chemo jeebies

Findingout

I don't know what to say... I was doing fine for a whole week, until today when I got my chemo start date. Feb. 24. Suddenly I got anxious. And I've read so much pain and suffering on here about some of your chemo experiences... so I'm trying not to read them right now! I'm still praying for your health and well being, but trying to maintain a sense of equilibrium.

If you have any advice (things to get before, how to prepare, what helped you??) I'll appreciate it! Thanks...

xo Lin

CypressCynthia

Please remember that many do
Please remember that many do get through with few problems, but then they probably don't share that! I did well with chemo back in 1987. I had some nausea issues at first but then began taking an anti-nausea med and had no further problems. I was able to work the entire time, but, I admit, I have a very flexible job that lets me arrange my hours around my health. The board is definitely skewed, in my opinion, towards those who have mets and those who have issues. And that is in no way a criticism. Just seems that those doing well often move on. So please don't lose your equilibrium--you may do just fine!

calvertcrafts

CypressCynthia said:

Please remember that many do
Please remember that many do get through with few problems, but then they probably don't share that! I did well with chemo back in 1987. I had some nausea issues at first but then began taking an anti-nausea med and had no further problems. I was able to work the entire time, but, I admit, I have a very flexible job that lets me arrange my hours around my health. The board is definitely skewed, in my opinion, towards those who have mets and those who have issues. And that is in no way a criticism. Just seems that those doing well often move on. So please don't lose your equilibrium--you may do just fine!

Chemo
I completed chemo about 1yr ago. Believe me, it was not too bad. The first one was the worst as far as side effects, but I spoke with my onc and she adjusted the dosage for my other treatments. Remember to bring something to pass the time, whether it be a craft, book or a laptop. You'll find the time will go faster. Also bring some crackers or snacks in case you get hungry. I have every confidence that you'll do just fine!! If you have any problems or fears, please let the nurses know.

missrenee

calvertcrafts said:

Chemo
I completed chemo about 1yr ago. Believe me, it was not too bad. The first one was the worst as far as side effects, but I spoke with my onc and she adjusted the dosage for my other treatments. Remember to bring something to pass the time, whether it be a craft, book or a laptop. You'll find the time will go faster. Also bring some crackers or snacks in case you get hungry. I have every confidence that you'll do just fine!! If you have any problems or fears, please let the nurses know.

Lin--don't worry--you'll do just fine
I remember how terrified I was just about one year ago--walking into that oncologist's office for my first chemo. I knocked down an IV pole (luckily it was empty), broke the recliner I was in and was literally shaking. I was so, so scared. But, guess what--I got through it just fine. And I had some very hard-hitting chemo--TAC--6 rounds. I followed all instructions to the letter. Drank a ton of water, rested, tried to relax as much as I could. Got a little nausea/diarrhea the first day or two after. The Neulasta caused some pretty intense bone pain--kind of like a bad flu. But I took all the remedies needed and got through it. I traveled to a best friend's daughter's wedding during chemo and even hosted an Easter brunch for 20 people.

You can do this, dearheart. If you have side effects, let your onc. know--he/she will have something to help you. Stay positive, focused, rested and determined.

You will be just fine.

Hugs, Renee

Jennifer1961

Well I think the best thing
Well I think the best thing you can do as far as chemo is stay SUPER hydrated. Start drinking 2 or 3 quarts of water per day 2 or three days before you go in for treatment. Then drink as much as you can stand. The one time I didn't do this I got terrible "D". Another is be as actice as you can. Rest when you need to, but try to get some light exercise, whatever type you enjoy. Also if you have trouble with the shot you get for raising white cell count, ask if you can get half a dose. I can never remember the name of this drug, but you get the shot when your white cells get too low. This caused me terrible done pain, so the doc. gave me half a dose, which worked great and very little pain. When you need help, let people know. You will be surprised at how many people want to help you, sometimes it's people who barely know you. It's times like this that a sense of community really kicks in, even if you think it's not there it really is. Just reach out.

Jennifer1961

Jennifer1961 said:

Well I think the best thing
Well I think the best thing you can do as far as chemo is stay SUPER hydrated. Start drinking 2 or 3 quarts of water per day 2 or three days before you go in for treatment. Then drink as much as you can stand. The one time I didn't do this I got terrible "D". Another is be as actice as you can. Rest when you need to, but try to get some light exercise, whatever type you enjoy. Also if you have trouble with the shot you get for raising white cell count, ask if you can get half a dose. I can never remember the name of this drug, but you get the shot when your white cells get too low. This caused me terrible done pain, so the doc. gave me half a dose, which worked great and very little pain. When you need help, let people know. You will be surprised at how many people want to help you, sometimes it's people who barely know you. It's times like this that a sense of community really kicks in, even if you think it's not there it really is. Just reach out.

