Getting ready to start chemo and I am scared

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Comments

  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    luana56 said:

    Scared and ready as well
    Hi,

    I do understand how you feel. Today is your new begining. We are lucky, we can be treated by the most advanced methods available. We are on the road to a full recovery.
    I am in a similar situation and starting my treatment early next week with the same regimen. Catheter and treatment starts the same day. I am very scared myself but I know I will be OK. Nothing ever came easy to me but I am a fighter and never gave up. All this is only temporary for a permament cure. Please keep your spirits up, you WILL BE OK.
    Please let me know how did it go today.

    Best Regards,

    Just wishing you good luck
    Just wishing you good luck luana56 for next week! And yes, you are on the road to recovery!
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    Alexis F said:

    Just wishing you good luck
    Just wishing you good luck luana56 for next week! And yes, you are on the road to recovery!

    Hope your chemo went ok!
    Hope your chemo went ok! Let us know when you feel like it.
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    Kylez said:

    Hope your chemo went ok!
    Hope your chemo went ok! Let us know when you feel like it.

    Softballmom, I read where
    Softballmom, I read where you were getting your chemo yesterday. Everyone is wondering how you are doing. Please post when you feel like it!

    Thanks!

    Susie
  • jojo elizapest
    jojo elizapest Member Posts: 122
    #1 down the tubes
    Hope all went well. I was dx in Feb. and did have the same cocktail at the beginning. I have now had 7 chemo sessions, 3 weeks apart, and have found that by tracking how I am feeling I can still plan and look forward to enjoying the day to day stuff that at the beginning went by the wayside. Watch for and relish the good days...they will be there. I have also learned that it is better to take the electronic cart at Walmart and be able to shop than to 'wait until I am strong enough to walk around', better to shave the head and prepare with a couple of trusty hats and scarves than to wait to wake up with a furry pillow.

    This site is a tremendous resource on what to expect and dealing with side effects, ONCs and well meaning friends and family....Welcome!!
  • faithandprayer
    faithandprayer Member Posts: 177

    #1 down the tubes
    Hope all went well. I was dx in Feb. and did have the same cocktail at the beginning. I have now had 7 chemo sessions, 3 weeks apart, and have found that by tracking how I am feeling I can still plan and look forward to enjoying the day to day stuff that at the beginning went by the wayside. Watch for and relish the good days...they will be there. I have also learned that it is better to take the electronic cart at Walmart and be able to shop than to 'wait until I am strong enough to walk around', better to shave the head and prepare with a couple of trusty hats and scarves than to wait to wake up with a furry pillow.

    This site is a tremendous resource on what to expect and dealing with side effects, ONCs and well meaning friends and family....Welcome!!

    Thinking of You
    Softballmom, I've been looking for this post!
    Yes, I'm with jojo - I hope your first round went okay and that you are not suffering to greatly - when you are up to it, please let us know how you are.

    Thinking of you & sending comfort hugs -
    KC
  • aztec45
    aztec45 Member Posts: 757
    Scared
    I am new to this site but I already feel that I am in good company.

    To those who are starting chemo...I was so scared during my first chemo session my hands would not stop sweating. But once we got started, it wasn't that bad. The port is awesome. My veins tend to roll so it is quite difficult to draw blood or start an IV for me. The port makes drawing blood and administering the chemo drugs easy. The needle stick hurts a bit but the pain passes quickly. They can give you some cream to numb the site.

    Let the nurses know if you experience any funny sensations or start feeling sick or anything during your chemo session. The nurses will take care of it immediately. One of my chemo drugs burned my nose so they had to slow it down and feed me mints.

    Take your nausea meds as prescribed and let them know if they don't work. They may try something different. Drink plenty of water and force yourself to eat. The water flushes the poison out of your body and eating helps keep your strength up as well as build your white blood cells back.

    Just know that you will get through this. It may be hard at times and it disrupts your life beyond belief but this will all pass and you will be healthy, well, and back to normal.

    As for hair loss....my hair is falling out as I am sitting here typing this note. It started earlier this week. The onc nurse warned me I would lose my hair around my second treatment. I had long hair and cut it short. I donated it to Locks for Love. I figured if I was going to lose it, at least someone could get some use out of it. Donating it helped me deal with losing it. It is still a shock and I feel like a big cat shedding my hair everywhere, but I am not quite ready to shave it just yet. I plan to wear some beanie caps vs. a wig. My work environment is too hot for a wig. Winter may bring about a change but we'll see.

    I am very partial to my hair but it will grow back. I would rather have my hair grow back than another tumor.

