Scared at the thought of chemo

You are right - everyone reacts differently to chemo, and you might be one of the lucky ones without too many side effects.  I was very lucky with minimum nausea or aches and pains.  However - make sure you take your pre-meds and post-meds, as they will prevent after-effects, which is easier than having to fix them.

The Dexmethsone will keep you awake, and I found a cup of green tea with ginger slices first thing kept nausea under control as well as helped with any cramps in feet or fingers.  (Try Sencha tea - it's not bitter at all - from tea shops.)

Your portacath is your new best friend and makes chemo so much easier.  Just numb the surface area 1/2 hour before with Emla cream - even better.

Let us know how you are going.  Wishing you all the best.  Michelle xxx

Its ok to be scared, I remember being so frightened of chemo, I really did not want to have it and to be honest its not pleasant but we survive it and come out the better for having it.

My advice, is to drink until you think your drowning, when you can't drink anymore have jelly, water icypoles anything like that it helps.

Keep nausea and diharroea medication close by, rest as much as you can and enjoy the good days. Paint your nails black and keep out of too much sun.

If you get bone pain take the medication don't worry about it just do what you need to get though and you will come out fine on the other side of it all.

Good luck

Donna

Thanks for your words of wisdom Deanne. I'm trying to keep an open mind about the treatment that lays ahead as well. As my oncologist said to me - everyone reacts differently to chemo and not to listen to the horror stories that so many people seem to want to share with me! God - what is it with that anyway - lol. Good advice about flushing it out with constant fluids. I will try that also. Did you take anything for the post chemo nausea? That's if you needed to that is. Have a great day Linda xxx

So sorry that you are facing this situation. As you say it is just so much to get through at first and I remember feeling really upset about having to have Chemo too. Now I am over halfway through my Chemo treatment and I am actually surprised at how quickly the time has gone. I think the worst bit is the unknown, How will I react, what side effects will I have etc. I read a lot and tried to keep an open mind about how it would go. Someone on this site told me to prepare for the worst but hope for the best and that is what I have done. I have always asked the onco for any medication that might help with common side effects and taken what was necessary to get through the worst of it. I have concentrated on drinking lots of fluids to flush through the chemo. It does not need to be in the system very long to do its job so help your body get rid of it quickly! The thing that has helped me the most is concentrating on the times I feel good in between chemos. I have given myself little treats to look forward to during this time. You don't usually feel bad for too many days. Really look after yourself and I hope you find lots of support to help you through. Sending you lots of good thoughts. Deanne xxxxoooo

So sorry that you are facing this situation. As you say it is just so much to get through at first and I remember feeling really upset about having to have Chemo too. Now I am over halfway through my Chemo treatment and I am actually surprised at how quickly the time has gone. I think the worst bit is the unknown, How will I react, what side effects will I have etc. I read a lot and tried to keep an open mind about how it would go. Someone on this site told me to prepare for the worst but hope for the best and that is what I have done. I have always asked the onco for any medication that might help with common side effects and taken what was necessary to get through the worst of it. I have concentrated on drinking lots of fluids to flush through the chemo. It does not need to be in the system very long to do its job so help your body get rid of it quickly! The thing that has helped me the most is concentrating on the times I feel good in between chemos. I have given myself little treats to look forward to during this time. You don't usually feel bad for too many days. Really look after yourself and I hope you find lots of support to help you through. Sending you lots of good thoughts. Deanne xxxxoooo