Neulasta, that's the drug!
Neulasta, that's the drug! Also one more thing, bring a blanket to chemo. Some times the room is pretty cold and your there for 1 to 2 hours, better to be comfy. Also bring snacks and plenty of water to drink.

Katz77

We'll be there with you...
In spirit of course. I had the big gun A/C, then taxol/herceptin. I went hiking even on the adrimycin. Wasnt the fastest one,but hung in there. I was bear bait in the last of the line. I found if I drank to much water, I became nauseated. With me lots of water, but sipped on the gatorade. Potassium and sodium.
Take naps. I took my i-pod and listened to music and napped. Took short brisk walks also. Helped with muscle qnd mental.
I dicovered that months after chemo I had a hard time with fatiged. Everyones different, so try many things to keep yourself going. Hope this helps some. I can tell you this,I will never own or sit in a recliner for the rest of my life. Lol I go for port flushes now and I sit in the reg chair. Thats my quirk. Have a smooth time with ur chemo. Bless you,Katz

Cinkal

I understand your anxiety.
I understand your anxiety. I had a lumpectomy eight days ago and have a follow up with my surgeon in a week. He will help me find an oncologist at that appointment. I am also nervous about the side effects. Good luck with your first therapy.

pinkkari09

Hi Lin, I just want you to
Hi Lin, I just want you to know I'm thinking of you and your chemo date, praying your "chemo jeebies" will be put to rest. My experience with chemo 1.5 years ago was 4 A/C and 11 Taxol, and Monday I'll start xeloda for my bone mets. I can say that the chemo I have been through was not near as bad as I thought. Neulasta was pretty hard on my bone pain but as for the chemo infusions, all my symptoms were treatable. Whatever ails you, tell your onc., there are a lot of great side effect meds out there. Emend was a wonderful lifesaver for nausea, along with hydrocodone for bone pain. As stated, stay hydrated. All my best to you dear friend and keep posting for advice on what worked for others, you'll get lots of it!
Mountains of Love,
~Kari

joannstar

Not as bad as I feared
I completed 4 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxatere and 2 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxol on 1/7/11. I had plenty of side effects--but other than loosing my hair and my nails separating, everything was easily treatable with meds, as long as I told my onc about it. It was totally doable and not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The fear, before the first treatment was the worst--I was so scared having watched my brother go through chemo in 1976. Things have changed radically and we know so much more thanks to those sister & brother warriors who went before us.
I worked the entire time and each cycle only took off the day of treatment and one other day (the neulasta shot caused intense bone pain so that I could barely walk and I took oxycodone & tylenol).
You can do this and the time will come when you'll look back and feel--WOW, I DID IT!
Good luck,
JoAnn

disneyfan2008

did not do chemo
BUT will keep you in my thoughts....

perhaps jotting your thoughts in Journal my releive some of the stress (even if just a tiny bit)

Denise W

Rague

calvertcrafts said:

Chemo
I completed chemo about 1yr ago. Believe me, it was not too bad. The first one was the worst as far as side effects, but I spoke with my onc and she adjusted the dosage for my other treatments. Remember to bring something to pass the time, whether it be a craft, book or a laptop. You'll find the time will go faster. Also bring some crackers or snacks in case you get hungry. I have every confidence that you'll do just fine!! If you have any problems or fears, please let the nurses know.

Depends on the Center
Rather or not you need to bring crackers/snacks/juice depends on the Center you go to. The Center I went to had snacks/crackers/juice even soup for you. They also had a TV in each cubicle in case you just wanted to watch TV or listen to music.

Rague

Jennifer1961 said:

Neulasta, that's the drug!
Neulasta, that's the drug! Also one more thing, bring a blanket to chemo. Some times the room is pretty cold and your there for 1 to 2 hours, better to be comfy. Also bring snacks and plenty of water to drink.

Depends on the Center
Rather or not you need to bring a blanket depends on the Center. The one I went to had cabinets full of heated/warmed blankets for you. The recliner cubucles were perhaps a bit cooler but you could get all the warmed blankets you wanted - I did A/C in them and was never uncomfortable. The bed rooms (they were enclosed) had their own thermostat for heating or cooliing - whichever you needed) - I did Taxol in them. Also they had plenty of snacks and drinks for you.

mimivac

Lin,
You'll do fine. Of course you're scared of your first treatment. I don't know anyone who wasn't. I had 6 infusions of TAC and did pretty well. Remember to monitor any side effects you have and mention them to your oncologist. You don't necessarily have to suffer through them. There is often relief -- for everything from nausea to constipation. My first chemo was a piece of cake. Just sat there and didn't feel a thing. Read and napped. It was even relaxing. Good luck!

