Gotta have Chemo
Ok ladies, I found out today I will need Chemo, so does anyone have little tricks or anything that Drs won't say that helped you get through this?
De
Comments
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well..
While everyone reacts differently, I can say I had no trouble working through all of my treatment. I was lucky I guess. The worst was losing the hair. The funniest was when my hubby accidently pulled off the wig while hugging me at a bar.
It will depend on what they give you. My first infusion ..my BP went down to 57/42 luckily I was at the hospital for something else and they gave me 85% after that episode.
While there many horror stories, my experience is that most do just fine with some temporary life adjustments.
Hope all goes well for you and don't look up info on the internet until you have a better understanding of your particular situation.
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The only advice..
The only advice I can offer you is to drink a lot of water, and allow yourself time to rest when you need it. Let people help you and don't feel bad about taking time for yourself.
Everyone reacts differently, so don't do what I did and freak out before it even starts until you know how you're going to react..if your mind works anything like mine, it's rarely going to be as bad as you've decided it will be beforehand.
Stay strong, you WILL get through this, and know everyone here is here for you
Kat
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Chemo is not fun, but noComfortablyNumb said:The only advice..
The only advice I can offer you is to drink a lot of water, and allow yourself time to rest when you need it. Let people help you and don't feel bad about taking time for yourself.
Everyone reacts differently, so don't do what I did and freak out before it even starts until you know how you're going to react..if your mind works anything like mine, it's rarely going to be as bad as you've decided it will be beforehand.
Stay strong, you WILL get through this, and know everyone here is here for you
Kat
Chemo is not fun, but no where near as terrible as I imagined. Depending on the specific drug, side effects vary. You won't get all the side effects associated with a specific drug. We all get our own special combination and intensity of SE.
The worst side effects will be the ones your imagination anticipates are coming. This is a time when your imagination is not your best friend,
A lot of the SE can be relieved or reduced in intensity by treatment, so be sure to let your doctor know of any issues you experience.
Remember: "hydrate, rest and hydrate". (Picture this message with cheerleaders and pom poms.) Flush those drugs out of your system.
Let us know how you are doing.
Hugs and prayers,
Sandy
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I did not have chemo so no
I did not have chemo so no advice..just wanted you to know I am thinking about you.
Denise
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I just yesterday finished mydisneyfan2008 said:I did not have chemo so no
I did not have chemo so no advice..just wanted you to know I am thinking about you.
Denise
I just yesterday finished my 4th and last round of red devil! Next I do 12 weeks of Taxol. Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate! Take your N/V meds on time. Also, rinse your 2-3 times a day with warm water, salt and baking soda to keep down mouth sores. This has helped me. I did pretty well, some SE but nothing horrible. Good Luck!!!!
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Just wishing you goodcoco2008 said:Chemo is not fun, but no
Chemo is not fun, but no where near as terrible as I imagined. Depending on the specific drug, side effects vary. You won't get all the side effects associated with a specific drug. We all get our own special combination and intensity of SE.
The worst side effects will be the ones your imagination anticipates are coming. This is a time when your imagination is not your best friend,
A lot of the SE can be relieved or reduced in intensity by treatment, so be sure to let your doctor know of any issues you experience.
Remember: "hydrate, rest and hydrate". (Picture this message with cheerleaders and pom poms.) Flush those drugs out of your system.
Let us know how you are doing.
Hugs and prayers,
Sandy
Just wishing you good luck.
Hugs, Carlee
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Thank you
I wanted to say Thank you for all the suggestions and advice. I have heard a lot of horror stories but I am glad I have you girls on my side. Dr. told me what may happen and how I have to do my part keeping as healthy as I can. Made things difficult since I am diabetic, but I am comfortable with the Dr
Love and Hugs
De
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De, I am also diabetic. OneIE_Hope said:Thank you
I wanted to say Thank you for all the suggestions and advice. I have heard a lot of horror stories but I am glad I have you girls on my side. Dr. told me what may happen and how I have to do my part keeping as healthy as I can. Made things difficult since I am diabetic, but I am comfortable with the Dr
Love and Hugs
De
De, I am also diabetic. One thing to watch for is that chemo drugs may give you mad munchies. That is what happened to me. Did fine for the first couple of months, but the last few weeks bs has been high. Have to see primary tomorrow about it. Poo!
Watch your diet and munchies and you should do OK.
Sandy
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I am sorry De and am wishingComfortablyNumb said:The only advice..
The only advice I can offer you is to drink a lot of water, and allow yourself time to rest when you need it. Let people help you and don't feel bad about taking time for yourself.
Everyone reacts differently, so don't do what I did and freak out before it even starts until you know how you're going to react..if your mind works anything like mine, it's rarely going to be as bad as you've decided it will be beforehand.
Stay strong, you WILL get through this, and know everyone here is here for you
Kat
I am sorry De and am wishing you good luck and hopefully no side effects.
