Starting Chemo soon and feeling so frightened

Hi Regine,

So sorry that you have been through such a horrible time these past couple of months. Yes, you will need lots of support so I am very glad that you posted. There a nice (but sadly, growing) bunch of people here who can help you through this. Friends and family do great but I really found the greatest support to be from others who were, or had been, through the same thing. No one else can really 'get' the many emotions you go through.

I'm afraid I don;t have time this evening to post in detail about chemo but I will try to get back on later in the week. All I will say for now is that you CAN do it. Hang in there.

Hugs,
Flo.

Hi Regine.

I have no advice for you as I havent had chemo yet. But all of the girls here have told me its do-able. It is different for everyone, but you will get through it.

I know for me, I had an image in my head of me being literally on my knees, vomiting at every hands turn, rolling around in agony (oh im such a drama queen ). I have been assured by my oncologist that it isnt like that at all. They have such good anti sickness tablets these days that a lot of people are hardly even sick. I do know that the one thing everyone has is tiredness. Im already feeling extreme tiredness, so i dont think it will make any difference to me

What hospital are you attending?
Are you due to start soon?
Im in the mater in eccles street. Ill know on thursday if Im having chemo. Im taking part in a clinical trial, I dont knwo if im more frightened of having the chemo or not having it

Keep in touch xx

Thanks so much Flo and Hugs. I don't think you're a drama queen at all hugs, I have had the same images in my head! It's just that they tell you so much about all the side effects that you're wondering what ones you'll have. I know everyone is different and it's not until you start that you know how you're going to react. to it

I suppose I'm most worried that I'll be practially an invalid for the duration of the treatment. I feel so good at the moment, that I hate the thoughts of the tiredness it'll bring. I really want to be able to keep things as normal as possible, not just for myself, but for the family too, but I don't know how realistic an expectation that is. I'm anxious about how it all affects the immune system, and the possibility of picking up infections etc. I don't want to think that I'll be stuck indoors seeing no one for the next 5 months!

Thanks for your support girls. x

Hi Regine and welcome on board. We are all friends so never be afraid to say what is on your mind. Now I finished my 6 mths chemo back in March and still feel a bit tired but am able to do antthing. The chemo is tough but manageable. The anti sickness tablets worked 100% and did exactly what they said on the tin. I got wigs (cheap) on e bay and my daughter shaved off my hair before the chemo got it. I was tired the week I got the chemo then ok for 2 weeks. Hospital also gave me prescription for "Magic Mouthwash" which I found cleared my mouth of nasty sores.
There is a great booklet available free from The Irish Cancer Society so just give them a buzz.
Talk again soon Evelyn

Hi Regine
I am in the very same boat as you, I saw oncologist for the
first time today, and really did not know what to expect, she
says I will have it every second week for 16 weeks 2 lots of
eight weeks each, and then RT and then Hormone tablets,
it really is all very scary, just when we are beginning to feel
half normal after surgeries etc, I have to have an access port
inserted next week are you having that done? they say it would
be easier on my veins, so at this stage I am going along with them ( For Now), the other girls all seemed to have got through
it all ok so I know we will too, but it is still scary

Best of Luck with it all
Talk again
Deema

Hi regine and deema.

I start chemo on monday...eek! So it looks as if we are going to be in the same boat.

Im having dense dose, so its every two weeks. AC first, for 4 rounds, then T for 4 rounds. So I should be done by november (it sounds so far away!!)

Hi hugs and Deema, yes it looks like we'll be chemo buddies! I'm having the access port put in the week after next and then the chemo starts. Hopefully having that in will make things easier and the nurse said it's less likely to get infected than a regular canula in your arm. Still not looking forward to having that done though! November does seem very far away doesn't it. I reckon I'll be done by around the second week in December and then a couple of weeks off before the radiotherapy.

The nurses were very reassuring when I spoke to them. They said that it's good to try to keep your regular routine (as far as possible) and not shut yourself away completely. Oh, and drink lots and lots and lots of water!!

