Terrified of Chemo - Please help

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  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    #22
    madsters1 said:

    chemo side effects
    Hi Debbie,
    I had four rounds, three weeks apart of T/C (Taxotere & Cytoxan). The worst really was and still is the hair loss. It's the longest lasting. I finished chemo in Jan and radiation one month ago. So basically I'm done BUT I still only have two inches of hair. As far as other side effects, fatigue was kind of a "biggie" for me. I'm 48 yrs old with two younger children at home. I had almost no other SE's to speak of. If you can get out with your hair (not likely), you're doing good. It's doable.

    Cunely, you are at possibly
    Cunely, you are at possibly the very worst place right now. I think we all remember being still shell shocked by the diagnosis and then overwhelmed with tests and appointments and information. I know I do. Actually, once all the information is there and a plan comes together, things seem to go better. You just start going one step, one day at a time, and life seems somehow more manageable. If you have any doubts or concerns before doing anything, do not hesitate to get a second opinion. Hang in there!
    Hugs and prayers coming your way,
    Angie
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #23
    RE said:

    Lots of hugs!
    I cannot add more than these wonderful ladies have. I do want to tell you that it is doable, I have survived 28 rounds of chemo and am currently in remission. Yes it is scary but doable and it is your path back to good health. With each treatment you are taking steps to take back your health and to kill the cancer. We will be here for you so don't hesitate to pop on and share your fears, joys and milestones. I wish you all the best!

    RE

    Debbie, chemo is doable and
    Debbie, chemo is doable and I know you can do it! Just keep thinking that you are killing the cancer!


    Good luck and hugs,


    Diane
  • StaceyPMD1121
    StaceyPMD1121 Member Posts: 65
    #24
    Starting Chemo on June 8th
    Hi Debbie,

    I was diagnosed March 2012 with Stage 2 infiltrating duct cancer, ER+,PR+,Her-2-. I had a lumpectomy on May 4, 2012 with 2 lymph nodes removed. May 30th had a Bard PowerPort- chemoport implanted. I start chemo, Friday, June 8, 2012. My chemo drugs will be TAC-taxotere,adriamycin( aka Red Devil0 ,and cyclophosphamide. I am afraid of the unknown but my faith in Jesus has seen me through alot total hysterectomy with inguinal hernia repair at the same time. Tonsilectomy at age 46, on 9-6-2011. The lost of my entire immediate family:mother,father,brother,sister, grandmothers, grandfathers, all my uncles. I have my 27 yr.old son, Derrick who is a blessing and my boyfriend, my cousins, my church family, and friends. Last but not least my pink sisters who have also been a blessing. I have read a lot of helpful advice will start drinking lots of water today because I take 2 blood pressure pills. Enough about me, surround your self with positive people, make sure some of these people know how to pray with you and for you. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.(2 Timothy 1:7). I will be posting often to give you and my other pink sisters support once I receive my new netbook this week from a technology trial at my breast center. Girl, you can do this just have faith. The onc doctors, nurses, and other support staff are some of the most caring people I have ever encountered in my life. Think of chemo as a power up helper in a game to beat cancer and you are winning the game. Welcome aboard & sorry we all have to meet this way.


    Peace,Blessings, & Hugs,
    Stacey
  • jwood1176
    jwood1176 Member Posts: 16
    #25
    no a fun ride...but so great when that last one is over!
    Hello, Debbie77, it is nice to meet you but so sorry it has to be on here..i was diagnosed with breast cancer (a lump in left breast) on october 19, 2011, had bilateral mastectomy october 25th, no reconstruction yet, i had a port put in, developed a blood clot from it, but would still recommend it. i began chemo (taxotere and carboplatin, gerneric names) and then also had to have herceptin (not a chemo drug) because i was er/pr+, her2+. had 6 cycles every three weeks. my last one on march 22nd....the side effects were bad but could have been worse. i was very tired, loss of appetite, some nausea, hot flashes, very dry mouth, body aches, diarrhea and constipation. i know there are probably more, but those are the main ones. drink lots of water the more you drink the more it cleanses your system. I did like eating baked potatoes and eggs. my immune system got down really low so i had to take a shot the day after and i really think it may have been worse than the chemo...everyone is different though, i pray that you are able to breeze right through whatever treatment you decide is best. Keep fighting!! i am still having to take the herceptin every three weeks but its a breeze. my next step will be a complete hysterectomy and then hopefully reconstruction! keep us posted and prayers are with you. All things are possible through Christ who strenghten me...God Bless