    Try to keep your chin up. You will get through this. Best of luck to all.

    P
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    aztec45 said:

    Scared
    I am new to this site but I already feel that I am in good company.

    To those who are starting chemo...I was so scared during my first chemo session my hands would not stop sweating. But once we got started, it wasn't that bad. The port is awesome. My veins tend to roll so it is quite difficult to draw blood or start an IV for me. The port makes drawing blood and administering the chemo drugs easy. The needle stick hurts a bit but the pain passes quickly. They can give you some cream to numb the site.

    Let the nurses know if you experience any funny sensations or start feeling sick or anything during your chemo session. The nurses will take care of it immediately. One of my chemo drugs burned my nose so they had to slow it down and feed me mints.

    Take your nausea meds as prescribed and let them know if they don't work. They may try something different. Drink plenty of water and force yourself to eat. The water flushes the poison out of your body and eating helps keep your strength up as well as build your white blood cells back.

    Just know that you will get through this. It may be hard at times and it disrupts your life beyond belief but this will all pass and you will be healthy, well, and back to normal.

    As for hair loss....my hair is falling out as I am sitting here typing this note. It started earlier this week. The onc nurse warned me I would lose my hair around my second treatment. I had long hair and cut it short. I donated it to Locks for Love. I figured if I was going to lose it, at least someone could get some use out of it. Donating it helped me deal with losing it. It is still a shock and I feel like a big cat shedding my hair everywhere, but I am not quite ready to shave it just yet. I plan to wear some beanie caps vs. a wig. My work environment is too hot for a wig. Winter may bring about a change but we'll see.

    I am very partial to my hair but it will grow back. I would rather have my hair grow back than another tumor.

    Try to keep your chin up. You will get through this. Best of luck to all.

    P

    Softballmom, looks like we
    Softballmom, looks like we are all getting worried about you. Please post if you can and let us know how you are doing!

    Hugs,

    Kristin
  • SoftBallMom2
    SoftBallMom2 Member Posts: 56 Member
    Kristin N said:

    Softballmom, looks like we
    Softballmom, looks like we are all getting worried about you. Please post if you can and let us know how you are doing!

    Hugs,

    Kristin

    Hey Guys! Today is the first
    Hey Guys! Today is the first day that I have felt like getting on here. I had an allergic reaction to the nausea medicine I received. On sat. my jaw got all twisted up and I could not swallow. My jaws hurt so bad. Couldn't talk. I was really scared. My husband had to take me to the emergency room. They gave me a bunch of benadryl and lots of fluids. I was so sick. Today is the first day I have been out of bed. I told my husband if this is how it is going to be that I know I am not going to make it. Hopefully, next time will be better. I have had diarrhea for 2 days. But today I am finally starting to bounce back. Just really weak. I want to thank everybody who wrote and was worried about me. It really means alot to me that you all care. I will keep you updated. Is the first time usually the worst?
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565

    Hey Guys! Today is the first
    Hey Guys! Today is the first day that I have felt like getting on here. I had an allergic reaction to the nausea medicine I received. On sat. my jaw got all twisted up and I could not swallow. My jaws hurt so bad. Couldn't talk. I was really scared. My husband had to take me to the emergency room. They gave me a bunch of benadryl and lots of fluids. I was so sick. Today is the first day I have been out of bed. I told my husband if this is how it is going to be that I know I am not going to make it. Hopefully, next time will be better. I have had diarrhea for 2 days. But today I am finally starting to bounce back. Just really weak. I want to thank everybody who wrote and was worried about me. It really means alot to me that you all care. I will keep you updated. Is the first time usually the worst?

    Wow,
    sorry that you got such bad reactions to your first chemo! Let your onc know if you havn't already,and hopefully he/she can do something for you so your next round isn't so rough. Don't give up the ship yet!!
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member

    Hey Guys! Today is the first
    Hey Guys! Today is the first day that I have felt like getting on here. I had an allergic reaction to the nausea medicine I received. On sat. my jaw got all twisted up and I could not swallow. My jaws hurt so bad. Couldn't talk. I was really scared. My husband had to take me to the emergency room. They gave me a bunch of benadryl and lots of fluids. I was so sick. Today is the first day I have been out of bed. I told my husband if this is how it is going to be that I know I am not going to make it. Hopefully, next time will be better. I have had diarrhea for 2 days. But today I am finally starting to bounce back. Just really weak. I want to thank everybody who wrote and was worried about me. It really means alot to me that you all care. I will keep you updated. Is the first time usually the worst?

