1st chemo appointment...what should I expect??

pammycake
pammycake Member Posts: 35
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have my 1st visit with the chemo dr on Monday. I am unsure of what to expect. Can anyone tell me what to expect?

Comments

  • Future
    Future Member Posts: 133 Member
    #2
    Best advice I can give you -- take someone with you. A friend who also had breast cancer gave me that advice and it's the best thing she could have done for me. You just don't hear everything. Your first visit will depend on what you've already discussed with your physicians. I still remember my first visit two years later. My oncologist discussed my pathology report, current survival rates and drug regime options (for me it was go with the every three weeks regime or look at dose intense and go every two weeks). Because I'm an information hound, she gave me articles comparing the options and I called her back a couple of days later with the answer. She then scheduled with the surgeon to set up getting the port put in and having first treatment on same day and ordered lab work.

    Let us know how it goes.
  • pammycake
    pammycake Member Posts: 35
    #3
    Future said:

    Best advice I can give you -- take someone with you. A friend who also had breast cancer gave me that advice and it's the best thing she could have done for me. You just don't hear everything. Your first visit will depend on what you've already discussed with your physicians. I still remember my first visit two years later. My oncologist discussed my pathology report, current survival rates and drug regime options (for me it was go with the every three weeks regime or look at dose intense and go every two weeks). Because I'm an information hound, she gave me articles comparing the options and I called her back a couple of days later with the answer. She then scheduled with the surgeon to set up getting the port put in and having first treatment on same day and ordered lab work.

    Let us know how it goes.

    Thank you for that information. I will take my husband with me. I know I'm just ready to get it over with.

    When your porta-cath was put in, did you have to be put to sleep?
  • Future
    Future Member Posts: 133 Member
    #4
    pammycake said:

    Thank you for that information. I will take my husband with me. I know I'm just ready to get it over with.

    When your porta-cath was put in, did you have to be put to sleep?

    Yes, but it was light anesthesia and they arranged for me to have my first treatment immediately after the procedure (on the same day). Mine was in my upper chest; opposite side of the CA and I was glad I had it - they would put a cream on it about 20 minutes before putting the needle in so it was nothing worse than a "prick".

    mary
  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #5
    Future said:

    Yes, but it was light anesthesia and they arranged for me to have my first treatment immediately after the procedure (on the same day). Mine was in my upper chest; opposite side of the CA and I was glad I had it - they would put a cream on it about 20 minutes before putting the needle in so it was nothing worse than a "prick".

    mary

    I agree, take someone with you. If it is actual treatment I like to watch TV, listen to music or read. I also have my Pastor, any Pastor, pray for me and the meds and I take a xanex for anxiety.
    Drink lots of water the day before, day of, and day after. Take it easy after treatment for first 2-3 days. You probably won't feel sick at all, which is a false since of relief because usually on day three the train hits you. Nausea, vomiting, achey, etc. Because of that it is a good idea to have meals cooked and frozen. Eat crackers, just let them dissolve in your mouth and DO NOT let yourself get dehydrated!
    If you expect to have hair loss go ahead and get you some hats, caps, scarves, a wig whatever or just go "au naturale". I said next time I was just going to spray paint my head and call it a close shave. LOL
    Best of luck to you, this too shall pass!
    (((HUGS))) hummingbyrd
  • pammycake
    pammycake Member Posts: 35
    #6
    hummingbyrd said:

    I agree, take someone with you. If it is actual treatment I like to watch TV, listen to music or read. I also have my Pastor, any Pastor, pray for me and the meds and I take a xanex for anxiety.
    Drink lots of water the day before, day of, and day after. Take it easy after treatment for first 2-3 days. You probably won't feel sick at all, which is a false since of relief because usually on day three the train hits you. Nausea, vomiting, achey, etc. Because of that it is a good idea to have meals cooked and frozen. Eat crackers, just let them dissolve in your mouth and DO NOT let yourself get dehydrated!
    If you expect to have hair loss go ahead and get you some hats, caps, scarves, a wig whatever or just go "au naturale". I said next time I was just going to spray paint my head and call it a close shave. LOL
    Best of luck to you, this too shall pass!
    (((HUGS))) hummingbyrd

    Thanks for responding to my post. I have seen that you are the woman to talk to about cancer...lol. I know that it's going to be a road to travel down, but I am so ready to get down it and make another turn. If I lose my hair...I'm just gonna get some scarves or go natural. I'm me and hair doesn't make me.

    I do hope that you are doing well and thanks again!!

    Be Blessed!!
  • hounddog
    hounddog Member Posts: 115
    #7
    I agree with the others take someone with you when you go for your chemotreatment. Chemotherapy affects people differently some get sick to their stomach some don't . I did alright after my first treatment coming home but my second even before we started out of Elpaso I was sick all the way home .My Husbands mom had to pull over all the way back to Carlsbad N.M. so when I got home I took a suppository and went to bed and slept until the next day cause I was sick.
    marilyn
  • Future
    Future Member Posts: 133 Member
    #8
    Pammycake,

    Please let us know how your first appointment goes. We are a sisterhood and are here to support each other. You're in our prayers.

    Mary
  • pammycake
    pammycake Member Posts: 35
    #9
    hounddog said:

    I agree with the others take someone with you when you go for your chemotreatment. Chemotherapy affects people differently some get sick to their stomach some don't . I did alright after my first treatment coming home but my second even before we started out of Elpaso I was sick all the way home .My Husbands mom had to pull over all the way back to Carlsbad N.M. so when I got home I took a suppository and went to bed and slept until the next day cause I was sick.
    marilyn

    Oh, I'm so sorry that you were so sick. I had my appointment today. It went well. I find out in a couple of days which chemo I'll be doing.

    I do hope that you are feeling well now. Take care and be blessed!!!

    Pam
  • pammycake
    pammycake Member Posts: 35
    #10
    Future said:

    Pammycake,

    Please let us know how your first appointment goes. We are a sisterhood and are here to support each other. You're in our prayers.

    Mary

    Mary,

    Thank you for your kind words. I'll keep you posted!! :)

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