Hey i am so anxious, feel so sick in the stomach i think I might just throw up. Tears are streaming will I type. Diagnosed EBC 20/3/2019Lumectomy & 2 LN 24/4/2019 un clear margins Mastectomy 11/6/2019Why do you get so anxious even though you know its to help in the long run? Did anyone feel like this? Am i just being sook?

Well done Kelhart, know exactly how you felt, keep hydrated and try and go for short walks and keep as active as you can, and rest when your body tells you .I have just finished 5 months of chemotherapy, take one day at a time. If your medications aren’t helping you at home, make sure you call and get it reviewed straight away, don’t wait until your next treatment. Quite often suggestions can be made over the phone by your oncology department, there is no need to suffer.Next chemo treatment your take home drugs will be reviewed and adjusted if needed.Wishing you the very best, Be kind to yourself, rest, eat well, and drink plenty of fluids.

Nah, the 2 am terrors are all part of the deal. You'll be told 'Once you get started it's not too bad.' Which is sort of true. 'Its doable.' Also true. 'Some people have virtually no side effects.' Ditto with the true thing.None of that is terribly helpful when it comes to the actual day you have to front up and stick out your arm. It's horrible. I just wanted to get in the car and drive until I ran out of road. Screaming all the way. But I didn't.My best advice is drink as much water as you can comfortably stomach and be as active as you can. Don't over think it. Good luck. MXXPS. The oncology staff have seen it all before. If you find yourself falling over the edge, someone will organise a sedative for you. Most chemo makes you feel a bit dopey anyway so that feeling of being hyper alert subsides a bit. M

Dear @Kelhart, two nights before starting chemo I had a full on panic attack. Crying, hyper-ventilating, the full monty. Like @Zoffiel said, you walk through those doors when every fibre of your being is saying run away. But our higher brain makes us do it because we know it's for the best. The first is the worst because it's unknown, and so the anxiety subsides a lot after that.So no, as far as I'm concerned you're completely normal!Big hug lovely, K xox

Absolutely agree, i felt, actually glad once i got there, if that makes sense. Now just ticking them off one down.

Don't feel like a sook @kelhart. You've every reason to feel anxious - you've been through a lot and you're heading into unknown territory. Sometimes, just accepting your anxiety can help a bit. When you get to the clinic, let the doctor know how you're feeling. It's unlikely to be anywhere near as bad as you fear. Just make sure that you find out what to do if the meds they send you home with aren't strong enough, especially as you're going into a weekend. I felt pretty lousy with my first treatment but once I got better drugs, I managed fine.

Starting chemo tommorrow | BCNA Online Network

18 Replies

Brenda5
Member
7 years ago
My oncologist doctor used to actually read my symptom diary as it had a lot of odd, only happened on one day stuff that I would have missed telling him.
jennyss
Member
7 years ago
Dear @Kelhart, good to hear Day 1 went OK - yay for great nurses - and I strongly agree with @sister's suggestion to keep a notepad/exercise book diary - that was very helpful for me.

from jennyss in Western NSW
Sister
Member
7 years ago
@kelhart - You've got through the first one - now tick it off. Don't forget to keep a diary of how you're feeling until your next treatment so that you get a picture of what to expect (and so does your onc). I used to keep a notepad on the kitchen bench and jot things down, including temps and meds.
Shellshocked201
Member
7 years ago
Well done Kelhart, know exactly how you felt, keep hydrated and try and go for short walks and keep as active as you can, and rest when your body tells you .
I have just finished 5 months of chemotherapy, take one day at a time. If your medications aren’t helping you at home, make sure you call and get it reviewed straight away, don’t wait until your next treatment. Quite often suggestions can be made over the phone by your oncology department, there is no need to suffer.
Next chemo treatment your take home drugs will be reviewed and adjusted if needed.

Wishing you the very best, Be kind to yourself, rest, eat well, and drink plenty of fluids.
Giovanna_BCNA
Member
7 years ago
Hello @Kelhart so good to hear that the first treatment is over! Take care over the weekend, keep well hydrated and rest up. All the very best.
poodlejules
Member
7 years ago
Keep ticking them off @Kelhart , and good luck with it all x
Kelhart
Member
7 years ago
Absolutely agree, i felt, actually glad once i got there, if that makes sense. Now just ticking them off one down.
primek
Member
7 years ago
Hey there...once upon a time I used to work in an oncology unit giving chemo....but there I was on my day of chemo a frightened blubbering mess in the shower. I think it really is the moment "this cancer shit is real" but I dried off...put on my big girl panties, slapped on a smile and off I trot. It was a relief to start knowing it was killing the stray cells hiding out.
LMK74
Member
7 years ago
Good to hear @Kelhart. Yes the nursing staff are wonderful. Take it easy. :)
Kelhart
Member
7 years ago
Hey guys, just home and showered and straight in bed. Feeling well although am extremely tired, hoping to sleep well. Thanks to you all it was soooo not scary the nurses are wonderful & make it so easy. Thanks again for the support!