Starting Chemo on Monday!

Huskymac
Huskymac Member Posts: 12
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
This is my first time posting but have been reading posts for weeks. Everyone is so reassuring and the personal experiences really help. Diagnosed in July and finally starting Chemo Monday! At least, I know I am normal because I am terrified of the next 4 months! Guess I better start drinking water now :) The support has been overwhelming! Thanks to all of you for being my inspiration Monday!

Comments

  • Snowkitty
    Snowkitty Member Posts: 295
    Welcome
    Sorry for the reason you're here. Right on about the water. These ladies will tell you anything and everything you never wanted to know about treatments. At least after Monday, one down. Super place for support and hand-holding.

    Good luck tomorrow. The chemo bay was, for me, kind of a social place. Got to know the other people and did quite a bit of yaking (when we were awake).

    Take care,

    Cindy
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    Snowkitty said:

    Welcome
    Sorry for the reason you're here. Right on about the water. These ladies will tell you anything and everything you never wanted to know about treatments. At least after Monday, one down. Super place for support and hand-holding.

    Good luck tomorrow. The chemo bay was, for me, kind of a social place. Got to know the other people and did quite a bit of yaking (when we were awake).

    Take care,

    Cindy

    HuskyMac .. welcome aboard .. our Warrior
    support system... Sorry why you are here, but I am happy that you found us! Collectively we have over 100 years of experience between us all .. someone, somewhere here on our boards has information, research and love to offer.

    Hydrate .. stay calm, and write down all questions or concerns for your Oncolgist and his group of professionals.

    Best of Luck . ..

    Strength and Courage:

    Vicki Sam
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    VickiSam said:

    HuskyMac .. welcome aboard .. our Warrior
    support system... Sorry why you are here, but I am happy that you found us! Collectively we have over 100 years of experience between us all .. someone, somewhere here on our boards has information, research and love to offer.

    Hydrate .. stay calm, and write down all questions or concerns for your Oncolgist and his group of professionals.

    Best of Luck . ..

    Strength and Courage:

    Vicki Sam

    You have learned the number
    You have learned the number one rule to chemo treatment hydrate hydrate hydrate. sorry you are here but glad you found this site. You will get great info and support. the first one is the hardest as you dont know what to expect. once you find out how you personally are affected by the chemo you can make a solid plan to get through it. hugs
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    carkris said:

    You have learned the number
    You have learned the number one rule to chemo treatment hydrate hydrate hydrate. sorry you are here but glad you found this site. You will get great info and support. the first one is the hardest as you dont know what to expect. once you find out how you personally are affected by the chemo you can make a solid plan to get through it. hugs

    In the words of Winny the Pooh...
    You are smarter than you think, stronger than you seem and braver than you believe! Fear of the unknown can be the worst, but we're all here to tell you, you can do it and it won't be nearly as difficult as you might be thinking.

    I have to identify with Cindy's post--after getting over the initial "jitters", my six chemo sessions became sort of like being at the beauty shop. Even though my husband came to every single one with me, it was more about us girls gabbing about everything under the sun. We talked, we laughed, but never once did any of us cry. Maybe we were just a lucky bunch, but I firmly believe attitude is everything.

    Good luck, pink sister, you'll do great. Come here often and check in with us.

    Hugs, Renee
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    Welcome, Huskymac
    If you'd like, tell us a little more about your treatment plan: What drugs are you getting? How many rounds? Those of us who had the same "cocktail" you're getting would be glad to share our experiences and tips.

    (although -- of course -- the hydratehydratehydratehydratehydrate tip is good for all scenarios! :-)

    Traci
  • Huskymac
    Huskymac Member Posts: 12
    TraciInLA said:

    Welcome, Huskymac
    If you'd like, tell us a little more about your treatment plan: What drugs are you getting? How many rounds? Those of us who had the same "cocktail" you're getting would be glad to share our experiences and tips.

