1st chemo treatment on Tues

You're gonna do great!
So glad you really like your MO--that is so important. Here are a few things I usually brought:

Water--a lot of it, book, magazines, puzzles, snacks (believe it or not some do get hungry--I even ate lunch during most treatments), fleece throw in case you get chilly (some facilities have these but I liked my own). Most of the time, we in the infusion room got into conversations just like at the beauty shop. The time went by really fast. My husband came to every treatment as well. Even though I brought things to do, I hardly ever used them.

Best of luck to you. I know how scary that first treatment is, but I can tell you from my experience--all my fears were totally unwarranted. I did fine, felt fine, had no reactions to the meds during the infusion process. And, my side effects for the few days after were what I would consider pretty minimal--diarrhea/constipation combo, food tasting bad, bone and joint aches from the Neulasta. I had 6 treatments of TAC. This place is a wealth of information. Come here often with questions or problems. There is always someone who can help.

Hugs, Renee

RH
I took a crossword book,
RH

I took a crossword book, a sweater for the cold waiting room, some crackers to snack on, and a book to read. I discovered that I usually just closed my eyes and relaxed during the infusion. I was petrified after the doctor went through the side effects with me. What I discoved, though, is that they tell you the worse case possibilities. I only had a couple of side-effects and they were so much easier than what I'd anticipated. Good luck!

Hi there!
You and I are on
Hi there!

You and I are on the exact same treatment plan. And from what you tell me about child rearing concerns, it sounds like you are young. So I can relate.

I did an egg harvest before chemo (Im 29), and today I just had my second round of Taxotere/Cytoxan today. I feel so much better mentally than the first time. As you, I was anxious before the first treatment because I did not know what to expect. "I know I will get some side effects, but not all, so which ones will I get??" In the end nothing too bad happened to me. One thing that I would like to say is that I was persistent about not getting the Neulasta shot "just in case my white counts drop too much". That ended up being a very good call. My whites did drop and a week after my first round I got three shots (for three consecutive days) of Neupogen (cousin drug of Neulasta). After the third shot I suffered great bone pain. I was screaming out loud when the "attacks" hit. It was a pulsating pain in my spine and chest cage. Luckily, I was able to treat it well with Vicodin. Today my MO said that Neulasta would be even worse for me. This is because the pain hits when your whites are already plenty but the bone is still asked to produce more. And right when you have had chemo, your whites are still pretty OK. As Neulasta is given the day after chemo, it would be bad for me. Importantly for you is that my MO said that I reacted to strongly, or well, to the Neupogen because I am young. So the chemo affects me more (more side effects), but other drugs also affect me more. A younger body is better at saying "what are you doing to me??" For my second cycle my MO will give me only two shots of Neupogen and start them one day earlier, on day 6 instead of 7, because my whites dropped so quickly but also responded so well to the Neuopgen. As I get the impression you are also quite young, you might want to address the whole Neulasta/Neupogen issue with your MO.

In terms of "what to bring to treatment", I ecco what others have said. I bring snacks, drinks and books, computer etc, but end up not using much of it. My husband comes along and we talk most of the time.

I hope this was useful.

Eva

ender said:

Hi there!
You and I are on
Hi there!

You and I are on the exact same treatment plan. And from what you tell me about child rearing concerns, it sounds like you are young. So I can relate.

I did an egg harvest before chemo (Im 29), and today I just had my second round of Taxotere/Cytoxan today. I feel so much better mentally than the first time. As you, I was anxious before the first treatment because I did not know what to expect. "I know I will get some side effects, but not all, so which ones will I get??" In the end nothing too bad happened to me. One thing that I would like to say is that I was persistent about not getting the Neulasta shot "just in case my white counts drop too much". That ended up being a very good call. My whites did drop and a week after my first round I got three shots (for three consecutive days) of Neupogen (cousin drug of Neulasta). After the third shot I suffered great bone pain. I was screaming out loud when the "attacks" hit. It was a pulsating pain in my spine and chest cage. Luckily, I was able to treat it well with Vicodin. Today my MO said that Neulasta would be even worse for me. This is because the pain hits when your whites are already plenty but the bone is still asked to produce more. And right when you have had chemo, your whites are still pretty OK. As Neulasta is given the day after chemo, it would be bad for me. Importantly for you is that my MO said that I reacted to strongly, or well, to the Neupogen because I am young. So the chemo affects me more (more side effects), but other drugs also affect me more. A younger body is better at saying "what are you doing to me??" For my second cycle my MO will give me only two shots of Neupogen and start them one day earlier, on day 6 instead of 7, because my whites dropped so quickly but also responded so well to the Neuopgen. As I get the impression you are also quite young, you might want to address the whole Neulasta/Neupogen issue with your MO.

In terms of "what to bring to treatment", I ecco what others have said. I bring snacks, drinks and books, computer etc, but end up not using much of it. My husband comes along and we talk most of the time.

I hope this was useful.

