Battle commences

Good Morning Ladies,

Just throught I would share as I wait for my daughter to take me to HUP. Today I start my first round of chemo, carboplatin and taxil for UPSC. I am scared but determined to fight the best fight I know how!

As Jan seems to be popular name on these boards, I am going to end my posts from now on with my nickname,

MinnieJan

Comments

  • RGK
    RGK Member Posts: 20
    It's something to mark, that
    It's something to mark, that first chemo. I was scared out of my mind, but it ended up being a very calm day. I felt well taken care of. I remember going out to dinner that night, feeling celebratory. Thoughts, wishes, prayers to you, Minniejan!
    Reg
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    RGK said:

    It's something to mark, that
    It's something to mark, that first chemo. I was scared out of my mind, but it ended up being a very calm day. I felt well taken care of. I remember going out to dinner that night, feeling celebratory. Thoughts, wishes, prayers to you, Minniejan!
    Reg

    It's not bad!
    Minnijan,

    I had the same protocol and will tell you yes it's scary on the first round, as it's all unknown territory. I'd say the worst part for me, not having a Power Port. That came 2 weeks after the first chemo...best thing I did was get the device implanted.

    You'll be fine, just breathe in deep and try to be calm. Brings some reading or something to keep yourself occupied.

    Come back and let us know how it went....

    Jan
    ((( hugs )))
  • paris11
    paris11 Member Posts: 159
    jazzy1 said:

    It's not bad!
    Minnijan,

    I had the same protocol and will tell you yes it's scary on the first round, as it's all unknown territory. I'd say the worst part for me, not having a Power Port. That came 2 weeks after the first chemo...best thing I did was get the device implanted.

    You'll be fine, just breathe in deep and try to be calm. Brings some reading or something to keep yourself occupied.

    Come back and let us know how it went....

    Jan
    ((( hugs )))

    Good morning, Minnijan
    The unknown is often intimidating. But, you are being cared for at an outstanding medical center. Your medical team is exceptional and all the MDs and nurses are experienced and they will be there for you.
    Chemo is a challenge, but I am certain that your treatment will be successful. I am 73 and I have had carbo/taxol twice now and I am quite fine. You will be too.
    Best of luck,
    Starfish
  • Sara Zipora
    Sara Zipora Member Posts: 231
    Battle Commences
    Just finished my first ( and last, I hope) Chemo just like yours. A friend gave me a PolarTech blanket with my name embroidered on it and I highly recommend it for drafts and just as Your own piece of warmth and cuddliness. A bold color will help you not leave it behind accidentally. I also took a power strip along, to charge my phone and computer while there.

    I definitely second the Port implant, it is a life send, making taking the bloods and getting Chemo no big deal. I am small and my doc advised a child's port. It is smaller than an adult flush port, and really is not bulgy in the least.

    All the best and we're here for you as you will be for the nest 'freshman'.

    P.s. An mp3 player with your favorite songs is a help. There is some research, can't remember where I saw it, that Marching Band music raises the spirits of cardiac patients. So of course I bought The Music Man cd especially enjoyed,76 Trombones and Sousa CDs.

    Good luck,

    Sara
  • upsofloating
    upsofloating Member Posts: 466 Member
    Yes it's a countdown -
    Yes it's a countdown - that's how how mine was. I did get rather fixated on planned start/finish dates. But later I found it was best to be prepared for possible glitches along the way if counts don't meet parameters for chemo approval. I did manage to get thru on schedule with Neulasta shots toward the end to ensure white counts high enough. Only mention this as I never considered it in my planning for how treatment would progress. I guess I needed to have a defined plan of attack, 'battle' with end date in mind :-)
    The battle isn't fun but you can do it!
    Annie
  • Domina
    Domina Member Posts: 62
    Battle Commences
    I do not have any insight or experience w/chemo or radiation but I am an endometrial cancer survivor being Dx on 12/21/10 & surgery on 1/12/11.
    Even so I wish you the best, easy treatments, renewed health & strength & a fast recovery. God bless & try to stay calm, you will get through!
  • Domina
    Domina Member Posts: 62
    Battle Commences
    Erased due to duplicate
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    Domina said:

    Battle Commences
    I do not have any insight or experience w/chemo or radiation but I am an endometrial cancer survivor being Dx on 12/21/10 & surgery on 1/12/11.
    Even so I wish you the best, easy treatments, renewed health & strength & a fast recovery. God bless & try to stay calm, you will get through!

    Hang in there, minnie
    I know what you are going through. I started my journey 2.5 years ago. I was in tears alot during initial treatment despite the fact I responded and felt well enough to work. However the whole C thing is very anxiety producing.

    I have learned - the hard way, I guess. That "things will work out" (a friend told me that about another upsetting situation I had - and she was SO RIGHT). I try to apply that thinking to most troublesome events as they occur.

    My advice: Once you decide on a treatment, trust your docs and other healthcare people, and let things unfold. Try to be patient (one of the hardest things). Be good to yourself but also push yourself to "participate in your wellness" by getting ample rest, EXERCISE, good diet, and de-stress as much as possible through distraction, meditation, etc.

    Wishing you many blessings, Mary Ann
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    MinniJan:
    I hope all went

    MinniJan:

    I hope all went well for you on your first day of treatment. Getting that first one out of the way will really help you. My best to you.

    Kathy
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    Kaleena said:

    MinniJan:
    I hope all went

    MinniJan:

    I hope all went well for you on your first day of treatment. Getting that first one out of the way will really help you. My best to you.

    Kathy

    Hope it was uneventful
    Now you know what to expect which I think is the biggest anxiety producer. I didn't have chemo for endo cancer, but I had it for breast cancer and it's simply a scarey experience. I wish you few side effects.

    Suzanne