Calling all TNs
Comments
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Hey Melissa... I didn't have a port - I have really good veins and they gave me the choice.. If they dont do it, ask them to warm up your arm before the do the IV... that helps. Plus agreeing with what everyone else has said, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and then some more.
And as Michelle said the anticipation really is far worse. Good luck, thinking of you and check in and let us know how you are when you feel up to it.
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Riley - great story! Vote for God in Control.
Tazzy - I officially have my new swear. I can use instead of F*#k, and no one around here will have a clue that it's just as bad.
Melissa - everyone has already given you the info you need. Pack a small bag (I used a small rolling suitcase) with things that will amuse you. I had books and my laptop. We even made a thermos of Piña Colada smoothies to toast with. Like everyone said, hydration is your best friend. I had A/C without a port, and it was infused slowly by a nurse, not given in a drip IV (you will still have the IV running to hydrate you). One problem I had with both chemos is that sometimes they made the vein have an aching feeling. If that happens tell them right away and have them get a warm blanket or hot pack for your arm. (it opens up the vein and stops the ache). It truely is not as bad as you're imagining. There wasn't one treatment I had that I didn't stop for dinner on the way home if a friend had come with me. Take your nusea meds as ordered, even if your not sick . Also keep small amounts of food in your belly. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but your more apt to get nauseous if you have an empty stomach. If the nausea meds aren't controlling it, TELL THEM. Honestly, I think I only got queasy once during all my treatments (and yes I had no food in my stomach) Never vomited once. Deep breaths Melissa, it really is doable.0 -
My chemo routine was just like Rileys. I set my alarm during the night to make sure that i took the meds for nausea. I did NOT vomit at all with chemo. I did have a few waves of nausea a few times but overall, I believe that hydrating and taking the meds as directed made all the difference. Each Onc has their own way of doing things so each of us has a different story to tell.......BUT, anytime you have a question, make that phone call and get an answer. As it has been said before, knowledge is power and will help you feel in control in a crazy situatiion. And BC is a very crazy time. It will get better. Good luck tomorrow
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Melissa - Like many have stated already, Onc's will treat you based on YOUR needs, they know what they are doing. The nurses deal with roomfuls of people every day, you will learn to trust them. If you have any issues at all, call them. They and we are all here for you...
Today is day 8, and I feel really great overall. The aches and pains are treatable and they have really great meds today that they didn't have years ago.
I do not know how you will feel or what, if any SE's you will get. But I can tell you with confidence now that it is not as horrific as we imagine.... Like you, I was scared out of my mind last Monday. Today, I am enjoying life. Hang in ther kiddo and let us know how you do. Hugs!!!0 -
Jazzy... just want to say I am happy for you that day 8 is treating you well.
I was fortunate that I never got sick and the 1 or 2 times I felt a little quesy I drank a glass of flat ginger beer.
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Thanks, Tazzy. Haven't gotten sick once! Nothing wrong with my appetite but I have lost 6 lbs..... Didn't have a very good diet before and liked my wine and craft beer :-).
I will add, that this site was great medicine for me. Wish everyone going through this had a place like this to go to. Really love, respect and admire all of you in such a short time....0 -
Good luck tomorrow Melissa - You will do fine. I was freakin terrified, that's about as vulgar as I get on here but that's not the word I want to use. The actual treatment was a breeze. Once they hook you up to the iv, I just played on my laptop, phone and ipod. And I packed lunch. The whole experience while unpleasant was not nearly as horrific as I had built up in my head. You will get thru this. Just take it one step at a time.
Annie, I'm so sorry you had to stop your taxol, hope the numbness and rash quickly clears up.
I'm going to florida this weekend. Leave tomorrow night. Going to start packing after I post this. I bought the containers to stick the cheesesteaks in, I'll pick them up on the way to the airport and my friend who's taking me to the airport is getting me a dozen soft pretzels. Can't really think of anything else the hubby would want. I did buy a container of kettle corn cookies from Trader Joe's (best store ever) as a surprise. Might sound terrible but they are AWESOME. Had to hide the container in the back of my closet so I would forget about them and not eat them. Can't wait to see my babies! And hubby.
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MCcrimmon32 - Enjoy your time in FL and so glad you will be with your family! Not sure where you are going, but the sun finally came out in SW FL after 7 days of clouds, wind and rain. Today is was so sunny all day (maybe that's why I'm in a great mood?). Enjoy!
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Melissa I ditto everything Kathy said! good luck tomorrow you will be fine!