    Jaime
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #26
    jwood1176 said:

    no a fun ride...but so great when that last one is over!
    Hello, Debbie77, it is nice to meet you but so sorry it has to be on here..i was diagnosed with breast cancer (a lump in left breast) on october 19, 2011, had bilateral mastectomy october 25th, no reconstruction yet, i had a port put in, developed a blood clot from it, but would still recommend it. i began chemo (taxotere and carboplatin, gerneric names) and then also had to have herceptin (not a chemo drug) because i was er/pr+, her2+. had 6 cycles every three weeks. my last one on march 22nd....the side effects were bad but could have been worse. i was very tired, loss of appetite, some nausea, hot flashes, very dry mouth, body aches, diarrhea and constipation. i know there are probably more, but those are the main ones. drink lots of water the more you drink the more it cleanses your system. I did like eating baked potatoes and eggs. my immune system got down really low so i had to take a shot the day after and i really think it may have been worse than the chemo...everyone is different though, i pray that you are able to breeze right through whatever treatment you decide is best. Keep fighting!! i am still having to take the herceptin every three weeks but its a breeze. my next step will be a complete hysterectomy and then hopefully reconstruction! keep us posted and prayers are with you. All things are possible through Christ who strenghten me...God Bless

    Jaime

    Hi Debbie.....
    So sorry that you're so scared but I think the fear of the unknown is the worst part. It is very doable with the new way of doing things as opposed to years ago. I got meds for anxiety, nausea , steroids and benedryl for any allergic reaction.

    It really isn't that bad and just remember you can do it. Emmend is the best for nausea.

    Best of luck to you and be strong!

    Hugs,
    Wanda
  • Melaniedoingwell
    Melaniedoingwell Member Posts: 80
    #27
    chemo - yuk ;(
    First of all - know that you can do this. You CAN do this!

    I had triple positive stage 3-A, bi-lateral mastectomy, 6ruonds of TCH, (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin) with Herceptin then continuing for a year -- And let's do Radiation just for fun too!!

    One step, one day at a time, girl. I developed what I call Thursday-phobia. Thursday was my infusion day and I just worked myself into a state with anxiety. You are tired, you don't feel well, and on and on and on. So saying - My doctor had given me a prescription for xanax which I took for the entire year ONLY on Wednesday evenings before chemo and occasionally on Tuesdays too... It is a wonder how much better you will be able to cope when you actually get some sleep.

    Guard your peace!!!

    Sometimes people say things that you would really like to smack them for on reflection. Eliminate negative people from your life - enlist someone to help you protect your peace by keeping those negative nellies (or neds) at bay. I had a code word to use with my sweet husband to let him know - "Get this person AWAY from me!!!" Being thus prepared, I was able to head off the occurrences and never had to use my code word. But you see, it was in my mind and I was prepared.

    Everyone reacts differently. I have a support group with several people who had the same chemo I did and they never got sick. Grrr.. I'd hate them but that would be unproductive!! I got sick every time. It is what it is and now it's done. I feel SOOO GOOD!!! I have a whole new appreciation for feeling good - feeling ill and puny - that is still a GREAT day!!

    I also prayed a lot. I hope you have faith - personally I cannot imagine how one can cope with this walk without faith. Not trying to preach, just saying for me - God has blessed me greatly and bountifully.

    Ask for help when you need it. And, by the way - you will and do need help. People who love you want to show you their love by helping you, LET them.

    love and hugs to you!
    Melanie
  • ms.sunshine
    ms.sunshine Member Posts: 707 Member
    #28
    Oh how I hate the fear, as much as I hate cancer.
    I also was terrified of chemo. What choice do you have. I won't tell you my experience it won't help you at all to know what I went thru. I'm alive and doing fantastic 2 years later.
    You feel the effects right away. Drink plenty of water. Tell your dr. everything no matter how small you may think it is, tell him/her.
    I went thru chemo 2 years 3 mos ago and thinking of it causes me to feel ill. To this day I refuse to sit in a chemo chair when I have blood drawn. That chair gives me flashbacks. The nurse laughs at me, but I don't care.

