Worried, First Chemo Tomorrow

[Nanc257]

Hi Angels, been up since 3:00 AM. Tomorrow I go for my first Carboplatin & Taxol.  Really am worried about the side effects.  I am 1 1/2 hrs away from this hospital where I will receive treatment.  I can call the ONC office during the day but after hours I am to call the emergency ward at the hospital and they supposable will put me in touch with his doctors that are filling in for him if anything happens after treatment. This has really added to my stress. I see a mess of problems here for me.
Will I be well this week, or a sick weak, worthless mess. Friday my hubbie has to go to our local hospital and have his bladder cancer removed and I will need to drive him home. We have been dealing with this for years. It always comes back by seeding on the surface of the lining of his bladder. Chronic condition that we live with.  I am worried that I will not be able to help him.  I have Emend to take for my anti nausea before treatment.  How long before all the side effects begin and how long to they stay with you.  I am just so worried and this board is all I have for support.  

[MinnieWM]

As everyone else has said it is different for everyone, and evidently each treatment can be different. Hope your's goes well.  

I've only had two treatments, but side effects have been minimal so far.  Whatever they gave me in the IVs seemed to take care of the nausea, although I am very careful and live on toast for about a day.  I follow my dentist's advise and rinse with salt water 3 times a day, and that seems to keep the canker sores at bay.  Starting a day and a half after chemo, fatigue sets in and usually lasts for 24-36 hours.  My WBC got low, but they gave me a Neulasta shot after this past treatment, and that seems to have resolved that issue.  I have lost a lot of my hair, but I was expecting that. I'm hoping that the side effects don't get worse with subsequent treatments because these are manageable.

Here's hoping that you have a minimal amount of angst.

Minnie

[survivor_susie]

Hi,
One more reply!  I hope this doesn't exhaust you.

I read a ton online before I started chemo.  One of the BEST suggestions was to take at least 4 showers or tub baths on the hardest days, which for me were days three and four.  I just felt like my arms and legs were made out of concrete.  No pain, though.  Every 4 hours or so, I'd stand in the shower.  The warm water made a world of difference.

I had jigsaw puzzles given to me to do on the harder days, so I'd graze by and work on them for about half an hour, on and off all day long.

And, on day 4, I'd go for an accupuncture treatment.  My accu. doc was a specialist in chemo patients, and I'd drag in to the treatments and *bounce* out of them.  Amazing.

Best of luck.  I hope you have as easy a time of it as I had. : )
Survivor Susie

[JC145]

I took Emend (3 pill pack .. needs an Rx).  I was told to take the first pill (first day) after I arrived in the chemo room just in case my chemo was cancelled for that week.  The pills are expensive and ins. will ONLY renew them every 21 days .. so IF your chemo is held one week for some reason and you took the pill before you left home, you would not be able to get a full dose before 21 days.  Having said that .. here goes:

Steriods:  Start at home the day before
Emend:  Days 1, 2, and 3 in a row .. great anti-nausea drug
Aloxi:  In the chemo bag as a premed .. great anti-nausea drug
Benedryl: In the chemo bag as a premed

You should have compazine for nausea at home (Rx) also Zofran (Rx) for when compazine is not enough.

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration.  Eat small meals .. I loved protein .. but you MUST eat and drink .. whatever works for you.  A plain baked potato with just salt is great for vitamins, etc. and won't upset your stomach .. for those days when you don't feel like eating, but know you should.  Poached eggs as well .. cut into 4 chunks and be done with it.  Flattened coke cola is great!  Also cranberry juice cut with water.

Miralax day one and until you get a normal bowel movement.

I found that I feel crappy, but manageable (no vomiting, etc.) the first few days, then it would ease off.  Everyone is different and side effects for you may be minimal.   I did lose my taste buds .. that's when it's hard to push food in .. tastes like cardboard, but you MUST do it.  It's short lived and you will get into a routine and deal with it.

Good luck and God Bless You.  Judy

[RuthP]

Hi, Nanc.

