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Chemo tomorrow - any advice??
Hi there,
well I start my chemo tomorrow 9.00am - carbotaxol. First of six sessions. Has anyone got any last minute advice as I am nervous and scared. I have had carboplatin 20yrs ago. I suppose I am scared because I have read about the side effects and I do realise I won't necessarily get them all or if any. I feel very well at this point in time five weeks after surgery, and my annoyance is that how **** I am possibly going to feel. Anyway I just wanted to vent - rather than keep this within me. I will stay positive and take on board all the previous good advice I have been given.
Anyway will speak soon.
love and peace.
Shen.
well I start my chemo tomorrow 9.00am - carbotaxol. First of six sessions. Has anyone got any last minute advice as I am nervous and scared. I have had carboplatin 20yrs ago. I suppose I am scared because I have read about the side effects and I do realise I won't necessarily get them all or if any. I feel very well at this point in time five weeks after surgery, and my annoyance is that how **** I am possibly going to feel. Anyway I just wanted to vent - rather than keep this within me. I will stay positive and take on board all the previous good advice I have been given.
Anyway will speak soon.
love and peace.
Shen.
I thought about you at work today. My clients' daughter spent part of the day with her parents. She had chemo several years ago, for another type of cancer, and she still has quarterly checks to see if her cancer has returned. She has been blessed with clear check ups so far. Just hope your day went well, that you found the procedure not terribly unpleasant (considering the circumstances!) and that you like the staff. That last one can really make the difference.
I am so glad you wrote, I was thinking about you last night.... I too wish I could be there with you.... at least you know ALL our thoughts and prayers are with you Shen.... take care....and much love & support to your dear husband too...you will get through this.... kick butt!
Love Katie
Love Katie
Hi everyone,
it is quarter to five in the morning, have just taken the steroids that were prescribed to take before the chemo. I am checking my emails, and as usual I am a big baby. I am reading your replies and am truly amazed at the support, advice and kind words from all of you and at this point my vision is blurred because of my tears. Don't worry, I am feeling armed and positive and that is because of all the words of support from you all. Its funny, I thought the surgery was bad enough, but this is another journey that I have to take.
Reading all the experiences that the Cysters and their loved ones on this site have gone through, it is really hard to fathom the power of strength that we have within us, and that we are able to tap into and most importantly share with others.
The support I have found on this site is truly AMAZING.
I know I said this before, but the reason I am so overwhelmed is because, when I went through this same experience 2o yrs ago, the internet and www did not exist, and most importantly, nor did this AMAZING site.
Anyway, enough said, better hit the sack got to get up again at seven.
Much love and peace.
I'll be back.
Shen
x
it is quarter to five in the morning, have just taken the steroids that were prescribed to take before the chemo. I am checking my emails, and as usual I am a big baby. I am reading your replies and am truly amazed at the support, advice and kind words from all of you and at this point my vision is blurred because of my tears. Don't worry, I am feeling armed and positive and that is because of all the words of support from you all. Its funny, I thought the surgery was bad enough, but this is another journey that I have to take.
Reading all the experiences that the Cysters and their loved ones on this site have gone through, it is really hard to fathom the power of strength that we have within us, and that we are able to tap into and most importantly share with others.
The support I have found on this site is truly AMAZING.
I know I said this before, but the reason I am so overwhelmed is because, when I went through this same experience 2o yrs ago, the internet and www did not exist, and most importantly, nor did this AMAZING site.
Anyway, enough said, better hit the sack got to get up again at seven.
Much love and peace.
I'll be back.
