New member with Sta I C and scared

MJ
MJ Member Posts: 18
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Would like help.

Comments

  • ColleenN
    ColleenN Member Posts: 73
    #2
    welcome
    Hi MJ,

    Welcome to the group. The best advice I can give you is to start reading some of the other posts, and I can tell by your posts that you've been doing this. There have been several new members lately. The ladies (and other family members) here are wonderful, caring people, always willing to help answer questions when they can. I joined with stage IC this summer, so it's still pretty new to me too, but there are people here that have been living with III and IV for many years. Take care.

    Colleen
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #3
    Come on down!
    Though it seems odd for us to welcome you to this discussion board, we do because it has meant so much to us when we were new, facing new treatment, or other ups and downs. We all learn so much from others who have been through the same experience and receive so much in the way of helpful advice, prayers, support and simply knowing that we are not alone. You bet, you are scared. I surely was for the first two months and then I discovered that there were women here that had been fighting for several years and I latched onto that hope and ran with it. Post any question, fear or happiness and we will respond. ((Hugs and Prayers for your comfort))) Saundra
  • MJ
    MJ Member Posts: 18
    #4
    ColleenN said:

    welcome
    Hi MJ,

    Welcome to the group. The best advice I can give you is to start reading some of the other posts, and I can tell by your posts that you've been doing this. There have been several new members lately. The ladies (and other family members) here are wonderful, caring people, always willing to help answer questions when they can. I joined with stage IC this summer, so it's still pretty new to me too, but there are people here that have been living with III and IV for many years. Take care.

    Colleen

    Chemotherapy tomorrow for the first time at 9:30 am ET
    Thanks so much for taking time to respond. I have to take 5 nausea pills 12 hrs and 6 hrs before the injection, whi I was told will last 5 hours. Very worried today. Went to church and am trying to eat high-fiber food all day.

    Will keep you posted tomorrow.

    Many thanks.
    MJ
  • ladyjogger31
    ladyjogger31 Member Posts: 289
    #5
    Scared
    Welcome, sorry we have to meet this way, but you won't find a better place for information and support. I had my surgery Feb.29, 2008 and was diagnosed stage 3C OVCA. I had 8 treatments of carbo/taxol and now onto my 3rd treatment of Doxil. I had a port put in to save my veins and so happy I did so. You will probably be on the carbo/taxol every 3 weeks. That is what most of us get at first. I was given IV doses of antinausea, steroids, and Benadryl before the cabo/taxol and the whole thing takes about 5-6 hours. My cancer clinic has comfortable recliners and blankets snacks and TV. You must know where your strength will come from and go there to get it. My faith was first and then my family's support and love. I would suggest starting a journal. My thoughts and prayers are with you as I KNOW it's got to be a super tough thing having treatments in front of you. Stay in this forum and write all you have to say, because there are a great group of people on here that TRULY CARE and will be here for you.
    Hugs and Prayers,
    Terry
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #6
    ANOTHER SURVIVOR
    Hi, MJ:
    I was dx with Stage 1C in 2000 (surgery and chemo). I had a recurrance in 2006 (more surgery and chemo) and as of today I am doing just fine. You've gotten some really good advice. As times goes on and you need more specific help with side affects, etc. or just a shoulder to lean on, come on back. Collectively, we have a great deal of experience and tips to offer. You are definitely not alone. Just let us know how we can be of help.

    In the meantime, I'm sending lots of prayers and hugs your way. Take one day at a time and, if necessary, one MOMENT at a time. You're going to be okay!

    Monika
  • Dreamdove
    Dreamdove Member Posts: 175 Member
    #7
    MJ said:

    Chemotherapy tomorrow for the first time at 9:30 am ET
    Thanks so much for taking time to respond. I have to take 5 nausea pills 12 hrs and 6 hrs before the injection, whi I was told will last 5 hours. Very worried today. Went to church and am trying to eat high-fiber food all day.

    Will keep you posted tomorrow.

