Starting chemo soon

Hi Retired. Welcome to the board and I'm sorry you had to come here! This is a great place to be for any and all questions.

I had stage 1a serous with a hysterectomy last July, then chemo finished in December and brachytherapy completed in Jan. of this year.

There is a thread titled 'Ladies Going Through Chemo' that several of us used to document our chemo journey. I think it will help you understand what is ahead for you.

Have you had your surgery already?

Please come back and let us know how you are doing or if you have any questions.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Welcome to the group!  I had Stage II UPSC and the first chemo was pretty easy.  Everyone is different.  What kind of chemo are you having?  Keep us updated on how you do.

Love,

Eldri

NoTimeForCancer said:

I thought Editgrl had started

I thought Editgrl had started one of the thread about going through chemo but I found this one:  http://csn.cancer.org/node/296461

This might help as well:  http://csn.cancer.org/node/296915

Post: - thanks Cindy!!!

Retiredfromthestate, please feel free to ask anything. There are good women here and there is a lot of information on the site.

Editgirl started one for post chemo treatments (I can't remember the title but I'll see if I can find it). AWK started the one you listed where we documented side effects and asked questions about chemo impacts as we experienced them.

Post Update:  Here it is... http://csn.cancer.org/node/299449

NoTimeForCancer said:

I thought Editgrl had started

I thought Editgrl had started one of the thread about going through chemo but I found this one:  http://csn.cancer.org/node/296461

This might help as well:  http://csn.cancer.org/node/296915

Post: - thanks Cindy!!!

Retiredfromthestate, please feel free to ask anything. There are good women here and there is a lot of information on the site.

You're welcome! I went back and reread all of the input on the thread Chris started. Wow, it sure is a great reminder for how far I have come since December. I'm so glad we all took the time to document stuff.

debrajo said:

Another one...

Hey, and welcome!  I am UPSC 1a also.  It's hard, but NOT the hardest thing I have ever done.  Actually, though I didn't think so at the time, I had a pretty easy time.  I also had five rounds of Bracyhytheopy, which for me, was a cake walk!  You also need to read the thread"shout out for the dialators"  Long story short, but I didn't and have had to give up sex for life.  Ask us anything...nothing is out of bounds!  Best, Debrajo

Debrajo, Here is the thread you mentioned, "Shout out for the dialators".    

http://csn.cancer.org/node/302013

retiredfromstate said:

Chemo treatments

I am going to be treated with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin. I will be having 3 weeks on and 1 off. I see Dr. this week. I guess they will tell me more. I have to get my port in also. 

Hi Retired, I finished front-line treatment at the end of May (Taxol on day 1 & Ifosfamide/Mesna on days 1-3). I also had external pelvic radiation "sandwiched" between my 3rd and 4th chemo treatments. All of that was after a TAH-BSO surgery with 14 lymph nodes excised.

I was very lucky to experience only mild side-effects from the chemo and radiation so was able to continue working full-time (not during chemo days). The oncology nurses do a great job of pre-treating me with steroids, benadryl, anti-nausea meds and hydration to be sure that my treatments are as well tolerated as possible.

The best advice I received about treatment was 1) stay hydrated - if you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated, 2) keep moving - even if it's only a few steps - do it, 3) eat high protein meals - your body needs the protein to recover properly, 4) take Miralax during chemo, it helps keep you regular and 5) stay positive - you can't control much about what is happening to your body but you can control how you react to it.

Wishing you good luck! Kim

I did take Lorazapam for anxiety when I first found out I have cancer. It helped me a lot. I have not had to take anything for months now but if I ever have the need again, I won't hesitate to use them. Learning that you have cancer is not an easy thing to process.

Good luck with your treatments.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

retiredfromstate said:

Chemo treatments

Thanks so much Kvdyson. This info is very helpful and calms my nerves . Do any of you ask for anxiety meds before treatment? I have very bad anxiety. Currently taking Citalapram. May need to up it. Thanks

Hi Retired, I tried to read up on what to expect so it kind of took the anxiety away. You may be surprised that it is not nearly as bad as you think. Bring something to keep yourself occupied but nothing that takes too much concentration. I took my Kindle and read for a while then watched TV then slept (my day 1 lasted about 8 hours, days 2 & 3 lasted only 4). 

I got my chemo treatments at my gyn-onc's office. He has a small infusion room with only 10 seats so the two nurses were never more than a few feet away. They probably would have given me something if I had asked. The benadryl that they gave me as a pre-treatment made me quite sleepy.

Have you gone through an orientation meeting with your infusion team yet? It can be a lot of information but it may put your mind at ease once you see the setting and how other patients are just sitting around and talking or watching a movie. Don't hesitate to call your medical team if you have any concerns. I'm sure they will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable.