My first chemo will be Wednesday
My appointment to meet the chemo doctor went well. My sister went with me for moral support. I feel as though our roles in life have changed quickly. As the big sister, I always take take care of the tough things in life, she has really stepped up and it has been a real blessing.
My doc said I will be getting pre-meds and he wrote me several prescriptions for home. He said he likes to be proactive about blood cell counts and that I will get a shot (forgot the name of it) one to two days after chemo to boost my white blood cell count. He said I may have muscle pain because of it. Overall it was a very positive visit and I got a good vibe from him.
I am having a port put in Tuesday. I have HORRIBLE veins, and chemo will begin Wednesday. The nurse said I will be sore and the site will be swollen. She said I may want to ask the surgeon to leave the needle in since I will be getting chemo the next day. Any thoughts?
What I did freak out about is that my doctor recommended that I not work while I am getting chemo. I will only be getting four treatments instead of the 6 I first thought. This means I will miss work for 12 WEEKS!!! Does that sound right to you guys?
I teach pre-school special education. He was concerned about all the germs from snotty noses I guess. He said that my immune system would be wiped out for 7-10 days following treatment and that he strongly recommended I not work. I am worried about my kids at school. The first weeks of school are soooo important to set the tone for the school year. I haven't told my principal or special education director yet.
Hugs and kisses,
special123
Comments
-
Hello Special 123: I was
Hello Special 123: I was just diagnosed for the 4th time in 10 years. Had a PETCT on Thurs. Doctor will call me Monday to set up chemo. I am a preschool teacher also. What your doctor told you is true, your immune system will be low and we all know how it is to be around little ones. Fortunately, I was at the end of my chemo when I returned to school last time. I am concerned too because I will probably only be through 1 or 2 treatments when school starts. My director is working with me and I may be able to work as a floater instead of being in a classroom. I haven't really checked this out with my doctor yet. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't work. I love my job.
Good luck and I will be thinking of you.
Jean0 -
Port
Hi, Special~
I've been thinking about you and also including you in my prayers. I know that your 1st
treatment is barreling down on you now... I remember that stress and wonder.
I also received a port before I started my 1st chemo 3 years ago. They are WONDERFUL. But if you drive a lot, have them put it on the right side. Mine is on my left side, and the seat
belt rubs up against it and irritates it sometimes while I'm driving.
Also, ask your Dr. for the port numbing cream (lidocaine/prilocaine). This cream works wonders, and not only do I use it on my port, but also on my arm before getting a blood test.
I don't feel a thing :-)
Ports are also great to have accessed if you are going to have any x-rays done that include
injections. You can use your port access rather than having the x-ray tech access an IV.
Just ask your nurse about it on Wednesday.
~By the way; I don't feel a thing when they take the access out. So don't worry about that
part.
And yes, by all means have them leave your port line attached for the next day. It saves you
and the nurse some time (plus you won't have your port cream yet!). Don't get worried if you
have to have the port accessed without numbing cream or a lidocaine injection. It truly doesn't hurt that bad. It's just a little uncomfortable. In fact, before I found out about the cream, I had them do mine with nothing, as they would use the lidocaine injection which I
found "stings" more that just inserting the port with nothing.
As far as continuing work, I don't see how you'll be able to, I'm sorry to say. We always have to stay away from the public or any place with "germs" to catch things; plus you may be
fatiqued or sick after chemo. (One of my brochures even says not to "pet" dogs or cats!)
~by the way, staying away from animal feces is also very important. My husband is on doggie-doo-duty every time we go to the dog park. Once I reach remission, I'll have a lot of
poop-picking-up to make up for!
Anyway, your Dr. knows more than anyone, and you will know how your body feels, in as far as working during chemo. Maybe you can put up your picture in the classroom, and visit them
on the 1st day of school to explain what's going on; and maybe ask your Dr. if you can visit
them on occastions if your blood count allows (?) Just an idea...
I'm glad you have such a supportive sister through this. That means so very much, doesn't it?
Hang in there, 123. And remember we're ALL here for you~
(((hugs))) ~Susan0 -
dogs and catsSusan523 said:Port
Hi, Special~
I've been thinking about you and also including you in my prayers. I know that your 1st
treatment is barreling down on you now... I remember that stress and wonder.
I also received a port before I started my 1st chemo 3 years ago. They are WONDERFUL. But if you drive a lot, have them put it on the right side. Mine is on my left side, and the seat
belt rubs up against it and irritates it sometimes while I'm driving.
Also, ask your Dr. for the port numbing cream (lidocaine/prilocaine). This cream works wonders, and not only do I use it on my port, but also on my arm before getting a blood test.
I don't feel a thing :-)
Ports are also great to have accessed if you are going to have any x-rays done that include
injections. You can use your port access rather than having the x-ray tech access an IV.
Just ask your nurse about it on Wednesday.
~By the way; I don't feel a thing when they take the access out. So don't worry about that
part.
And yes, by all means have them leave your port line attached for the next day. It saves you
and the nurse some time (plus you won't have your port cream yet!). Don't get worried if you
have to have the port accessed without numbing cream or a lidocaine injection. It truly doesn't hurt that bad. It's just a little uncomfortable. In fact, before I found out about the cream, I had them do mine with nothing, as they would use the lidocaine injection which I
found "stings" more that just inserting the port with nothing.
