just alittle worried
Tomorrow I start my first chemo. Does everyone worry about the first one or is it all of them?
Comments
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I did not have chemo JUST
I did not have chemo JUST wanted to say HI and I am sure you'll get much info here..
Denise0 -
I didn't "worry" about doing
I didn't "worry" about doing any of my 16 chemos (4 A/C's and 12 Taxol). I wanted to get busy fighting the Monster as soon and as hard as possible.
We are all different as are our 'Monsters'. I'm IBC so all I wanted to do was start fighting as soon as possible - started A/C 17 days after DX.
Susan0 -
Chemo
Every one worries of course. Hopefully you will be lucky and everything will be fine. The staff were lovely where I went, it was very quiet and efficient. I had no problems and was surprised how uneventful it turned out. Did have a port which worked well, sometimes you can get a little sore in that area, if more than that you must tell a member of your team. Fruit candy will counter act the metallic taste. Please drink as much water as you can and eat whatever you think you will enjoy at the time. The days you are hungry eat well and sleep as much as you can. Any questions please ask. The ladies are wonderful on this site. Good luck.0 -
The unknown
The fear of the unknown makes the first one especially horrible. I remember being in the car with my husband and thinking "I don't want to do this" over and over and over and I knew if I said it out loud it would become so real, he'd have had to carry me in kicking and screaming. I know the first nurse I saw that day, Gina, got a "deer in the headlights" look from me, I was terrified, even after I saw others in the room getting treatments and still OK. After the first one, you'll feel much better, not that the rest are necessarily a walk in the park, although they may be, but just because you'll know what to expect.
The center I went to provided EVERYTHING. There were juices, snacks, warmed blankets, heated massage chairs and individual tv's. They also provided iv benadryl, which knocked me out. You'll develop a sense of camradarie (sp?) after a while, seeing the same people there, get to know the nurses and those things will make it better.
Most of all, you're doing what you need to do for yourself and you'll get through it.
Best of luck. Prayers and angels.
marge0 -
The unknown
The fear of the unknown makes the first one especially horrible. I remember being in the car with my husband and thinking "I don't want to do this" over and over and over and I knew if I said it out loud it would become so real, he'd have had to carry me in kicking and screaming. I know the first nurse I saw that day, Gina, got a "deer in the headlights" look from me, I was terrified, even after I saw others in the room getting treatments and still OK. After the first one, you'll feel much better, not that the rest are necessarily a walk in the park, although they may be, but just because you'll know what to expect.
The center I went to provided EVERYTHING. There were juices, snacks, warmed blankets, heated massage chairs and individual tv's. They also provided iv benadryl, which knocked me out. You'll develop a sense of camradarie (sp?) after a while, seeing the same people there, get to know the nurses and those things will make it better.
Most of all, you're doing what you need to do for yourself and you'll get through it.
Best of luck. Prayers and angels.
marge0 -
Not scared, just concerned because of the unknownmwallace1325 said:The unknown
The fear of the unknown makes the first one especially horrible. I remember being in the car with my husband and thinking "I don't want to do this" over and over and over and I knew if I said it out loud it would become so real, he'd have had to carry me in kicking and screaming. I know the first nurse I saw that day, Gina, got a "deer in the headlights" look from me, I was terrified, even after I saw others in the room getting treatments and still OK. After the first one, you'll feel much better, not that the rest are necessarily a walk in the park, although they may be, but just because you'll know what to expect.
The center I went to provided EVERYTHING. There were juices, snacks, warmed blankets, heated massage chairs and individual tv's. They also provided iv benadryl, which knocked me out. You'll develop a sense of camradarie (sp?) after a while, seeing the same people there, get to know the nurses and those things will make it better.
Most of all, you're doing what you need to do for yourself and you'll get through it.
Best of luck. Prayers and angels.
marge
I ended up packing a bag that I took to every treatment - my favorite snacks, juice, ice water (even though all those were provided I wanted "my" favorites from home), my Kindle, MP3 player, mini photo viewer, puzzle book, prayer shawl, cell phone, hard candy. It just became my chemo bag and it was pretty full. Once or twice I even took knitting but usually fell asleep before I got to that. I always had a little pillow along even if I left it inthe car because sometimes they ran out if the schedule was full. There were TVs and there was an area that was a quiet zone with no TVs for those who wanted to read or nap. Sometimes my husband went and got us lunch if my appointment was late morning 'cause it took several hours to drip everything in - anti-nausea meds, steroids, real drugs, saline flush. The nurses were GREAT and celebrate everyone's last treatment with bubbles, music and a special bracelet. Having to go through this sucks, there's no other way to put it, but it beats the alternative and everyone was VERY supportive. Make sure to ask any and all questions, the nurses are the experts and are there to help.0 -
Normal to worry
Hi, as the others have said, it's normal to worry. Although I didn't as I didn't know I was starting my chemo when I did. I thought I was going into the oncs office for an overview of the chemo treatments and to see the area it is done in. I was surprised when blood was drawn and then my onc said I was good to go with chemo. He turned me over to a nurse and she led me to a chair and was ready to begin. I had no one with me and had a 45 mile drive home. I explained everything to the nurse and she offered to reschedule me but I decided to get it over with.