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Jazzy - I'm going to Punta Gorda, SW Florida. We lived there for 7 years then after diagnosis I just really wanted to come home to Philly, Pa. So we are in the process of moving, hubby and babies should be here permanently by Sept 1. I hope!
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we are here for you Melissa...you can do it!!
Maggie
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mccrimmon32 - can certainly understand why you wanted to go home. I talk to my sisters and mom every day on the phone, but it's not the same... I am the only one living out of state. Small world! We live in Cape Coral near Matlache, right next door to where you are moving from. One of my main office's is in Exton PA, about an hour outside of Philly. Enjoy your time here, have some fun, and good luck with the move. 2 months until you are together full time yeah!
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Melissa- I hope all goes smoothly for you tomorrow! I can't remember who, but someone here once said about chemo, "you don't have to be brave, you just have to show up!" I really like that piece of advice. Everyone always says how brave we are- we aren't, we're scared to death, we are just doing what we have to to be here for our families and friends in the future!
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Jazzyi - it is a small world. One of these trips we are going to have to meet!
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Would love to! Meeting up would be great!
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Would love to! Meeting up would be great!
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Tifj... that is the most 'real' saying regarding chemo I think I have heard - thank you for sharing. I just couldn't agree with you more.
Thinking of you all wherever you are whatever you are doing. Hmmm..... almost one week PFC and I am getting very emotional thinking of all our different struggles with bc. The difference between now and before my dx I will share with you all what I am thinking
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Heather - Have a great time with your hubby and babies. I love those cookies from TJ as well, they are awesome, good choice of gift!
Melissa - I shall send a prayer for you tomorrow, everything will be just fine. They used to say in the old days when one got sick, to take "bitter" medicine. Chemo is just a bitter medicine, that's all, nothing else.
Kathyrnn - Kayak run on Saturday sounds fabulous!
Fighter - I want an omelette too! I'm gonna go make myself one right now, yummy!
Hope everyone has a peaceful evening! I feel very fatigued, it must be the darn menopause! hormones up and hormones down!
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Good Evening ladies. Hopefully you had good day.
Lovelyface - not sure it was god calling more like coincidence with Riley being there at the right place, right time, and the fact that she is a lovely lady ready to help anyone at any time.
Tazzy - sorry you got SE's, been there done that, it will pass soon and you will be back to you old self.
I too cracked up at the bollocks rolling off the tongue. actually I think bollocks is a mild word really just one of those (Oh damn it words when things are not going right). I remember when I was young and I said blimey one day. My mother in a stern voice said do you know what that word means, no mum, well it means God blind me. I thought about it and thought that must be why I wear glasses lol.
Heather - enjoy your weekend. Bet you can't wait to see those babies. Don't forget to take 50 shades of grey with you!!!
Melissa - as usual the girls have come up with wonderful advice. I was the biggest worrier and all for nothing. I just read a book when the chemo was going in, so unconcerned. As for the side effects hopefully you may not have any. I had no meds beforehand either. They gave them to me in with the IV. I had no vomiting which I was concerned about and the ladies on here told me I wouldn't, they were right as usual. I agree with them hydrate as much as you can. We are all with you holding your hand so just think of that if you feel worried. As for the port I am so glad I have one. I see the other ladies wincing when the needle goes in whereas I don't feel anything at all. So much more convenient. Yes a little sore when it is put in but that doesn't last long. Thinking of you and sending my hand.
Karen - hope your knee is better today and you are resting. Did you say bollocks when you fell. I would have and a few more words probably. Nothing like a good swear to get out frustration. Get Carson to bring you a nice cuppa.
Well today I had so much typing but my little finger kept pressing the bloody caps lock. Nearly drove me crazy keep going back and putting it right. Oh well, hopefully it will improve,
Kathyrnn - kayak run. Do you need us to clap our thighs!!. Don't suppose that lovely chap just across from you is going as well??
Well ladies time for bed. Have good day/night. Thinking of you all. Annie
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Wow.....so much to catch up on. I have been away a few days from my computer. My baby turned 2, my mom's birthday was yesterday and my son has his preschool graduation today. I dropped the boys at daycare this morning and there were little gowns hanging in the office!!!! SO cute. I will need my kleenex forsure this afternoon.
Fighter - I am also doing a Metformin study. I am only about 6 weeks in and just started taking 2 a day. Having lots of side effects so thinking I got the Metformin. Here's hoping this is the breakthru we're waiting for.
