I have been reading through the posts for days..

vonni
vonni Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
..and am impressed with the wonderful advice and information and in awe of the strength that I see in each of you. I'm new to the boards so hello to all. My official diagnosis came on Oct 15th. After 3 surgeries, my body is healed enough to begin the next phase of treatments. In a little over 5 hours, I will have the first of four cytoxin and taxotere cycles. I am nervous and a bit scared but thanks to reading about others experiences, much of the fear of the unknown seems to have left me this morning. I am now stocked up with water, miralax, poise pads (just in case), ginger candy and tea, lotion, soft hats and socks. I began taking my anti nausea yesterday and my steroid today.. My bag is packed with goodies to keep me entertained during todays treatment, as well as an invisible bat that I take everywhere with me to beat up the gremlins that have invaded my body. So ~whew~ I "think" I am as ready as I can be. Any other last minute advice is very much appreciated and welcomed.
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Comments

  • kimber10
    kimber10 Member Posts: 47
    #2
    Hello
    Vonni, I have no advice just wanted to say goodluck with treatment stay strong and glad you found this wonderful site.
    Kim
  • vonni
    vonni Member Posts: 7
    #3
    kimber10 said:

    Hello
    Vonni, I have no advice just wanted to say goodluck with treatment stay strong and glad you found this wonderful site.
    Kim

    Kim ~'Thank you for the well
    Kim ~'Thank you for the well wishes. It is indeed a wonderful site. I wish I had found it months ago, but am very thankful to have stumbled on it now.
  • canoegirl
    canoegirl Member Posts: 169
    #4
    Welcome and good luck!
    Welcome to the board and good luck! Hope your treatment goes well. Don't have any advise (I'm still a few weeks away from chemo). I'll be praying for you today.

    Hugs,
    Marcy
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #5
    You have been paying
    You have been paying attention~ move to the head of the class! It seems you have all of the bases pretty well covered; it will occur to you while you are there what things YOU in particular want, and next time you may need/want something else.

    We are a truly incredible group of men and women; an educated group of Warrior- Survivors who are empathetic,smart, and willing to offer advice and camaraderie at a moments notice!


    So, if you feel a hug on your hand today, it won't just be the IV~ it will be your family of Kindred Spirits here on the boards holding your hand and reminding you that you are not on this journey alone~ we are all right there with you.

    Hugs,
    Chen♥

    PS..my daughters name is Siobhan, and we call her Vonni!
  • pattimc
    pattimc Member Posts: 431
    #6
    Welcome
    Hi Vonni,

    Welcome! I, too, read for months before I joined and am so glad I did! I had the same cocktail that you are having. I finished on October 9th.

    I will be holding you in my prayers today. You can do this!!

    I wish you well!
  • lisamnovak
    lisamnovak Member Posts: 27
    #7
    treatment
    All I can say is take a deep breath and jump in! The people there will do their best to make you as comfortable and welcome as possible.....you just might be surpirsed at the people you will meet! I meet some of the most amazing people! You are strong, you can do this and we are here for you! HUGS!
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #8
    You studied well, Vonni -- now just relax!
    Welcome, Vonni -

    Love your invisible bat -- why didn't I ever think to put one of those in my chemo bag?

    I, and many others here on this board, did the same cocktail you're doing -- 4 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere. So come back often, and ask any questions you have -- we'll all be here to help you through this.

    Traci
  • pitt
    pitt Member Posts: 387
    #9
    Pearls of Wisdom
    The best advice I can give to you after all of your careful research and advance preparations is to listen to your body and be kind to yourself. Some days will be better than others. Just remember that you can and will get through this, but you must allow yourself time to rest. Good luck and keep us posted on your experiences. You never know what additional pearls of wisdom you may pick up! Fight like a girl! Pitt
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #10
    Welcome, Vonni! You really
    Welcome, Vonni! You really are a quick study. I think you have covered all the bases, as the others have also said. Just be sure to drink plenty of water and then drink some more water. I finished the same cocktail as you on October 15th, the day you received the dreaded news. Everything is very do-able and we'll be with you to offer any advice or encouragement as you go through your treatments. Best of luck to you and continue to post and let us know how you are doing. Take care!
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #11
    Hi Vonni and good luck today
    Hi Vonni and good luck today with your treatment! Glad you found us, but, sorry for the reason.

    Hugs, Debby
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #12
    DebbyM said:

    Hi Vonni and good luck today
    Hi Vonni and good luck today with your treatment! Glad you found us, but, sorry for the reason.

    Hugs, Debby

    Vonni, looks like you have
    Vonni, looks like you have it covered. best wishes. yOu will get through and the people here are helpful. loving and non judgemental. usually SOMEONE has had a symptom and ready and willing to help out from the physical to the emotional.
  • GrandmaJ
    GrandmaJ Member Posts: 209
    #13
    Vonni
    Good luck today. I had the same "cocktail" and had some side effects, but nothing meds from my oncologist couldn't remedy. Just take it easy and get lots of rest and water !!

    Judy
  • BunnyJane
    BunnyJane Member Posts: 213
    #14
    GrandmaJ said:

    Vonni
    Good luck today. I had the same "cocktail" and had some side effects, but nothing meds from my oncologist couldn't remedy. Just take it easy and get lots of rest and water !!

