first day of chemo

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msviclav
msviclav Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Well I am off to my first chemo treament, my son is going with me, I think it is partly for support and partly because he is afraid I will not go. But I have honestly come to terms that this is something I have to do and I am going throught with it. I read a book this week called When God Winks at You. It says that when conincidence happen in you life it is God winking at you, well 26 years ago today I had sugery to remove a tumor it turned out to not be cancerus, so everything was okay. I am hoping that starting my chemo on this day is a God wink, and a sign that everything will be okay.

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  • aloved1
    aloved1 Member Posts: 3
    #2
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    Keep your head high!
    Chemo is a struggle from what I have seen with my husband. Attitude helps a lot. He is going through his second fight with cancer @ 44 yrs of age. But his attitude has helped him and me get through it. Not to say, he doesn't have his bad days. I assure you he does. Keep good thoughts, and remember God's wink. Let family members help as much as possible. We feel bad that we can't do more, so whatever we can do for you helps us as caregivers. Heres a wink from me ;) you will be in my thoughts today.
  • earied
    earied Member Posts: 22
    #3
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    God's Wink
    God does gives us signs, family and friends to support us. I am glad your son went with you. I had someone with me every chemo treatment I did. I think it help them to show their support for me. I hope your treatment goes well.

    Ann
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #4
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    Chemo
    Tho it can be nasty,(with or without radiation)when doctors say you need it, chemo is a necessity. That old adage of whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger applies here. Its good that someone accompanies you as you do not know how you will react until you do(my girlfriend is all I have and I wouldnot be here without her).My problems really kicked in by the third week and by the fifth I thought I was going to die yet I did not miss any treatments except one night did not take my Xeloda(chem pill five days a week,morning and evening; also did oxy thru port in chest once a week for 5 weeks)I've since had surgery and await four more months of chem, which I am not looking forward to but know I need to deal with. If you have faith in your doctors and yourself and you want to live,you will survive this. Its difficult, scary,painful,frustrating-you can use a million adjectives but in the final analysis, its something we have to do. Good luck and try to think positive-don't let anyone or anything discourage you...All the best...You're using this web site which i find to be a great help tho I did not learn of it till last week.......Steve
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #5
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    Believe it or not, I'm a
    Believe it or not, I'm a little jealous. I was supposed to start chemo today also, but had a setback. I'm hoping now to start in two weeks. It will be no walk in the park, but will give us peace of mind knowing we are doing something to fight back.

    I hope today hasn't been too hard for you, and that your chemo road is just a little bump in your life, with no big ones.
  • msviclav
    msviclav Member Posts: 9
    #6
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    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    Believe it or not, I'm a
    Believe it or not, I'm a little jealous. I was supposed to start chemo today also, but had a setback. I'm hoping now to start in two weeks. It will be no walk in the park, but will give us peace of mind knowing we are doing something to fight back.

    I hope today hasn't been too hard for you, and that your chemo road is just a little bump in your life, with no big ones.

    first day was to bad
    the first day wasn't to bad had the eloxatin at onc IV throught my port and the leucovorin, then the 5FU throught the pump, it will come off Saturday at 12 noon, not feeling to bad, just like I have the flu, ache, stomach a little upset, they gave me something for that, legs ache most of all, but if it doesn't geta lot worse I think I can take it. My mother always said that which goesn't kill us makes us stronger, just hoping I am strong enought to make this trip.
  • thready
    thready Member Posts: 474
    #7
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    msviclav said:

    first day was to bad
    the first day wasn't to bad had the eloxatin at onc IV throught my port and the leucovorin, then the 5FU throught the pump, it will come off Saturday at 12 noon, not feeling to bad, just like I have the flu, ache, stomach a little upset, they gave me something for that, legs ache most of all, but if it doesn't geta lot worse I think I can take it. My mother always said that which goesn't kill us makes us stronger, just hoping I am strong enought to make this trip.

    Starting in a couple of weeks
    Thank you for sharing your first day. I am going to start chemo in a couple of weeks, and I am scared crazy. (Well I am already a bit goofy, but I am really scared).

    Mentioned to my husband that he did not need to go with me, and he said yes he did, he wants to make sure that I actually go! He knows me all to well. I often want to turn and run!
    Thank you again, you are proof that the first day can be done!
    Jan
  • msviclav
    msviclav Member Posts: 9
    #8
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    thready said:

    Starting in a couple of weeks
    Thank you for sharing your first day. I am going to start chemo in a couple of weeks, and I am scared crazy. (Well I am already a bit goofy, but I am really scared).