Melissa - Good luck with your first chemo. I never had a port and the nurses would give me a warm blanket to wrap my arm in pre-IV. I to HATE needles so I would just close my eyes and go to my happy place while they did it. My DH was always there to hold my other hand. Just breathe and know each needle is one step closer to the last. And YES hydrate and bring a bottle for water and keep drinking while in chemo. Flush that out of your system. You'll be okay and we're all here for you xo
Love the jokes ladies. They make my morning. Thank you for bringing us humour when we need it most. What an amazing group of ladies. xoxoxoxo
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cocker... love the dog poster - too cute. Thank goodness the SE's pass.. and they do.
Just a thought and this may be totally off the wall and really not relate to chemo SE's, but its regarding your fat little fingers. When I lived in the UK I pretty much typed for 8 hours per day and ended up with RSI (repetitive strain injury). So much so that my fingers would swell up like fat little chipolatas and boy was it painful. I was recommened to take a ginger supplement - it worked. Can also be used in tea. Did not heal but certainly reduced the swelling and burning sensation. If you think its worth it, check with your MO before taking as ginger also has anti-coagulant properties.
Hope you can get some respite.
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McCrimmon - have a wonderful visit.
Tifj - great advice
Lovely -get some rest and feel better.
Tazzy - great tip on the ginger.
Geez, just found out if your phone rings it automatically submits your post.
Cocker - love the dogs! No new fella, but if I'm unlucky and ex-fella may be
there. Sadly it's really hard to tip kayaks and drown someone.
This trip is bittersweet, as it may be my only chance this summer. Went to the foot doctor yesterday. Good news is that what I thought were baby
bunionettes starting are actually bursa, and can be treated with a shot of cortisone. Bad news in my foot is not something like plantar fasciitis, it's my leg beginning to fail again from the back injury. (right now, just like walking on a toothache, but I know where it's going as it progresses.) I would seriously rather go thru chemo, surgery and radiation, than another go round with this level of pain that is heading my way. I'm seeing the Neurosurgeon in August and am praying he comes up with a solution. Don't know what I'm going to do if they say it's permanent with no solution.0 -
kathyrnn.... I am so sorry to hear about your leg - just awful for you. And the fact you would prefer to go through cancer treatment sums up just how bad it must be. Sending positive thoughts your way for a solution. Thinking of you Hon.
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Hello - Hope you are all having a good day! This post is to any of you who I may have offended with bravery comments on earlier postings.... offending you was certainly not my intent.
We all have stories to tell and history, and in my life I can say that I have experienced fears on deeper emotional levels than this, and this is freakin scary in itself. I had to dig deep into myself to manage through those fears. The courage to carry on living life without fearing the future does take courage along with a whole lot of other things. So for me, being brave helps me through the horrific fears. I get your point about bravery, and agree 100% that we are doing what we need to do to survive, whatever it takes.
So sorry to those who I unintentionally offended.......
Melissa - Looking forward to hearing from you!0 -
Hi ladies. Well one down...3 AC to go, then taxol but I'll cross that when I get to it. Like you all said I think I made it much worse in my head than it actually was. They did a finger prick for labs first. Then I saw my MO. Then to the chair... The nurse found a good vein right away thank god and it did not hurt yeah. Then I got all the premeds before the AC. From start to finish 2 1/2 hours. I felt normal thru infusions. I feel fine now just maybe a little "foggy" if u know what I mean. But we'll see what the next days bring. I chewed on ice and frozen grapes that I brought suing the A portion hopefully to ward off those mouth sores. I will constantly rinse too!
So thank you for all the advice and encouragement. I got thru it. Hope the next ones go the same! Hope everyone's having a good day with minimal SE's!0 -
jazzy... I do not believe you offended me - least I dont remember if you did (chemo brain)
melissa - yay #1 down. Remember to keep hydrating - flushes it around and out of your body. Great idea with frozen grapes - how refreshing.
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Hi
I'm usually on uk tn but saw melissa's posts.
Wonderful that no 1 done.
I travelled for about an hour to chemo and was advised to wrap a warm wheat bag or hot water bottle in a pillow case and place it on my arm for the journey. It helped to keep my veins warm.
I also got nausea meds in an iv before the chemo.
Good luck
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Melissa - Great to hear you went through it so well! Love the frozen grape idea. Will use it for my next treatment on Tuesday. Will you get Neulasta tomorrow too or are they skipping that treatment?
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Melissa...so happy it went ok for you...now you are a chemo pro
Maggie
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