Starting Chemo and would like input

JMSheeder
JMSheeder Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello,

I am 34 and have stage III ovarian cancer. I am starting chemo on 1/12 and frankly terrified. I would really appreciate some advice and guidance from other ladies that have been through this experience. What is out there for support and assistance. Thank you so very much and God Bless.

Warm Regards,

Jaime

Comments

  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    #2
    Dear Jaime
    I am so sorry you have to begin this journey, and you have come to the right place for support. I help take care of my mother who was diagnosed with stage 111-C 18 months ago and tell you what we purchased for her. I am also certain the ladies here will have millions of tips. They are more expert than the doctors...Mom had loads of extra strength tylenol and colace. She also had a prescription for a wig, and we picked it out for her before the chemo began. We also got her some head caps. Chemo was cumulative so her first few times she was ok except for a few days and then she rebounded pretty well. We had little meals prepared for her and then a dvd player and her favorite sit com for when they administered the stuff.....I hope you have someone to go with you. Those are my ideas for now...as I said, I am sure you will hear from the other ladies..
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #3
    Welcome Jaime
    I'm sorry to meet you under these circumstances, but you have come to the right place. The wonderful, tough and helpful survivors that post here have helped me in more ways than I can say. I was diagnosed 3C in May 2006 and have been given different rounds of chemo. What chemo has been selected for you? Each type comes along with different side effects and we can help with all that. Being terrified is normal, who wouldn't be! Seeking support and assistance is a very smart first step.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • M. Kay
    M. Kay Member Posts: 1
    #4
    Chemo
    Let me first of all say Jaime that I am sorry that you are one of us....but there are a great number of us who can help you thru all this. That being said, I had 6 chemo's in 2010 each 3 weeks apart and being taxol and carbo. I had a complete hysterectomy, followed by a power port 14 days later and two days after that I started chemo. I was willing to go in and was prepared mentally for the worst but always hoping for the best.
    To my amazement and the wonderful people at the Pratt Center along with the great medications they had me take prior....I did well with the first chemo. The second one that's when I would get a little tired about 3 days after and it would last about 3 days. This happened with each chemo up to and including #6. A few of my chemos was put off by a week due to low neutrophils or platelets.
    And that was that. I didn't need the anti-nausea meds that they had me have on hand. Lost my hair after treatment #1, lost my eyelashes and eyebrows after #4. Heck, I didn't care I was so grateful for the ease of the treatments and I made sure I got just the right amount of protein, vitamins etc after treatments to keep me strong. I am a faithful person and an optimist. I was scarred too at first until I got going on chemo. But I told my husband that I was going to be my normal happy self and not dwell on the cancer. I put my faith in God and I believe he continues to see me thru this.

    So to you I offer my prayers for your first round and each and every one thereafter.
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #5
    Hi, Jaime....
    I have had 6
    Hi, Jaime....

    I have had 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol and 11 of Taxol only (maintenance). Don't be scared. Although I had a reaction to my first chemo, it was all downhill after that.

    As for support and assistance, this is the best place for both. These ladies are super supportive and full of courage, sound advice, and "true grit".

    There are excellent anti-nausea meds available, if you even need them (many women don't). You will begin to lose your hair about two weeks after your first treatment. I suggest you have it cut really short ASAP, as it will be less traumatic that way. Or take a page from Leesa G's book and have a party - shave your hair into a mohawk with liberty spikes and paint it pink and purple.

    I always take a bag to chemo that contains: my eReader (my iPad since getting one for Christmas), fuzzy socks, a plush throw, and a neck pillow. The benadryl they give pre-infusion puts me to sleep, so I nap thru most of the treatment.

    I am very sorry you have been drafted into this club, especially at your age. You can click on our pictures and read our stories. Please consider writing your own, if you haven't already.

    Carlene
  • clamryn
    clamryn Member Posts: 508
    #6
    Hi Jamie
    Hi Jamie, I am sorry that we are meeting under these circumstances but as the others have said, you have come to a place that will help you with your questions and listen to you when you just want to vent.
    I always tell anyone who is starting for the first time with the chemo is that... it does not hurt. I think to me that is one thing that I was fearful of. With each chemo there are different side effects; however, you might not even experience some of them. Most all of us do lose our hair. But they have good wigs out there now. Your insurance carrier should cover that. My hair started falling out about 2 weeks after my first treatment and I just went ahead and let my daughter and her two children be a part of shaving my head. That way it was my choice and I didn't have to see it coming out. Actually I like the wig because when my friends call and want me to go anywhere, I can be ready on the spot.
    As far as nausea... I didn't have any. They have good meds out there to help you with that. The only thing that really got to me was the fatigue. It builds after each treatment. It usually hit me on day 3 after my treatment and I would be in the bed for about a day and a half. After that I was ready to go.
    Anytime you have a question, you come to the board and post it.... you will get your answer.