I started my first chemo of Carbo/Taxol last Wednesday.  I was also scared because I didn't know what to expect.  The ladies here have given you great information.  I had the leg pain they described.  It lasted about a day and a half and it was pretty painful.  Just like they said, drink as much water/fluids as you can and take the medication the doctor has prescribed.  I have only had to take medicine for nausea once (so far).  I feel much better today compared to yesterday.  The thing I noticed was that I had a very hard time sleeping until last night.  I think maybe that might be related to the steroids or something that they give you to prevent any reaction.  But do try to get a little exercise each day to keep up your strength.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for tomorrow and the rest of the week.  It probably would be a good idea to have a backup to drive your husband home just in case.  Everyone is different on their reaction to the pain/nausea/fatigue, etc.  Take care.

Ruth

[Tealoak]

Hi Nanc

As others have mentioned, everyone has their own response to each chemo treatment.  I had Carbo/Taxol number 8 last week and will likely have 1 or 2 more treatments. I am stage 4 with lots of mets,  PET scan after 7 cycles found I still had lymph node involvement hence the need for additional chemo.

I was terrified of the side effects--my mom had chemo in the 80's and I remember how dreadfully awful it was for her.  Perhaps because I was expecting the worst, it hasnt been so bad?  While I wouldnt suggest someone volunteer for the experience, my Carbo/Taxol has been very tolerable.  I do all my own driving, errands, food preparation, my Dr & hospital is an hour away without traffic.   I normally get chemo on a Thursday and always have Friday dinner plans with friends for my 'last supper' before I hibernate!  Sat & Sun I generally sleep about 20 hours each day.  The fatigue is amazing.  I have had issues with bone pain but the first cycle was the worst as I wasnt expecting it so never got in front of the pain. Now I start taking pain meds Friday night and have just some minor aches.

I am very, very susceptible to nausea.  The Zofran has worked well for me although I have to take it for 5 days. I tried stopping earlier and the nausea hit with avengence.  In the 8 cycles I have only thrown up once and that was the day I was up with the cable repair guys.  I find by Tuesday I am alright to do short errands but I still have to watch how long I try to walk or stand as I will get sweaty and feel faint if I push it too hard.  

I have  a few days of the metallic taste; my mouth gets sore feeling like I ate pizza that was too hot and burned my tongue and roof of my mouth; I have a little neuropathy but thus far it has also gone away. Zofran does cause constipation as do the pain relievers so I definitely stay on top of that with colace and miralax.  I have a little notebook beside my bed that I list the Zofran, Phenagran and pain meds with how often I need to take them. I write down the time after I have taken each one; any side effects I am feeling as well as my temperature ( which I take at least 2x a day that week). I had to go to the notebook as I couldnt seem to remember if or when I took my meds--my short-term memory has been awful since I started chemo.  I do set my alarm specifically for the Zofran as nausea is my biggest concern since I am so susceptible to it, plus a huge wimp with it!  I agree with others that I do best if I keep things in my stomach for those few days.  However while I will eat bland food,  the best thing to settle my stomach tends to be chips & spicy queso or something with jalapeno. I know. Weird. It is the Texan in me I suppose. I have always been that way--worked well with hang-overs and now chemo. Point being--do what works for YOU.  I just hit a point where bland makes things worse, not better.  

I try to pick up a couple of movies prior to chemo so that I have stuff to watch on TV once I awake from the 2 day hibernation--how can I have 300 channels and find nothing I want to watch?  My best friend got me a Nintendo DS system for Christmas and much to my surprise I enjoy playing many of the games. Some are mindless and addicting, which is what I need during this time.

My fear of the side-effects was much worse than the actual side-effects ever have been.  I am hopeful the same will be true for you.

Teri

[jane65]

Hi Terry,
We were both typing away at the same time, you had excellent advice for Nanc, I forgot the very  important water suggestion, I don't remember if I was constipated with carbo/taxol but I use those Colace and Miralax now.
What a lovely Spring day we're enjoying today!
Feel well, hugs to you.
Jane

[dian07]