    We are here for you Debbie to help you thru.
    Take care Jennifer
  • moths
    moths Member Posts: 9
    #29
    first chemo
    Hi Debbie,

    The fear of the first chemo treatment was way worse than the chemo. I know that everyone reacts differently, but I know that you can do it. I had a really rare breast cancer, case number 9 in the world. I was given a lot of chemo and radiation and it was all doable. Let your doctor know if you have problems so that they can help you. Karen
  • mmmurray5
    mmmurray5 Member Posts: 2
    #30
    stay ahead of it
    Hi Debbie. Sorry to hear that you have to join the rest of us, but you are in good company.

    The fear of the unknown is what gets us. I too was afraid of chemo, but went through it anyway. Completed 3 treatments of cytoxan and taxotere. Worst side effect initially was the hair loss, which I got ahead of by having my head shave. Then the sensitive mouth, for which I was prescribed a mouthwash formulation. Then aches and pains, which I couldn't tell if they were from working out at the gym or from chemo or the Nuelesta shots I had to give myself days 3-7 after chemo. Then very dry skin. I was surprised no nausea, vomiting, etc. The doctors prepare your body to accept the toxins more so than in the past. They say it's important to drink lots of water and exercise if you do that already to flush the drugs out as fast as possible through the kidneys and bladder.

    I continued to work and to exercise. I do get fatigued more than normal, but other than that, it's important to keep your head positive and to stay ahead of the side effects. The American Cancer Society has some wonderful guidance and programs. I would recommend their Look Good Feel Better program for dealing with the physical features of chemo. You may find out that it's not as bad as you think.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #31
    madsters1 said:

    chemo side effects
    Hi Debbie,
    I had four rounds, three weeks apart of T/C (Taxotere & Cytoxan). The worst really was and still is the hair loss. It's the longest lasting. I finished chemo in Jan and radiation one month ago. So basically I'm done BUT I still only have two inches of hair. As far as other side effects, fatigue was kind of a "biggie" for me. I'm 48 yrs old with two younger children at home. I had almost no other SE's to speak of. If you can get out with your hair (not likely), you're doing good. It's doable.

    Like some of the pink
    Like some of the pink sisters said, the fear of the unknown can be horrible. I will be praying that you will get thru chemo with no side effects.


    Hugs, Lex
  • Debbie77
    Debbie77 Member Posts: 5
    #32
    Thank You!
    I just want to say a heartfelt thanks to every one of you who took the time to reply to my post. The recurring theme of most of your replies is that the first treatment is the worst due to fear of the unknown. That helps me greatly to know that! I wish all of you the very best as you go forward and I will take heart in knowing you are all there as pink sisters. You guys are wonderful! Hugs, Debbie
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #33
    Debbie77 said:

    Thank You!
    I just want to say a heartfelt thanks to every one of you who took the time to reply to my post. The recurring theme of most of your replies is that the first treatment is the worst due to fear of the unknown. That helps me greatly to know that! I wish all of you the very best as you go forward and I will take heart in knowing you are all there as pink sisters. You guys are wonderful! Hugs, Debbie

    It is always true that the
    It is always true that the first of anything, especially treatment, is the scariest. It is because you just don't know what to expect. After you have the first one done and over, you will feel better.

    Wishing you all the best and keep us updated,


    Angie
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #34
    mamolady said:

    fear
    Debbie,
    By now you have heard that all of us were terrified of chemo. I have had some tough times in life but nothing terrified me more than my first chemo. Just remember, the unknown is worse than what is.
    Everyone has already mentioned anything I might suggest so I will just say, once you get through the first one, the others won't be as scary. My husband went with me for the first one and that really helped.
    Chemo sucks but it is doable. We really don't have a choice. I kept a calendar to mark off the weeks. It helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. Any side effects I had during chemo were pretty much gone after a few months.

    All the best.
    Cindy

    I am so sorry Debbie that
    I am so sorry Debbie that you ever have to be afraid, let alone take chemo. The other sisters that have had chemo have offered you so much encouragement and I am adding mine to that. You go girl! You can do this!

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