I start chemo this morning.

Hi @marys1956 So many of us have faced that first round of chemo. The word ‘chemo’ alone is enough to scare the heebee geebies out of a person. But think of it this way, it is the means to allowing you to get past this cancer. It is the means to giving you more years to enjoy your life and all the things that are meaningful to you.

During the interim however, there will likely be some side effects with nausea leading the way. Make sure you talk to the nurse as they can give you meds to avoid that during the infusion and at home.
You may also have some hair loss. Since that’s usually our crowing glory as a woman it can feel just awful thinking about being hairless. Well, most of the women I’ve had to pleasure to walk down the cancer path with feel the same…we felt a little liberated with being able to have our head buzz cut. Felt pretty ‘bad-ass’ for lack of a better word. Giggle.

I know there will be other members popping in to offer support. I didn’t have have your particular cancer but chemo is chemo is chemo…just varying flavors and intensity. The beauty is, we’re all here to encourage you and to let you know that you’re going to get through this! You’re stronger than you know and this will help prove that you are SuperWoman!

Your infusion nurses are all pros and will guide you through the process. A little breathing exercise that works to help calm you is to breathe in for a count of 7, hold for a count of 7 and then exhale for a count of 7. Repeat several times and you’ll feel calmer.
Sending you a huge hug!!

Is anyone going with you today to keep you company?

I'm thinking of you this morning, @marys1956. How did the chemo go yesterday? How are you doing?

My sweet husband.

I hope you found the treatment to be more tolerable than anticipated! They have so many things to use to minimize side effects these days. Don’t hesitate to tell the nurses and doctors if you have a discomfort, they can likely help with most problems.

Oh, my dear @marys1956 I feel this so much, and I feel for you, too! Teary, yes :)/:( Overwhelmed. And like you, my sweet husband was with me, too. I'm here to second what @loribmt offered: please, please, please talk about your side effects and get help with them. Yes, chemo is great and a life-saver, et al, but I'm going to be real: it's A LOT. Holding you during this time. We got through it, and so will you.

My first Chemo treatment was Monday, it went well while there. Next day eat and drank well, no nausea or taste changes so far, but third day, However, third day about 3;30 pm pain in lower tummy, was a little constipated so till everything was gone wasn't feeling to good. And, with that have had bone pain since, Tylenol was helping at all. Dr.'s office called back and told me to use Nasid occasionally so is better but not gone totally. Hopefully can go back to sleep now for awhile.

So, today went to work, don't feel 100% but was much better than just being at home, with weather crummy outside. While working am sitting some and walking some. Whole day went well a little tired though less than what I expected.

I hope you enjoyed the weekend off, Terra, without the pressures of work. Did you sleep a lot? How are you feeling?

@marys1956 How are you feeling today? You're getting an infusion of Docetaxol and Gemsar this week, is that right? In your place I'd be nervous and shaking too because you don't know what's going to happen until you are there and go through it. I hope the medical staff that worked with you last week were caring and that your sweet husband was by your side during it all.

When is your appointment this week?

I got the two drugs yesterday (Monday). They loaded me up with anti-nausea meds during, anti-nausea patch on arm and pills for at home (not Zofran, something stronger). Am taking non-drowsy Claratin (sp) as well (why?). Guess they are expecting something I’m not wanting to get! Am isolating except for in-home care, and occasional quick shopping (masking, distancing, sanitizing).