1st chemo tomorrow...so scared!

Yeah, can be quite scary...
For me - it was the worst before the 1st time. Probably because of that "fear of the unknown"... Maybe what you're feeling today.

Please be assured - yes, it's "doable"... Many here are either already in the midst of it, or finished (like me, long ago).

Best advice I can share - be certain to follow all instructions provided by your doctor(s) and nurse(s). And come here, too. As often as you may need and want.

Best wishes to you, for tomorrow and throughout.

Kind regards, Susan

Hydrate now
Fear is THE worst!!
Start drinking a lot of water--like 64+ ounces today and keep it up for at least 5 more days, you want to flush the chemicals out of your system (or at least keep them moving). I packed a bag with snacks, books, a comfy blanket and a notebook and pen. Kept it ready for each treatment (I had 6).
It really is doable, not fun, but you will make it through. Be sure to tell your doctors if you have ANY side effects--they will give you meds for everything except hair loss. I had to have a neulasta shot each time and that came with major bone aches for me. I took tylenol and oxycodone which kinda helped--time was the real healer. My schedule was every three weeks and by week three I would feel ok. Each cycle was different, almost exciting to see what side effect would rear it's head next (ok exciting isn't the right word).
I had my last treatment on 1/7/11 and my hair is really starting to come in. My nails will take more time, maybe 6 months to look right again, but my manual dexterity is improving and I just think of all the money I'm saving on not having haircuts, hair dye, mani/pedis and razors.
I'm doing rads now, which isn't as scary.
Check with your onc and ask if you can take a xanax or valium tonight to help you sleep (I didn't and I didn't get any sleep the night before my first treatment).
I know you'll do fine...so many of us have walked this path before you just as scared and we survived, you will too!
Good luck,
JoAnn

Yep the first one I was
Yep the first one I was really nervous but axious to get things started. Drink plenty of water. Hope your experience is as non-eventful as mine was. I did get some aches and pain after the neulasta shot, but everyone is different so you may not have to have the shot. We are here for you.
Sparkle

oh Dee, it will get better.......
We all understand that you would rather do anything else than have to fight this beast. But, I know fight you will and win!!!! Chemo is not so scarey once you start....as others said, drink lots and lots of water and ask questions and let the nurses know if you are nausious etc. You can do this and get through it....and then you will have won! We will all be there with you. I am so sorry that you have to do this, but I know you will be okay. Hugs and more hugs sent to you!

My onc prescribed ativan for
My onc prescribed ativan for the night before and the morning of the first treatment. It helps with nausea too, I've used it since the first one too, so it might be worth asking about.

My doc also prescribed steroids starting the day before the first treatment. If the same is true for you, they might be adding to your jitters. Many people have more energy and get a little hyper on them. For me, knowing that was part of the cause helped me to relax.

Try a relaxing tea, some deep breathing/relaxation/mediation exercises. One I learned long ago is to lay down, close your eyes. Then focus on just breathing, make your inhale through your nose as long as possible. Then make your exhale through your mouth also as long as possible. Then try and picture your breathing as a circle, with no stopping point between the inhale and the exhale.

Know that you are strong enough to do this, and that we'll be with you.

Hugs,

Linda

You can do this!
I remember how scared I was the first time also but now it's just a memory. The chemo nurses know what they are doing so just relax and let them do their jobs. Most likely the meds they give you before the chemo will help you relax. You might even doze off for a few hours. You will feel so good to know you have that first dose behind you. Please keep up posted.

HUGS!!!
Jamie

sorry........double post.
sorry........double post. The darn thing hung up.

dyaneb123 said:

One of the hardest things I've ever done
was make myself walk in that door the first time and sit in that chair...It is sooooo
scary the first time for all of us....but I want you to look around at the other ladies who are there and see what they are doing...they are chatting, laughing, eating, reading,
sleeping...nothing terrible is happening to them...and nothing terrible will happen to you either...tell the nurse to walk you through everything she is doing the first time...and if you will feel better, bring someone to sit with you that first time. I did the first time,(or I probably would have run away!) , but after that I drove myself to and from all my chemo and radiation treatments.I know you will do fine.
Other Dee

I know what you mean, Dee, about not wanting to feel like
a cancer patient. I, too, felt so good before I was diagnosed. It was so unbelievable to me that I could feel so healthy and be so sick. Anyway, I was terrified for the first treatment--and like all the others have said--it went so well, I couldn't believe it. I had 6 rounds of TAC and the only side effects I got were the aches and pains from the Neulasta injection and everything tasted really crappy. I never vomited--not even close. Had a couple of little diarrheas here and there, but nothing terrible. It was kind of like I was at the beauty shop--we all laughed and talked--it was hard to believe what was really going on in there!

My wish for you today, Dee, is that you have a real easy time of it too. It doesn't have to be horrible (in most cases it's not) and if you have any side effects--the docs have so many remedies for you.

Hugs, Renee