Still need Herceptin but the chemo floor is depressing me.

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giglgrl
giglgrl Member Posts: 81
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

So, I was wondering is any other Her2 ladies have felt or feel this way. I don't know why, but now whenever I go back in for my Herceptin, I feel so uncomforatble being in the chemo area. I guess I kind of feel like....been there, done that. I don't want to be a part of that group anymore.....and yet, that is where I still have to go every three weeks for most of 2010. When I was going for my full TCH treatments being there really inspired me. Seeing and talking to all the other ladies that are going through this.....but now, it kind of depresses me hearing about ladies who have been coming for years of having reoccurances.  I feel so bad feeling this way.......did anyone else go through this?

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited January 2010

    Hi giglgrl...I went once a week for 52 weeks. Does your oncologist do chemo in his or her office?

    Mine did but I chose not to do it in the office.

    Good Luck

    Sheila

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  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited January 2010

    I felt that way at my first oncologist's chemo room; his patients were VERY sick - I felt like I didn't belong there; the nurses actually ignored me and one even ridiculed my questions as though they were silly (perhaps compared to some of the more seriously ill patients my questions did seem silly to her but her attitude was so callous that I switched to a new oncologist.) At my second oncologist's chemo room, I felt much better - yes there were still sick patients, but not all of them were cancer patients - and the room itself was brighter, more cheerful - the nurses were all very kind and helpful (I called them infusion angels) - it made a world of difference to me. Even though I wasn't as crazy about the oncologist himself - he agreed to keep the same chemo regime I was on...........I hardly saw him anyway...........it was his nurses and facility that made me feel comfortable. I had to go every two weeks for an entire year for the Herceptiin, so I was glad I made the decision to switch to a new oncologist. When I was finished, I gave my nurses very nice thankyou gifts, then asked for all my records and switched to yet another oncologist who will keep watch over me with blood work etc. This oncologist (my third and hopefully last) is a great communicator (unlike my 2nd one) and belongs to the same group practice as all my other doctors so all my bloodwork and test results are available online. 

    So my suggestion is to think carefully and look around and see if you can find another oncologist or cancer/infusion center that is less depressing for you. It'll make the time go much faster. Good luck!

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  • coonie
    coonie Member Posts: 7,618
    edited January 2010
    I remember feeling the same way too. Even felt guilty because everyone else seemed to feel so bad. I just kept marking my treatments off every 3 weeks. I still feel bad going in for my 3 month check-ups. I guess the old saying is true.....there's always somebody else who is worse off than me. I hate that though. Wish I could make everybody better......Embarassed
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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited January 2010

    sometimes if you change to a new facility, the fact that it IS new will make it less depressing.  I know I have a lot of associations with the chemo facility that I used- even certain smells.........

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  • SharaD
    SharaD Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2010

    And note that you probably don't have to switch oncologists just because you want to have your chemo somewhere else. Lot's of people see an oncologist at a specialty center that is hours from their home....but are able to have their chemo nearby in their hometown hospital or center. Your regular oncologist decides what you are going to have and just writes the "prescription" for the chemo.

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