As far as continuing work, I don't see how you'll be able to, I'm sorry to say. We always have to stay away from the public or any place with "germs" to catch things; plus you may be
fatiqued or sick after chemo. (One of my brochures even says not to "pet" dogs or cats!)
~by the way, staying away from animal feces is also very important. My husband is on doggie-doo-duty every time we go to the dog park. Once I reach remission, I'll have a lot of
poop-picking-up to make up for!
Anyway, your Dr. knows more than anyone, and you will know how your body feels, in as far as working during chemo. Maybe you can put up your picture in the classroom, and visit them
on the 1st day of school to explain what's going on; and maybe ask your Dr. if you can visit
them on occastions if your blood count allows (?) Just an idea...
I'm glad you have such a supportive sister through this. That means so very much, doesn't it?
Hang in there, 123. And remember we're ALL here for you~
(((hugs))) ~Susan
I have two inside dogs that I love so much! When I don't feel well, they stick by my side. I have felt guilty since having my last surgery in June because I have not been able to walk them as much. I'm still quite sore. Is there a threat of getting sick from them? I hope not. They give me so much love and comfort.0 -
I had a port put in 2 days
I had a port put in 2 days before my first chemo I also have horrible veins. It was a little sore but had no problems with them accessing the site. They did say if I had it the followng day they would have left it in but since it was 2 days later they didn't want to take a chance on infection. I had it put in 2 days before and ended up in the hospital 4 days after the first chemo they kept it accessed the phole time from chemo and had no problems with it, it stayed a little sore for a few days but not too bad.0 -
Everyone is different
Hello, special123.
I have just read your post and the other replies. I usually agree completely with everyone else, but this time I have to beg to differ. Granted, I am exceptionally stubborn, but I have worked through all of my chemos, and I teach middle school multi-handicapped children, many with medical issues. I would just take the day of chemo off. Yes, I worry about the exposure, and I have had bad colds that lasted for months, but like you I love my job and i just can't imagine not teaching (well, except for time off post-surgery). I also have 2 dogs, and they are my children. I would no more refrain from petting/handling them than a mother would refrain from handling her child.
Please do not take this as instant permission, however. Everyone else had very reasonable responses, reflecting much medical wisdom. I was always super-healthy before cancer and have a very strong constitution (good genes). Perhaps you can work out some kind of compromise with your doctor - like part-time until you know how you react to the chemo and how your blood counts react to it. I completely agree with the importance of being there for the first day.
I certainly do agree with the wonderful-ness of having a port. I have not had any difficulty with the initial needle sticks. Please keep us informed. Getting the first chemo behind you is a major accomplishment - it will remove that fear of the unknown. Best of luck to you! Love and hugs, Carol0 -
dogs and catsspecial123 said:dogs and cats
I have two inside dogs that I love so much! When I don't feel well, they stick by my side. I have felt guilty since having my last surgery in June because I have not been able to walk them as much. I'm still quite sore. Is there a threat of getting sick from them? I hope not. They give me so much love and comfort.
I have 2 dogs and they sleep with me and were there all thru chemo with me....I would never give them up for anything! They are inside dogs (poodles) and my Dr. never mentioned that I not have them around....in fact when I was hospitalized my husband brought them to see me.
I think they are a good moral booster. Good Luck with your Chemo and we are all here for you.
Sending prayers and (((Hugs))), Joan0 -
Working
Hi Special,
I know many women who work during chemo so just wanted to say listen to your body and do what you feel is best for you. I worked for 20 months after my surgery and through my chemos. I had to take some time off after treatment but not much. For me it was helpful to keep my life as normal as I could and if I didn't work I felt like the disease was running my life. But then others say it was the best thing they did by not working ~ we are all such unique individuals that you need to do what your heart and body tells you you can do.
Talk to your director and see what kind of schedule you can work out and if you can work some or if it works best to just to take the whole time off. I sure can understand the snotty nose kids not being good for you. Saying prayers for clarity for you.
God Bless0 -
Wait and see
I just didn't feel like much of anything for a week after the chemo. The side effects hit the hardest about 72 hours after the infusion. Everyone is different so just wait and see what it does to you. May be the dosage that makes us all different.. You might consider wearing a surgical mask in class if you go back to work. I did continue to go to church, grocery store etc and never caught anything. Washed hands often.
My low blood counts caused by the chemo came back fairly quickly. They are supposed to be the lowest on days 10 thru 14. In three weeks mine were near normal. It would depend how your blood bounces back.
Hope we have helped you in your decisions. Saundra0 -
Different
Special,
Yes, we are all different. I just got back from my 1st dose of Gemzar/cisp and my sister is picking me up in 1/2 hour to go play bunco.
I know this will hit me tomorrow. And I get my neulasta shot tomorrow back at the hospital (2 hours away) because my insurance will pay for it fully there. If not, I would have to pay $1800/copay each shot.
My white counts pretty much were low first time around, no neulasta shot. And I did not work as I was already retired. Retired end of December, diagnosed end of January.
You will need to see how you respond and do yourself. I have friends on chemo and they continued to work. And others could not.
Praying it all goes well for you.
In His Grip,
Libby0
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