1st chemo coming up and scared

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  • newbiefromcananda
    newbiefromcananda Member Posts: 234
    #22
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    carkris said:

    This is my second primary 15
    This is my second primary 15 years apart. I have pulled into this kicking and screaming. Iasked my onc for an ativan prescription, when i found the area, I just know me. I dont overuse it but if I need I take it. You have been through much already so the infusion will not be any worse, then you will find how you as an individual react to it and make accomodations. At the same time you will have had one in the books. lots of suggestions here and people who have experienced side effects. everyone is different. I had very little bone pain, etc... but had other things. What are you receiving if you dont mind my asking?

    I will be getting FEC,
    I will be getting FEC, docitaxel and herceptin... (I am in Canada) it seems to be abut different here... thanks evryone xxxooo
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #23
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    newbiefromcananda said:

    I will be getting FEC,
    I will be getting FEC, docitaxel and herceptin... (I am in Canada) it seems to be abut different here... thanks evryone xxxooo

    Hi again
    I was so scared before my first chemo that I didn't REALLY make up my mind to do it until the morning of. What a wuss... 'Eh? I happened to click onto a film a couple of days before and I think it was Julia Roberts taking care of a young man with cancer, he was so ill and pale and sick I just couldn't watch. Anyway the reality was an anticlimax (thank goodness) The only side effects I got from the "red devil" FEC was that straight after your urine is red and I got hives for two days.. no sickness at all!
    I wish you only the best, the anticipation is FAR worse than the reality. Huge hug.. Fellow Canadian

    Jxxxxx
  • newbiefromcananda
    newbiefromcananda Member Posts: 234
    #24
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    tasha_111 said:

    Hi again
    I was so scared before my first chemo that I didn't REALLY make up my mind to do it until the morning of. What a wuss... 'Eh? I happened to click onto a film a couple of days before and I think it was Julia Roberts taking care of a young man with cancer, he was so ill and pale and sick I just couldn't watch. Anyway the reality was an anticlimax (thank goodness) The only side effects I got from the "red devil" FEC was that straight after your urine is red and I got hives for two days.. no sickness at all!
    I wish you only the best, the anticipation is FAR worse than the reality. Huge hug.. Fellow Canadian

    Jxxxxx

    hi tasha where do you live I
    hi tasha where do you live I am in Sudbury, What were you taking? Fec then doxcitacel?? that is wha I will be on (and herceptin) thanks for the positives of chemo :) Lisa
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #25
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    newbiefromcananda said:

    hi tasha where do you live I
    hi tasha where do you live I am in Sudbury, What were you taking? Fec then doxcitacel?? that is wha I will be on (and herceptin) thanks for the positives of chemo :) Lisa

    Hi there
    I am in Ontario near Niagara Falls, A lovely little town called Port Colborne... I had 3 rounds of FEC then 3 x Taxotare... that tax was worst first time, then it got better. I guess they are all pretty much alike, Tax, is a derivitive of Taxus..Yew Trees, yeah you can guess i am a horticulturalist.. LOL I can bore anyone to death at 100 yards with my latin.
    Hey Sudbury isn't that far! I

    I didn't have to have the herceptin so I can't help with THAT one!... But I had, op, chemo and rads. Anything I can help with I will be only too pleased. I was 46 when Diagnosed, nearly 2 years ago.

    You will sail through this.... You have a great attitude, and the worst part of all of this is losing your hair, it grows back, mine is a mess now after 3 haircuts at $20 a time! I'm going back to cutting it myself!

    Anyway I am on Tamoxifen now and probably will be for the next year .. THEY want to be sure they have got me past menopause before they swap me onto something nicer....fingers crossed!

    Any who Good luck, it WILL be easier than you think AND once you get started you won't believe how quickly time flies!

    Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    #26
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    Chemo scare
    I was lucky and didn't have to many compliants. Tired, achey esp after 2nd dosing. I was on AC/Cytoxen. Went through Herceptin/Taxol. All's well. Worked and only missed one day. I work in surgery and I guess it kept my mind busy. Very tired at the end of the day. So I took a nap when I got home.
    I was like you, terrified. I thought maybe my head would explode, but it's still there.
    Think I lost a few brain cells! I don't have support system here. Just moved to NM, and fam back in TX. Have my husband, but he was more scared than me. Poor guy. Ur a nurse, right? It's the lose of control. It's that way for alot of people, but w nurses we have to be in control or we miss things w our pts. right? Ask questions no matter what they are, no matter how small. This site is wonderful for that also. You will do fine and survive.
    I had a stupid saying, they thought I was a little bit off... "I like chemo, it makes me strong and it likes me." Dumb, but it helped my mind. good luck and take enterainment and a favorite snack and reading material. I like my IPOD, helps me relax. I'm a headbanger of sorts. Go figure how that helps relaxation. Will be thinking of you. Peaceful thoughts : )
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #27
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    Katz77 said:

    Chemo scare
    I was lucky and didn't have to many compliants. Tired, achey esp after 2nd dosing. I was on AC/Cytoxen. Went through Herceptin/Taxol. All's well. Worked and only missed one day. I work in surgery and I guess it kept my mind busy. Very tired at the end of the day. So I took a nap when I got home.
    I was like you, terrified. I thought maybe my head would explode, but it's still there.
    Think I lost a few brain cells! I don't have support system here. Just moved to NM, and fam back in TX. Have my husband, but he was more scared than me. Poor guy. Ur a nurse, right? It's the lose of control. It's that way for alot of people, but w nurses we have to be in control or we miss things w our pts. right? Ask questions no matter what they are, no matter how small. This site is wonderful for that also. You will do fine and survive.
    I had a stupid saying, they thought I was a little bit off... "I like chemo, it makes me strong and it likes me." Dumb, but it helped my mind. good luck and take enterainment and a favorite snack and reading material. I like my IPOD, helps me relax. I'm a headbanger of sorts. Go figure how that helps relaxation. Will be thinking of you. Peaceful thoughts : )

    I so remember last July how
    I so remember last July how scared I was to have chemo. I just finished chemo last week. I still have to continue with the herceptin and have to do 6 weeks of rads. The chemo was not as bad as I thought it would be. Just take the nausea meds, eat something before you go or bring food with. Bring a chemo buddy with and something to do. Hang in there, you will get through this.
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #28
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    Kat11 said:

    I so remember last July how
    I so remember last July how scared I was to have chemo. I just finished chemo last week. I still have to continue with the herceptin and have to do 6 weeks of rads. The chemo was not as bad as I thought it would be. Just take the nausea meds, eat something before you go or bring food with. Bring a chemo buddy with and something to do. Hang in there, you will get through this.

    I remember that feeling so well...
    It's so scary. Think about me on Wed, cuz I'll be getting my 7th treatment at the same time you will. Let's hold hands, from Florida to Canada. The first chemo was not so bad. Just baby yourself afterward and try to keep crackers, apple pieces, soup, bananas, and any other comfort foods around to munch CONSTANTLY! If you let your tummy get empty the nausea sets in. Good luck. I'll be praying and thinking of you on Wed.
    God bless,
    L
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
    #29
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    Hi Lisa
    I remember how scared I was with my first chemo but the infusion itself really wasnt much of an issue. THe staff is really caring and they explain everything to you. Its hard when you dont know how you will react to it and all, that is true. Just be sure to drink lots of liquids, about 8 to 10 glasses of fluids...popsciles and jello count as liquids. Its ok to rest and try to eat small and often.

    Hang in there and let us know what chemo cocktail you will be getting.

    Hugs
    Linda t

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