Does chemo effect your driving?

Ginger7286

I will have my first of 4 meetings with the "red devil" on Thursday. I have many friends who have offered to take me to my chemo treatment, but I would really rather go alone. I can't explain my desire for that, but I really do just want to be left alone, at least for the first one. My Onc has told me my first treatment will take about 4-5 hours because they want to monitor me continually and make sure I am not one of the few who has a bad reaction. I really do not want someone to sit next to me and fell like they have to entertain me for that duration. I am going to read or sleep if I can. My Onc never said I couldn't drive myself. Anyone else ever had my feelings? Has anyone else ever driven themselves to and from their chemo without problems? Thanks

Joycelouise

I could drive myself to the
I could drive myself to the A/C chemos. For the hours after chemo, it will not be the chemo drugs in your body that will be a problem. They take a little while to do their mischief. However, with Taxol, I was given benadryl to help with avoiding allergic reactions and that put me to sleep. Definitely affected my driving trustworthiness. Also, with taxol, I took a bunch of decadron which had me hyped up, another problem. My dear husband sat with me through the first one, but after that he would drop me off and pick me up again. (sometimes I sent him to the cafeteria to bring me a sandwich for later). That is how I wanted it. I didn't want to have to be responsible for his feelings at a time when I was dealing with mine. So, yes, I understand. I also enjoyed, sometimes, talking to the people next to me and to the nurses and volunteers. And I liked reading all the great magazines there too.
That is just my experience. Since we all have such different experiences, and you do not yet know what yours will be, maybe just arrange to be dropped off and picked up till you get things sorted out. Explain it nicely to those who love you. But bravo to you for going with your gut on how best to get the care, in the way, that you need it. I'll bet you are going to be just fine..love, Joyce

Eil4186

I also had Adriamycin, I
I also had Adriamycin, I assume that is the red devil that you are referring to. However I had Cytoxan at the same time through an IV drip and the adriamycin was administered through an IV "push". The Cytoxan took only about 2 hours and the push only took about 15-20 minutes. So I am surprised that your dose of adriamycin will take so long.

I can understand that you really just want to be alone with your thoughts during your first treatment. There are a lot of emotions to sort out during this time. My first treatment was ok and I did not feel nauseaus till I got home. With Adriamycin I found, however, the side effects increased with each infusion. Starting with the second one, I started to feel a bit unwell as soon as the chemicals began dripping into my vein. It was not awful, but I definitely was very relieved to have my sister or husband there to drive me home so I could just lay back and rest on the way home.

If you have someone available to come with you, it probably would be a good idea to take them up on it. Think about it. Good luck, Eil

kbc4869

Driving
Hi Ginger -- I drove myself to and from every chemo, which was my choice. I did the Red Devil regimen, too. Never had any problems.

xoxo,
Kim

KathiM

Best of both worlds....
I felt the same as you, my dear, but when I started my chemo for breast cancer, I had just finished chemo for colon cancer 6 months earlier. And I WAS one of those who reacted to everthing. So, they were more concerned about the anti-nausea pre-meds and me driving than the actual chemo itself.

The solution? I had a friend drop me off, and go back to work. When I was done (which could take up to 6 hours for me...they went REALLY slow), I would call and she would pick me up and drive me home. She DID stay for a bit the first time, just to make sure I was OK (she's a BC survivor, too, and had been with me thru the colon cancer treatment when my beau was in Holland after his father died). But after making sure things were OK, she left...I was sleeping anyway. And the nurses had her phone number, just in case...

You might consider this solution....at least for the first time...until you find out how you react.

One other thing...another friend, who took me to a doctor's appt, replied to my continual "Thank you's" "You know, Kathi, there are those of us who really, really WANT to help, somehow it makes us feel better in all of this craziness...so look at it when you need us, that you are actually doing US a favor by asking". It made me feel comfortable about asking for help all the rest of the way thru....

Hugs, Kathi

Ginger7286

Driving
Thanks all, you don't know how I loved your responses. Venturing into uncharted territory is easier when someone has been near to where you are about to be. My Onc has given me the anti-nausea drugs and I have stocked up on high protien, weight-gaining foods along with fluids. I even have the peppermint candies, the Lemon drops and plastic ware for that nice metal taste I have to look forward to. Oh yea and a beautiful wig (courtesy of the ACS) to replace my gorgeous locks when they fall out. At least I'll save money on razor blades for a while.