Everything worked out just fine. The only problem I had was I had the mother of all hot flashes on the way home. It was December and I was driving with all the windows down. Otherwise I slept through some, my husband brought subs if it was meal time or I read.
I hope all goes well for you.
Barb0 -
I was
pretty anxious about my first one also. Even after going to a chemo class, I was still really nervous. My first treatment, they were able to give me something with my premeds to help with the anxiety. Maybe something you can talk to them about tomorrow.
You'll find tons of wonderful advise on here and even more support. I can't add much more, except it wasn't as bad as I imagined. Drink lots of water! I have a big chemo bag packed with a blanket, snacks and other goodies. My center has wifi, but I only took my laptop once.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
Hugs,
Debi0 -
Youbetcha I was worried!skipper54 said:Not scared, just concerned because of the unknown
I ended up packing a bag that I took to every treatment - my favorite snacks, juice, ice water (even though all those were provided I wanted "my" favorites from home), my Kindle, MP3 player, mini photo viewer, puzzle book, prayer shawl, cell phone, hard candy. It just became my chemo bag and it was pretty full. Once or twice I even took knitting but usually fell asleep before I got to that. I always had a little pillow along even if I left it inthe car because sometimes they ran out if the schedule was full. There were TVs and there was an area that was a quiet zone with no TVs for those who wanted to read or nap. Sometimes my husband went and got us lunch if my appointment was late morning 'cause it took several hours to drip everything in - anti-nausea meds, steroids, real drugs, saline flush. The nurses were GREAT and celebrate everyone's last treatment with bubbles, music and a special bracelet. Having to go through this sucks, there's no other way to put it, but it beats the alternative and everyone was VERY supportive. Make sure to ask any and all questions, the nurses are the experts and are there to help.
Actually sort of terrified. What worked for me was telling myself that millions of people have chemotherapy every day and I could do it, too. The posts on this board that it was doable gave me strenght because they were so encouraging. I reminded myself that it was not a forever experience and that with each infusion, that would be one less I had to do. I breathed a sigh of relief when the first infusion was over because that was one down and 3 more for me to go. Then the second was halfway, the third only one more, the fourth - done!
If I had to do it again, I would, so it wasn't all that bad and was quite doable.
Good luck to you tomorrow. I hope someone will be with you throughout the ordeal.
Suzanne0 -
Chemodebi.18 said:I was
pretty anxious about my first one also. Even after going to a chemo class, I was still really nervous. My first treatment, they were able to give me something with my premeds to help with the anxiety. Maybe something you can talk to them about tomorrow.
You'll find tons of wonderful advise on here and even more support. I can't add much more, except it wasn't as bad as I imagined. Drink lots of water! I have a big chemo bag packed with a blanket, snacks and other goodies. My center has wifi, but I only took my laptop once.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
Hugs,
Debi
Wow!!i hope everything goes well for you just post when you can and let us know how you feel,I started chemo July 2010 and the pink sisters answered all my questions on why i was feeling this way or that way really a lot of suppotive help here.Just like some have said drink a lot of water to get the chemo flushed out your system keep us posted when you can. and we'll be waiting to hear how your doing. this is a sister hood of ladies that I've never met but i can say i love each and everyone of them. MOLLYZ0 -
My doc prescribed ativan (an
My doc prescribed ativan (an anti-anxiety med) and told me to take it the night before and the morning of my first chemo, as needed after that. It helped a lot with the worries.
Let us know if you have any questions about your chemo or any side effects...there's lots of experience here and we want you to benefit from that.
I hope you're feeling better now that a few days have passed.
Hugs,
Linda0 -
The first chemo was probably
The first chemo was probably the scariest day of my life! It is the unknown and the fact that that was the first step, for me, in my fight last year. My husband went with me and that really helped. After the first it wasn't so bad. You kinda get your groove on what to do, or not do during the infusion and in the days that follow. I marked the days off on the calendar I posted to the cupboard.