    Many thanks.
    MJ

    it really isn't all that scarey
    MJ, chemo isn't as scarey as it sounds. I was surprised my first time that is wasn't that big a deal. I made sure to have magazines (lite reading) with me. They offered me snacks and beverages, as well as served a lunch of sandwiches, fruit, cookies (cookies I did not have), soda. I got sleepy for awhile because of the drugs they put in me. Otherwise, there was no pain of any kind. So from then on I didn't fear the chemo session. Although I have to add that I would not care to go thru it again! Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and clogs or some shoes you can slip off. We had comfortable easy chairs. Most of the women were very friendly so sometimes I chatted. I discovered some of them had it alot worse off than poor me!
  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #8
    Hello
    welcome to the group. Your gonna find lot's of love,support and advice given on this board. Everyone here cares so much about each other. I'm not sure of what type of chemo they will be starting but since you said something about 5 hours I would think it sounds like carbo/taxol. So as was suggested bring magazines,make sure they serve some snacks or drinks before you go..if not bring something. It's really not so bad and I think you'll probably sleep through some of it. Good luck~~~Joanne
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #9
    Water
    I forgot to say drink lots and lots of water. Don't skimp on this. My first chemo gave me terrible constipation so after that horror I took vegtable (mild) stool softeners and laxitives as soon as I got home.
    This helped me a lot. The first time my doctor had to send a strong one and I thought I was having a baby! I never wanted that again. Just keep focus the water....every hour... Saundra
  • MJ
    MJ Member Posts: 18
    #10
    Update of the 1st chemo sesion today in VA
    Thank you all heartily these nice answers and so much support. I did have carbo/Taxol. Feel good..for now- they also injected more fluid against nausea. Came home and very hungry: need to eat high-fiber food, more than usual, for ifwe don't constipation will be the big problem tomorrow. So I told the nurse: that's it - she said YES. She has been treating cancer patients since 30 years and the only side effect she thinks is most common is fatigue as days dgo by.

    Last week I went to a chemo-class and all the side effects that were mentioned scared the hell out of me: but the nurse said these are the worst scenario..

    Did not sleep at all last night for I was quite worried that during thr chemo my body will explode or be covered with blisters and my eyes will pop out of the orbits and all my nails will fall..just some humor..

    You girls are my new family - I was born on a remote island in the Indian Ocean and I am French-speaking.

    Take care/love you all
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #11
    MJ said:

    Update of the 1st chemo sesion today in VA
    Thank you all heartily these nice answers and so much support. I did have carbo/Taxol. Feel good..for now- they also injected more fluid against nausea. Came home and very hungry: need to eat high-fiber food, more than usual, for ifwe don't constipation will be the big problem tomorrow. So I told the nurse: that's it - she said YES. She has been treating cancer patients since 30 years and the only side effect she thinks is most common is fatigue as days dgo by.

    Last week I went to a chemo-class and all the side effects that were mentioned scared the hell out of me: but the nurse said these are the worst scenario..

    Did not sleep at all last night for I was quite worried that during thr chemo my body will explode or be covered with blisters and my eyes will pop out of the orbits and all my nails will fall..just some humor..

    You girls are my new family - I was born on a remote island in the Indian Ocean and I am French-speaking.

    Take care/love you all

    Congrats!
    Really glad you did OK. Did your doctor give you nausea prescription pills too? Mine did but I seldom used them. Nausea wasn't a problem for me. Neither was loss of appetite and I've gained 30 pounds Since my surgery in July, '07. At 72 hours I did feel like laying on the couch for the next 24 hrs. and did have some leg pain. Took Tylenol. Then started getting better each day. I forced my self to walk some every day if only down to the corner and back, starting slow and going farther each day. Keep a journal and you can look back in 18 months and tell another new member what it did to you. Drink your water and eat your prunes and you will have won half the battle! Thanks for letting us know. (Hugs) Saundra
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #12
    MJ said:

    Update of the 1st chemo sesion today in VA
    Thank you all heartily these nice answers and so much support. I did have carbo/Taxol. Feel good..for now- they also injected more fluid against nausea. Came home and very hungry: need to eat high-fiber food, more than usual, for ifwe don't constipation will be the big problem tomorrow. So I told the nurse: that's it - she said YES. She has been treating cancer patients since 30 years and the only side effect she thinks is most common is fatigue as days dgo by.

    Last week I went to a chemo-class and all the side effects that were mentioned scared the hell out of me: but the nurse said these are the worst scenario..

    Did not sleep at all last night for I was quite worried that during thr chemo my body will explode or be covered with blisters and my eyes will pop out of the orbits and all my nails will fall..just some humor..

    You girls are my new family - I was born on a remote island in the Indian Ocean and I am French-speaking.

    Take care/love you all

    Good News
    Hi MJ, I am really glad it went okay. Did your doctor give you nausea prescription pills too? For me about the 2nd day I got sick and couldn't even stand the smell of food, and the leg pain was the worse. I took tylenol and it helped some but not a lot. Also the neuropathy pain was bad. The taxol does cause neuropathy, but L Glutamine really helps. Drink your water and take something for constipation(if needed) I know most of us suffer constipation but a few get the opposite affects! Thanks for Update, sending lots of Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • Dreamdove
    Dreamdove Member Posts: 175 Member
    #13
    MJ said:

    Update of the 1st chemo sesion today in VA
    Thank you all heartily these nice answers and so much support. I did have carbo/Taxol. Feel good..for now- they also injected more fluid against nausea. Came home and very hungry: need to eat high-fiber food, more than usual, for ifwe don't constipation will be the big problem tomorrow. So I told the nurse: that's it - she said YES. She has been treating cancer patients since 30 years and the only side effect she thinks is most common is fatigue as days dgo by.

    Last week I went to a chemo-class and all the side effects that were mentioned scared the hell out of me: but the nurse said these are the worst scenario..

