1st chemo Thursday
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Topic: 1st chemo Thursday
Posted By: julie
Subject: 1st chemo Thursday
Date Posted: May 19 2008 at 10:21am
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I have my first chemo this Wednesday and I am finding myself very emotional about it. I went in for my expanders and physical therapy this morning and I couldn't quit crying. It was so embarrassing! What should I expect? What should I eat before? During? How will I feel? I am very nervous. I am going to be having A&C (Adriamycin and Cytoxan) every 2 weeks x4 and then Taxol every week for 12 weeks. ------------- 37 years old dx 3/15/08 4/15/08 Double mast/expanders stage 3a, grade 3 Triple negative,in 4 nodes dose dense A/C, Taxol, Radiation, Avastin |
Replies:
Posted By: christie b
Date Posted: May 19 2008 at 10:59am
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Julie,
So sorry to hear about your dx. I had my first chemo 1/22/08. I also had a/c x 4 then did Taxol everyother week for 4 treatments. The first day of my a/c treatment, I felt really good. I ate during the treatment and afterwards, my husband and I ate a big meal before returning home. Unfortunately, I will never eat any of that food again. I never experienced any vomitting, just nausea - for about a week after the treatment. Spent most of that week in bed. Get lots of rest and take your meds before you get sick and that helps. Just keep in mind, this is only temporary. The taxol did not make me near as sick - just sore. My joints and muscles hurt pretty bad, but I could still function pretty well.
christie b
dx 11/2007
st IIa, gr 3
bi-lat mast w/expanders
39 yr old mother of 2
future grandmother
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Posted By: kimd
Date Posted: May 19 2008 at 11:12am
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Hello Julie,
I finished my treatments in Feb/08. my only suggestion is to eat something that you normally would that is comforting to you. I found myself eating a bagel before or during and then going out to lunch after if I had the energy.
The doctors will give you medicine to keep you from getting sick. I never got nauseaous from the chemo because of the meds. they can up them if you need them too. the trick is to stay ahead of the nausea.
I am very sure that you are feeling emotional... the unknown always is a bit scary... I literally just put in my head that I had 2 kids and I can get through this. I had a saying that I read "fight like a girl" or "I can kick cancers a**".
good luck on wednesday
Kim ------------- dx 7/07 at 38 Invasive lobular carcinoma lumpectomy(double margins clear) sentinal node clear A&C 4x every 2 weeks taxol 4x every 2 weeks( bad reactions) 30 rounds of radiation brca1-&2- |
Posted By: trip2
Date Posted: May 19 2008 at 11:13am
Oh Julie, you poor thing.
There is such a heavy emotional thing along with trying to get rid of the beast and it can be done but you'll have your ups and downs, we all do.
When you go in for chemo you will probably be in some sort of room probably w/other patients also getting their chemo. I don't know what other clinics look like other than mine but we have several recliners, you pick a seat, they will hook up your meds to your port and then you will just sit there for however long they tell you it will be. Sometimes there are TV's, mags to look at or take someone along to visit w/you and maybe they could run out and get you lunch to bring back?
I took a chemo bag, just made up a tote and put in a bottle of water, snacks, newspaper, book, pen and paper and questions to ask the nurse if I had them. I know some of the younger ones take in something to listen to music.
You will just get your chemo and then be done, mine lasted around 3 hrs..
Some clinics are set up to see the Onc before or after.
Be sure and ask the nurse any questions you have, don't be embarrassed, hey I too have cried in the chemo room, check-up room, you name it.
 They will tell you about any side effects and answer your questions.If after you are at home don't hesitate to call the office to speak to one of the nurses if something is going on that you question or if you get a fever.
We all react differently to our treatment so I can't really say how you'll feel when you get home but having AC you will probably have a few side effects and they may increase over time but not for everyone. Like I said, call the nurse with questions and/or get in here and ask us.
Since you are so nervous it would really help if someone could go with you the first time or maybe drop you off, come in for awhile until you are settled and then come back to pick you up.
Keep us posted, you will be fine.
------------- Stage 2 2003 Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
Posted By: trip2
Date Posted: May 23 2008 at 4:07am
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Julie, thinking about you and hoping things went well for you yesterday. ------------- Stage 2 2003 Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
Posted By: Lesley
Date Posted: May 23 2008 at 11:15am
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Julie,
I hope your first treatment went okay. I had my first on Tuesday, and while i was very nervous beforehand, it went well, and aside from one day of nausea (day two), and some bone pain (from the shot of neulasta, I think), I am doing pretty well. I'm anxious about losing my hair, and any inrease in side effects, but can honestly say so far it has been better than I expected. Hopefully, you are having the same experience! We are on the same treatment protocol (4 a/c every two weeks, 12 taxol, once a week), so it could be nice to have someone on the boards to chat with! Take care!
Lesley
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Posted By: trip2
Date Posted: May 23 2008 at 12:02pm
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Julie, I'm so glad your first treatment went okay. Anticipation can be awful.
------------- Stage 2 2003 Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
Posted By: julie
Date Posted: May 26 2008 at 8:51am
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Thank you everyone for the positive notes. I am just now feeling like posting a note. (6 days later) I have a hard time saying it went well, but it probably did compared to how some people react to the chemo. I have felt horrible for the last 5 days. I did not throw up, but very sick and achy. I am feeling better today and now think, ok, I can get through this. I did not feel like I could do this a couple days ago. Julie ------------- 37 years old dx 3/15/08 4/15/08 Double mast/expanders stage 3a, grade 3 Triple negative,in 4 nodes dose dense A/C, Taxol, Radiation, Avastin |
Posted By: CarynRose
Date Posted: May 26 2008 at 9:11am
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Julie,
Glad you are feeling better. Just remember when you feel cruddy that if you feel this way, imagine what any cancer in you must be feeling....
Hang in there.
Hugs,
Caryn ------------- Orig dx 6/03 - St.2a, IDC gr.3,0 nodes, TNBC/BRCA1+ 7/07 St 4 mets to nodes/lungs. PACA/Rads NED 11/07-10/08 Lepto mets 10/08 Rads for 4 brain tumors 4/10. Leptomets return 6/10 |
Posted By: trip2
Date Posted: May 26 2008 at 12:48pm
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Hi Julie, I am so glad to hear you are ok. We all understand sometimes one needs a few days to pull back together and I'm sure there will be times when the puter is the last thing on your mind.
Hang in there. ------------- Stage 2 2003 Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |