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

PatB01

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)

missrenee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heatherbelle said:

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

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

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

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

mwallace1325 said:

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

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

carkris

missingtexas said:

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!!!