getting home from chemo

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Findingout
Findingout Member Posts: 132
in Breast Cancer #1
Now I have another question... what do you feel like right after an AC injection? I live an hour from the facility - without traffic. It will probably be a 90 min - 2 hr drive home next week. Did anyone transport yourself? Just curious, someone's taking me, but will I ever be able to drive home?

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  • joannstar
    joannstar Member Posts: 403 Member
    #2
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    Never did
    I always had someone take me home because I had benedryl and atavan in my cocktail so I didn't trust myself to drive. I felt ok and would go out to eat after the infusion.
    You'll know better after your first treatment. Ask what pre-meds you are being given, then you will know what to do.
    Hugs,
    JoAnn
  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #3
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    Driving after A/C infusion
    I am lucky in that I only live about 10 minutes from my oncologist's office/infusion center. I had 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere. My husband or a friend was able to take me home each time. 10 minutes I could probably have done by myself. 90 minutes or 2 hours I would NOT have attempted. It's not that I felt lousy, I was just very tired. I think it is pretty standard for Benadryl to be one of the pre-chemo meds that are given and that tends to make people sleepy. Like JoAnn said, ask your doctor or the infusion center nurses what kind of pre-chemo meds you are being given then you can determine if it will be safe for you to drive that distance. I know very well that it is difficult to ask for help and depend on other people. I even had a friend's teenage son take me one time. Just be safe.
  • Findingout
    Findingout Member Posts: 132
    #4
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    jessiesmom1 said:

    Driving after A/C infusion
    I am lucky in that I only live about 10 minutes from my oncologist's office/infusion center. I had 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere. My husband or a friend was able to take me home each time. 10 minutes I could probably have done by myself. 90 minutes or 2 hours I would NOT have attempted. It's not that I felt lousy, I was just very tired. I think it is pretty standard for Benadryl to be one of the pre-chemo meds that are given and that tends to make people sleepy. Like JoAnn said, ask your doctor or the infusion center nurses what kind of pre-chemo meds you are being given then you can determine if it will be safe for you to drive that distance. I know very well that it is difficult to ask for help and depend on other people. I even had a friend's teenage son take me one time. Just be safe.

    Thanks, these are helpful;
    Thanks, these are helpful; it sounds like the right-after-chemo effects are from those other drugs.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
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    I drove myself
    I had 4 A/C and 12 Taxol and drove myself to and from all of them. No problems at all. Most days it took about 30 min. but there were a few that thanks to the snow it took close to an hour. Either adult Son or hubby could have arranged to get me there and home - they would have their cells on with them on infusion days just in case the nurses thought one of them should drive me home. The Benadryl I was given before A/C was oral - no effects tht werfe feelable, The Benadryl before Taxol was IV and it knocked me out immediately upon it starting - I'd wake up just as rapidly as I got knocked out, about 20 min. before end of Taxol.

    I never thought twice about it - drive self. There were a couple of reasons that I did it. I'm a very independant, take care of what needs to be done person (20 yrs as a Navy wife contributed to that) - I needed to get to Chemo (and rads) so I did it. There is so much that you have no control over during TX that keeping conrol - getting there - was one small way to retain some control over something dealing with the lack of control.

    I also did not want Hubby or Son to be there with me rather back in the unit or sitting in the lobby or just driving around, I did not want them to actually see (or be near) where they would see or actively be at the facility while they knew that poison was being pumped into me.

    We're all so different so what is 'right' for one isn't 'right' for another - Do what you are the most comfortable with.

    Susan
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #6
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    I always...
    I always had someone with me to drive home. However, I always felt good enough to drive if need be, when leaving there. Sometimes we would do a bit of shopping or stop for a coffee & bagel after my chemo.
    I am the type to whom you must always promise a pony ride (reward) after doing something stressful, painful or unpleasant...lol!

    I think it is pretty much an individual thing, as to how it will effect you, and how well you will feel. But, if the drive is that long, you might want to have someone else along with you until you see how you do.

    Hugs,
    CR
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #7
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    CR1954 said:

    I always...
    I always had someone with me to drive home. However, I always felt good enough to drive if need be, when leaving there. Sometimes we would do a bit of shopping or stop for a coffee & bagel after my chemo.
    I am the type to whom you must always promise a pony ride (reward) after doing something stressful, painful or unpleasant...lol!

    I think it is pretty much an individual thing, as to how it will effect you, and how well you will feel. But, if the drive is that long, you might want to have someone else along with you until you see how you do.

    Hugs,
    CR

    Depends on how you respond to pre-meds
    Definitely ask your oncologist or oncology nurse ahead of time whether or not you'll be given Benadryl as part of the IV "cocktail" -- it's pretty standard.