Mimi

tgf

mimivac said:

Lin,
You'll do fine. Of course you're scared of your first treatment. I don't know anyone who wasn't. I had 6 infusions of TAC and did pretty well. Remember to monitor any side effects you have and mention them to your oncologist. You don't necessarily have to suffer through them. There is often relief -- for everything from nausea to constipation. My first chemo was a piece of cake. Just sat there and didn't feel a thing. Read and napped. It was even relaxing. Good luck!

Mimi

It's normal to be scared
We were all scared. It's perfectly normal. I know it's easy to say ... but just try to have a positive attitude about the whole thing. It's just one more step on your cancer journey ... and you'll do just fine.

I almost said "no" to chemo because I was so afraid of being poked and prodded with needles ... but thank goodness I was convinced to get a port ... and that proved to be the best decision I made. I LOVE my port. Finished chemo over a year ago and still have my port. It's never bothered me.

And as far as the actualy chemo ... I had taxol/herceptin weekly for 12 weeks and had NO problems during the infusions. I took my iPod ... stuck the things in my ears ... and once they gave me the benadryl drip (before actual chemo) ... I usually slept through the whole thing. I'm one of those who didn't want a bunch of people around ... and always went in the room by myself. The iPod and benadryl put me in a "zone" ... and put me in control.

The side effects were very manageable ... hair loss (about day 15 of first infusion) ... a minor rash, constipation (!!!!) ... and a few others that I can't remember. As far as nausea ... I didn't have that. The doctor had given me several things to take ... and I took them for the first couple of weeks then thought I'd try it without the nausea drugs ... and ... did just fine.

hugs.
teena

Rague

We're all different
I was anxious before chemo but in a different anxious way - I did not want to wait - I wanted to get busy fighting it. Didn't take very long (17 days from DX to TX) but it seemed like an eternity to me at the time.

Don't decide that you will have all the nasty SE's that you've read about here - none of us have had them all and some of us have had unusual ones.

For me, the A/C (4 every 2 weeks) wasn't bad at all - for some it is. It made me tired for 2 days starting 2 days after infusion - could rest/nap and feel better. I did loose hair (know to happen), lost sense of taste and appetite (lost 45 lbs total). A few days after my 2nd A/C I drove in my 1st ever 'Pettycoat Mud Bog' and got 2nd in Son's totally stock IH Scout II against modifieds - not bad for a 63 y/o. Neulasta shots weren't bad at all for me - 2 hours - almost to the minute - I would go to sleep for 2 hours - never any pain.

Taxol was much nastier for me - but do-able. For many it's not bad. I was utterly and completely exhausted the entire time (12 weekly Taxol). Resting did not help - all I did was lay on the couch in front of TV or in bed - could not sleep at all til got the right sleeping pills. The good part is the exhaustion started wearing off a week after the last and got better weekly/daily all through rads.

Pain basically has never been an issue for me through out TX. I never had any nausea with any of my chemo (I even quit taking the anti-nausea meds during the last 1/2 of Taxol) - there is an unproven theory that those of us who did not have morning sickness (I didn't at all with either son)are less likly to experience chemo (or rad) nausea.

Learn all you can so that you won't be surprised at what happens but DO NOT assume that everything will happen to you.

Susan

24242

Attitude
It has been said many times that having a good attitude makes all the difference in the world. Truly those of us with horror stories are truly a small percentage and many more women go about their lives and jobs amazingly. I truly believe that learning to RESIGN ourselves to it and just do it can be a very simple thing that isn't easy at all. I just found that knowledge has been powerful and moving one foot in front of the other a very positive things.
We all will be thinking of you as we do when others are forced down the same roads we have been.
Tara

aysemari

Dearest Lin
the feelings you are experiencing are not unusual at all. I too was terrified
the night before. And the steroids, intensified a night of fear and anticipation
of what may come. So I was up most of then night reading and talking to my
family in europe. Then came the big day...

Luckily a friend had offered to come with me and I happily accepted. She was
my salvation, I had to put on a brave face in front of her and somehow my
expression on the outside effected how I felt on the inside. Surely I was still
jittery and spoke a million words per minute but it was better with her there.
So maybe you can take someone with you.

