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Kelhart's avatar
Kelhart
Member
7 years ago

Starting chemo tommorrow

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 20/3/2019
Lumectomy & 2 LN 24/4/2019 un clear margins 
Mastectomy 11/6/2019
Why 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?

18 Replies

  • Hi @Kelhart, like everyone else has said it's totally normal to feel that way. Hope all went well.
  • 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
  • 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. MXX

    PS. 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

     
  • 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.