VickiSam said:

    Nangyjoe .. My heart goes out to you .. Just a few
    items that helped thru my chemo journey .. 18 weeks straight .. no breaks..

    • Support your immune system with iron- and protein-rich foods (but check with doctor before taking supplement)
    • Careful with protein bars (or any other foods) that contain soy if you are ER+
    • Closing the toilet seat before flushing will dramatically reduce distribution of bacteria in the bathroom. I was told to flush twice first 2 days after chemo (
    • Replace (or wash w/ bleach) the shower curtain liners.
    • Get soft, seam-free (or as seam-free as possible) hat for sleeping-in
    • Wear latex-gloves when cleaning to avoid nicks and scratches

    Metallic taste
    • Use plastic flatware instead of metal
    • Biotene mouth wash and/or mouthrinse (and/or toothpaste and chewing gum, lemon/lime cordial, mints)
    • Regular exercise (e.g., a walk) seems to help lessen or prevent Neulasta pain for many of us

    Sleeplessness (esp in first few days post chemo) - exercise or read a book, watch a move


    Neuropathy and Hand Foot Syndrome (associated with the Taxanes)

    * Avoid going barefoot. Wear slippers or "crocs" always.* Gently massage feet and hands with lotion to keep them soft and improve circulation. (I like Udderly SMOOth with Urea. Reasonably priced; available at www.drugstore.com) * Wash hands (and dishes) in lukewarm water, not hot.
    * Ask onco about taking 50 mg of B6 to address neuropathy (tingling, numbness that often appears first in feet and hands)

    lastly:

    Constipation
    • Eating fiber in days before chemo can help prevent/lessen constipation. And trust me, constipation on chemo can be excruciating.

    • Prune juice (you can mix it with Milk of Magnesia for a "cocktail")

    • Colace (docusate sodium) is an over the counter stool softener to have on hand.
    • Senekot-S is a gentle laxative with a little Colace added in.
    • Snacking on things like prunes or dried apricots can help
    • Lots of water helps here, too.


    Best of luck ..


    Vicki Sam

    good advice
    That was good advice Vicki Sam gave you. I wish you best of luck and remember everybody chemo treatment affect them differently. Some people have very little side effect I will pray that you are the luckie one who have little side effect. Good Luck

    Barb
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
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    My prayers are with you.
    My prayers are with you. Its hard to prepare yourself for chemo, but i had to do that too. Make sure to take the nausea meds and if they dont work ask for a different kind. Also, drinking alot of water flushes your system faster. My systems increased with each treatment. But i was really surprised at how my treatment worked. I took the nause med even if i didnt feel nauseated and that really helped. I was real tired and that increased with each treatment. Keep strong.
    Take care
    Laura
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    Options
    My prayers are with you.
    My prayers are with you. Its hard to prepare yourself for chemo, but i had to do that too. Make sure to take the nausea meds and if they dont work ask for a different kind. Also, drinking alot of water flushes your system faster. My systems increased with each treatment. But i was really surprised at how my treatment worked. I took the nause med even if i didnt feel nauseated and that really helped. I was real tired and that increased with each treatment. Keep strong.
    Take care
    Laura
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    Options
    My prayers are with you.
    My prayers are with you. Its hard to prepare yourself for chemo, but i had to do that too. Make sure to take the nausea meds and if they dont work ask for a different kind. Also, drinking alot of water flushes your system faster. My systems increased with each treatment. But i was really surprised at how my treatment worked. I took the nause med even if i didnt feel nauseated and that really helped. I was real tired and that increased with each treatment. Keep strong.
    Take care
    Laura
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    Options
    My prayers are with you.
    My prayers are with you. Its hard to prepare yourself for chemo, but i had to do that too. Make sure to take the nausea meds and if they dont work ask for a different kind. Also, drinking alot of water flushes your system faster. My systems increased with each treatment. But i was really surprised at how my treatment worked. I took the nause med even if i didnt feel nauseated and that really helped. I was real tired and that increased with each treatment. Keep strong.
    Take care
    Laura
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    Options
    My prayers are with you.
    My prayers are with you. Its hard to prepare yourself for chemo, but i had to do that too. Make sure to take the nausea meds and if they dont work ask for a different kind. Also, drinking alot of water flushes your system faster. My systems increased with each treatment. But i was really surprised at how my treatment worked. I took the nause med even if i didnt feel nauseated and that really helped. I was real tired and that increased with each treatment. Keep strong.
    Take care
    Laura
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
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    lolad said:

    My prayers are with you.
    My prayers are with you. Its hard to prepare yourself for chemo, but i had to do that too. Make sure to take the nausea meds and if they dont work ask for a different kind. Also, drinking alot of water flushes your system faster. My systems increased with each treatment. But i was really surprised at how my treatment worked. I took the nause med even if i didnt feel nauseated and that really helped. I was real tired and that increased with each treatment. Keep strong.
    Take care
    Laura

    I am so sorry at the loss of
    I am so sorry at the loss of your husband and now you have bc to deal with.

    Wishing you good luck with your chemo.


    Keep posting to keep us updated on how you are.


    Hugs, Leeza
  • nangyjoe
    nangyjoe Member Posts: 15
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    jnl said:

    I am so sorry at the loss of
    I am so sorry at the loss of your husband and now you have bc to deal with.

    Wishing you good luck with your chemo.


    Keep posting to keep us updated on how you are.


