Start Chemo Monday

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  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #22
    Thanks Kim!
    Thanks so much for your response, Kim. Your comments helped so much!
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #23
    What to wear for chemo?
    What type of shirt should be worn for Chemo? Buttoned or Tee Shirt? Thanks.
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #24
    lizzydavis said:

    What to wear for chemo?
    What type of shirt should be worn for Chemo? Buttoned or Tee Shirt? Thanks.

    I wear....
    ...a button down shirt, since I have a port, and it's easier for the tubes to just come out right there in front, instead of going underneath the bottom of a T-shirt, but, it's up to you! The nurse told me it was easier for them to access the port through button down shirts though.
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #25
    Shayenne said:

    I wear....
    ...a button down shirt, since I have a port, and it's easier for the tubes to just come out right there in front, instead of going underneath the bottom of a T-shirt, but, it's up to you! The nurse told me it was easier for them to access the port through button down shirts though.

    Thanks!
    I will get my port tomorrow. Thanks so much for your response!
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #26
    lizzydavis said:

    Thanks!
    I will get my port tomorrow. Thanks so much for your response!

    I had my first chemo yesterday.

    I had my first chemo treatment yesterday. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I
    imagined. They had recliners all around for the patients. There were many patients. Blankets and pillows were provided. There were a lot of nurses available. Some volunteers went around offering crackers and drinks.

    I have had some minor side effects such as sensitivity to cold. All drinks must be room temperature. I can handle that. I left with a fanny pack which will be a continual infusion for 46 hours. On Thursday afternoon, I will return to have it disconnected. My next appointment is on June 30. At that time, I will have the port flushed. I will also have an office visit with the oncologist.

    I felt well enough to go for a short walk yesterday and to do some light shopping.

    We have been juicing carrots, lemons, apples, and ginger.
    My stomach is much better.

    Life is good.
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #27
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Experience
    My first chemo was actually better than I expected. Very little side effects and they went away within several hours. Second treatment the side effects lasted for five days but don't go by me because we all have different "cocktails" and it affects us differently. I'm actually going in for treatment number 3 on Tuesday.

    Can't tell you about the bowels because I had an ileostomy with my surgery, but I do have to empty my bag at least once if not twice in the 4 hours I'm there. You definitely can go potty and no you don't have to be unhooked, just take the IV pole with you.

    I don't shower with the fanny pack (I have it for three days) and do the complete sponge bath at the sink or in tub with fanny pack on the side. I have a long enough tube to at least put it on the edge of the tub or sink to wash.

    Magazines are great along with a portable DVD player if you have it and books if you like to read. We have individual tv's, but no computer access.

    At our hospital, they provide snacks and someone always brings in home made goodies and sometimes several to choose from. I actually made crumb cake to take into my hospital on Tuesday and will make brownies for Wednesday.

    Being nervous is normal, and I have cried each day before my last two treatments. I'm scared too as each treatment is different, but you will do fine. Just let us know how you are feeling.

    Kim

    Hi Kim,
    It sounds like
    Hi Kim,

    It sounds like you're handling things alright & you're now giving out advice! Isn't it amazing how we become stronger through all this we experience, that we can then be the "wise ones" giving out advice?!
    I just had my first Avastin infusion in my new oncology office on Tuesday. It's a very nice place- bigger than the old place. Nurses are all very nice, too. The nurses were nice at my old place as well, in fact I think I'm going to go by there to take them something and say my "thanks and goodbyes", as they knew I'd be making the change, but ended up making it kind of abruptly a month sooner than we thought at the time I saw them last. It's funny how you can get that bond- they have helped me for more than a year and a half of chemo now- I will miss them- two of them in particular.

    Hang in there! I remember the days of the pump. How I hated feeling so yucky with not being able to shower for those three days (can you imagine in "the olden days" how they'd go without bathing for a week?! I guess they didn't know anything different then, though)

    Take care & hugs to you!
    Lisa
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #28
    lizzydavis said:

    I had my first chemo yesterday.

    I had my first chemo treatment yesterday. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I
    imagined. They had recliners all around for the patients. There were many patients. Blankets and pillows were provided. There were a lot of nurses available. Some volunteers went around offering crackers and drinks.

    I have had some minor side effects such as sensitivity to cold. All drinks must be room temperature. I can handle that. I left with a fanny pack which will be a continual infusion for 46 hours. On Thursday afternoon, I will return to have it disconnected. My next appointment is on June 30. At that time, I will have the port flushed. I will also have an office visit with the oncologist.

    I felt well enough to go for a short walk yesterday and to do some light shopping.

    We have been juicing carrots, lemons, apples, and ginger.
    My stomach is much better.

    Life is good.

    Your First Chemo
    Glad to hear that your first chemo went well for you. I know it is a scary thing. Yes, we have volunteers too offering things to eat and drink. I usually bring my own water bottles since most of their drinks are either hot (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) or cold (juices, pop, etc). I have chemo infusions two days (3 1/2 hours) then go home with the pump both days and then get disconnected on third.

    I felt the cold sensitivity too and it's weird not to be able to drink anything cold.

    Kim
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #29
    Any problems?
    Hi Kim,

    I had a delayed reaction to the chemo. I had some constipation with rectal bleeding. I also felt nauseau and weak. Pretty much unable to do anything but fold a few clothes and wash dishes. Have you had any changes? I have been juicing and taking ginger capsules. What do you eat? I have been having jelly toast, baked chicken and spaghetti. Thanks,
    Liz
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #30
    lizzydavis said:

    Any problems?
    Hi Kim,

    I had a delayed reaction to the chemo. I had some constipation with rectal bleeding. I also felt nauseau and weak. Pretty much unable to do anything but fold a few clothes and wash dishes. Have you had any changes? I have been juicing and taking ginger capsules. What do you eat? I have been having jelly toast, baked chicken and spaghetti. Thanks,
    Liz

    Food
    Awww that is a hard question. I eat what I want, but it's not always what I should. I tend to eat a lot of vegetables because it sounds good but there aren't few calories in them. I seem to stay away from proteins, carbs because my tummy feels bad trying to digest them and if I do eat something I feel so full I can't eat for 7-8 hours after. Usually the two days before chemo begins again I'm eating pretty normal, just not a lot.

    I get so tired and it's only been three treatments. I have been getting very emotional lately too, like I have PMS :) but I know I don't. I also have been getting very irritable and I'm not sure if that is from chemo or not.

    The two days I sit in the chair at the hospital, I always have bleeding from the rectum. Doctor told me not to worry about it and said it is due to the healing up inside. Weird it's just because of the hard chairs, but it does hurt so very bad when I sit there for so long.

    Kim
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #31
    Thanks, Kim.
    Ok. I feel better about the rectal bleeding. Thanks for your support and quick answers!

    Liz
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #32
    lizzydavis said:

    Thanks, Kim.
    Ok. I feel better about the rectal bleeding. Thanks for your support and quick answers!

    Liz

    Which veggies do not hurt your tummy?
    Which veggies do not hurt your tummy? Thanks.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #33
    lizzydavis said:

    Which veggies do not hurt your tummy?
    Which veggies do not hurt your tummy? Thanks.

    Veggies
    Fortunately I have no veggies that hurt my tummy. I always ate so many before surgery so eating vegetables now are no problem. Because I have an ileostomy, I can't have corn because of the hules, no popcorn either :( I hope you are feeling better. I go in tomorrow (Monday) for my 4th treatment).

    Kim

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