They found a mass: How do you cope with anxiety and all the tests etc?

thank you for all the tips sounds like you just get feeling better and then its time for another treatment, mine is the same as yours so what happens after the treatments are done does one just wait to see if it comes back ? have they mentioned Keytruda to you at all? I will do your ice trick anymore info send it on. are you only suppose to eat white bread can you eat Burger king, Mc Donalds fish sandwiches? no one has told me what to eat or not. I would love to be at Mayo but my insurance does not cover it there. stay healthy

@loula- Mornin' Cynde. I am very pleased to hear that the MRI was clean. I had a port for my chemo and it really is an easy process. I was even awake!

I know that you realize that everyone responds differently to the chemicals that you mentioned. It looks like your oncologist is taking out all the big guns to treat you. These drugs have shown many positive effects, reductions of tumor size, survival times, and saving lives. I hope that you will have help at home to cook meals, shop and help you if you need it, a ride.

Your fighting spirit is wonderful. It's the way to go and attitudes mean a lot!

I suggest that you research these drugs to see if you need to buy anything to keep you comfortable, should you need them.

I'm sorry that you had another shock. Hopefully, the biopsy will show that the spots aren't cancerous. Has your biopsy been scheduled as yet? Have you been told what to expect during it?

Merry

Hello Merry and how are you feeling these days hope you are better, okay look for comfortable like pj's and loose clothing ? already on that one bought it all already, A chemo nurse Donna called yesterday said she has done this for 30 yrs she told me I made the right choice, Tuesday I go and talk to another chemo nurse she will go through what all will happen Wednesday, Donna told me that more than likely they will give me anti nausea before treatment and some to bring home with me. its the unknown that haunts a person till they know the process of all this. before I go Wednesday for my 1st treatment I have to go and get a covid test done then have my 1st round of chrmo and then Friday I will go and have a biopsy and the port put in. glad to know it does not hurt, not so sure about this biopsy the stick a needle between my ribs said maybe sore for a couple days, the doctor advised me that more than likely it I cancer so I am ready for some more rotten news. maybe be the grace of god it wont be. there is a wonderful lady Mariam on this site she gave me some good tips as she is taking the caro-taxol also I will also be taking Keytruda I had no idea it takes 4 to 6 hrs I will make it through this, my sister is going with me, was planning on my great neice to come and stay for awhile but she is not feeling well and I am not taking any chances of getting sick now, so I went to the store and my fridge is full and so are the cupboards!!! people keep saying drink a lot of water I bought the store out! so it will be me and my 30pound cat getting me well again.once I have the first round I wait 3 wks for the next one just enough time to feel normal and then go back again, I will be in a better place when I have the 1st one done then I will not be a nervous nancy worrying about everything. okay I wrote a book sorry to keep going on and on.
Thanks for keeping in touch all of you are so caring I am lucky to have you all. hope you are feeling better and you can always count on me for help maybe I will know how to handle this cancer soon and I will have some good advise to give out.
stay healthy
Cynde

Hi Loula.. If I may interject here it may help put your mind at ease as little.. Although the needle biopsy sounds scary, it’s a duck walk (or is it cake walk), whatever!! They use a local and I didn’t feel a thing, not even afterwards. The access port is an easy procedure and well worth it. It saves getting that uncomfortable darning needle in the arm, easy all the way around and you won’t regret getting the port. Anti nausea meds helped me quite a bit when I was taking the chemo drugs. I did not tolerate the chemo drugs and refused to take anymore. Went on straight Keytruda, side effects were minimal and I didn’t need the nausea infusions. Everyone is different. Sorry I can’t help you on the loose fitting pj’s, nurses in the infusion room threatened to lock me in the closet if I showed up in my sleeping attire, I don’t wear any!! LOL.. You’ll handle this, stay strong and never give up.

Hi @loula. I’m just going to jump in here, if that’s ok. Sounds like you’re well prepared for your day of chemotherapy. I would definitely ask the nurses or doctor what you can or can’t eat for a few days. I was told to avoid tomatoes and anything acidic because they can cause problems. Avoiding them was easy to do! I have my infusions on Wednesday also so we’ll have to send positive vibes to each other! I wish you all the best! Becky

Thanks Dutch I am glad to know that the port is easier and well worth it, sure wish it was going to get done before I have my 1st chemo, session I only have one day after treatment and then I go to get the port and biopsy done sure hope I am well enough to make it. what chemo drugs did you try if you don't mind me asking. how long have you been taking Keytruda ? I will be taking Carbo-Taxol and Keytruda for 4 sessions then I believe I will be staying on Keytruda. I got laughing I hope that is what Merry was talking about checking into comfortable !
Stay Healthy Dutch
Cynde

Yes I will call the Nurse Donna Monday and check with her about food to eat, do you have a port ? does it take 3 to 4 hrs also for your infusions? have you noticed after having the chemo that you have a metal taste and everything taste like metal, I will be thinking about you Wednesday I will be sending good spirits your way. have you had treatments before or is this your first one also?

Keep in touch good luck angels will be with us Wednesday.
Cynde

Good morning Loula.. I think you’ll be okay for your port & biopsy procedures. Please let us know how it goes. The chemo drugs they gave me was Carbo & Alimta plus the anti nausea stuff. I started Keytruda in Dec 2019, 200mg every 21 days and still on it. What I don’t understand is the reasoning behind only 4 sessions of a cocktail that includes Keytruda. Have you been checked to find your PDL-1 for immunotherapy? Keep your chin up..

@loula- Good afternoon Cynde. It's sunny and bright here in Southern New England. It looks as if spring might actually develop this year. I am feeling better. Thank you for asking. One of the first things that I panicked over when I found out that I would have Chemo was throwing up. What a baby I am. A friend who was an immersion nurse suggested that I get an RX for anti-nausea med and take it as soon as I got home, no matter what. I worried more about that than my cancer! It worked for me.

The chemo that I had was very tough stuff. I ate what tasted better for me and that included spicy things too! I feel this way about diet and cancer and chemo: eat what you can and as healthy as you can. Make sure that you drink a lot of water. I drank 8 glasses of water every single day. Chemo night I about camped out in the bathroom.

Don't be afraid to order in too, as a treat.

Most likely you will get a numbing shot before they insert the needle for the biopsy. This is the best way to determine what is best!

Bring some books or a portable DVD machine, or your computer. Find out if they will be bringing in lunch. You might also like some snacks. Grapes and crackers worked for me.

I will be here to hear you when you come back after your first day. I hope that your sister will stay with you, at least for the first night.

My best to you. You are stronger than you think!

Merry

@loula Cynde, I think I said it before, but I have checked in with your posts and find that you have definitely found your place here on Connect. You seem to have identified what you need and found others who understand and are along side with you. I have had about four different protocols that ran their course until they no longer helped and there was always something new to try. Did that for four years. Then came remission. Much of what has been suggested to you is similar to my own experience so I cannot improve on what you know. I will watch from the sidelines with prayers and positive vibes for you. Let me know if down the road there is anything more that I can do for you. I am so impressed with your strength. It will get you through those times you question yourself. Peace, Nancy