Skeerd and anxious

srwruns
srwruns Member Posts: 343
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Most of you have been there before....my first chemo is Friday, Carbo and Taxol. I will be doing IV, no port. I'm sitting in Buffalo airport after visiting my elderly Dad and getting ready to fly back to CA. The reality hit me when I checked my email and there was a confirming email from my local pharmacy confirming I have about 5 prescriptions to pick up (I guess all the anti nausea meds and anti anxiety stuff?) Any thoughts on how you handled getting ready for the first one? Thanks, Susan

Comments

  • sheryl912
    sheryl912 Member Posts: 19
    #2
    I had carbo/taxol myself.
    I had carbo/taxol myself. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! My doc had me on some great anti-nausea meds. Yes, I lost all my hair. Every. Single. Strand. LOL However the worst side effects I had weren't from the treatment but from the neulasta shot I got after every treatement. It gave me horrible bone pain for about 4 days, but my doc had me taking oxycodone for it. I would take the oxy every 4 hours for those 4 days, consider them 'lost' days for the most part lol, and then pretty much was able to get on with life.

    One thing of note, *my* treatment days on carbo/taxol were long. I would bring in a small cooler with lunch foods and a few drinks. Books, ipod, etc. Anything to make the time go by.

    I did suffer from fatigue, sometimes the day *of* treatment would be rough, I think it had to do with how fast they ran the taxol in (my oncologists office didn't use infusion pumps, they just dripped it). It's also a somewhat cumulative thing, so expect to take a little more time doing things, build in rest breaks, take a nap if you can...

    Food starts to taste strange, weird...I didn't like things I used to--you'll find out how it affects your tastes as you go on. Make absolutely sure to hydrate, especially in the 3-4 days after your treatment. My doc had me using gatorade as well as water right after my treatments.

    So good luck with it, I hope you have relatively mild affects from it, I was so lucky in that!

    Sorry, one last thing. Absolutely do NOT wait until you feel nauseous to take your anti-nausea meds. Nausea and pain are similar in that it is much easier to PREVENT their onset by taking meds pre-emptively than it is to get rid of them once you already are feeling the nausea or pain. My chemo nurse told me the nausea doesn't usually set in until a couple days after treatment, so I would usually take the nausea meds 2 days later.
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #3
    sheryl912 said:

    I had carbo/taxol myself.
    I had carbo/taxol myself. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! My doc had me on some great anti-nausea meds. Yes, I lost all my hair. Every. Single. Strand. LOL However the worst side effects I had weren't from the treatment but from the neulasta shot I got after every treatement. It gave me horrible bone pain for about 4 days, but my doc had me taking oxycodone for it. I would take the oxy every 4 hours for those 4 days, consider them 'lost' days for the most part lol, and then pretty much was able to get on with life.

    One thing of note, *my* treatment days on carbo/taxol were long. I would bring in a small cooler with lunch foods and a few drinks. Books, ipod, etc. Anything to make the time go by.

    I did suffer from fatigue, sometimes the day *of* treatment would be rough, I think it had to do with how fast they ran the taxol in (my oncologists office didn't use infusion pumps, they just dripped it). It's also a somewhat cumulative thing, so expect to take a little more time doing things, build in rest breaks, take a nap if you can...

    Food starts to taste strange, weird...I didn't like things I used to--you'll find out how it affects your tastes as you go on. Make absolutely sure to hydrate, especially in the 3-4 days after your treatment. My doc had me using gatorade as well as water right after my treatments.

    So good luck with it, I hope you have relatively mild affects from it, I was so lucky in that!

    Sorry, one last thing. Absolutely do NOT wait until you feel nauseous to take your anti-nausea meds. Nausea and pain are similar in that it is much easier to PREVENT their onset by taking meds pre-emptively than it is to get rid of them once you already are feeling the nausea or pain. My chemo nurse told me the nausea doesn't usually set in until a couple days after treatment, so I would usually take the nausea meds 2 days later.

    I remember crying as I walked in for my 1st chemo, so nervous!
    I remember how surprised I was at my own tears, as crying in public is so unlike me. But I also remember how calming it was to see all the others in the chemo lounge getting their treatments, laughing and chatting with each other, like it was no big deal. And that made all the difference for me. How could I be such a baby when I was surrounded by such courage and acceptance? How could I drown in my own self-pity when there were peopple all around me in REAL TROUBLE, even worse than MY trouble, and they were smiling and snacking and LIVING even as the drugs were being pumped into them? I think you'll see what I mean. I was never afraid of my chemo again. And the only other times I've cried at the chemo lounge is when my counts were too low and I COULDN'T get my chemo. HA! (and I've had 26 chemo infusions so far!)

    ((((hugs)))). It's scary; I know. But you can do it. The diagnosis news and the surgery are far worse than anything that comes afterwards, in my opinion. You've survived the worst of this. You can do this. (((hugs)))
  • clamryn
    clamryn Member Posts: 508
    #4
    Anxious
    Susan, I remember when I first went in too. But it really wasn't as scary as I had made it out to be. I did the IV also. As I told one of my nieces who recently went through it, chemo doesn't hurt.

