Driving to and from chemo treatments
Comments
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Welcome, NJMom to this
Welcome, NJMom to this amazing site with its amazing members. Sorry you have to be here but know you are in good hands. Sounds like an Allstate commercial, huh?
You may want to have someone with you for the first infusion. You never know how you will react and we are all different. My onc didn't want her patients driving themselves anytime. I usually had either my sister or daughter with me.
Good luck on your treatments and please come here often with any questions you may have. Someone here I'm certain will be available to share their experience with you. Good luck and take care!0 -
It is possiable to drive
I drive to and from chemo. I am about a 10 min drive away from where i live. The shot that starts with a n may make your legs feel like you work an 80hr work week standing up. I get my chemo thur and that shot fri. By fri night i feel it in my legs. It last thru sat.By Sun Im normal.0 -
I drove myself
I drove myself to all my 16 chemos, 4 Neulasta and 25 rads.
It was my choice that I did not either Hubby or Son going/taking me and having to sit there watching the infusion basically poison me - nor did I want either of them sitting in the waiting area alone. That's how I feel - they'd either one have been there if I had asked and on chemo days they would keep their cell phones on them turned on at work just in case (against companies' polocies but was allowed o chemo days). Some really want/need someone/loved one with them and that's great - but we all are not the same so what we are comfortable with is what is right for us.
For me - Neulasta was a breeze - all it did was almost to the minute, 2 hrs after injection I would go to sleep for 2 hrs. No pain - no nothing else.
My drive to chemo and rads was 20 min. on a good day - longer in snow. Neulasta was about 45 min. away.
Susan0 -
It's possible
but as was already said, I think taking someone the first time (for each type of treatment) is a good idea. Generally if you're taking steriods with the treatment you'll feel just fine, but just be sure the first time. Also, remember, drink water, water, water before treatment -- the more the better. Take little snacks with you, fruit, yogurt, whatever.
Also, welcome to the most wonderful site that no one wants to be at. The people here (cause there's some awesome men in addition to the women on the site) will help you in any way we can.
Stay in touch and come by whenever you need to.
marge0 -
ThanksRague said:I drove myself
I drove myself to all my 16 chemos, 4 Neulasta and 25 rads.
It was my choice that I did not either Hubby or Son going/taking me and having to sit there watching the infusion basically poison me - nor did I want either of them sitting in the waiting area alone. That's how I feel - they'd either one have been there if I had asked and on chemo days they would keep their cell phones on them turned on at work just in case (against companies' polocies but was allowed o chemo days). Some really want/need someone/loved one with them and that's great - but we all are not the same so what we are comfortable with is what is right for us.
For me - Neulasta was a breeze - all it did was almost to the minute, 2 hrs after injection I would go to sleep for 2 hrs. No pain - no nothing else.
My drive to chemo and rads was 20 min. on a good day - longer in snow. Neulasta was about 45 min. away.
Susan
Thanks. I've been worrying about this all week. And I really don't need any more stress right now. Not that you all don't know! The doc and nurse said I should be fine to drive and I figured I would see how I felt. I don't want my husband to take off cause I need him working to keep up our health insurance. I have no family close and was on the verge of asking friends but, of course, I hate to bother people. Anyway, great advice and thanks.0 -
I had a friend drive me to
I had a friend drive me to and from chemo even though I was 10 mins away. For the AC of which I had 4, I had a friend stay with me the whole time. It was not necessary but a comfort. For the 12 weeks of Taxol and Herceptin I had someone just drop me off and pick me up. The benedryl that I was given as premed just knocked me out, I would sleep for at least an hour during the infusion. Everyone who drove me there and picked me up lived in our neighbourhood 10 mins away and I was able to schedule my chemo around their schedules as well.
That been said, I did meet a woman during chemo who lived an hour and a half away and drove herself there and back for the AC and TC. She went to the outdoor mall next to the clinic, had something to eat and shopped until the benedryl had worn off then drove home. She managed it just fine.
It is certainly doable to drive to and from. I do agree with the others that if you can take someone along with you to the first infusion just in case because you don't know how you might react. If that is not possible them maybe a friend or your husband can be on call just in case you cannot drive home. You certainly don't want any added stress of finding someone to drive you to and from chemo but then you don't want to be stranded or in an accident on your way back either.