Eva

Lots of water
Be sure to drink lots of water to help flush out the toxins. I always took a big bag full of snacks, water, a fleece blanket, a book ( that I never read) and my phone. My husband went to every treatment and we usually watched tv, talked, and I would eventually fall asleep.

The anxiety is actually the worse part prior to the first treatment. Once you get in there you quickly realize that it's not so bad. Remember that you are a warrior and you can do this. We will all be here cheering you on.

Good luck.

Dawne

ssmith37 said:

Good luck to you. You will
Good luck to you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Stephanie

Wishing you good luck on
Wishing you good luck on Tuesday!


Hugs, Leeza

1st chemo
You have received some great information above... Take heed to it and YES, it's ok to be nervous... but it will be ok. The first one is always tough emotionally.

Stay hydrated... small portions of meals... You may not notice symptoms on day 1 or 2, but day 3 you may. remember we all react to this stuff differently. I haven't had your combo, but did AC for 4 treatments and now about to have Taxol/Herceptin combo starting next week.

REST!! When your body is tired just rest... you will need it and don't feel guilty for taking advantage of it.

Best of luck - I will keep you in my prayers!

ldpettit said:

1st chemo
You have received some great information above... Take heed to it and YES, it's ok to be nervous... but it will be ok. The first one is always tough emotionally.

Stay hydrated... small portions of meals... You may not notice symptoms on day 1 or 2, but day 3 you may. remember we all react to this stuff differently. I haven't had your combo, but did AC for 4 treatments and now about to have Taxol/Herceptin combo starting next week.

REST!! When your body is tired just rest... you will need it and don't feel guilty for taking advantage of it.

Best of luck - I will keep you in my prayers!

adding my 2 cents
I am popping in as a 2010 survivor of chemo to reassure you that it's not that bad. While there is plenty to be scared about with any cancer diagnosis, try not to be scared -- and the more positive and relaxed you can be, the better all your surgery and treatments may go. Many knowledgeable people have been involved in helping determine the right treatment for each of us, because we are all different, and new treatments and studies are coming out regularly.

I did not have a Muga test, probably since I had no history of heart problems and was not getting adriamyacin for my chemo. With taxotere and carboplatin, I did suffer with mouth and throat sores (Tom Natural toothpaste helped); the steroids and other meds helped with my nauseated before and during chemo .. after chemo infusions -- nausea plagued me for several days (everybody is different -- just my case, and my body) I did suffer with fatigue and bouts and constipation issues - please do not hesitate to call your Oncologist in attempts to find relief.

Hydrate, rest, and hydrate some more.

Strength, Courage and Hope.

Vicki Sam

missrenee said:

You're gonna do great!
So glad you really like your MO--that is so important. Here are a few things I usually brought:

Water--a lot of it, book, magazines, puzzles, snacks (believe it or not some do get hungry--I even ate lunch during most treatments), fleece throw in case you get chilly (some facilities have these but I liked my own). Most of the time, we in the infusion room got into conversations just like at the beauty shop. The time went by really fast. My husband came to every treatment as well. Even though I brought things to do, I hardly ever used them.

Best of luck to you. I know how scary that first treatment is, but I can tell you from my experience--all my fears were totally unwarranted. I did fine, felt fine, had no reactions to the meds during the infusion process. And, my side effects for the few days after were what I would consider pretty minimal--diarrhea/constipation combo, food tasting bad, bone and joint aches from the Neulasta. I had 6 treatments of TAC. This place is a wealth of information. Come here often with questions or problems. There is always someone who can help.

Hugs, Renee

I didn't have chemo, but, I
I didn't have chemo, but, I wanted to wish you good luck with it.

1st Chemo
Hi:

Good luck with your 1st chemo. Finished all 8 of mine 4 weeks ago, Yay!!!!!! My only thing to add is to make sure that you have mints or hard candy in those snacks and maybe not snacks that are your very most favorite things, in case they end up tasting bad or have bad thoughts attached for a while. Same way with the blanket, I received a very thoughtful prayer quilt ( had some headless pandas on it ??!!! just a fluke of the quilt piecing) from a church group I didn't even know and pinned the angel pins that I received from friends right on it to remind me others were rooting for me.

You'll do great, it's just scary to think about doing it, and the end seems like a long way away ... it really goes faster than you think it will.

Good luck,

Jennifer

The first time my thoughts
The first time my thoughts were OMG I can't believe I'm here doing this! but you soon feel at home there and most infus. nurses make you feel safe and relaxed. You get used to going.
Everyone said drink alot of water...well I drank so much during the first chemo infusion,half way through, I could hardly make it to the bathroom. So the 2nd. chemo I didn't drink quite as much and the nurse said it was fine. I sipped water through treatment (not guzzle like I did during the 1st. treatment) and drank most of my water when I was done and at home. Like others I brought reading, food, snacks and water...the 4 hours went by quickly. I was lucky...just the normal side effects...it was doable but of course not always pleasant. I Did not get side effects from Nuelasta shot. Good luck to you.
Annette