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De, I am sorry that chemo isIE_Hope said:Thank you
I wanted to say Thank you for all the suggestions and advice. I have heard a lot of horror stories but I am glad I have you girls on my side. Dr. told me what may happen and how I have to do my part keeping as healthy as I can. Made things difficult since I am diabetic, but I am comfortable with the Dr
Love and Hugs
De
De, I am sorry that chemo is part of your treatment now. Looks like the pink sisters have given you lots of good advice. Wishing you the best!
Hugs, Noel
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Thinking of you too anddisneyfan2008 said:I did not have chemo so no
I did not have chemo so no advice..just wanted you to know I am thinking about you.
Denise
Thinking of you too and wishing you good luck!
Hugs, Kathy
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De-IE_Hope said:Thank you
I wanted to say Thank you for all the suggestions and advice. I have heard a lot of horror stories but I am glad I have you girls on my side. Dr. told me what may happen and how I have to do my part keeping as healthy as I can. Made things difficult since I am diabetic, but I am comfortable with the Dr
Love and Hugs
De
So very sorry that Chemo is on your plate...I wish you nothing but the best in your treatments...
Andi
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I don't have any tricks ordisneyfan2008 said:I did not have chemo so no
I did not have chemo so no advice..just wanted you to know I am thinking about you.
Denise
I don't have any tricks or advice as I never took chemo. Just know that I am pulling for you and sending lots of hugs!
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Sorry De about this news. IIE_Hope said:Thank you
I wanted to say Thank you for all the suggestions and advice. I have heard a lot of horror stories but I am glad I have you girls on my side. Dr. told me what may happen and how I have to do my part keeping as healthy as I can. Made things difficult since I am diabetic, but I am comfortable with the Dr
Love and Hugs
De
Sorry De about this news. I wish you didn't have to have chemo at all.
Hugs, Candi
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Just my 2 cents - been there, done thatCandi Cane said:Sorry De about this news. I
Sorry De about this news. I wish you didn't have to have chemo at all.
Hugs, Candi
First of all, it is okay to be anxious of the unknown -- Please don't allow this
anxiety to get the best of you. Remember to alert your Onco RN of any unusual
feelings etc .. a list of possible side efforts, which should be presented to
you before your first chemo infusion
It is so important to remain and continue hydration, water - water, and more
water. Splash in a little lemonade, cranberry juice -- or prepackaged crystal
light, or Lipton Tea. Herbal Tea's also work for a change of pace.
If you are getting the neulasta shot -- Please ask your Oncologist about taking
a benadryl -- or claritin -- which many of us === swear by -- as they help alleviate that
'just run over by a truck' aches and pains - some of us experience from the
neulasta shot.
Ask for prescriptions for nausea and vomiting -- as well as diarrhea.
Plastic silverware is a must ---
biotin toothpaste and mouthwash is a daily essential
(available at most Target's or Wal-Mart's)
Food is subjective -- depending on your personal needs and taste buds .. What
taste good or was tolerable 1 week -- changed for me, the very next. I could not
tolerate any foods with sugar, i.e. ketchup, or cola's.
To help prevent mouth sores -- suck on ice chips during all chemo treatments.
Rest when you can, as some chemo queens have bouts of insomnia ---
Take goodies to entertain yourself during your infusions -- games, books,
friend, a snack, IPOD, laptop ...
Strength, Courage and Hope.
Vicki Sam0 -
Just wishing you good luck!disneyfan2008 said:I did not have chemo so no
I did not have chemo so no advice..just wanted you to know I am thinking about you.
Denise
Just wishing you good luck!
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So glad I have my Pink Sisters
Thank you so much for all the good wishes and advice. VickiSam, did not know about the plastic silverware is there a reason why? Been writing things down that I should take to keep busy. 5 hours is a long time for me to be sitting down.
De
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Metalic tasteIE_Hope said:So glad I have my Pink Sisters
Thank you so much for all the good wishes and advice. VickiSam, did not know about the plastic silverware is there a reason why? Been writing things down that I should take to keep busy. 5 hours is a long time for me to be sitting down.
De
For some - metal 'silverware will taste metallic. Was not an issue for me - I lost all sense of taste (and smell) - also lost appetite. Hubby had to call me several times a day to remind me to eat something. Fluid/water is very important - it was not a problem for me a habit just kicked in and I kept drink as usual - I'm a 'waterholic' and always have ice water within reach so habit just kicked in.
As someone else mentioned - my BP was lower. My temp also was a lot below 'normal' - still is - with Taxol so I was given a private glasses in cubicle that had it's own thermostat which they would turn up very high for me and bring heated blankets.
The only things I took with me to A/C were a book to read and my tatting incase I got tired of reading. With Taxol I took nothing - I slept through them. The second (well 5 seconds - after they started the benadryl IV I went 'nighty-night' and would wake up about 20 min before it was finished. . The Center I went to had all sorts of stuff for you to eat and drink. Soup, fresh fruit, crackers/snackies and fruit juice, tea, coffee for you.
Remember that we are each unique with different experiences. There is no way that anyone can tell somelse what they will experience based on what they did.
Winyan - The Power Within
Susan
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