Good luck I wish you well with.0 -
As it's heading into winterNJMom10 said:Thanks
Thanks. I've been worrying about this all week. And I really don't need any more stress right now. Not that you all don't know! The doc and nurse said I should be fine to drive and I figured I would see how I felt. I don't want my husband to take off cause I need him working to keep up our health insurance. I have no family close and was on the verge of asking friends but, of course, I hate to bother people. Anyway, great advice and thanks.
As it's heading into winter - you might want to ask the center what their 'snow policy' is if they don't tell you. Where you are snow might no9t be a big issue but it is here (western South Dakota). The Center makes sure that everyone knows to check the TV/radio in a snow/blizzard time and if the Rapid City public schools are closed the Center will be and all appts will be rescheduled as soon as they are able to reopen.0 -
I had about a 30 minutemariam_11_09 said:I had a friend drive me to
I had a friend drive me to and from chemo even though I was 10 mins away. For the AC of which I had 4, I had a friend stay with me the whole time. It was not necessary but a comfort. For the 12 weeks of Taxol and Herceptin I had someone just drop me off and pick me up. The benedryl that I was given as premed just knocked me out, I would sleep for at least an hour during the infusion. Everyone who drove me there and picked me up lived in our neighbourhood 10 mins away and I was able to schedule my chemo around their schedules as well.
That been said, I did meet a woman during chemo who lived an hour and a half away and drove herself there and back for the AC and TC. She went to the outdoor mall next to the clinic, had something to eat and shopped until the benedryl had worn off then drove home. She managed it just fine.
It is certainly doable to drive to and from. I do agree with the others that if you can take someone along with you to the first infusion just in case because you don't know how you might react. If that is not possible them maybe a friend or your husband can be on call just in case you cannot drive home. You certainly don't want any added stress of finding someone to drive you to and from chemo but then you don't want to be stranded or in an accident on your way back either.
Good luck I wish you well with.
I had about a 30 minute drive to chemo treatments and after the first treatment where a friend did drive me I drove myself for the other 5 treatments. My advice would be that someone drive you for the first treatment and then you should know how you will feel and if you think you would be up to driving yourself.
Good Luck0 -
Ask what meds they're giving you with chemomariam_11_09 said:I had a friend drive me to
I had a friend drive me to and from chemo even though I was 10 mins away. For the AC of which I had 4, I had a friend stay with me the whole time. It was not necessary but a comfort. For the 12 weeks of Taxol and Herceptin I had someone just drop me off and pick me up. The benedryl that I was given as premed just knocked me out, I would sleep for at least an hour during the infusion. Everyone who drove me there and picked me up lived in our neighbourhood 10 mins away and I was able to schedule my chemo around their schedules as well.
That been said, I did meet a woman during chemo who lived an hour and a half away and drove herself there and back for the AC and TC. She went to the outdoor mall next to the clinic, had something to eat and shopped until the benedryl had worn off then drove home. She managed it just fine.
It is certainly doable to drive to and from. I do agree with the others that if you can take someone along with you to the first infusion just in case because you don't know how you might react. If that is not possible them maybe a friend or your husband can be on call just in case you cannot drive home. You certainly don't want any added stress of finding someone to drive you to and from chemo but then you don't want to be stranded or in an accident on your way back either.
Good luck I wish you well with.
I would strongly suggest that you ask ahead of time what meds they'll be giving you in addition to the chemo drugs.
Mariam mentioned Benadryl -- they LOADED me up on Benadryl before starting each infusion, and I was so sleepy, there would have been no way I could have driven. Of course, every center has different ways of doing things, so I would make sure to ask ahead of time.
And don't forget the ACS' Road to Recovery program as an option for getting a ride to and from your chemo treatments -- even if you think you won't need it, it can't hurt to call the ACS now just to see what they would have available.
Traci0 -
You've received great advice
You've received great advice from everyone here, so I won't repeat what has already been said. I do want to add my 'welcome', you'll find this is a great place for answers and support. Even though we would all rather not need to be here.