    Hugs, Leeza

    Port put in yesterday
    had my port put in yesterday ,,when i woke up no pain what so ever ,except burning in my eyes all the rest of day and evening ,,i was a little wore out but not to bad ,my diabetes seems to be out of whack ,,this morning its 300 ,took my pill ,i'll get on theadmill for 10 minutes and that always takes it down ,,thank god,,i got up early and still not a twing where she put my port in, i'm glad ,just really surprised. Today is my first chemo and i thing mentally i'm ready for it ,it will be okay because i know my husband is with me and i have wonderful children ,,did i mention i have eight ,,all grown and not a bad one in the bunch ,now days thats a great thing to be able to say,Thank all of you for your input i feel so blessed i found this great site.Well off to get ready for my big day ,,write later .Have a wonderful and healthy day.
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
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    nangyjoe said:

    Port put in yesterday
    had my port put in yesterday ,,when i woke up no pain what so ever ,except burning in my eyes all the rest of day and evening ,,i was a little wore out but not to bad ,my diabetes seems to be out of whack ,,this morning its 300 ,took my pill ,i'll get on theadmill for 10 minutes and that always takes it down ,,thank god,,i got up early and still not a twing where she put my port in, i'm glad ,just really surprised. Today is my first chemo and i thing mentally i'm ready for it ,it will be okay because i know my husband is with me and i have wonderful children ,,did i mention i have eight ,,all grown and not a bad one in the bunch ,now days thats a great thing to be able to say,Thank all of you for your input i feel so blessed i found this great site.Well off to get ready for my big day ,,write later .Have a wonderful and healthy day.

    Hi Nangyjoe
    Good luck to you today. My thought & prayers will be with you. Yes, you are blest to have such a great husband and children. I couldn't have done it without the love and support of my husband, sons & daughter in laws. Let us know how you made out. Hugs, Jean
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    Options
    nangyjoe said:

    Port put in yesterday
    had my port put in yesterday ,,when i woke up no pain what so ever ,except burning in my eyes all the rest of day and evening ,,i was a little wore out but not to bad ,my diabetes seems to be out of whack ,,this morning its 300 ,took my pill ,i'll get on theadmill for 10 minutes and that always takes it down ,,thank god,,i got up early and still not a twing where she put my port in, i'm glad ,just really surprised. Today is my first chemo and i thing mentally i'm ready for it ,it will be okay because i know my husband is with me and i have wonderful children ,,did i mention i have eight ,,all grown and not a bad one in the bunch ,now days thats a great thing to be able to say,Thank all of you for your input i feel so blessed i found this great site.Well off to get ready for my big day ,,write later .Have a wonderful and healthy day.

    Good luck today with your
    Good luck today with your chemo!


    Hugs, Leeza
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    Options
    nangyjoe said:

    Port put in yesterday
    had my port put in yesterday ,,when i woke up no pain what so ever ,except burning in my eyes all the rest of day and evening ,,i was a little wore out but not to bad ,my diabetes seems to be out of whack ,,this morning its 300 ,took my pill ,i'll get on theadmill for 10 minutes and that always takes it down ,,thank god,,i got up early and still not a twing where she put my port in, i'm glad ,just really surprised. Today is my first chemo and i thing mentally i'm ready for it ,it will be okay because i know my husband is with me and i have wonderful children ,,did i mention i have eight ,,all grown and not a bad one in the bunch ,now days thats a great thing to be able to say,Thank all of you for your input i feel so blessed i found this great site.Well off to get ready for my big day ,,write later .Have a wonderful and healthy day.

    double post :(

    double post :(
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
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    lolad said:

    My prayers are with you.
    My prayers are with you. Its hard to prepare yourself for chemo, but i had to do that too. Make sure to take the nausea meds and if they dont work ask for a different kind. Also, drinking alot of water flushes your system faster. My systems increased with each treatment. But i was really surprised at how my treatment worked. I took the nause med even if i didnt feel nauseated and that really helped. I was real tired and that increased with each treatment. Keep strong.
    Take care
    Laura

    Lots of good advice here! I
    Lots of good advice here! I will be praying for you.


    Hugs, Jan
  • nangyjoe
    nangyjoe Member Posts: 15
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    jnl said:

    Good luck today with your
    Good luck today with your chemo!


    Hugs, Leeza

    one chemo down three to go
    its so weird to be on the other side of all this chemo stuff after all those years with my husband,,it really makes you understand how he felt and what he was going through ,,and he knew his was terminal,,so sad to think about.my first chemo went very well so far no after effects ,,i know its early in the game but i'm thinking possitive ,,my doctor has me on every med. you can think of for side effects even a pill to relaxe me ,to take the edge off.hoping it wlll all work ,,this is a great web site you all make me feel like i can write anything here and you all are so understanding and ready to give advice to help everyone get through this nasty thing called cancer,,makes me sick just saying it ,,i know way to many people who have it or died from it ,,something has to be done ,i did the relay for life in may ,i raised $850.00,our team raised $3500.00 total,it felt good doing it and hopeing they come up with a cure soon.well going to drink water and eat a light snack and rest ,,thank you all for all your kind comments ,your the best.
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
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    nangyjoe said:

    one chemo down three to go
    its so weird to be on the other side of all this chemo stuff after all those years with my husband,,it really makes you understand how he felt and what he was going through ,,and he knew his was terminal,,so sad to think about.my first chemo went very well so far no after effects ,,i know its early in the game but i'm thinking possitive ,,my doctor has me on every med. you can think of for side effects even a pill to relaxe me ,to take the edge off.hoping it wlll all work ,,this is a great web site you all make me feel like i can write anything here and you all are so understanding and ready to give advice to help everyone get through this nasty thing called cancer,,makes me sick just saying it ,,i know way to many people who have it or died from it ,,something has to be done ,i did the relay for life in may ,i raised $850.00,our team raised $3500.00 total,it felt good doing it and hopeing they come up with a cure soon.well going to drink water and eat a light snack and rest ,,thank you all for all your kind comments ,your the best.

    Glad things went well.
    Hope the remainder go the same way!