Then be prepared, have a chemo bag (a nice colorful one) and fill it with everything nice! Fluffy
blanket, favorite hard candy or gum (to ward off weird taste in your mouth), favorite music,
maybe a movie on your laptop, a book, even a game, you may make friends in the chemo room.
If you are the crafty type you can knit, crochet.. etc.

I was lucky to have a fellow warrior take me under her wing and feed me and hydrate me. I got
there in my high heels and nice clothes, no blanky, no water and had no breakfast.

Above all HYDRATE, hydrate and did I mention hydrate? Do it the day before and then in the
morning before you go there, give yourself some time in between, or else you'll be running to
bathroom with your love IV pole (I find it to be a bit of a drag). And after chemo, you guessed it- HYDRATE!!

Also I took stool softeners the morning before chemo and the day of since I would get constipated
with certain chemo. Other times I got diarrhea so no need..

Ok... sorry for the saga... but sure hope it helps. YOU CAN DO IT and we are all here to cheer you on.

Love ,
Ayse

Gabe N Abby Mom

"chemo jeebies"...I love
"chemo jeebies"...I love that description. It perfectly describes how I felt too.

Here's what I suggest...get as much information as you can before you go. Ask to see the area where you'll receive your treatment. I had a chemo class with other patients before starting. And on the first treatment, the nurse took a lot of extra time with me to explain my medications and what was happening. Once I realized that basically I was just sitting there getting an IV or an injection, it actually became tedious.

My oncologist prescribed Atavan. I was told to take one the night before and the morning of my first treatment, specifically to calm my nerves. (You'll need someone to drive you if you take this.) I didn't ask for this, it was a part of the routine with my onc. But you may want to ask about something to calm your nerves for the first treatment.

And yes, drink lots and lots and lots of water. Hydration helps prepare you body, and it helps your liver and kidneys process the all the meds you'll be taking. I liked Smart Water and vitamin water.

As for the side effects, be sure you have the number to call when you are experiencing them. There is no side effect that you have to "suffer through", there are was to manage and minimize all of the side effects. So be sure to call when you have them. Come here too with your questions.

For the nausea, I took Zofran. The nurses told me not to wait for the nausea to appear, but to take it on a schedule for 3 days. I did that, and not much nausea at all for me. I would recommend eating small amounts very frequently. All the bland foods worked for me, instant mashed potatoes, rice, baked potatoes, plain noodles, eggs for protein. They recommended carnation instant breakfast at my chemo class and it worked for me too. I was also told to focus on protein and calories in my diet.

I hope this helps. You have lots of advice and things to consider. Know that I'll be thinking of you, and I wish you peace in the coming days.

Hugs,

Linda

Carole_Rose

Chemo
Hi,
I'm a two-time breast cancer survivor since 2004 still receiving Herceptin every three weeks. Whatever you read and hear, remember that everyone is different. Take one day at a time. When you have symptoms, ask for help. I thought that I had to suffer, but there are remedies. Stay ahead of the pain. Drink lots of fluids. Have Pepto, Tums, Imodium, Tylenol, stool softener, quick read thermometer, recipe for salt water mouth rinse on hand. Cooked foods ready to microwave. I lived on Boost. Don't be afraid to ask. You may spend many hours in treatment so relax, read, sleep, take snacks. Try to stay positive and when you have those bad days, remember that they will pass. I heard someone say that they had cancer, but the cancer didn't have them. Losing my hair twice was very hard. People say stupid things because they just don't know, but mean well. Talking about it and even having a sense of humor helped me. My support group really helped. I am alive today because of chemo and informative doctors. The nurses I have are so wonderful. Cancer has a mind of it's own, we can only hope to remove it or maintain it and someday find a cure.

Findingout

joannstar said:

Not as bad as I feared
I completed 4 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxatere and 2 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxol on 1/7/11. I had plenty of side effects--but other than loosing my hair and my nails separating, everything was easily treatable with meds, as long as I told my onc about it. It was totally doable and not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The fear, before the first treatment was the worst--I was so scared having watched my brother go through chemo in 1976. Things have changed radically and we know so much more thanks to those sister & brother warriors who went before us.
I worked the entire time and each cycle only took off the day of treatment and one other day (the neulasta shot caused intense bone pain so that I could barely walk and I took oxycodone & tylenol).
You can do this and the time will come when you'll look back and feel--WOW, I DID IT!
Good luck,
JoAnn

I'm just making my way down
I'm just making my way down this list and you are ALL so helpful. I could see myself knocking down lab equipment - too funny! :-)