Hi Deema,

If you have bad veins and usually suffer when staff are trying to get blood, etc, then the port can be a godsend. My sister had one fitted under local anaesthetic recently and found it very handy for her first session of chemo last wk.

Her port was sore for the first day after insertion but is fine now. She said the procedure was not pleasant, they did not offer the sedation (which is recommended) to relax her before and during. So MAKE SURE YOU ASK FOR SEDATION/RELAXANT!!! Or, if you can get a slot, ask for it to be done in theatre under general anaesthetic.

REGINE,
Don't worry about being confined to the house. This is very unlikely. Just make sure you avoid anyone with tummy bugs, cold/flu or any type of infection. These days, they give you an injection called NEULASTA the day after you get your chemo which helps keep your white blood cell count up and makes you less likely to have problems with infections. You'll still need to be vigilant about hygiene though. Get yourself a non-alcohol mouthwash and hand wash to start with. These should be sufficient if you use them regularly. If you start to develop mouth ulcers or sore gums, you may need to upgrade to a stronger mouthwash.

The tiredness is usually experienced by everyone but the level of tiredness varies greatly. My advice would be to take things easy, take walks to get fresh air and exercise but don't go mad digging or mowing the garden or anything! As I always say, you will never have a better excuse to rest and let people do things for you so make the most of it!

Good luck ladies. You CAN do this.
Hugs,

Flo.

Hi FH2

Thanks a lot for that advice will make sure to get sedation and
lots of it

Thanks again

Deema

Hi Hugs

Good Luck on Monday I will be thinking of you, I will be
on the very same regime as you AC first every 2 weeks for
4 sessions and then T every 2 weeks for 4 more, but I am
not starting until Wed 14th so I will be dying to hear how
you are getting on,
Best of Luck again and keep up the good spirits

Deema

Good luck tomorrow hugs, I hope it goes ok for you. You're a couple of weeks ahead of me so I'm definitely interested in hearing how it goes for you. *hugs* (no pun intended!)

Thanks for the tip about the sedation when having the port done, Flo. I've been told that I'll definitely be sedated so at least that's one less worry. And thanks for all the other advice too, it's very much appreciated.

One down, seven to go.
I was in the hospital until 4. I was delayed because i had to have a blood transufsion I found that more traumatic to be honest, just the idea of it.

Im feeling ok so far. I had a wave of tiredness yesterday evening, i felt as if i had concrete in my veins, but it only lasted an hour (i lay down and fell asleep)

I had the best night sleep last night that ive had in a long time, i think it was just a relief to get it started!!!!

The nurse came out today to give me the injection to bring up my white blood levels.

Fingers crossed...so far so good.

hi hugs,
congrads on having the first session done - the first is usually the hardest as you are anxious and don't know what to expect.
you will get more and more relaxed as the countdown goes on.
- A nurse came out to me with the neulasta injection too - She showed me how to give it to myself and I found that handier than wondering what time she was going to come etc.
take all the drugs you get for sickness and you won't be sick. Maybe one day of just not feeling great but on the whole it is very do-able.
You will be finished in Novemberr so in top form again for christmas (are we allowed mention the word in july !!!)

keep smilin,
r

Hi Hugs,

Glad the first chemo session went ok. Sorry you found the transfusion tough but at least they found out why you were so tired and were able to do something to help. Have they any idea WHY your red count was so low? Did you lose a lot of blood during your operations? It might be a good idea to ask if you can take an iron supplement during chemo and/or eat iron rich foods (if you can!) to keep your count up. The chemo will hit your red blood cell count as well. An occasional glass of red wine or guinness is good source! But so also are green leaved vegetables and red meat. And a glass of orange juice (Vit C) helps the iron absorption.

And once you get past the 4 AC, the Taxol should be easier. You might have some joint/bone pain but I certainly found them better.

Keep it up, girl!
Flo.

Glad all went well for you hugs (though the blood transfusion must have come as a shock to you). Hope you're feeling ok a week later.
I'm having my access port inserted on Friday and then first chemo session tomorrow week. At this stage, I just want to get started.