Shen
x
I remember the night before starting my Carbo/Taxol treatments - I was petrified! The best thing I can tell you is to relax - it's totally manageable and not as bad as we think it might be. I would have my treatments on Thurdays and feel ok until about Saturday - thats when the bone/joint pain would start and it was awful! I highly recommend that you have heavy painkillers on hand and take them at the first sign of pain - don't wait until it's unbearable or it will be harder to control. If you are taking Zofran, I also suggest that you have a laxative on hand as this, along with any other pain meds you might take, will cause constipation. As hard as it may be, keep your fluids up. I would buy 1.5 lt bottles of water and make myself drink 1 a day after my chemo treatments. I did not have mouth sores, so I have no advice on that subject. My hair fell out exactly 14 days after my first treatment - if it's long, I would reccomend cutting it really short so it's not so messy - I shaved mine! I know all the anxiety you must be feeling right now but it's not so bad. I had my treatments every 3 weeks and out of every 21 day cycle, I maybe had 4 not-so-good-days. Not that bad, if you think about it! The fatigue was hard and seemed to get worse closer to my 5th treatment. Don't over do yourself and keep your self occupied - garden, scrapbook, do puzzles anything to keep your mind active. These 6 treatments will be done before you know it. I will be thinking of you tomorrow - I wish you much luck! You'll manage just fine, I promise!
Becky
Becky
THANKYOU!! I think I desperately need the reassurance. Louanna thanks for the four main points, I will bear these in mind and it makes it easier to remember what will help me cope. Toothfairy, thanks, I got myself a bottle of mouthwash with a soft toothbrush. Everyone thankyou, I can be such a scardycat sometimes, as I said, it is the reassurance that I so so needed.
THANKS again.
Love and peace to you all.
Shen.
THANKS again.
Love and peace to you all.
Shen.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Might not be a bad idea to bring someone with you on the first visit until you know how you will react to it. A few people are allergic to Taxol, so they will probably test you with it first. My doctor gave me Benedryl and Aloxi before each treatment to help with side effects. The Benedryl put me right to sleep pretty much every time. I wouldn't have been able to drive home. Louana gave great advice on the pain meds. Even if you don't think you need them, take them anyway. I waited too long after my first infusion, and my joints hurt so badly, I couldn't walk for two days.
My doctor recommended I mix some Glutamine powder into into orange juice or some other liquid (it has no taste). I took 10g 4 times a day for the first week after each treatment. It is an amino acid found naturally in your muscles that helps your body by aiding recovery of muscle cells (i.e. chemo-related soreness). Glutamine may also improve mental alertness and clarity of thinking. You may want to ask your doctor about it to see if it might work for you.
Good luck to you. I'm sending prayers and positive thoughts your way!
Gail :)
My doctor recommended I mix some Glutamine powder into into orange juice or some other liquid (it has no taste). I took 10g 4 times a day for the first week after each treatment. It is an amino acid found naturally in your muscles that helps your body by aiding recovery of muscle cells (i.e. chemo-related soreness). Glutamine may also improve mental alertness and clarity of thinking. You may want to ask your doctor about it to see if it might work for you.
Good luck to you. I'm sending prayers and positive thoughts your way!
Gail :)
Shen, I do not recall in which hemisphere you live, but here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are having summer. You will want to avoid spending much time in direct sunlight while you are undergoing your carbo/taxol chemotherapy treatment. Your skin will be sensitive. Also, some patients experience skin rashes and itching as a result of the treatment. Some patients find that Aveeno lotions and bath additives help with these problems.
This is not advice, but do know that you are in my prayers as well.
This is not advice, but do know that you are in my prayers as well.
I know how you feel and wish you a good first treatment.
I was lucky, I had very little side effects, and what I had was tolerable. A little pain, a little nausea, but nothing too bad and I am a whimp. It was just frustrating to have low energy and not be able to do anything, and that everything centered around treatments and bloodwork etc.
My recommendations, drink water before, during and after the treatment to flush out the toxins. It really helps with side effects, and constipation.
Then wait to see what side effects you will have. I remember waiting for the side effects, with my mom who had flown in from Germany, but nothing really happened ;)
I was lucky, I had very little side effects, and what I had was tolerable. A little pain, a little nausea, but nothing too bad and I am a whimp. It was just frustrating to have low energy and not be able to do anything, and that everything centered around treatments and bloodwork etc.
My recommendations, drink water before, during and after the treatment to flush out the toxins. It really helps with side effects, and constipation.