All the best,
Cindy0 -
I didn't take chemo but I amdebi.18 said:I was
pretty anxious about my first one also. Even after going to a chemo class, I was still really nervous. My first treatment, they were able to give me something with my premeds to help with the anxiety. Maybe something you can talk to them about tomorrow.
You'll find tons of wonderful advise on here and even more support. I can't add much more, except it wasn't as bad as I imagined. Drink lots of water! I have a big chemo bag packed with a blanket, snacks and other goodies. My center has wifi, but I only took my laptop once.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
Hugs,
Debi
I didn't take chemo but I am sure you are anxious and scared. That is normal for any treatment we go thru with bc.
You'll get lots of support, answers and encouragement from the pink sisters here, so, just ask.
Good luck,
Sue
0 -
Hey sweetie,mamolady said:The first chemo was probably
The first chemo was probably the scariest day of my life! It is the unknown and the fact that that was the first step, for me, in my fight last year. My husband went with me and that really helped. After the first it wasn't so bad. You kinda get your groove on what to do, or not do during the infusion and in the days that follow. I marked the days off on the calendar I posted to the cupboard.
All the best,
Cindy
Sorry I am
Hey sweetie,
Sorry I am reading this late, and by now you've already had your first infusion. The girls gave some great insight and hopefully you found comfort in their stories. After this first week you will find when your good days and bad days will be. Once you know how your body reacts you know what you need to do. We were all scared... and we will also all be here for you when you come back to us. Please keep us updated on your progress..
Hugs,
Lorrie0 -
I didn't have chemobutterflylvr said:Hey sweetie,
Sorry I am
Hey sweetie,
Sorry I am reading this late, and by now you've already had your first infusion. The girls gave some great insight and hopefully you found comfort in their stories. After this first week you will find when your good days and bad days will be. Once you know how your body reacts you know what you need to do. We were all scared... and we will also all be here for you when you come back to us. Please keep us updated on your progress..
Hugs,
Lorrie
I didn't have chemo BUT if I needed it I would've been worried because of all I hear about it.Some people have problems,some don't. But it is needed to combat the Breast Cancer.
If my doctors said I needed it I would want to get started as soon as possible to get the BEAST under control.
Best of luck to you. Wishing you no problems with your chemo treatments.
Lynn Smith0 -
How did your chemo go?butterflylvr said:Hey sweetie,
Sorry I am
Hey sweetie,
Sorry I am reading this late, and by now you've already had your first infusion. The girls gave some great insight and hopefully you found comfort in their stories. After this first week you will find when your good days and bad days will be. Once you know how your body reacts you know what you need to do. We were all scared... and we will also all be here for you when you come back to us. Please keep us updated on your progress..
Hugs,
Lorrie
Sue
How did your chemo go?
Sue 0 -
It is normal to worry asDouble Whammy said:Youbetcha I was worried!
Actually sort of terrified. What worked for me was telling myself that millions of people have chemotherapy every day and I could do it, too. The posts on this board that it was doable gave me strenght because they were so encouraging. I reminded myself that it was not a forever experience and that with each infusion, that would be one less I had to do. I breathed a sigh of relief when the first infusion was over because that was one down and 3 more for me to go. Then the second was halfway, the third only one more, the fourth - done!
If I had to do it again, I would, so it wasn't all that bad and was quite doable.
Good luck to you tomorrow. I hope someone will be with you throughout the ordeal.
Suzanne
It is normal to worry as everyone already wrote to you. I am sending you strength and lots of support that I hope will help you thru your first chemo.
Hugs, Kylez0 -
chemo worry
Yuppers. I had a total of 8 chemo and the last two were actually not so bad. If they give you nausea pills don;t hesitate to take them. I also found that if I ate a lot my chances of nausea were greater. So they aren't kidding when they say smaller but more frequent meals. You will probably get through this fairly well so try not to worry too much as it ain't gonna lessen the problem anyway.0 -
Thinking about you andlaughs_a_lot said:chemo worry
Yuppers. I had a total of 8 chemo and the last two were actually not so bad. If they give you nausea pills don;t hesitate to take them. I also found that if I ate a lot my chances of nausea were greater. So they aren't kidding when they say smaller but more frequent meals. You will probably get through this fairly well so try not to worry too much as it ain't gonna lessen the problem anyway.
Thinking about you and praying your chemo wasn't hard on you.
Hugs,
Angie0
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