It's going to be a busy stressful week....

Paisley2916

Hello everyone! I'm going to be a very girl this week - and with it comes all of the stress. Tomorrow (Wednesday) I am having a PET scan - which to me, will be the scariest test yet! I'm terrified that it has spread and now I will finally find out the answer to that question. Thursday, I'm getting my chemo port put in - also scary. I hate having anything done where they have to cut me. Happy I'll get some sort of sedation for that procedure. Then, on Friday, I'm having my echocardiogram - which I need to get before chemo starts. My oncologist office is supposed to call me today sometime and I'm hoping I'll find out exactly when chemo will start - I'm thinking it'll be next week. I'm happy this is all going so quickly (FINALLY - it's been a full month since my bad mammo/US) but the reality of it all is starting to hit me and my stress level is through the roof! Any words of wisdom to get me through this busy week? I guess the business of all of the procedures are almost like a distraction in themselves - but they are creating the stress as well.

AgathaNYC

Hi, Paisley. Take a deep breath and keep breathing. It's great that you are getting all these steps taken care of so you can get down to the business of treating your cancer.

The anxiety is real. For me it was torture waiting for the results of my PET scan. The test itself isn't wasn't traumatic for me, just the wait after. Keep busy. Get ready for chemo. There are a lot of threads about what you can do to get prepared. Do you know what kind you are going to be getting?

A lot of people on here will tell you that you are in a really tough period in the treatment process. You will feel more relaxed and focused once the test results are in, you know what you and your doctors are working with, and you start treatment.

Good luck with everything!

lemonee

I feel like I could've written this post! We must've been diagnosed around the same time. I've also been completely overwhelmed these past two weeks with all the testing. I have my first chemo round this morning and am feeling pretty nervous but at the same time ready to get started. I hope all your test results were good ones. Wishing you the best!

EastcoastTS

Paisley:

I hope your tests went well. Keep us updated. The time you're in (initial diagnosis and without all information) is the hardest time. Absolutely the worst. But good news is, it gets easier.

Have you perhaps asked one of your doctors for a med to help with anxiety? Many here took one during the early days. It may also help with sleep.

{hugs!!!}

Paisley2916

Well, things have been moving along very quickly! It turned out to be a very busy week indeed - six test/appointments/procedures in six days! Wed - Pet Scan, Thursday - Oncologist, Friday - Echocardiogram, Monday - Port Placement, Tuesday - First Chemo, Wed- Neulasta shot. So, now a full week later, I have all of my answers and have begun treatment. Pet scan was clear!!!! That was a HUGE relief. I've had my first dose-dense treatment of AC last Tuesday. It was ok. Tolerable. Wednesday was my worst day - where I couldn't even get my kids ready for school or make it next door for the bus stop. They were great though - they got themselves ready and my neighbor got them on the bus. I had NO appetite and things tasted bad and smelled even worse until about Saturday night. Now, I'm just feeling tired. They say "fatigued". I say, I feel like I just ran 10 miles and my muscles are rebelling! Now, I'm just waiting for my hair to fall out. I had a dream about it last night and I've been noticing a few eyelashes here and there have started to come out yesterday and today...haven't noticed any hair yet though. Honestly, I don't look forward to it....

Lemonee, how are you doing with your first chemo treatment?

EastCoast, I did get anti-anxiety meds to help me through the first 6 weeks. The testing and waiting was agony. The meds def helped. I haven't needed them since I've started treatment. I've calmed down a lot. I know a lot of people here have told me the beginning testing and waiitng is the hardest part. So far, I agree with that!

Agatha, thank you for your advice. I did take the time to get ready over the weekend in between all of those appointments and felt more prepared when I had my first treatment. I hope you are doing well. I'm also doing the AC+T. AC for 8 weeks - every two weeks and then 12 weeks of Taxol - weekly. I'm nervous about the Taxol. They've told me about the possible nerve damage - and I'm worried about not getting a week off in between the treatments. How did you do with it?

Hope everyone is doing well. I'm so happy to have other women to talk to that are going through the same thing as me. While I have a lot of family and friends supporting me, I don't think anyone can fully understand what it's like going through this unless they have gone through it (or are going through it) themselves. Take care everyone!

EastcoastTS

Paisley:

Glad things are going well. This journey does get easier -- which is hard to imagine at first.

Check the chemo boards for lots of good info (I'm guessing).

And keep us updated on your progress!!!