    Please take the nausea meds when they tell you too. I will be praying that you will not have any nausea with it. I really only had one episode and I felt very blessed. I did lose my hair.

    My fatigue set in on the fourth day after the treatment. I would get my treatment on a Tuesday and I would take off work that day. Then I would work Wed, Thurs and Fri and then on Saturday... I would crash. But I was really dragging.
    I will be thinking and praying that all goes well for you on Friday.

    Linda
  • pattysoo
    pattysoo Member Posts: 170
    #5
    1st chemo
    The steroids really make it more comfortable than you'd expect. Benedryl that's given kind of knocks me out for a couple of hours.
    Then my husband would bring me lunch and I'd chow down. I also used my ipod quite a bit. Be sure to super-hydrate before, during
    and after chemo for many reasons. I found the anti-emetic drug made me constipated, so I relied on ativan and pot for the nausea. For
    me it wasn't so much nausea as queasiness and not too hard to deal with. The hardest part of chemo for me was the fatigued that set
    in on days 3-7 after chemo. I forced myself to walk everyday and that really helped my mind/body/spirit. Just put on your shoes and
    get out, even if for 20 minutes. Good luck to you. My chemo was always on a Friday too. Now I'm about 6 weeks out of treatment. I love
    not having to go to the hospital at all these days.
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #6
    Hi Susan,
    I had chemo in the hosptal right after my initial surgery, and remember being scared to death! I told them to hold it off for a few days. I came around in the long run, but just needed to feel like I was in control, I guess. I think all the "unknowns" are looming, and then the bad stories fuel that. I found that infusion is always a piece of cake, and the side effects, if there are any, hit me the next day or typically day 3 or 4. With carbo/taxol, I had very little of that, and worked part time, did my busy mom thing, and also traveled a couple times.

    You don't mention the reason you are not getting a port, but as long as your veins are good, you should be good to go. I hope your chemo room/nurses are nice, that does make a huge difference. On chemo day, I take a lunch, my ipod, journal, snacks, and think of it as my day spa experience. But, reality is that once the benedryl hits me, I fall asleep, and take a long nap:)

    Wishing you a smooth infusion, and keep us posted on how you are doing.

    Hugs,
    kathleen
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #7
    Susan,
    Your scared and
    Susan,
    Your scared and anxious and all the info and advise will help some and I will add: you will walk out of the chemo room after the first treatment and think that wasn't so bad. Really! Treat yourself Thursday to a wonderful dinner and maybe a movie, maybe get up extra early in the am so you will be tired Thursday night. Like everyone says: do exactly what the nurses say about taking the meds. You want to be ahead of the potential issues not trying to chase them away.
    I am curious why you don't have a port?
    Mary
  • kellyh33
    kellyh33 Member Posts: 287
    #8
    First treatment
    Mom's most serious side effect from the carbo/taxol was constipation. Now a couple of days before chemo she takes senokot with a stool softener, two twice a day. She really doesn't have a lot of nausea more just lack of an appetite. Also make sure you take your pills before 4 pm as one of them has a steroid in it and if taken later in the day you will not sleep.
    If you are really anxious get a anti anxiety presciption. Good luck, I'll be thinking of you.
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    #9
    MK_4Dani said:

    Susan,
    Your scared and
    Susan,
    Your scared and anxious and all the info and advise will help some and I will add: you will walk out of the chemo room after the first treatment and think that wasn't so bad. Really! Treat yourself Thursday to a wonderful dinner and maybe a movie, maybe get up extra early in the am so you will be tired Thursday night. Like everyone says: do exactly what the nurses say about taking the meds. You want to be ahead of the potential issues not trying to chase them away.
    I am curious why you don't have a port?
    Mary

    Thank you all. I'm working
    Thank you all. I'm working on the part about how the anxiety is usually worse than the actual event. I feel reasonably prepared...the unknown is what will my specific side effects be which of course will be known after the first one. I have sailed alot so I am used to front loading anti nausea meds as once it gets away from you its hard to recover. My doctor didnt feel I needed a port. I guess my veins are considered "good" since when ever I have lab work they usually smile and say "nice veins" . How cool is that...usually its other body parts that folks lust over (not on me but others...Im 60 for gosh sakes) So we are moving forward without a port...we shall see if it can stay that way. Thanks again everyone. I will check in after Friday as a bonafide chemo gal.
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #10
    We're here for you, Susan
    You can do this and we can all help you. I'm a constipation queen after infusions, so I try to get a handle on that early. I take colase along with any pain meds, add lots of fiber to my diet and resort to senecot, etc, if necessary. The most important thing I can advise is to drink loads of water. It helps flush the chemicals through your body and out of your kidneys. You are about to meet some of the most wonderful angels in the world.. the chemo nurses. They will take terrific care of you and give you info that will be very helpful.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • zinaida
    zinaida Member Posts: 221
    #11
    Dear Susan! I like to add
    Dear Susan! I like to add two things, about steroids and anxiety. When you start Chemo doctor usually prescribe steroid to ease side effects, it boost your energy, what make it hard to fall sleep at night, it is only 1-2 nights.(coud be half nights). Some times I cannot sleep, because worry about cancer, treatments and other stuff and become anxious. Doctor give me anxiety piils, it work very well for me even now. Feels like pill does not let your brain bring bed memory and thinking about some thing bad. One more thing. Drink cranberry juice during chemo treatments. I read , it help chemo to kill more cancer cells. I do not know how much it is true, but it will not will hurt. Good luck with chemo, Zina.
  • vj1
    vj1 Member Posts: 150
    #12
    zinaida said:

    Dear Susan! I like to add
    Dear Susan! I like to add two things, about steroids and anxiety. When you start Chemo doctor usually prescribe steroid to ease side effects, it boost your energy, what make it hard to fall sleep at night, it is only 1-2 nights.(coud be half nights). Some times I cannot sleep, because worry about cancer, treatments and other stuff and become anxious. Doctor give me anxiety piils, it work very well for me even now. Feels like pill does not let your brain bring bed memory and thinking about some thing bad. One more thing. Drink cranberry juice during chemo treatments. I read , it help chemo to kill more cancer cells. I do not know how much it is true, but it will not will hurt. Good luck with chemo, Zina.

    Susan
    My chemo treatments were a year ago this month (can't believe it). All went well, take the meds. Only trouble I had was the neulasta shot which is given 24 hrs. after chemo. If you are getting that; take a claritin in advance and it will diminish the headaches. Good luck, keep your chin up and keep in touch.
    V
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    #13
    Sitting in chemo chair. IV
    Sitting in chemo chair. IV start was goo d..premeds kicking in. Head heavy time for sleepy. I will check in later. i've waited five weeks for this to get going to see what side effects i would have. A friend sent me a good quote from Churchill. "If you are going through hell keep going." Yep nighty night. Cant hold head.up. Susan. Oh BTW ca 125 was 8. I hope to keep it low
  • clamryn
    clamryn Member Posts: 508
    #14
    srwruns said:

    Sitting in chemo chair. IV
    Sitting in chemo chair. IV start was goo d..premeds kicking in. Head heavy time for sleepy. I will check in later. i've waited five weeks for this to get going to see what side effects i would have. A friend sent me a good quote from Churchill. "If you are going through hell keep going." Yep nighty night. Cant hold head.up. Susan. Oh BTW ca 125 was 8. I hope to keep it low

    Your CA125 is great
    Nighty nite..... I remember when I went the first time. I asked the nurses why don't you have TVs or play Bingo or something. She said, Just wait until for a couple of hours. Well I got my answer... Everyone was asleep.
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #15
    srwruns said:

    Sitting in chemo chair. IV
    Sitting in chemo chair. IV start was goo d..premeds kicking in. Head heavy time for sleepy. I will check in later. i've waited five weeks for this to get going to see what side effects i would have. A friend sent me a good quote from Churchill. "If you are going through hell keep going." Yep nighty night. Cant hold head.up. Susan. Oh BTW ca 125 was 8. I hope to keep it low

    As you recover from
    As you recover from chemo:


    Sleep when you feel like sleeping.

    Cry when you feel like crying.

    Take your anxiety and anti depressants even when you don't feel like you need them.

    On day three add a glass of red wine to the mix. (and every day until the next chemo).

    Remember that you are loved and prayers are being sent up in your name.

    Finally, this is your lay on your sofa and do nothing card, USE IT!

    Hugs, honey!

    8 is gr8!

    Leesa
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    #16
    End of First Chemo
    First chemo went well. Slept alot, nice nurses, great IV starter...felt very little prick. No adverse results from Taxol other than a tingle and itch in the pubic area as she increased titration...they all laughed...it could have been the steroid too creating the itch. At home now, ate a high protein dinner...will hit my meds in a couple hours before bed to stay in front of the side effects. I am hopeful they will be manageable as I have dealt alot with nausea in our sailing adventures....I've learned from those experiences to front load because once it kicks in it is much harder to move back.
    Thank you all SO VERY MUCH...you have made me approach my first chemo with far less anxiety than I would have had...because you have all been there, done that. One down, five to go! Susan
  • Sandy10
    Sandy10 Member Posts: 80
    #17
    :)
    Susan,

    So glad things went well for your first chemo!! I was scared to death when i went to my first one. I guess we all were. I wish I had known about this board then. I wouldn't have been scared at all. Everyone on this board have been wonderful!!! Helped me through a lot. One of the things that chemo did was make everything taste funny. Made me not want to eat because all my favorite foods tasted bad. I found that I could taste salty foods and to my husbands delight, garlic was good too. :) not too many make out sessions with my hubby after a meal loaded with garlic. But we made up for it afterwards!! ( I know, TMI right? ) LOL!! Anyway, just when my taste buds would start to come around, it was time for my next chemo. But, it was a small price to pay. My CA125 is now 8.7 and ct was clear. I completely agree with Leesa, sleep when you are tired. Cry when you want to cry. take bubble baths with a glass of wine in hand. pamper yourself. it will make you feel better.

    You and everyone else here are always in my thoughts and prayers.

    Sandy :)

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