    Did not sleep at all last night for I was quite worried that during thr chemo my body will explode or be covered with blisters and my eyes will pop out of the orbits and all my nails will fall..just some humor..

    You girls are my new family - I was born on a remote island in the Indian Ocean and I am French-speaking.

    Take care/love you all

    probiotics are good
    I recommend probiotics such as something you can get at Wal-mart called "Pearls." Otherwise, Activia yogurt. If you have too much high fiber products it can give you cramps. I don't take high-fiber supplements at all because of my bad experiences with them. I like some of the natural cereals made by Kashi, like the heart-healthy oat cereal (kind of like Cheerios, only better.) Eat an apple every day. Gingerale is good, especially Canada Dry Gingerale. I got very hungry because of the steriods, which I didn't know they put in my chemo mix. Once I found out, that explained the terrible food cravings. I put back on the 10 lbs. I lost after surgery. If I was going to do it over again, I'd have probably eaten alot more fruit and tried to drink more water. But with the metalic mouth, water didn't taste good and I had to force myself. I wasn't even thirsty. It wasn't summer then. I did get my quota in of liquids, though, so I was ok. I bought more beverages than usual, green tea, hot chocolate, gingerale, fruit juices, etc. to encourage me to drink.
  • MJ
    MJ Member Posts: 18
    #14
    saundra said:

    Congrats!
    Really glad you did OK. Did your doctor give you nausea prescription pills too? Mine did but I seldom used them. Nausea wasn't a problem for me. Neither was loss of appetite and I've gained 30 pounds Since my surgery in July, '07. At 72 hours I did feel like laying on the couch for the next 24 hrs. and did have some leg pain. Took Tylenol. Then started getting better each day. I forced my self to walk some every day if only down to the corner and back, starting slow and going farther each day. Keep a journal and you can look back in 18 months and tell another new member what it did to you. Drink your water and eat your prunes and you will have won half the battle! Thanks for letting us know. (Hugs) Saundra

    This is MJ - Reply to all who asked about my first chemo
    No nausea since yesterday 1st chemo but I have metallic taste as of today. I believe eating healthy and exercise help.
    Let me tell you my day today:
    Went back to have an injection of Neulesta (to help to build WBC before me next chemo on December 8th). Came back and bundled up and went for 90 mins walk (before my surgery I used to run 18 miles per week - now I walk like a 90 years young lady but this helps - if you move you release endorphin and your mind works better and you don't dwell on negative issues) - but this is only the first day - I was told the side effects can come late, early next week, during the week-end, in-betwwen chemo sessions--hope not.

    My meals today (for real): but in small portions
    bran cereal and soymilk

    1 banana

    1avocado

    a small bowl of kidney beans soup

    WATER WATER WATER A LOT

    main course: veal with soybeans/1/4 sweet potato/lots of organic mix greens/1/2 cranberry/blueberry bagel (again very small portion)

    a not too small bowl of lentil and spinach soup

    1 kiwi and grapes

    BUT THESE ARE EATEN IN SMALL PORTIONS AND EVERY HOUR

    I just want to keep upbeat for I am having a very difficult time: Thanksgiving/my birthday/Xmas/New Year are almost here.

    But I know my new family will help me to go through.

    Thks
  • MJ
    MJ Member Posts: 18
    #15
    saundra said:

    Water
    I forgot to say drink lots and lots of water. Don't skimp on this. My first chemo gave me terrible constipation so after that horror I took vegtable (mild) stool softeners and laxitives as soon as I got home.
    This helped me a lot. The first time my doctor had to send a strong one and I thought I was having a baby! I never wanted that again. Just keep focus the water....every hour... Saundra

    Water - Water
    Definitely at least 10 glasses of water taken during the whole day.

    Moreover, I have printed the list of High fiber foods from the internet and I have posted it in the kitchen and I choose each day the different foods that add up to at least 30 grams of fiber and this really helps especially at this chemo time. Try it and let me know. I was told that we will have constipation days very often.

    Take care.
  • MJ
    MJ Member Posts: 18
    #16
    BonnieR said:

    Good News
    Hi MJ, I am really glad it went okay. Did your doctor give you nausea prescription pills too? For me about the 2nd day I got sick and couldn't even stand the smell of food, and the leg pain was the worse. I took tylenol and it helped some but not a lot. Also the neuropathy pain was bad. The taxol does cause neuropathy, but L Glutamine really helps. Drink your water and take something for constipation(if needed) I know most of us suffer constipation but a few get the opposite affects! Thanks for Update, sending lots of Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie

    Prune Juice
    You are too cute: constipation and opposite effects...

    For constipation: Please take a glass of prune juice as soon as you wake up on an empty stomach and try to take a walk (even it is cold) for the fresh air really helps. Then miracle will happen and no more constipation but in addition eat high fiber foods.

    I am not Doctor MJ but I have my share of misery also when it's bathroom time.

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