I guess we are all different.  I was okay the day of chemo, but the following day and the next day things started going down hill.  I was never constipated, quite the opposite.  Even though I received meds for nausea prior to chemo , and took others at home afterwards, I had days where I was sitting on the toilet with diarhea throwing up in a trash can.  I had no leg cramps.  The Neulasta injections I got after each treatment caused me to need strong pain meds or I couldn't stay asleep at night.  
I also drove 1 1/2 hours to my chemo site......I could call the oncology dept if I had questions, and a chemo nurse was available or called me in 5 or 10 minutes.  My oncology/chemo team was fantastic.  I think if you are going to have a reaction of some sort it will be while you are there.  Try not to worry about that.
Also, I would suggest you and your husband have a back-up driver for Friday.  Hopefully you won't need    him/her but better to be safe than sorry.  My fourth day after  chemo was usually a tough one.  
Still, you can do this!  It is scary but we are here to let you know what we experienced so , hopefully, there will be no surprises.  Please let us be there with and for you on this journey, and keep us posted.
Peace.
dian    

[jane65]

Hi Nanc,
I hope you've been reading my personal messages to you, please write back, and lets keep in touch that way in addition to the forum, we both need the support.

I didn't know about your hubby and his bladder cancer, I'm so sorry you both have to deal with so much illness, but apparently he's getting the treatments he needs. I wish him good health and a successful removal of the cancer.

I did not have the bad side affects Linda had on carbo taxol, and as she said everyone's reaction to a chemo drug is different. I never had leg cramps, nor did I have to be in bed.
I got (and still get) an iv of pre chemo drugs to prevent an allergic reaction, and nausea. My oncologist gave me an Rx for Zofran and I found that I needed it 'round the clock for 3 days, but it worked wonderfully for me.

I did have the strange taste in my mouth which made food taste funny and not appealing, but I forced myself to eat to keep my strength up.
Fatigue was a big problem, but I knew it would be and I just rested and let my hubby help me without feeling guilty. As you and your husband know, when one partner is ill, the other steps in.
You know that you'll be losing your hair, and that's tough for us women, but my husband didn't care. He told me that he was only concerned that we kill the cancer and that I survive and be his companion.
After I was finished with carbo taxol my hair grew back curlier and prettier than it had been and with less grey!

I called my oncologist a few times after treatments because of nausea, and once for diarrhea and he, or one of his associates told me what to take. I don't think I had anything more serious to call about, and it sounds like you'll have help at the other end of the phone, too.

The fatigue doesn't hit too fast especially the first treatment, but go to the supermarket today and have the house well stocked, especially with cans of soup, they're easy to heat and eat.Get some prepared frozen meals, like Lean Cuisine, that will make it easier for both of you to maintain nutrition.
Fresh fruit, and juices are good staples too. As Linda said, milkshakes or Instant Breakfast is excellent and has vitamins you need.

I've written a book here, but I want to help you make this as easy as possible, my friend. We'll be watching for your post on Monday, good luck.
Jane

I know how frightened you are, and I

[ladyjogger31]

Your first treatment should start with a pre-treatment of meds to keep you from having an allergic reaction and probably something for nausea. If you are taking carbo/taxol as your chemo drugs it will take about 5-6 hours for the treatment. I was ok for 2-3 days after the treatment but about the 3rd to 4th day I would have leg pain and would be weak. This usually only lasted a week at the most.You will lose your hair, so be prepared. One thing I learned was that before and after I had a treatment I would start taking a stool softener because the chemo drugs will constipate you. The more treatments you take the worst your symptoms may become or you may not be affected at all. Everyone is different in how they react. Make sure you have good nutrition. Try to drink lots of water. Also, try to get some form of exercise. The place I go has much to offer, pillows, blankets, snacks, beverages, TV. So sorry to hear about your husband, I will say extrs prayers for him as well for you.Keep us posted.These women on this board are wonderful, courageous and wise. They will help you through all of your problems and worries.
Hugs and Prayers,
Terry

[Hindat]

Sorry you are going through all of this. The side effects are different for everyone but I had carbo taxol.  I was fine after treatment and the next day but by the third day I had really bad leg cramps that kept me in bed and I was  very tired so pretty much slept around the clock for a day or two.  I was given nausea medicine before treatment and I had pills I took at home also.  They helped so I didn't get sick to my stomache.  The chemo did cause a metallic taste in my mouth so it was hard to find things I could eat.  Milkshakes were good.  This only lasted a couple of days.  I am sorry that your husband has to go through that.  If you have your chemo on Monday I would think you would feel well enough by Friday. I wish you luck.

Linda