    (although -- of course -- the hydratehydratehydratehydratehydrate tip is good for all scenarios! :-)

    Traci

    So Happy!
    Wow! I have chills running down my body...never expected such a quick responses! Yah...I have friends who understand!!! You all have made my day! My diagnosis was Invasive Ductal CA with one lymphnode positive. I had a lumpectomy and lymphnode resection on 8/11. Just had a good CAT and Bone scan! Whewww Now chemo (cytoxan and taxofere) 4 times every 3 wks and then radiation 6 wks 5 times a week. Pretty standard treatment. Neulasta injection too :( Doing pretty well some days a little more weepy but overall staying positive. Just anxious to get started. It has been over two months since Dx and I am ready to move on. I am a thyroid cancer survivor 38 years ago so I am not a rookie :) We have our 40th high school reunion tonight and I wonder how many BC survivors will be there???? Thanks again for helping me!!!
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    Welcome Huskymac,
    Nice to meet you. If you've been reading posts for weeks, I'm sure most of your questions & concerns were addressed. This is a wonderful site with lot of wonderful people who will cry with you, hold your hand, or just listen if you want to vent. We will be thinking about you Monday. Let us know how you make out. And yes, you are right, start drinking your water now! Hugs, Jean
  • Kimosabe
    Kimosabe Member Posts: 43
    Good luck on Mon.
    Once your first treatment is over, you will establish a pattern and know what to expect and when to expect it so you can plan your activities around that. Just be good to yourself and don't expect too much of yourself when you aren't feeling the best. I think that was the hardest thing for me to accept but I finally have as I begin my radiation regimen on Monday. Our treatments are the same except no neulasta for me. Let's think of each other on Monday as we each begin a new phase of our journey. Stay strong!
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    Huskymac said:

    So Happy!
    Wow! I have chills running down my body...never expected such a quick responses! Yah...I have friends who understand!!! You all have made my day! My diagnosis was Invasive Ductal CA with one lymphnode positive. I had a lumpectomy and lymphnode resection on 8/11. Just had a good CAT and Bone scan! Whewww Now chemo (cytoxan and taxofere) 4 times every 3 wks and then radiation 6 wks 5 times a week. Pretty standard treatment. Neulasta injection too :( Doing pretty well some days a little more weepy but overall staying positive. Just anxious to get started. It has been over two months since Dx and I am ready to move on. I am a thyroid cancer survivor 38 years ago so I am not a rookie :) We have our 40th high school reunion tonight and I wonder how many BC survivors will be there???? Thanks again for helping me!!!

    Welcome Huskymac
    Sorry for your need to be here but glad you found us. Someone always has an answer for you. We have a lot in common on diagnosis. I was dx with IDC in Jan, lumpectomy in March. I had no lymph node involvement and did not have to have the nuelasta, 4 rounds of TC April-July and just finished 30 rads on Tuesday. I did well with chemo. I would get tired for a few days but never any nausea. I took the anti-meds they gave me the night of trt. along with the meds with trt. I had hot flashes and would have usually just one bad day mine was Sunday, had trt. on Fri. and Sunday would be my worst day. You already know water,water,water! Prayers for you God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • putzie
    putzie Member Posts: 66 Member
    Huskymac said:

    So Happy!
    Wow! I have chills running down my body...never expected such a quick responses! Yah...I have friends who understand!!! You all have made my day! My diagnosis was Invasive Ductal CA with one lymphnode positive. I had a lumpectomy and lymphnode resection on 8/11. Just had a good CAT and Bone scan! Whewww Now chemo (cytoxan and taxofere) 4 times every 3 wks and then radiation 6 wks 5 times a week. Pretty standard treatment. Neulasta injection too :( Doing pretty well some days a little more weepy but overall staying positive. Just anxious to get started. It has been over two months since Dx and I am ready to move on. I am a thyroid cancer survivor 38 years ago so I am not a rookie :) We have our 40th high school reunion tonight and I wonder how many BC survivors will be there???? Thanks again for helping me!!!

