Chemo Starts Today!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I guess this is the day. I start chemo today and to say I am scared is putting it mildly. No one ever expects what chemo will do to them, and no two people react the same. I guess I take it has it goes. There are plenty of people who have gone through this, so with that said, I will be positive and strong, and HOPE for the best. Wish me luck.

 

Evelyn

Good luck Evelyn. It is different for everyone. Hope you have someone to help you get through it and be there for you. If they are giving you drugs which they anticipate a nausea, vomiting type response with, please start your anti-emetics before you start feeling ill (we found combo of zofran and emend worked best-zofran alone was not enough, and compazine alone was useless-the manufacturers have programs to help you afford drugs if you cannot them). It is hard to get a handle on it once the sick starts, but if you can manage it from the start, before it really gets you, you will feel much better (although not necessarily well). You may not feel much like eating and drinking after you start but another crucial thing is hydration. It is necessary for us to survive, and can make a huge difference in how you feel. Have needed to hydrate husband several times through this, but the difference between before and after shows you why it is necessary to keep up with fluids. You will be in my prayers, and give a shout if you need anything. Suya

Hi Evelyn,

           I would be scared to. I remember when my mom had her first round. I sat beside her and ask her if she felt anything every 5 mins. She was 75 years old. Radiation was much harder for her than chemo. My mama never even lost her hair. You will do fine. We will pray for you. Let us know how it goes. It is OK to be scared !

                                                                           Pat

 

Well I made it through my first day of chemo. It took roughly 4hours, and at first when I went home other then tired, I was okay. Then about 2 hours afterwards, I started feeling nausea, so took your advice and took my meds asap. I felt better that way, but I had really really bad stomach pains for almost an hour and my skin started hurting and still does, I am sure more syptoms will arise over the next two days, but I try to stay strong, and think positive and it does help. Anyway, I just like to keep you all updated and it helps me also, so I hope you all don't mind.

Evelyn

We don't mind at all. If you keep us updated, we can offer any of the hard earned experience we have, and hopefully make it that much easier for the next person down the road. Not sure about the painful skin, but maybe someone else will have someting to offer.

Just something I wrote:

 

THE JOURNEY:

 

My journey has just begun

This battle will be won

I look back at my life and see

Here is where I was meant to be

I see so much caring and love

That I know I can get beyond and above

When strength and hope are not enough

I see your faces and together we are tuff

Nothing bad that comes my way

Can be here forever to stay

I look upon each one of your faces

And feel the support and love traces

For with you all, each one of you

I know I can make it through

I shall return someday even healthier

And with this health, I will be wealthier.

 

Thank You everyone for all your support and caring

 

Evelyn

 

That is a beautiful poem Evelyn.  I like it a lot.  I'm going to show it to my Dad, who is battling cancer with us, his family battling right alongside him.

Hi Evelyn,

Your message takes me back 4 years to when I began my journey.  I am cancer free and enjoying life.  Your feelings are quite normal.  I took a calendar and marked my last scheduled chemo and radiation treatments in RED with lots of !!!!!  Then I marked my first day with blue and crossed off each day.  When I experienced side-effects, I looked at the calendar and said, "This is only temporary and I'll get through the treatments."  Many prayers, the Lord and "toughing it out" got me through.  Best wishes to you.  You'll do just fine.  I know everyone is different, but I was at a Ponderosa buffet 2 weeks after my chemo.  I felt fine until my surgery and that took a little longer to recover from, but it is all worth it.

So, it looks like after my chemo I will get the surgery and then more chemo afterwards. This is good news means the spot on my adrenal gland was not cancer and so it is the esophagus and the one limenode that has the cancer. I have my next big chemo this Friday June 6, and then 3 weeks of the continous invusion pump and then the last big chemo and 3 weeks, then a short break inbetween and then my surgery. I am more positive then other, other then they say I will be off work 9mths to a year, and I love to work, oh well, health comes first. Thank You everyone for your thoughts and encouragement, it means alot.

 Evelyn