Hope your treatment is easier than you expect. Let us know how it goes.
Hugs,
Linda0 -
WelcomeGabe N Abby Mom said:You've received great advice
You've received great advice from everyone here, so I won't repeat what has already been said. I do want to add my 'welcome', you'll find this is a great place for answers and support. Even though we would all rather not need to be here.
Hope your treatment is easier than you expect. Let us know how it goes.
Hugs,
Linda
We are all different but I also drove myself to and from all my chemo tx's I had about a 45 min. drive one way and had no problems. It was just the way I wanted to do it, I think I felt like I needed to prove something,to myself I guess. My son was only about 15 min. away at work and they could have called him if needed.
Welcome to the board, sorry for your need to be here but there are great people and info here. God Bless
(((Hugs))) Janice0 -
Hi NJ mom
I just finished
Hi NJ mom
I just finished 4 rounds of AC, followed by 2 rounds of Taxotere. I could not have driven myself back after my treatments, even when i would go in just for my neulasta shot & they would give me fluids, it would make me sleepy & almost in a "fog". Everyone is different though, and you may do just fine. Of course your first chemo will make you pretty anxious just because of the not knowing, but once you have that one knocked out you'll be better able to gauge how your body handles it.
Welcome to the board & best of luck & health to you as you begin chemo. It's hard, but we're all here for you to answer your questions, give you support and encouragement, and if needed, help lift you when you're down.
*hugs*
Heather0 -
Please take a friend with youHeatherbelle said:Hi NJ mom
I just finished
Hi NJ mom
I just finished 4 rounds of AC, followed by 2 rounds of Taxotere. I could not have driven myself back after my treatments, even when i would go in just for my neulasta shot & they would give me fluids, it would make me sleepy & almost in a "fog". Everyone is different though, and you may do just fine. Of course your first chemo will make you pretty anxious just because of the not knowing, but once you have that one knocked out you'll be better able to gauge how your body handles it.
Welcome to the board & best of luck & health to you as you begin chemo. It's hard, but we're all here for you to answer your questions, give you support and encouragement, and if needed, help lift you when you're down.
*hugs*
Heather
to the first treatment and see how you feel. In addition to the chemo drugs, my Doctor gave me a few other drugs to help with relaxation during the infusion. I was 'buzzed' after each treatment and definitely could not drive home. I know that everyone is different, but I think that it would be best to have a friend or family member with you for the first treatment to see how your body reacts. I hope that your treatments go smoothly. Jane0 -
Shotcanjuncutie said:It is possiable to drive
I drive to and from chemo. I am about a 10 min drive away from where i live. The shot that starts with a n may make your legs feel like you work an 80hr work week standing up. I get my chemo thur and that shot fri. By fri night i feel it in my legs. It last thru sat.By Sun Im normal.
Had my Neulasta shot on Wednesday. This morning felt my legs were heavy. Reminded myself to get up and get active. Took my morning walk slowly and felt better. Did this thought after giving myself time to wake up. Two hours to wake up, lol. Glad you mentioned it .... thinking taking it easy through the weekend is the way to go. Thank you.0 -
Welcome..
I could have drove my self if I had to. But I am glad I didn't have to . Between my Husband and my sister, there is no way they would let me go alone. It is better if you have some one with you. Best of luck to you Kay,0 -
Welcome NJ Mom
I did have someone drive me for my 1st 2 treatments only because I didn't know what to expect from the drugs. I have driven myself for #s 3 & 4 and I always drove myself for the next day Neulasta shot. Because I have hobbies (crocheting and reading) I didn't mind not having anyone sit with me for the last 2. I have 2 more treatments to go and plan on going by myself.
Good luck to you. Remember to drink lots of water and depending on time of day some snacks.
{{hugs}} Char0 -
your welcomeJean T. Szabo said:Shot
Had my Neulasta shot on Wednesday. This morning felt my legs were heavy. Reminded myself to get up and get active. Took my morning walk slowly and felt better. Did this thought after giving myself time to wake up. Two hours to wake up, lol. Glad you mentioned it .... thinking taking it easy through the weekend is the way to go. Thank you.
Brain was working for once i rememberedlol0
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