1st Chemo Treatment today!

I wish you the best of luck! 7 years  ago  I had 4 rounds  of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere. I fared better with the A/C than I did with the Taxotere.  The very best tip I got for dealing with the Adriamycin (Red Devil) infusion came from my chemo nurse. She advised that I drink something ice cold (such as a smoothie) while it was being infused. It was supposed to prevent mouth sores. My husband faithfully prepared a fruit smoothie to bring along each of those 3 days. In my case it worked and I did not get the side effect of mouth sores. I hope that tidbit works for you too. 

The other bit of info I have is about hair loss. For me it began on precisely Day 14 of the chemo cycle. When it started looking ridiculous I had my husband buzz off what remained and went with a wig or scarf. I was not as self-confident as other ladies to go bald. It grew back softer and curlier to a reasonably normal length within a few months of my last chemo session. It is not just the hair on one's head that disappears. It is the hair everywhere - eyebrows,  eyelashes,  underarms, forearms, legs, inside nose, etc. That was quite the odd look for a while. 

The side effects for Taxotere were different than those for A/C and when you get to that point you can ask about those, too. In the meantime, you are not alone in this by any stretch of the imagination. Many of us have been there. Fight like a girl.

IRENE 

I had a "comfort bag" I always took with me. My tablet and charger, earbuds, a sudoku book and pencil, my favorite teabags, a snack.  They had sandwiches and drinks and snacks there for us, after a while, you're kind of tired of them.  I always had to wear a hoodie or sweater because they kept the temperture low to keep germs down.  Relax, get comfortable and think about all the ugly cancer monsters you're killing.  Best wishes.

Fear of the unknow is hard!! even tho you have to go thru this once you get started and know what to expect and what you are dealing with ...will be better for you..  pPRAYERS AND BE WISHES FOR GREAT OUTCOME!!!   YOU WILL BE FINE!!!!   keep asking lots of questions to your doctors also!!

BEPOSITIVE!!!!

nspired36 said:

Thanks

All your tips and suggestions are helpful! I truly appreciate it. 

Water is so important, it cant be stressed enough.  Chemo comes into the body and it must be flushed back out.  If you get to wear your belly cant take it too cold, drink it at room temp or hot.  If you cant stand the flavor, mix it is crystal light.   Watermelon is full of water too.  Salt actually helped my belly and made me drink more water!  During my red devil, I had to have those ucky neulasta shots.  They suck, not lying to you.  They do.  But they dont last but a couple of days.  I had to eat not too spicey, not too rich, no dairy, and no citrus as it was too much for my tummy.  My friend that was going through it at the same as I was, could eat whatever she wanted.  Some it does not effect like that at all.  Each one of us is different.  So for the first 4 months of my treatment, I lived on baked potatos, green beans, cooked spinach, chicken and noodle soup.  Very dull, very tasteless food.  I was so happy when I could eat my hot wings again! 

Take your time, find your path and keep on heading towards the finish line.

Hugs,

Annie