New cancer patient

KelliA

Hello. I am very new to everything. I was diagnosed end of May. Surgery first of June. Radiation few weeks ago, I now start chemo this coming Monday June 19th. Does anyone have ANY suggestions? What should I expect with chemo? I am very nervous about it. Any heads up on anything would be greatly appreciated.

geotina

Hi Kelli
Welcome to our wonderful semi-colon family although we all wish you did not have to be a member. I am assuming your chemo will be Folfox. If it is, don't worry about losing your hair. Although this is so minor in the big picture it is one little thing that is important to women.

My hubby didn't have too many side effects, but, everyone is truly different. His biggest enemy was fatigue. Sensitivity to cold stuff almost everyone experiences. As an example, grabbing things from the refrigerator, the first time you do it you will learn, ouch, you need to use a towel or put a glove on. Also, drinking cold stuff, ouch, let it sit on the counter a few minutes. George's taste was mildly affected, he did have the metal taste but he said it was mostly on the tip of his tongue so eating really wasn't a problem for him. Some experience a jaw pain with the first bite so watch for that.

I see you have 3 children so you have your hands full, especially with a young baby. If you can, when people say is there anything I can do, have them make a few meals for the freezer. Also, a few days after chemo is when the fatigue usually hits pretty good so if they can take the kids for a playdate that would be great so you can get some much needed rest.

You are so young to have this disease and I'm so sorry for that, especially with 3 young children. If you can get a support system going for your down days that would be a huge help.

People get neuropathy in varying degrees in their hands and feet so be aware of that. You will just have to wait and see on the neuropathy thing.

Thats all I got for now. Take care and don't hesitate to ask about anything and everything. Don't worry about terminology, we have all been there with questions.

As an aside, my hubby is 20 years older than you and he worked full time throughout his treatments and he is still in treatment and still working. He is Stage IV, with mets to his lungs and liver. Stay active during treatment but listen to your body and rest when you need to.

Tina

wifeandmom

geotina said:

Hi Kelli
Welcome to our wonderful semi-colon family although we all wish you did not have to be a member. I am assuming your chemo will be Folfox. If it is, don't worry about losing your hair. Although this is so minor in the big picture it is one little thing that is important to women.

My hubby didn't have too many side effects, but, everyone is truly different. His biggest enemy was fatigue. Sensitivity to cold stuff almost everyone experiences. As an example, grabbing things from the refrigerator, the first time you do it you will learn, ouch, you need to use a towel or put a glove on. Also, drinking cold stuff, ouch, let it sit on the counter a few minutes. George's taste was mildly affected, he did have the metal taste but he said it was mostly on the tip of his tongue so eating really wasn't a problem for him. Some experience a jaw pain with the first bite so watch for that.

I see you have 3 children so you have your hands full, especially with a young baby. If you can, when people say is there anything I can do, have them make a few meals for the freezer. Also, a few days after chemo is when the fatigue usually hits pretty good so if they can take the kids for a playdate that would be great so you can get some much needed rest.

You are so young to have this disease and I'm so sorry for that, especially with 3 young children. If you can get a support system going for your down days that would be a huge help.

People get neuropathy in varying degrees in their hands and feet so be aware of that. You will just have to wait and see on the neuropathy thing.

Thats all I got for now. Take care and don't hesitate to ask about anything and everything. Don't worry about terminology, we have all been there with questions.

As an aside, my hubby is 20 years older than you and he worked full time throughout his treatments and he is still in treatment and still working. He is Stage IV, with mets to his lungs and liver. Stay active during treatment but listen to your body and rest when you need to.

Tina

Hi Kelli
Hi Kelli,

I wish you didn't need to have found this board, but under the circumstances you've found a great resource. Tina covered alot of the physical issues associated with chemo. I would add that you might want to check out the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Lotsa Helping Hands feature. It allows you or your designated friend/family member to set up a calendar of needs (playdates, dinners, laundry, shopping, visits, whatever) and people sign up for what and when they want to do. No one has to keep a list, or coordinate multiple offers, etc. You can also post (or have that designated person post) medical updates or whatever you want. Sometimes it's just easier to post the information once rather than making dozens of phone calls to update people.

Best wishes to you for successful treatment and a full recovery.
--Dorothy

abmb

Welcome
This is the place to be. The people here are so informative and supportive. I am a caregiver and from my experiences with going with my husband for his chemo treatments, take something to do: read, word puzzles, knitting, etc. I think the time goes by quicker. Expect nausea and tiredness. When home, don't be afraid to ask for help, your family will support you. My husband was most tired the night of a chemo treatment and then for the next 2 days because he was hooked up to a pump for 2 days. Take a sweater, also, my husbands treatment room was always cold. Feel free to ask your nurses and even your doctor any questions you have or concerns over the treatments. Keep checking in at this site with updates or questions. Like I said, these people are great survivors! Take care and God Bless. Margaret

tammy31269

what kind of cancer do you have?
hello im tammy just wondering what type of cancer are you facing?

sasjourney

I'm here for you!
Kelli,

I completely know how you feel right now. I was diagnosed in March and had surgery. I have just finished #7 of 12 chemos so I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You will too. I have two young daughters and am only 43 years old so this came as a complete shock to me since I was never sick with anything. It is hard to accept, but try to keep informed and research all you can. I just discovered this site and it has been very useful.

Stay strong,

Sara

khl8

sasjourney said:

I'm here for you!
Kelli,

I completely know how you feel right now. I was diagnosed in March and had surgery. I have just finished #7 of 12 chemos so I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You will too. I have two young daughters and am only 43 years old so this came as a complete shock to me since I was never sick with anything. It is hard to accept, but try to keep informed and research all you can. I just discovered this site and it has been very useful.

Stay strong,

Sara

Kelli,
Take any offer of
Kelli,
Take any offer of help you can get, this can be a bit tiring. I was dignosed at 43 and it was exhausting but it cn be done. My family made dinners for us so that it was the last thing I had to worry about.
Just listen to your body and take the rest when you can get it!
This is a great place to come for ideas, and to also vent as sometimes our friends and families just don't get it, and the wonderfu people here will help you up, with kind words and sometimes a good kick in the butt!!! any questions you have just ask and all will respond, no matter the topic!!! This has to be the best suport sysytem I have found!
Kathy

KelliA

tammy31269 said:

what kind of cancer do you have?
hello im tammy just wondering what type of cancer are you facing?

Hello Tammy, I have colon
Hello Tammy, I have colon cancer. Stage III. I had it removed and finished radiation and moving on to chemo.