Then wait to see what side effects you will have. I remember waiting for the side effects, with my mom who had flown in from Germany, but nothing really happened ;)
Listen to all of us giving you advice.l...you're the real pro here! When it was time for my chemo to get started I was ready...I just wanted to get it over with. I had some really tough days, some tough days, and some eheh days...then there were days where I was nearly normal....
I had six treatments of carbo and taxol so I can't speak to getting carbo alone...I lost my hair about 10 days after my first treatment....the only pain I had was from Neulasta and that was terrible...I didn't expect it or know what it was so stupidly I tried to tough it out....bad idea! The pain won until I got some serious pain medication and stayed ahead of it....I found myself stuck in the tub and had to get my husband to help me get out....no energy or strength....after that I got a chair at a pharmacy made for the shower....my husband took showers with me after that...it was great getting my back scrubbed every night! I had no trouble with constipation...just the opposite. I had 5-7 days with each treatment of nausea....some days that was really tough, but a compounding pharmacist and my oncologist worked together and got that under control. I spent most of my day sitting or lying down....I got sick of that but ...oh well...
I am much better now, and glad all that is in my past....I hope it stays there. Everyone says read...do puzzles....I thought I'd finally finish that afgan....I couldn't do any of it as my ability to concentrate seemed to disappear immediately ...it is still not what it used to be but is getting better.
Be patient with yourself....you are older than you were 20 years ago so this will be a new experience for you....follow the dictates of your body...it will tell you what you should be doing....I will be thinking about you tomorrow....try to look at this as the beginning of a journey....that is what I told myself ( they say if you tell a lie often enough you will begin to believe it!...doesn't hurt to try!). Anyway, this is another chapter in your life....new experiences make us more valuable...this makes you worth an awful lot to all the rest of us! You are a powerful and courageous woman...you can do this!
I wish you Peace and a good night's sleep.
dian
I had six treatments of carbo and taxol so I can't speak to getting carbo alone...I lost my hair about 10 days after my first treatment....the only pain I had was from Neulasta and that was terrible...I didn't expect it or know what it was so stupidly I tried to tough it out....bad idea! The pain won until I got some serious pain medication and stayed ahead of it....I found myself stuck in the tub and had to get my husband to help me get out....no energy or strength....after that I got a chair at a pharmacy made for the shower....my husband took showers with me after that...it was great getting my back scrubbed every night! I had no trouble with constipation...just the opposite. I had 5-7 days with each treatment of nausea....some days that was really tough, but a compounding pharmacist and my oncologist worked together and got that under control. I spent most of my day sitting or lying down....I got sick of that but ...oh well...
I am much better now, and glad all that is in my past....I hope it stays there. Everyone says read...do puzzles....I thought I'd finally finish that afgan....I couldn't do any of it as my ability to concentrate seemed to disappear immediately ...it is still not what it used to be but is getting better.
Be patient with yourself....you are older than you were 20 years ago so this will be a new experience for you....follow the dictates of your body...it will tell you what you should be doing....I will be thinking about you tomorrow....try to look at this as the beginning of a journey....that is what I told myself ( they say if you tell a lie often enough you will begin to believe it!...doesn't hurt to try!). Anyway, this is another chapter in your life....new experiences make us more valuable...this makes you worth an awful lot to all the rest of us! You are a powerful and courageous woman...you can do this!
I wish you Peace and a good night's sleep.
dian
My suggestion is to ge some Biotene mouth rinse. It should be available near the toothbrushes in any store. I will keep you from getting mouth sores or not as severe. Good Luck!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I found that the first two days were alright and by the end of the second and the beginning of the thrid day I was down for the count. Be really on top of 1. fluids, 2. resting, 3. nausea medication, 4. pain medication. I finally found out by my last round that if I started thepain medication before I had the bone pain I could keep on top of it. I even didn't have to take a full dose, I just had to start before the pain and take the meds promptly every 4 hours. Hang in there--you won't think so while going though this, but it will be over and your hair will grow back in and you will have your energy back--not soon, but it will happen.
Love,
Louana
Love,
Louana
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