    Prayers are coming your way,
    Linda
  • zinaida
    zinaida Member Posts: 221
    #7
    clamryn said:

    Hi Jamie
    Hi Jamie, I am sorry that we are meeting under these circumstances but as the others have said, you have come to a place that will help you with your questions and listen to you when you just want to vent.
    I always tell anyone who is starting for the first time with the chemo is that... it does not hurt. I think to me that is one thing that I was fearful of. With each chemo there are different side effects; however, you might not even experience some of them. Most all of us do lose our hair. But they have good wigs out there now. Your insurance carrier should cover that. My hair started falling out about 2 weeks after my first treatment and I just went ahead and let my daughter and her two children be a part of shaving my head. That way it was my choice and I didn't have to see it coming out. Actually I like the wig because when my friends call and want me to go anywhere, I can be ready on the spot.
    As far as nausea... I didn't have any. They have good meds out there to help you with that. The only thing that really got to me was the fatigue. It builds after each treatment. It usually hit me on day 3 after my treatment and I would be in the bed for about a day and a half. After that I was ready to go.
    Anytime you have a question, you come to the board and post it.... you will get your answer.

    Prayers are coming your way,
    Linda

    Hello Jamie! You can ask
    Hello Jamie! You can ask social worker at your clinic about cancer support organizations in your area. One of them could be Gilda's club. Program like "Look good, Feel good" have meetings for patients undergo chemoterapy, where you can meet other cancer survivors. Social worker can also help you whith insurance or financial problems or questions.Check through GOOGLE or BING (your state) Ovarian Cancer Alliance, this organization have also some support programs. You are not alone. (((HUGS))), Zina.
  • zinaida
    zinaida Member Posts: 221
    #8
    zinaida said:

    Hello Jamie! You can ask
    Hello Jamie! You can ask social worker at your clinic about cancer support organizations in your area. One of them could be Gilda's club. Program like "Look good, Feel good" have meetings for patients undergo chemoterapy, where you can meet other cancer survivors. Social worker can also help you whith insurance or financial problems or questions.Check through GOOGLE or BING (your state) Ovarian Cancer Alliance, this organization have also some support programs. You are not alone. (((HUGS))), Zina.

    If you GOOGLE " cranberries
    If you GOOGLE " cranberries and chemotherapy" you will read - cranberries help chemo kill 6 times more of cancer cells. Truth or not, cranberries juice very healthy anyway. Good Luck with chemo, Zina.
  • JMSheeder
    JMSheeder Member Posts: 9
    #9
    Chemo advice - Thank you for sharing.
    Hi there! So I was going to participate in a clinical trial but due to serveral problems on their part we withdrew and I am seeking traditional chemotherapy. I am meeting with a new doctor next week. Thank you so very much for the insight and comments thus far. I greatly appreciate it. I had my surgery on 11/5 and thankfully my CA-125 is only 36 as of two weeks ago. I hope you all have a wonderfull weekend.

    Jaime
  • pattysoo
    pattysoo Member Posts: 170
    #10
    JMSheeder said:

    Chemo advice - Thank you for sharing.
    Hi there! So I was going to participate in a clinical trial but due to serveral problems on their part we withdrew and I am seeking traditional chemotherapy. I am meeting with a new doctor next week. Thank you so very much for the insight and comments thus far. I greatly appreciate it. I had my surgery on 11/5 and thankfully my CA-125 is only 36 as of two weeks ago. I hope you all have a wonderfull weekend.

    Jaime

    Checking your options
    I really admire you for checking out treatments and trials before you set your course. I think generally we like to hurry up and attack the beast, but getting other opinions, finding a doctor you're comfortable with, are all excellent ways to proceed. With a CA125 of 36, you may have less of a sense of urgency. I hope so. Peace of mind in any amount is a worthy goal. Anyway, I hope your appointment is with a gynecological oncologist and together you decide on the best treatment for you. I finished standard, first line chemo on September 24. It was not pleasant, but not totally debilitating either. Be sure part of your search includes lining up support for you and your family. I've never been one to ask for help, but the help of others during my "bad" chemo days made all the difference both to me and my husband.
  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #11
    Hello
    Welcome to the club, sorry you had to join but welcome. The chemo was not as bad as expected to me and it was very effective !
    Write down any questions you have for your dr because some of us experience 'chemo brain' (short term memory loss) or as I call it CRS (can't remember S***)
    Not a pleasant subject but make sure you don't get constipated , the chemo can cause this and it is not fun to deal with.
    You are so young and that is in your favor you are strong. It goes by quicker than you think. Good Luck to you !

    Colleen
  • GowNY
    GowNY Member Posts: 15
    #12
    Cafewoman53 said:

    Hello
    Welcome to the club, sorry you had to join but welcome. The chemo was not as bad as expected to me and it was very effective !
    Write down any questions you have for your dr because some of us experience 'chemo brain' (short term memory loss) or as I call it CRS (can't remember S***)
    Not a pleasant subject but make sure you don't get constipated , the chemo can cause this and it is not fun to deal with.
    You are so young and that is in your favor you are strong. It goes by quicker than you think. Good Luck to you !