    Mentioned to my husband that he did not need to go with me, and he said yes he did, he wants to make sure that I actually go! He knows me all to well. I often want to turn and run!
    Thank you again, you are proof that the first day can be done!
    Jan

    the worst part is the wait
    I think the worst part is the wait. I wait three week and had to have the port placed before chemo started. In the beginning I didn't want the chemo, not sure I had the desire to suffer throught it. My tumor was incased and he got it all, and my nods where clean, so the chemo was just a safty net. But my son, the one who went with me today, it was him instead of my husband because he is self employed and can take the time off. But I think in his heart he went because he needs to be of some kind of help in a situation where no one has any control. He is 35 and has a 10 year old son, and doesn't want my grandson to feel the loss of someone he lose at an early age. So I guess that was the reason I found the courage to fight and give it my all. Any by the way someone has to go with you at least where I go you are not allowed to drive yourself home, guess they figure it not safe. I did have a bit of a brain fog after the Iv. Hope everything goes well for you
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    #9
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    msviclav said:

    the worst part is the wait
    I think the worst part is the wait. I wait three week and had to have the port placed before chemo started. In the beginning I didn't want the chemo, not sure I had the desire to suffer throught it. My tumor was incased and he got it all, and my nods where clean, so the chemo was just a safty net. But my son, the one who went with me today, it was him instead of my husband because he is self employed and can take the time off. But I think in his heart he went because he needs to be of some kind of help in a situation where no one has any control. He is 35 and has a 10 year old son, and doesn't want my grandson to feel the loss of someone he lose at an early age. So I guess that was the reason I found the courage to fight and give it my all. Any by the way someone has to go with you at least where I go you are not allowed to drive yourself home, guess they figure it not safe. I did have a bit of a brain fog after the Iv. Hope everything goes well for you

    hi
    glad your first day of chemo was not so bad hope the rest continue to be like that hugs
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #10
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    Sonia32 said:

    hi
    glad your first day of chemo was not so bad hope the rest continue to be like that hugs

    Stay.....
    ...on top of the nausea by taking those anti-meds, when I become unhooked from the chemo, I then feel run-down for a few days, that's ok, because you will bounce back, just rest after being unhooked, I know chemo is scary, and I was sure scared, I started in February, and had a few setbacks with surgeries and a temporary colostomy, blockages and stuff, but am finally going to be doing my 12th treatment (the dr wanted 12 treatments) on Wednesday, so hopefully I'll even know what the next step is going to be soon as well.

    Don't be too scared, it really doesn't hurt going in through the port, you will be fine, chemo isn't what it used to be years ago, I was freaking out before it as well, but if I can do it, so can YOU...it's not that bad. The side effects may suck, but sitting there getting it, isn't a problem!

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • Mchapp
    Mchapp Member Posts: 95
    #11
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    Shayenne said:

    Stay.....
    ...on top of the nausea by taking those anti-meds, when I become unhooked from the chemo, I then feel run-down for a few days, that's ok, because you will bounce back, just rest after being unhooked, I know chemo is scary, and I was sure scared, I started in February, and had a few setbacks with surgeries and a temporary colostomy, blockages and stuff, but am finally going to be doing my 12th treatment (the dr wanted 12 treatments) on Wednesday, so hopefully I'll even know what the next step is going to be soon as well.

    Don't be too scared, it really doesn't hurt going in through the port, you will be fine, chemo isn't what it used to be years ago, I was freaking out before it as well, but if I can do it, so can YOU...it's not that bad. The side effects may suck, but sitting there getting it, isn't a problem!

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    6 down - 6 to go
    I just completed #6...and yes, I was very scared and cried all day with #1...but it has gotten easier...and I too am doing this chemo (then radiation) for "mop-up"...my turmor was incapsulated as well...0 of 93 lymph nodes negitive and no mets anywhere noted...

    Just keep up the fight - and today was my fight with the insurance company for the neulasta injection ( to keep your white counts up - 5-fu drops them)....one for me - 3 for the insurance company - I won this one!!!

    Keep hydrating and a journel...especially for the side effects- this will help your onc decide if the dosage is right for you!
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #12
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    Mchapp said:

    6 down - 6 to go
    I just completed #6...and yes, I was very scared and cried all day with #1...but it has gotten easier...and I too am doing this chemo (then radiation) for "mop-up"...my turmor was incapsulated as well...0 of 93 lymph nodes negitive and no mets anywhere noted...

    Just keep up the fight - and today was my fight with the insurance company for the neulasta injection ( to keep your white counts up - 5-fu drops them)....one for me - 3 for the insurance company - I won this one!!!

    Keep hydrating and a journel...especially for the side effects- this will help your onc decide if the dosage is right for you!

    Your Half Way
    Way to go. Your half way there. I remember being there and it was a good feeling.

    Kim
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #13
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    Treatment
    Glad that your son was able to go with you. I know my husband went just to keep my company and to make sure that I didn't get dizzy or sick on the way home. You will do fine. It sometimes get you down and sick and don't feel like doing much, but that is the time that your body is telling you to rest so do it. If you feel like a nap, take one. Good luck.

    Kim

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