More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited August 2010

    Thinking of everyone who is starting chemo.  I think of women who are undergoing chemo a lot, actually.  For what it's worth, two years after my last chemo and I'm feeling really really good.

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited August 2010

    Bwahahahaha!  ROCK ON!!

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited August 2010

    STILL bumping!

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited August 2010

    Bumping for the awesom ladies of Aug '10

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited August 2010

    Bumping for the awesome ladies of Aug '10

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited September 2010

    BUMP for Sept.!

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  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 2,903
    edited September 2010

    This is a fantastic resource. I just got my oncotype today with a score of 31 so I will be starting my chemo in 2 weeks. It will be TC 4 treatments 3 weeks apart. I am scared and all the side affects are scary but is still comforting to be armed with information. I may need a uhaul though. I want to have everything I might need on hand and duplicates so some things to keep in my car. I work at home but I want to be able to go out and run errands if I need to. I hope my counts don't keep me stuck home. I also worry about what to do for 5 hours during treatment I like the idea of bringing movies. I ma making my husband sit with me the first time but seems like it would be ok after that to just let him drop me off then pick me up at the end. It is only four times though but he is ADHD and he may make things uncomfortable for everyone.

    anyway thanks to everyone who is sharing their tips I hope to add some to the list if I think of any. 

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  • kaskopitke
    kaskopitke Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2010

    Bless you for this list!

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited September 2010

    kaskopitke ~  We have our brilliant bc sistah ROCK to thank for this amazing list.

    Carrol2 ~ Bringing movies is a great idea, it certainly helps to pass the time!

    Best of luck to you in your tx ladies!

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  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 2,903
    edited September 2010

    Thanks nico1012 I am getting my first TC ocotber 5th. The place I picked to do it has nice private rooms with dvd players. Not looking forward to it but can;t wait until it's over.

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  • premi2
    premi2 Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2010

    JUST MAKE FRIENDS WITH OTHER CHEMO PATIENTS. CONVERT THE WARD INTO A PARTY HALL INSTEAD OF A MISERABLE PLACE AND ACTUALLY LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING FRIENDS INSTEAD OF DREADING THE CHEMO

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  • hmillar
    hmillar Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2010

    I am pretty sure I am going to have to have chemo. I am pre menopausal, have DCIS and IDC, but stage 3. Recovering for lumpectomy, SNB. This list is great!! Thank you so, so much, all of you who compiled it. It somehow makes the prospect of chemo less frightening.

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited September 2010

    Nico, nico, nico -- youse a sweetheart.

    To everyone starting chemo, in the throes of chemo: I'm thinking about you! I was doing some housecleaning the other day and ran across the little scarf-hat thingies I wore, and it took me back to such a place.  I am healthy (so far as I know) though, 2 years after chemo, I'm still adjusting. It's not bad. It's just a process. Be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself.

    Much, much love.

    PS I really like Pema Chodron's book "When Things Fall Apart." It has changed my life, it really has. I think we are often motivated by either love or fear and I've tried to go forward being motivated by the former rather than the latter (that is, love of life vs. fear of chemo, fear of cancer). 

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  • shiramg
    shiramg Member Posts: 186
    edited October 2010

    plan a fun activity with a friend for after day 7 - gives you a little light at the end of the tunel

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited October 2010

    Bumping for the Oct. chemo starters.

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited October 2010

    Because I'm a bit more paranoid, I did get a Vio-light from Walmart.  (It holds 4 toothbrushes, electric ones as well) It's a disinfecting contraption for my toothbrushes.  I put them in it when I'm done brushing and it disinfects them so each time I use one, I know it's clean and hopefully bacteria free.

    Tori

    DE COLORES!

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited October 2010

    Great idea, ToriGirl! Anything we can do to keep those nasty bugs away helps us stay healthier during this journey. Hand sanitizer is the obvious one, a new shower curtain is a great idea from Rock, sani-wipes for surfaces and flushing twice are also good ideas.

    Nico

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  • fetaalfredo
    fetaalfredo Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2010

    I received a 2nd opinion yesterday re: need for chemo. Because I have other chronic disease issues---asthma & celiac disease the thought of needing chemo has been unbearable. I have a 9 year old & own a business so am wondering how debilitating this will be & what days will be the worst post infusion. I am normally a very active person & need to exercise to control my asthma.I guess from what I am reading each person handles this differently. The first medical oncologist I saw seemed to indicate that "working " women can have chemo on a Friday, recover on the weekend & resume their regular lives come Mon. This sounds very unrealistic to me??? Please help.

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  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 2,903
    edited October 2010

    fetaalfredo well depending on what you do for a living i cold see being able to do that, although it would not be easy. I could do a desk job if i had to maybe by tuesday and if i did not have a long commute. But luckily i work at home. none of my se effects so far have been that bad and they do last aobut a week then after that just very tired. 

    if you need chemo to be sure you are rid of cancer then you need it no matter what i suppose unless the health risk out weigh that. 

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited October 2010

    Boo! Did I scare you, Nico?

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  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2010

    Rock- Thank you for all the suggestions!! I will be starting TC 4 tx by the end of next week (Happy Halloween to me!) I will be having my "chemo teaching" appt. with a NP on Mon. Your list will help me ask more specific questions to make sure i am prepared!! Hope you have a great day !!

    Tiffany

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited October 2010

    Scared me witless, Rock! Almost forgot to bump! LMAO

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  • Paula1231
    Paula1231 Member Posts: 456
    edited October 2010

    Rock

    Thanks so much for the tips.  I am starting today at 2:00 pm.  I am scared but having the tips will help to get me thru it.  I it is also great to be forwarned as to what can be expected.  Thanks again!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited October 2010

    BTW my cuticles got very dry. I just tried this product and it's geat and inexpensive: Hoofer's Choice: http://www.sallybeauty.com/Cuticle-Cream/SBS-705060,default,pd.html

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  • tammyjden
    tammyjden Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2010

    I start chemo on Nov. 1st.  Thank you all for the wonderful information.  I don't know how I would get through it without these pointers!

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited October 2010

    Thinking of all of you who are starting chemo.  There really is no way to be completely prepared the experience, is there?  But you're not alone, you really aren't.

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited October 2010

    holy cow! i knew chemo would be uncomfortable but wow! i would have never thought about some of the things you have mentioned here! thank you so much for the helpful info!! it's good to be prepared. i start chemo in about 3 weeks

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited November 2010

    A bump for the Nov. chemo starters.

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited November 2010

    Bump

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited November 2010

    You know what's strange?  It has now been a little over 2 years since I finished chemo. I think about cancer every day. But chemo and being bald and the fatigue and all that . . . it feels like a long time ago.  But it has taken nearly evey bit of two years for me to say that.

    I guess my point is:  Be patient with yourself, not only as you go through chemo but in the year or two that follows.  

    Rooting for you. When I do think of chemo, I always pause to think for a moment of all the people going through it.  We're rooting for you! 

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