    And then it will depend on how you respond to it -- Benadryl knocks me OUT, I dozed most of the time through every chemo, and was sleepy for several hours afterward. I would NEVER have tried to drive myself. But, as the others here have said -- it may affect you differently, so you'll know more after the first one.

    And I'm with CR -- I was too sleepy for a pony ride (I would have slipped right off the pony!), but I was always promised ice cream if I was good!

    :-) Traci
  • Findingout
    Findingout Member Posts: 132
    #8
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    Rague said:

    I drove myself
    I had 4 A/C and 12 Taxol and drove myself to and from all of them. No problems at all. Most days it took about 30 min. but there were a few that thanks to the snow it took close to an hour. Either adult Son or hubby could have arranged to get me there and home - they would have their cells on with them on infusion days just in case the nurses thought one of them should drive me home. The Benadryl I was given before A/C was oral - no effects tht werfe feelable, The Benadryl before Taxol was IV and it knocked me out immediately upon it starting - I'd wake up just as rapidly as I got knocked out, about 20 min. before end of Taxol.

    I never thought twice about it - drive self. There were a couple of reasons that I did it. I'm a very independant, take care of what needs to be done person (20 yrs as a Navy wife contributed to that) - I needed to get to Chemo (and rads) so I did it. There is so much that you have no control over during TX that keeping conrol - getting there - was one small way to retain some control over something dealing with the lack of control.

    I also did not want Hubby or Son to be there with me rather back in the unit or sitting in the lobby or just driving around, I did not want them to actually see (or be near) where they would see or actively be at the facility while they knew that poison was being pumped into me.

    We're all so different so what is 'right' for one isn't 'right' for another - Do what you are the most comfortable with.

    Susan

    Hi Susan, I'll also have 4
    Hi Susan, I'll also have 4 AC then 12 Taxol. This is interesting, you seem to be the only person so far I've heard drove yourself. And I too am independent which I think at times feeds my soul... I can take a metro train there and get a ride home because I too prefer not to have anyone sitting there while I'm hooked up! Oddly there is a stop right at the clinic. My onc. nurse said I'll be 'too sleepy' to drive home. Some of my friends were aghast that I'd go there alone! This is all so helpful. I think part of it is - the more I know, the less anxious I am!
  • Findingout
    Findingout Member Posts: 132
    #9
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    TraciInLA said:

    Depends on how you respond to pre-meds
    Definitely ask your oncologist or oncology nurse ahead of time whether or not you'll be given Benadryl as part of the IV "cocktail" -- it's pretty standard.

    And then it will depend on how you respond to it -- Benadryl knocks me OUT, I dozed most of the time through every chemo, and was sleepy for several hours afterward. I would NEVER have tried to drive myself. But, as the others here have said -- it may affect you differently, so you'll know more after the first one.

    And I'm with CR -- I was too sleepy for a pony ride (I would have slipped right off the pony!), but I was always promised ice cream if I was good!

    :-) Traci

    Oh yes, the goodie (the
    Oh yes, the goodie (the 'reward') will be a must for me too!! Thanks to all the supportive posts, I'm no longer super stressed about chemo #1, and what good is that anyway? ... what will be will be... But every little tidbit I get here makes a difference.
    xo
    Lin
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #10
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    Findingout said:

    Oh yes, the goodie (the
    Oh yes, the goodie (the 'reward') will be a must for me too!! Thanks to all the supportive posts, I'm no longer super stressed about chemo #1, and what good is that anyway? ... what will be will be... But every little tidbit I get here makes a difference.
    xo
    Lin

    I could have driven
    but I didn't because I didn't know what to expect and every time could be different. Turns out I felt fine after and during each infusion (Taxotere and Cytoxin). It was also nice to have someone with me because for me it was scarey. I would have been fine doing it by myself, but just felt safe and loved to have someone along with me. Husband took me twice, girlfriends the other two times. Girlfriends were more fun!

    Lunch was always included as a reward.

    Good luck. I would heed the advice of the chemo nurses.

    Suzanne
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #11
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    Findingout said:

    Thanks, these are helpful;
    Thanks, these are helpful; it sounds like the right-after-chemo effects are from those other drugs.

    I didn't have chemo, but,
    I didn't have chemo, but, want to wish you good luck!


    Hugs, Kylez
  • justlauralee
    justlauralee Member Posts: 2
    #12
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    Rague said:

    I drove myself
    I had 4 A/C and 12 Taxol and drove myself to and from all of them. No problems at all. Most days it took about 30 min. but there were a few that thanks to the snow it took close to an hour. Either adult Son or hubby could have arranged to get me there and home - they would have their cells on with them on infusion days just in case the nurses thought one of them should drive me home. The Benadryl I was given before A/C was oral - no effects tht werfe feelable, The Benadryl before Taxol was IV and it knocked me out immediately upon it starting - I'd wake up just as rapidly as I got knocked out, about 20 min. before end of Taxol.

