First chemo Monday

Hi Kelley,

I had Folfox for my chemo, and the first couple of rounds were a snap. Didn't feel any different walking out as I did when I walked it. The side effects of Folfox are cummalative, meaning they build up over time. So your first couple of sessions should be ok, but then you will probably start seeing some side effects.

That being said, not everyone reacts to chemo the same way, so your experience could be different.

SandiaBuddy said:

When in doubt. . .

I have a hundred and one sayings, and for this situation I would suggest, "when in doubt, take the conservative route."  It would probably be best to have a driver available.  I think people on this board have had a whole range of reactions, from nothing at all, to needing medical intervention.  I did pretty badly.  I suppose I could have driven myself home, but I had pretty strong nausea and bad reaction to cold.  Luckily I had read some blog posts and was ready for the cold reaction--but silly me, I went to the grocery and decided to get an easy frozen food for dinner.  It was like touching a live electric wire.  Luckily, I threw it into the basket, not across the store like others have done.  In the grocery, the food made me so nauseous that I had to stare at the ceiling and leave quickly to avoid being sick.  Anyway, hopefully you will do much better.  A read through old blog posts will give you a wealth of information.  Best of luck to you.

In the grocery, the food made me so nauseous that I had to stare at the ceiling and leave quickly to avoid being sick. 

Ph Sandia, this is how I felt when I was pregnant. Grocery shopping was a real chore. 

Tru

I remember how apprehenisve I was, sitting in the waiting room. They called me back and I had my port accessed for the first time. So much easier than I had ever imagined. Then I had to sit in the waiting room again. I would watch people go back behind 'The Door'. Then it was my turn. Oh, the trepidation.  

The only thing that was a little disconcerting was the feeling I had during infusion, of my throat seizing up. Like I could not swallow. I mentioned it to my husband, and a woman in a nearby chair over heard me. She piped up and told me that it was a reaction to the Oxaliplatin part of FOLFOX.  It did not get any worse, and thus I went on with the infusion.  

So, my advice, be aware of your body and if anything feels different, just run it by one of the chemo nurses. Even if you think its something silly, just mention it and let them put your mind at ease. 

I had a three hour car trip home after every infusion, so no, I didn't drive.  

The first infusion will probably go really well. You may find you get tired as each infusion progresses and thus, you would not want to drive. Plus, there are some really gnarly side effects as time progresses, so best try to get someone to go with you. Keep you company as well, as its a three to four hour process. 

Good luck!  I hope you breeze through your first infusion. 

Tru

th4rs said:

My first time was Tuesday

I have the Cape Ox regiment.  I could not use my port due to severe bruising so got it in my arm.  The Oxyliplatin cased tingling in my arm right away.  They watchedn me for awile so the tingling is still present from my wrist to my shoulder.  The Cape part of my regiment is a pill that I take twice a day and it tends to make mee feel a little nausous.  The secound day after chemo was the worst I threw up and got zofran under the tongue and should have probaly got fluids but wated until the next day to get fluids.  The oxyloplatin cases numbness in your hands and a oversensitivity to cold.  They are not kidding if you touch something cold all the nerves seem like they are on fire.  Eating has been the same sweats or sticky stuff casuses a tingling in my mough that is very unpleasant so no sweets for me.  I am hoping that next time will be better due to I know what to expect.  I did call the nurses about 4 times and the on-call Doctor.  DO NOT BE AFRAID TO UTILIZE THEM. That is what they are there for and they do help.  I hope that helps you and good luck.       

 

Robin

Sorry about the type os trying to find the spell check. 

Glad to hear you made it through your first round.  Don't be too surprised that you are tired, and make sure to rest when needed, but make sure you get up and move around too.  It's better to try to stay somewhat active and get exercise in, and make sure that you drink plenty of liquids too.  Get a calendar and mark down the days of treatment until you are done.  It makes it easier to see the end when you can mark one treatment off at a time.  Hope tomorrow you find yourself a little better.

Kim

th4rs said:

Sorry about the type os trying to find the spell check. 

I had some port problems with chemo, and developed a DVT of the axillary vein, the site had been very bruised after the insertion --just a heads up --I had pain in armpit area and noticed a bunch of new surface veins that had not been there before --chemo and cancer make some people more prone to clotting. 

Wishing you the best Kelly. Before you know it, it'll all be behind you. Stay positive.