    I hope you had a blast at your reunion!!!
    I had so many people tell me I was inspirational during my treatments and I thank God I was able to be so. Continue to do what you love to do and don't let cancer rule your life. When you get tired, slow down. I finished chemo 8 weeks ago and surgery 4. My best chemo advice is, as you read, hydrate!! Secondly...be sure to take your anti-nausea meds not only 'as needed', but preventatively as well. I was sick my first treatment only because I took meds "if" I got sick. Do not hesitate...just take them. The nuelestra is a God send and helps keep those numbers up! Monday will be your longest chemo day because they will give your meds slowly to make sure you 'handle' them..they also have lots of people stopping by to talk to you and may want to show videos and stuff like that. The next ones won't last as long. You will do great and it will be over before you know it. God Bless!!!!
    Dawn
  • shy violet
    shy violet Member Posts: 167
    Ditto about water, nausea
    Ditto about water, nausea meds and ask questions...but also let the staff pamper you...you are a special person going through a special time...so if you need an extra hug or pillow go for it...love to you, shy
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    Jean 0609 said:

    Welcome Huskymac,
    Nice to meet you. If you've been reading posts for weeks, I'm sure most of your questions & concerns were addressed. This is a wonderful site with lot of wonderful people who will cry with you, hold your hand, or just listen if you want to vent. We will be thinking about you Monday. Let us know how you make out. And yes, you are right, start drinking your water now! Hugs, Jean

    Good luck to you on Monday
    Good luck to you on Monday with your chemo!


    Hugs, Jan
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member

    Ditto about water, nausea
    Ditto about water, nausea meds and ask questions...but also let the staff pamper you...you are a special person going through a special time...so if you need an extra hug or pillow go for it...love to you, shy

    Wishing you good luck on
    Wishing you good luck on Monday! Drink lots of water! Let us know how it goes.


    Hugs, Leeza
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    Will be
    thinking of you as you go to your first chemo. I hope you read the posts about drinking your WATER! The first time is definitely the most worrisome because of the unknown. Once you know how you react to everything the other treatments go much smoother. My third is next Tuesday.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • missingtexas
    missingtexas Member Posts: 146
    Good luck with your first treatment!!
    Every one of my treatments were different (how I felt) but not one of them was bad. You'll do great. Keep up posted.
    Dana
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138

    Good luck with your first treatment!!
    Every one of my treatments were different (how I felt) but not one of them was bad. You'll do great. Keep up posted.
    Dana

    Best Wishes!!
    I am hoping that you are through with the first treatment by now. Best wishes and prayers for you. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    Snowkitty said:

    Welcome
    Sorry for the reason you're here. Right on about the water. These ladies will tell you anything and everything you never wanted to know about treatments. At least after Monday, one down. Super place for support and hand-holding.

    Good luck tomorrow. The chemo bay was, for me, kind of a social place. Got to know the other people and did quite a bit of yaking (when we were awake).

    Take care,

    Cindy

    Good luck to you with chemo!
    Good luck to you with chemo! I didn't take chemo, but, I certainly admire all of you that do and did. You are true warriors!


    Hugs, Megan
  • Huskymac
    Huskymac Member Posts: 12

    Best Wishes!!
    I am hoping that you are through with the first treatment by now. Best wishes and prayers for you. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice

    One Chemo Down
    Such a relief to have started chemo! It went well...the nurses were awesome. Pretty humbling experience seeing all the cancer patients receiving chemo. We all seemed to have a silent understanding! I did well the day of and yesterday...no nausea and felt pretty normal yesterday. The "Truck hit me today" about 2pm. Leg pain came on pretty quick from the Neulasta injection. Ouch! So I am taking care of myself! I thought of all you that told me to hydrate hydrate hydrate...well I did a great job...I think I dragged my chemo pole to the bathroom 10 times during the day. At least, it made me laugh! My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you! We will do this together!!!!! Thanks
    Love to all
  • pgrace35
    pgrace35 Member Posts: 122
    We are now sisters!
    Just remember you are never alone... when things get tough look to us, we are here for you. You will get through this, my prayers and support are with you.