    I never thought twice about it - drive self. There were a couple of reasons that I did it. I'm a very independant, take care of what needs to be done person (20 yrs as a Navy wife contributed to that) - I needed to get to Chemo (and rads) so I did it. There is so much that you have no control over during TX that keeping conrol - getting there - was one small way to retain some control over something dealing with the lack of control.

    I also did not want Hubby or Son to be there with me rather back in the unit or sitting in the lobby or just driving around, I did not want them to actually see (or be near) where they would see or actively be at the facility while they knew that poison was being pumped into me.

    We're all so different so what is 'right' for one isn't 'right' for another - Do what you are the most comfortable with.

    Susan

    Benadryl?
    Hi Susan,

    I am starting the same regimen of chemo on March 8th. My doctor never mentioned the Benadryl. The only thing he mentioned last visit were the drugs for nausea. (?)
    Regards,
    Laura
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #13
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    Double Whammy said:

    I could have driven
    but I didn't because I didn't know what to expect and every time could be different. Turns out I felt fine after and during each infusion (Taxotere and Cytoxin). It was also nice to have someone with me because for me it was scarey. I would have been fine doing it by myself, but just felt safe and loved to have someone along with me. Husband took me twice, girlfriends the other two times. Girlfriends were more fun!

    Lunch was always included as a reward.

    Good luck. I would heed the advice of the chemo nurses.

    Suzanne

    I had a 90 minute drive to
    I had a 90 minute drive to and 90 minutes back. My husband did all the driving. I dont like to drive so it was certainly beneficial for me. I could have done the drive if necessary. I really didnt get any after effects until the 3rd day after chemo. The day of and the day immediately following chemo I felt fine. But do remember we are all very different. My onc told me I would be fine even tho I had the long drive and he was correct. I had visions of all kinds of side effects in the car going home but none of them ever materialized.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #14
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    justlauralee said:

    Benadryl?
    Hi Susan,

    I am starting the same regimen of chemo on March 8th. My doctor never mentioned the Benadryl. The only thing he mentioned last visit were the drugs for nausea. (?)
    Regards,
    Laura

    Benadryl
    Benadryl helps prevent allergic reactions. Before A/C I was orally given Emend, Dexamethasone, Ondansetron and Benadryl. I got something IV before the A/C but can't find the paper about it. Before I had Taxol, I took Ondnsetron orally. I was given Pepcid, Dexmethasone and Benadryl via IV before the Taxol.

    Susan
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #15
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    Findingout said:

    Oh yes, the goodie (the
    Oh yes, the goodie (the 'reward') will be a must for me too!! Thanks to all the supportive posts, I'm no longer super stressed about chemo #1, and what good is that anyway? ... what will be will be... But every little tidbit I get here makes a difference.
    xo
    Lin

    Good luck Lin with your
    Good luck Lin with your first chemo! Glad you aren't super stressed about it anymore!


    Hugs, Susie
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #16
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    susie09 said:

    Good luck Lin with your
    Good luck Lin with your first chemo! Glad you aren't super stressed about it anymore!


    Hugs, Susie

    I didnt drive. I live 90
    I didnt drive. I live 90 minutes from my treatment center. I never drove while taking ativan, (which I did) as if something happened, I would be DUI. even if it didnt have anything to do with it.
  • Findingout
    Findingout Member Posts: 132
    #17
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    carkris said:

    I didnt drive. I live 90
    I didnt drive. I live 90 minutes from my treatment center. I never drove while taking ativan, (which I did) as if something happened, I would be DUI. even if it didnt have anything to do with it.

    Whoah... good point, thanks!
    Whoah... good point, thanks! Didn't think of that. DUI!
    So far you've all helped me enormously with your information, experiences... noteworthy for me as a chemo babe, hearing from all you Veterans. How much stronger this must make you, not only facing BC but the treatment as well... Sigh... no wonder this site is so invaluable, who else could possibly understand the complexity of our emotions?
    xo
    L
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #18
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    carkris said:

    I didnt drive. I live 90
    I didnt drive. I live 90 minutes from my treatment center. I never drove while taking ativan, (which I did) as if something happened, I would be DUI. even if it didnt have anything to do with it.

    Carkris, why would ativan
    Carkris, why would ativan make you get a DUI? Isn't it just a nerve pill?
  • Punkindo
    Punkindo Member Posts: 113
    #19
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    I had someone drive me for
    I had someone drive me for my first chemo because I didn't know what to expect and of course everyone is different. I didn't have any side effects from the chemo until about 3-4 days later. I drove myself from then on out and did fine. I only had about a 30 min drive. I also had the benedryl added to mine, but I could never fall asleep, I guess I was too nervous. The first few days after chemo I felt "normal" but about day 4 is when the side effects hit me and I felt pretty miserable for about a week and then started feeling better each day till time for my next chemo.

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