Thanks

calvertcrafts

Sorry i didn't say thanks sooner but I was out of town for a few days. Chemo starts tomorrow and I'm very nerveous. I took my steroids so far today, but I'm shaking inside. Did anyone take someone with them the first time? My husband has to work so a neighbor is taking me, but I keep thinking I'd rather go alone incase I don't do too well. I don't deal well with accepting help from people as I'm usually the helper not the "helpee".

TraciInLA

I'm glad I didn't go to chemo alone
When I started chemo, I told my girlfriend she should just bring me and get me settled, then go run errands or something, since I would just be sitting there getting an IV, what did I need someone there for? She insisted on staying the whole time, and I ended up being very glad she did.

Because I didn't have a port, the IV was in my hand, so I was kind of one-handed. So it was very helpful to have her just to unscrew water bottle tops, hand me things, etc. Also, I discovered that I couldn't maneuver the infusion cart thingie over door jams one-handed, so she pushed it for me on my "field trips" to the bathroom (of which there were many, as they pumped me full of saline).

I know there are other women on this site who preferred to be alone. It was just my experience that it was really helpful to have someone there with me. I would suggest that you let your neighbor sit with you the first time, just until you see how you feel about it, and how it goes for you.

Traci

mimivac

The first one
I think it's good to have someone there the first time. Can your husband take off of work for a few hours? My husband would bring his laptop and work from the infusion room on my chemo days. The nurses will talk to you and give you advice on how to handle side effects, etc. Another person will also be an extra ear to catch things you didn't hear or pay attention to. Good luck tomorrow. You'll do fine. Go out for dinner tonight or do something like a movie. It helped me to take my mind off things.

Mimi

MyTurnNow

My daughter went with me the
My daughter went with me the first time. It was just as helpful for her and it was for me. I was nervous of the unknown and my daughter was scared to death. It wasn't bad at all. It's not like it used to be where people are sick, etc. The people taking treatments with me actually had their lunch, etc. We read, watched television, the center had a basket with snacks, drinks, etc. Good luck to you tomorrow!

Ritzy

MyTurnNow said:

My daughter went with me the
My daughter went with me the first time. It was just as helpful for her and it was for me. I was nervous of the unknown and my daughter was scared to death. It wasn't bad at all. It's not like it used to be where people are sick, etc. The people taking treatments with me actually had their lunch, etc. We read, watched television, the center had a basket with snacks, drinks, etc. Good luck to you tomorrow!

Good luck
Just want to wish you good luck tomorrow with chemo!

Sue

DebbyM

Ritzy said:

Good luck
Just want to wish you good luck tomorrow with chemo!

Sue

Wishing you good luck
Wishing you good luck tomorrow!

Debby