1st Chemo Today, 9/9, at 10a EDT

PatB01
PatB01 Member Posts: 20
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Ladies,

As I'm sure you can imagine, my last week before starting chemo today has been crazy full of tests, MD appts, dentist appt, shopping/errands, and the like -- but I think I am as ready as I will every be. As you all have said, until I get thru this first one, I really won't know what to expect longer term. Right now I am trying to stay up late enough so that I'll be tired enough to sleep during much of the process! They said to allow 5.5 hours, so I figure I'll need plenty to do while there (reading, Suduko, sleep, should do it).

I pray I am one of the luckier ones, with minimal side effects. Guess I will be finding out REAL soon. Between the anti-anxiety med and prayers, I am finally getting some peace about this -- or at least, getting the fear into a manageable state.

I also got a Caring Bridge site setup over the weekend. I had quite a few friends recommend it. Looks like it will be a nice way to keep family and friends up to date. And the Guest Book is wonderful. I assume many of you already use it, or have tried it.

Well, that's it for now. After tomorrow, I should have lots more meaningful and potentially helpful info.

Thank you for earlier help (found things I needed at several sites you recommended), and your prayers -- for peace, no complications, God's holy spirit and angels guiding the med. team, minimal side effects, rapid recovery, and that the med will quickly find and kill off any cancer cells that remain.

Blessings to you too,
Pat (newbie from Tampa)

Comments

  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    Pat--my prayers and positive energy are being sent
    your way. Hoping that you sail through this part of the journey with minimal side effects--as I did. As everyone has already probably told you, drink tons of water, rest when you need to and let people help you and nurture you.

    You will do fine and soon be on the other side.

    Hugs, Renee
  • Marsha Mulvey
    Marsha Mulvey Member Posts: 597 Member
    Pat
    My clock just rolled over to 12:01, so today's the day for your treatments to begin. I read where you declined chemo the first time (with good reason). Let me say to you what I've said many other times: I couldn't have surgery after my diagnosis, thus I was totally dependant on chemo. So...the day it started I found strength and hope - I became the aggressor in this battle, I was on the attack. Hope it gives you that same feeling. Wishing you the best.

    Marsha

    P.S. Glad to see I'm not the only one awake tonight! lol
  • Snowkitty
    Snowkitty Member Posts: 295
    Wishing you the best. Don't
    Wishing you the best. Don't forget to take a little lunch and something warm like a sweater, although they will probably have snacks and blankets. They will give you benedryl so you probably will be able to sleep. After today...one down.

    Take care,
    Cindy
  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
    good luck today
    Pat, you sound like you are well prepared for the start of this journey. Take a sweater...they keep the a/c down low in infusion rooms usually. If you get tired of reading....or staying up late to sleep during your sessions...consider taking a portable DVD player and watch a movie. I usually watched at least one comedy movie, read a little, dozed a bit. I will pray that your side effects are minimal and all the meds work......you will do fine, lots of hugs sent your way
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    Morning Pat
    Well today is the day. Good luck, I will be thinking of you. My prayers are always with you. We will all be with you today. You sound like you are as prepared as you can be. Let us know how it goes. Take care Kay
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    Hi Pat I'm sending you
    Hi Pat I'm sending you prayers and Holy spirit peace. The first one is by far the scariest, because we have the fear of the unkown. all us chemo gals can tell you that this is doable. It's no cake walk but doable and you will do. I'm praying you have minimal if no side effects. Hugs and prayers are with you today. God bless on this step of the journey.
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    Good luck today Pat :)
    Good luck today Pat :) Hoping you have minimal side effects & can rest and relax afterwards. Please let us know how it went when you're feeling up to it!
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138

    Good luck today Pat :)
    Good luck today Pat :) Hoping you have minimal side effects & can rest and relax afterwards. Please let us know how it went when you're feeling up to it!
    *hugs*
    Heather

    The first one is definitely
    The first one is definitely the worst because you do not know what to expect. I will be praying for you for peace from God and no side effects! God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    Hi Pat,
    We will be thinking of you today. Hope all goes well. Sending you prayers & hugs. Let us know how you make out. Hugs, Jean
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    Jean 0609 said:

    Hi Pat,
    We will be thinking of you today. Hope all goes well. Sending you prayers & hugs. Let us know how you make out. Hugs, Jean

    Pat, Good luck and Peace and Strength be with you
    today during your first chemo. Ask questions, and keep warm - bring a pair of socks if you remember.


    Strength and Courage:

    Vicki Sam
  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    You're probably about half way done
    Pat, hopefully it's going even better than anyone would have hoped for. My prayers are with you.

    marge
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631

    You're probably about half way done
    Pat, hopefully it's going even better than anyone would have hoped for. My prayers are with you.

    marge

    Pat
    I hope all went well today with your first chemo treatment. The first time is time consuming but the others go smoothly in about 1/2 the time. Will wait to hear how you made out.....
    {{hugs}} Char
  • missingtexas
    missingtexas Member Posts: 146
    Hugs!!!
    Wishing you very little side effects! Lots of positive energy coming your way! :)
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member

    Hugs!!!
    Wishing you very little side effects! Lots of positive energy coming your way! :)

    wishing you the best. let us
    wishing you the best. let us know. I had warm clothes and my Ipod. it helped me block everything out. I slept a bit too. fingers and toes crossed for minimal or no s/e!!!