chemo and radiation - how bad are they?

maryln3
maryln3 Member Posts: 62
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
i heard from 2 people it is not as bad as one might think...i like hearing those stories

Comments

  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #2
    Our minds
    From my experience, most things are not as bad as we anticipate. I remember that first chemo day - scared like crazy but pleasantly surprised that it was my mind that perceived it much worse than reality.

    I'm using that experience to help me with other challenging times.

    Best wishes to you.
  • Katrinka123
    Katrinka123 Member Posts: 51
    #3
    It was a piece of cake for me!
    I had mine sandwiched between rounds of chemo - so it was a really nice break. The people who were working at my clinic were a hoot and it was really nice seeing them every day!

    No side effects for me as long as I went with something in my stomach (the one day I went on an empty stomach I was a bit sick to my stomach). A small metallic taste in my mouth halfway through, but that was it for me!

    -Kat
  • pj1
    pj1 Member Posts: 4
    #4
    Not at all what I feared!
    Finished my chemo in early May and brachy therapy a few weeks ago. I so remember my first time sitting down in the chemo chair and feeling so very vulnerable...and then, thanks to the supreme caring nurses and the wonderful 'coping' drugs along with the chemo treatment, I awoke knowing I could do this. The effects of the treatment are cumulative so I was a little tireder and a little achier each time. I took a few days off for each treatment...treatment day was on Thursday and with the exception of one time I was back to work on Monday.

    Radiation was almost a non-happening for me as far as any side effects.

    Two weeks after finishing my radiation, I took a 3400 mile road trip by myself to see family!

    You'll do great!!
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #5
    pj1 said:

    Not at all what I feared!
    Finished my chemo in early May and brachy therapy a few weeks ago. I so remember my first time sitting down in the chemo chair and feeling so very vulnerable...and then, thanks to the supreme caring nurses and the wonderful 'coping' drugs along with the chemo treatment, I awoke knowing I could do this. The effects of the treatment are cumulative so I was a little tireder and a little achier each time. I took a few days off for each treatment...treatment day was on Thursday and with the exception of one time I was back to work on Monday.

    Radiation was almost a non-happening for me as far as any side effects.

    Two weeks after finishing my radiation, I took a 3400 mile road trip by myself to see family!

    You'll do great!!

    I'm impressed
    PJ1. You ROCK!!!

    I like your attitude. :)
  • kathybd
    kathybd Member Posts: 126
    #6
    pj1 said:

    Not at all what I feared!
    Finished my chemo in early May and brachy therapy a few weeks ago. I so remember my first time sitting down in the chemo chair and feeling so very vulnerable...and then, thanks to the supreme caring nurses and the wonderful 'coping' drugs along with the chemo treatment, I awoke knowing I could do this. The effects of the treatment are cumulative so I was a little tireder and a little achier each time. I took a few days off for each treatment...treatment day was on Thursday and with the exception of one time I was back to work on Monday.

    Radiation was almost a non-happening for me as far as any side effects.

    Two weeks after finishing my radiation, I took a 3400 mile road trip by myself to see family!

    You'll do great!!

    Thank you all for these positive posts!
    I will be starting my chemo next Wed and like all of you fear what will happen the first time I sit in that chair. (I experienced it for 6 months last year with my husband being the patient and his side effects were horrendous.) I plan on going in and convincing myself I will sail through this with no problem. Plan on doing the first one the week before I go back to work. Also have my hair cut short, got a wig yesterday and plan on getting it all cut off next weekend. So my second biggest fear is going back to work with a very NON supportive Dr to work with. He has actually been complaining to the staff that I need chemo. Has anyone had this problem in the workplace. The women have been very supportive, but it's a very small office. Please know I am not trying to be negative; but to turn this into a positive, learning experience. Thanks all for listening!
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #7
    kathybd said:

    Thank you all for these positive posts!
    I will be starting my chemo next Wed and like all of you fear what will happen the first time I sit in that chair. (I experienced it for 6 months last year with my husband being the patient and his side effects were horrendous.) I plan on going in and convincing myself I will sail through this with no problem. Plan on doing the first one the week before I go back to work. Also have my hair cut short, got a wig yesterday and plan on getting it all cut off next weekend. So my second biggest fear is going back to work with a very NON supportive Dr to work with. He has actually been complaining to the staff that I need chemo. Has anyone had this problem in the workplace. The women have been very supportive, but it's a very small office. Please know I am not trying to be negative; but to turn this into a positive, learning experience. Thanks all for listening!

    Kathy good luck with your chemo on Wednesday
    Kathy go in with a positive attitude and it will help you. I had no problems after my first chemo treatments. I anticipated the worse, and luckily non of it happened. The premedications and post medications they give help prevent the side effects. I did have some problems while I got chemo, but the nurses were there to take care of the problems and allow me to get all of the chemo medication. I just need it at a much slower rate. I know you went through this experience with your husband. I am sure you will find it very different to be the one in the chair.

    Sorry your boss is still being non-supportive. Hopefully all of your other co workers can help you make it through his negativity. Go there too with a positive attitude. All you can do is go and do the best job that you can do that day.

    Good luck to you. In peace and caring. HUGS to you.
  • kathybd
    kathybd Member Posts: 126
    #8
    Ro10 said:

    Kathy good luck with your chemo on Wednesday
    Kathy go in with a positive attitude and it will help you. I had no problems after my first chemo treatments. I anticipated the worse, and luckily non of it happened. The premedications and post medications they give help prevent the side effects. I did have some problems while I got chemo, but the nurses were there to take care of the problems and allow me to get all of the chemo medication. I just need it at a much slower rate. I know you went through this experience with your husband. I am sure you will find it very different to be the one in the chair.

    Sorry your boss is still being non-supportive. Hopefully all of your other co workers can help you make it through his negativity. Go there too with a positive attitude. All you can do is go and do the best job that you can do that day.

    Good luck to you. In peace and caring. HUGS to you.

    THANK YOU!
    Your posts always make me feel better. I will update you after. I plan I putting myself "in a marshmallow" aka as a white healing, protective light on both days. A chemo nurse at one of the support groups said that it's easier to visualize when you are stressed.
    With much appreciation for your caring and hug!!
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #9
    kathybd said:

    THANK YOU!
    Your posts always make me feel better. I will update you after. I plan I putting myself "in a marshmallow" aka as a white healing, protective light on both days. A chemo nurse at one of the support groups said that it's easier to visualize when you are stressed.
    With much appreciation for your caring and hug!!

    Kathy
    And Kathy, I recommend that while you get your chemo - you imagine your white blood cells with the help of the chemo are "kicking the butt" of the cancer cells!!!!

    Imagine yourself being cancer-free and being the most efficient worker when you return next week. :):):)

    Best wishes. Mary Ann
  • kathybd
    kathybd Member Posts: 126
    #10
    daisy366 said:

    Kathy
    And Kathy, I recommend that while you get your chemo - you imagine your white blood cells with the help of the chemo are "kicking the butt" of the cancer cells!!!!

    Imagine yourself being cancer-free and being the most efficient worker when you return next week. :):):)

    Best wishes. Mary Ann

    HUGS TO YOU MARY ANN!
    YOU MAKE ME SMILE! I WILL DO EXACTLY THAT! ALL THE BEST TO YOU, ALSO!K
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #11
    kathybd said:

    HUGS TO YOU MARY ANN!
    YOU MAKE ME SMILE! I WILL DO EXACTLY THAT! ALL THE BEST TO YOU, ALSO!K

    How hare you doing Kathy
    I've been gone for over a week. I'm wondering how you are doing with chemo??
    Mary Ann

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