NorcalJ

Ginger7286 said:

Driving
Thanks all, you don't know how I loved your responses. Venturing into uncharted territory is easier when someone has been near to where you are about to be. My Onc has given me the anti-nausea drugs and I have stocked up on high protien, weight-gaining foods along with fluids. I even have the peppermint candies, the Lemon drops and plastic ware for that nice metal taste I have to look forward to. Oh yea and a beautiful wig (courtesy of the ACS) to replace my gorgeous locks when they fall out. At least I'll save money on razor blades for a while.

A/C
Hi Ginger,

I'm just finishing Taxol after doing A/C. For the A/C my husband would come and be uncomfortable and bored most of the time. Since Taxol takes even longer, he drops me off and is free to run some errands. Since we live about 45min to an hour away, I call him when I'm at an hour until completion. It's worked really well. Then I'm free to sleep, read, etc. and only be responsible for myself. I understand perfectly and this is YOUR time to concentrate just on you.

With the "Red Devil" I didn't get nauseated until a couple of hours after the first infusion. I think I was pretty distracted by the whole process and might not have been the best driver. After #1 infusion, the nausea wasn't as bad since I also got all the meds---I'm like the Girl Scout---be prepared. I found eating a little protein when I had some nausea really helped, even if it didn't sound good. I got some slice turkey, but a friend ate sliced ham frequently.

Do what you need to do for you!!!

mmontero38

Ginger7286 said:

Driving
Thanks all, you don't know how I loved your responses. Venturing into uncharted territory is easier when someone has been near to where you are about to be. My Onc has given me the anti-nausea drugs and I have stocked up on high protien, weight-gaining foods along with fluids. I even have the peppermint candies, the Lemon drops and plastic ware for that nice metal taste I have to look forward to. Oh yea and a beautiful wig (courtesy of the ACS) to replace my gorgeous locks when they fall out. At least I'll save money on razor blades for a while.

Great outlook Ginger
That's the spirit Ginger. Stay positive. The bright side is you won't need to shave, that means no more nicks or bloody legs. LOL.
Truthfully, I would have someone drive me to the oncologist. I didn't have problems, but there were some ladies there that really got sick and couldn't drive. Just have someone drop you off then pick you up when you're done. You don't know how your body will react to the treatment. Good luck to you. Hugs, Lili

zahalene

KathiM said:

Best of both worlds....
I felt the same as you, my dear, but when I started my chemo for breast cancer, I had just finished chemo for colon cancer 6 months earlier. And I WAS one of those who reacted to everthing. So, they were more concerned about the anti-nausea pre-meds and me driving than the actual chemo itself.

The solution? I had a friend drop me off, and go back to work. When I was done (which could take up to 6 hours for me...they went REALLY slow), I would call and she would pick me up and drive me home. She DID stay for a bit the first time, just to make sure I was OK (she's a BC survivor, too, and had been with me thru the colon cancer treatment when my beau was in Holland after his father died). But after making sure things were OK, she left...I was sleeping anyway. And the nurses had her phone number, just in case...

You might consider this solution....at least for the first time...until you find out how you react.

One other thing...another friend, who took me to a doctor's appt, replied to my continual "Thank you's" "You know, Kathi, there are those of us who really, really WANT to help, somehow it makes us feel better in all of this craziness...so look at it when you need us, that you are actually doing US a favor by asking". It made me feel comfortable about asking for help all the rest of the way thru....

Hugs, Kathi

Something to remember
Kathi, what a wonderful thing to have your friend tell you.
There is nothing worse than feeling helpless and wanting to help but not knowing what to do, or being afraid of doing the wrong thing.
We all need help at some time, and if we could just remember that we are blessing others as well as receiving a blessing when we ask for help, I think the 'pay it forward' principle would work wonders for all of mankind.

CR1954

In my case...
I have a family member take me for chemo. The real reason for it is that I have so many people who want very much to "do something" for me, and it is one way in which they can help. Once there, it's up to them whether they want to stay, or go & do something until I am finished.

I also got a lovely wig from the ACS. I also have a few scarves an a couple of warm hats...getting chilly here. I had my head shaved this morning, as my second infusion is tomorrow. I didn't feel a bit badly about it, in fact, it felt rather liberating for some reason.

I have decided that if I must go through all of this, I am going to simply make the best of it, and approach what I can with a sense of humor. For example, my grandkids will see my new buzz tonight and when they start giggling, I plan to join in!

CR