    SBM2
    yes, the first is usually the worst. My friend was ready to quit after the first one, but she is now on number 5 and doing better each time. It was pretty much the same for me, but sorry that yours was so bad. It can only bet better now. Hope you feel better soon
    Cat
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188

    Hey Guys! Today is the first
    Hey Guys! Today is the first day that I have felt like getting on here. I had an allergic reaction to the nausea medicine I received. On sat. my jaw got all twisted up and I could not swallow. My jaws hurt so bad. Couldn't talk. I was really scared. My husband had to take me to the emergency room. They gave me a bunch of benadryl and lots of fluids. I was so sick. Today is the first day I have been out of bed. I told my husband if this is how it is going to be that I know I am not going to make it. Hopefully, next time will be better. I have had diarrhea for 2 days. But today I am finally starting to bounce back. Just really weak. I want to thank everybody who wrote and was worried about me. It really means alot to me that you all care. I will keep you updated. Is the first time usually the worst?

    SBM!!!!!
    You made it!!! Sorry for what you had to go through. I hope you continue to feel better each day. Glad you posted. Now rest (my favorite verb!!) and take it easy and we'll understand if your not up to posting. :) Pammy
  • tjhay
    tjhay Member Posts: 655
    Akiss4me said:

    SBM!!!!!
    You made it!!! Sorry for what you had to go through. I hope you continue to feel better each day. Glad you posted. Now rest (my favorite verb!!) and take it easy and we'll understand if your not up to posting. :) Pammy

    SBM2
    I am so sorry that you had a bad time, it will get better. Thank you for checking in, we have been very worried about you
    sending hugs your way
    tjhay
  • aztec45
    aztec45 Member Posts: 757

    Hey Guys! Today is the first
    Hey Guys! Today is the first day that I have felt like getting on here. I had an allergic reaction to the nausea medicine I received. On sat. my jaw got all twisted up and I could not swallow. My jaws hurt so bad. Couldn't talk. I was really scared. My husband had to take me to the emergency room. They gave me a bunch of benadryl and lots of fluids. I was so sick. Today is the first day I have been out of bed. I told my husband if this is how it is going to be that I know I am not going to make it. Hopefully, next time will be better. I have had diarrhea for 2 days. But today I am finally starting to bounce back. Just really weak. I want to thank everybody who wrote and was worried about me. It really means alot to me that you all care. I will keep you updated. Is the first time usually the worst?

    Sorry but Glad
    Sorry to hear things were so rough for you during Round 1. But I am glad to hear you made it and you are back on the site. Like everyone has said, make sure you tell your Doc so they can stop this next session. I have had diarrhea a lot myself. Try taking some Ammonium AD. That will help slow it down.

    Take care.

    P
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    aztec45 said:

    Sorry but Glad
    Sorry to hear things were so rough for you during Round 1. But I am glad to hear you made it and you are back on the site. Like everyone has said, make sure you tell your Doc so they can stop this next session. I have had diarrhea a lot myself. Try taking some Ammonium AD. That will help slow it down.

    Take care.

    P

    I just wanted to let you
    I just wanted to let you know that I too am keeping you in my thougts.. hang in there and know that we are all here for you...

    Hugs to you my friend.
    ~T
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    taleena said:

    I just wanted to let you
    I just wanted to let you know that I too am keeping you in my thougts.. hang in there and know that we are all here for you...

    Hugs to you my friend.
    ~T

    Sorry
    So sorry to hear that your first treatment was so hard on you. I do pray that they become easier.

    Hang in there, there is an end to the chemo!

    Love, Jeanne
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member

    Wow,
    sorry that you got such bad reactions to your first chemo! Let your onc know if you havn't already,and hopefully he/she can do something for you so your next round isn't so rough. Don't give up the ship yet!!

    Sorry that you had a bad
    Sorry that you had a bad reaction to chemo. I will pray that it will get easier for you.

    Let us know how you are doing!

    Hugs, Diane
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    tjhay said:

    SBM2
    I am so sorry that you had a bad time, it will get better. Thank you for checking in, we have been very worried about you
    sending hugs your way
    tjhay

    So sorry. I will be praying
    So sorry. I will be praying and thinking of you.

    Hugs, Kylez
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    Jeanne D said:

    Sorry
    So sorry to hear that your first treatment was so hard on you. I do pray that they become easier.

    Hang in there, there is an end to the chemo!

    Love, Jeanne

    Sorry your first one was so
    Sorry your first one was so bad. Think positive that the worst is behind you now.

    The rest will be a lot better.

    Hugs, Lex