First A/C This Wednesday

Hi Randi!  I know exactly how you feel. The anticipation and fear of the unknown in regards to the first chemo treatment is something that none of us forget. Trust me when I say that what you are feeling right now is worse than the treatment itself. What happened when I had the A/C was my blood was drawn first (thru my port) to make sure all counts were high enough to receive the chemo. Once it was determined that everything was ok, then I was given a premed thru IV (port again). One is a steriod and the other was benadryl. Both made me a little sleepy so I usually napped during the treatments. One of the chemos is given IV and the other (it's red..think it is the cytoxin) is given thru the IV tube but a nurse will push it very slowly. If my memory is right(and it has been awhile) the whole thing took 3-4 hrs. I read sometimes (until I fell asleep), played cards (the same group was there every 3wks so we got a little "card club" started), sometimes listened to music and visited w/ the other patients. There is a snack room connected to the chemo room at my onco office. Popcorn, crackers, juice, coffee, tea, etc is available. You will want to drink lots of water to help push the chemo thru your system and bladder/kidneys. I never vomited. Felt a little queasy but I had a magic pill that took care of that. I wasn't constipated, just the opposite, but had another magic pill that stopped that also. The steriod that I was given as a premed would make me stay awake for about 24 hrs. I might catnap but not a good sleep. Sure did get lots accomplished that first 24 hrs. lol

Hang in there. You will be fine. Remember, we are all here for you and will be with you on Wednesday. Try and stay busy these next 2 days.

Hugs...Deb

Randi: That was one of my biggest fears also. But, remember, there is a pill for almost every side effect that you will have. Just make sure that your onco gives you prescriptions before you leave. Hey, I ate McDonald's breakfast before each of my chemos. Had no problems. lol

You will do great!

Hugs...Deb

Randi, good luck tomorrow. You have gotten some good advice. I would make sure I ate before going (nothing too heavy). Stay away from greasy, fried stuff until you know how you tolerate your chemo. Dont wait for the nausea to kick in, just take your meds as prescribed. Drink lots of water and try to relax (easier said than done). Please let us know how you make out.

Hey Randi I will be there with you tomorrow to hold your hand. I was fortunate and never had to experience chemo after my mastectomy, but my daughter did and she did not have terrible side effects. Her biggest complaint was being soooo tired, but then she was working at home on her computer and had two small children at the time. She also had horses to take care of. So as everyone says, it is different for each person. I hope you will have it the easiest. Hugs MK

Randi! Just look for all of the pink feathers floating down around you and that should take the fear of the chemo away. I know that you will do fine tomorrow. You might want to take a pillow with you so that you can sleep on the way home. Also, wear comfortable clothes. Don't dress up. Remember that you are going to be sitting for awhile. I have often thought that wearing a robe and slippers would be heaven but usually go in sweats/jeans and a t-shirt. You might find the chemo room a little chilly. I am sure that they will have blankets but take a sweater or light weight jacket. Also, be sure and wear a top that they can get to your port easily.

Lots of positive thoughts and hugs.....Deb

P.S. I wouldn't advise McDonalds either. My stomach must be made of iron plus I had decided that I was going to eat what I wanted and see what happened!

Hi Randi,

I had AC as my first line. Please ask your doc about taking a med to protect your heart - at the hospital I'm at now in IL, the docs give Zinacarg to keep patients from having damage from adriamycin. They've given patients adraimycin for a year and not seen any heart damage.

Not to scare you, but at the first facility I had treatment, I was told that heart damage can occur after 7 or 8 treatments, and not to worry, but I had damage after the 6th treatment. That's why I'm advising.

I had almost no trouble at all with AC - I even forgot ot take the anti-nausea meds after treatment. If I did have small waves of nausea, I ate sugared ginger, drank ginger tea, had gingersnaps, also I have been told of black licorice can help, too, which I like anyways.

It helped me too to have some imagery of what the chemo was doing - killing cancer cells - IO visualize a shark, so people visualize pacman eating up he bad cells. Think of what could work for you. Maybe bring some relaxing music, and a friends or relative that doesn't talk too much! Try to relax with your treatment, you need your energy to fight. And, it also helped me to pray and thank God for my life's blessings.

Have a great day!

-Jen