    Colleen

    hi jaime

    I had pictured chemo being a lot worse than it really was in my head before going. Honestly, the worst part for me was losing my hair and the nurses putting the IV in (i have bad veins which I never knew till chemo). Emend is wonderful and I never got nauseous because of it. You will probably be tired during the whole experience too and hopefully those will be the only side affects you get.

    I finished my chemo last April and I was 37 around the same age as you. Let me know if you have any questions. I know how it feels to be going through this while in your 30's and not being able to have children (unless you already have??). Take care! And drink lots of water before and after you go to chemo! :)
  • goatiegirl
    goatiegirl Member Posts: 16
    #13
    Going through chemo....
    Dear Jaime,

    I just finished my 6th round of taxol/carbo. I was diagnosed in August, also with stage 3. Chemo is very different for each individual. Even the rounds can be quite different. Fortunately, it is much better than it was in the old days. Great anti-nausea meds are dispensed intravenously, and if you are still nauseated, you can pop a Zofran or Compazine orally at any moment. The biggest drawback is probably fatigue. I would sleep for 12 or 14 hours straight for about 4 days after chemo. The rest of the in-between days were not bad for me. I continued to work at my job, although I must admit that you don't feel completely yourself. I had a lot of little side effects that would pop up like; neuropathy in the feet, sores on my lips, some joint pain, etc. Having said that, I think I fared well through it, and I bet you will too.

    Good luck,
    Nan
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    #14
    I'm due for chemo 4 of 6 on
    I'm due for chemo 4 of 6 on Friday. I can't add anything except "ditto" to what everyone else has said. Yes I was terrified of my first one and posted such on this board. The responses I received like you are getting were so reassuring. I also found that the chemo nurses were especially comforting and helpful getting started on that first one. Not that they haven't been for each successive one, but they know that probably 99.9% of folks walk into their first chemo either visibily shaking in their boots, or just barely holding it together. I worked especially hard on breathing techniques to deal with my anxiety. After the benedryl kicked in I was asleep for most of it anyway. Due be mindful that if you have pre med steroids that you may feel exceptionally good the night of chemo and the next day. Be careful not to overdo it and prepare yourself mentally for a "drop". At least that is what I have found after each of my chemos. Susan


    Edit: OOps just noticed the date on your posting...so you've had your chemo...how'd it go?
  • GowNY
    GowNY Member Posts: 15
    #15
    srwruns said:

    I'm due for chemo 4 of 6 on
    I'm due for chemo 4 of 6 on Friday. I can't add anything except "ditto" to what everyone else has said. Yes I was terrified of my first one and posted such on this board. The responses I received like you are getting were so reassuring. I also found that the chemo nurses were especially comforting and helpful getting started on that first one. Not that they haven't been for each successive one, but they know that probably 99.9% of folks walk into their first chemo either visibily shaking in their boots, or just barely holding it together. I worked especially hard on breathing techniques to deal with my anxiety. After the benedryl kicked in I was asleep for most of it anyway. Due be mindful that if you have pre med steroids that you may feel exceptionally good the night of chemo and the next day. Be careful not to overdo it and prepare yourself mentally for a "drop". At least that is what I have found after each of my chemos. Susan


    Edit: OOps just noticed the date on your posting...so you've had your chemo...how'd it go?

    You'll be more than half way
    You'll be more than half way done. Congrats!!
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #16
    Neuropathy
    Jaime,

    The others here have given you a lot of great advice, but no one mentioned the possibility of neuropathy, which can be a side effect of some chemo drugs. It is numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes and can last indefinitely if you get it. I don't know whether I would have experienced it from my treatments (I had 8 of carboplatin/taxol/avastin), but I avoided it by getting a B12 shot the day before and putting ice on my fingers and toes while I was receiving the taxol. Best of luck to you.
  • anicca
    anicca Member Posts: 334 Member
    #17
    More about neuropathy
    I'm glad someone brought this up. It hit me shortly after my second carbo/taxol treatment, and I didn't know what it was because it presented as sharp, stabbing, cramping pains in my feet. It was quite sudden. Massage relieved it a bit, and when I called my doctor, the NP told me to take 50mg B6 and 250mg magnesium daily for it. That did relieve the pain almost immediately. I got superficial numbness after that, in both my hands and feet, and still have some in my feet 4 months after my last treatment. You should ask your doctor about the B6 and magnesium, so you can have them on hand if needed. I haven't heard of B12 shots, but if that prevents it, for it!
  • Pythiaschad
    Pythiaschad Member Posts: 22
    #18
    Husbands
    Hi Jaime,

    Just curious to know if you have a husband or male significant other. The reason I ask is that it is hard on us too and there aren't that many on here to answer the questions we have or stories that only we can tell. If there is and if he would like to talk, I will be around.

    Hope everything goes aces for you. Keep your spirits up because that is the one medicine that does the best in my opinion.

    Keep fighting like a girl,
    Chad

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