    Judy

    Hello Vonni:
    I also had the same cocktail. It sounds like you are well prepared for your first treatment. Chemo is doable- rest, eat well, drink lots of water, rest, rest, and follow all of your doctor's recommendations, especially regarding anti-nausea meds. Before you know it, this part of your treatment will be over and done! Best of luck Jane
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #15
    BunnyJane said:

    Hello Vonni:
    I also had the same cocktail. It sounds like you are well prepared for your first treatment. Chemo is doable- rest, eat well, drink lots of water, rest, rest, and follow all of your doctor's recommendations, especially regarding anti-nausea meds. Before you know it, this part of your treatment will be over and done! Best of luck Jane

    Vonni
    Welcome to the sit!
    Good luck with your first treatment. It seems like your are well prepared. If you miss something you always can ask a question. We will be happy to help.
    New Flower
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #16
    Vonni
    You sound very well prepared. So glad you found this site and have been able to use it to make your journey at least a little bit easier.

    The only thing I would add is to make sure you talk to your onco and/or the nurses to find out the best way to contact them at night or on the weekend in case you have any questions or need any help. I've seen posts from some that were in pain or worried about a side effect, etc., and didn't seem to have a way to easily contact their doctor's office for help.

    I have been fortunate (I'm on the same cocktail as you are and have completed 3 of 4) that the cancer center has a 24 hour nurse-triage phone line that I can call. I did have to call them after the first treatment for some really painful GI problems, but fortunately haven't needed to call since then. Since your treatment is today, you probably will be feeling the worst of any side effects over the weekend, and you shouldn't feel shy about calling someone if you need them.

    Best wishes to you today and for the rest of your treatment!
    Cindy
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #17
    cindycflynn said:

    Vonni
    You sound very well prepared. So glad you found this site and have been able to use it to make your journey at least a little bit easier.

    The only thing I would add is to make sure you talk to your onco and/or the nurses to find out the best way to contact them at night or on the weekend in case you have any questions or need any help. I've seen posts from some that were in pain or worried about a side effect, etc., and didn't seem to have a way to easily contact their doctor's office for help.

    I have been fortunate (I'm on the same cocktail as you are and have completed 3 of 4) that the cancer center has a 24 hour nurse-triage phone line that I can call. I did have to call them after the first treatment for some really painful GI problems, but fortunately haven't needed to call since then. Since your treatment is today, you probably will be feeling the worst of any side effects over the weekend, and you shouldn't feel shy about calling someone if you need them.

    Best wishes to you today and for the rest of your treatment!
    Cindy

    Welcome Vonni, Hope you
    Welcome Vonni, Hope you treatment goes well today and the side effects are minimal. You truly sound prepared, have a great attitude and you'll do fine. I can't give you advice as you're ahead of me in treatment even tho I was dxed Sept. 10, 09. On hormone theraphy but am scheduled for surgery in a couple of weeks, then radiation, chemo? Keep us posted as to how you're doing. You're in a great company of loving, warm and supportive women and this is a fantastic site.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #18
    HAPPY YOU FOUND US. I LIKE
    HAPPY YOU FOUND US. I LIKE YOUR INVISIBLE BAT. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY AND REST. PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW YOUR DAY WENT.
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #19
    Warm welcome, vonni
    Many members read for a while before posting... Glad you decided to introduce yourself.

    I think you're about as prepared as you can be. In some ways, the first chemo is the worst - fear of the unknown increases anxiety. Know that we here will walk beside you, each and every step of the way.

    Best wishes to you. Hope it went OK today.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • vonni
    vonni Member Posts: 7
    #20
    I came home tonight and read your replies. .
    . .and I cried as I read your welcomes and words of support and encouragement. I felt like I was surrounded by warm positive energy today. . now I know why. I am too pooped to thank you each individually tonight but I do want to say it means so much to me. A quick update before I drag my tired bones (and my trusty baseball bat) to bed. Today went very well. So far the worst has been a sore throat, minor nausea and odd fits of sneezing. I have a little bit of minor lower leg stiffness and light fatigue but feel pretty darn good all things considered. Just took another dose of Zofran and am pushing more water. Tomorrow is a new day and may bring me more to deal with, but I know I will get through it. I will update more tomorrow. For now, goodnight and sweetest of dreams to each of you. My thanks to all
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #21
    vonni said:

    I came home tonight and read your replies. .
    . .and I cried as I read your welcomes and words of support and encouragement. I felt like I was surrounded by warm positive energy today. . now I know why. I am too pooped to thank you each individually tonight but I do want to say it means so much to me. A quick update before I drag my tired bones (and my trusty baseball bat) to bed. Today went very well. So far the worst has been a sore throat, minor nausea and odd fits of sneezing. I have a little bit of minor lower leg stiffness and light fatigue but feel pretty darn good all things considered. Just took another dose of Zofran and am pushing more water. Tomorrow is a new day and may bring me more to deal with, but I know I will get through it. I will update more tomorrow. For now, goodnight and sweetest of dreams to each of you. My thanks to all

    Welcome
    Welcome Vonni--yes we were all there with you in spirit. Hope you had a restful sleep and feeling better today.

    Hugs,
    Margo

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