Eve of starting Chemo

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Mary6886
Mary6886 Member Posts: 15
edited August 2020 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hello there!
I am starting Taxol Chemo tomorrow. I have so many mixed emotions. I am worried about the unknown, but happy to be taking action to slow the spread of this “monster.” As I am beginning my journey, a beautiful soul in my community lost her battle with Breast Cancer with brain mets. She fought hard for six years and is an inspiration to everyone who knew her and of her. I will draw inspiration from her journey which she walked with complete trust in God and willingness to do His will. 💗🙏🏻💗 for Elise and all those who love her.

I have a question. Ihave the EMLA cream to put on my port. When should I apply that? Any other suggestions to help me through my first session. Thank you in advance!

Mary

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited August 2020

    I've never used the cream on my port, they just spray it with COLD spray. The ladies here say to apply an hour befor infusion, then cover with plastic wrap. You could call your center, ask what they suggest.

    Bring reading material, or electronic device, head phones, blanket, water and snacks. It’s boring, bring something to help pass time. I’ve seen people sleep, and snore!! The nurses have seen it all, don’t be embarrassed.

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  • Mary6886
    Mary6886 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2020

    Thank you. Your advise is welcomed. Here goes nothing!

    Mary

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited August 2020

    Mary, good luck with your taxol today! There's a taxol for stage 4 thread - quiet but a good place to read and ask about side effects etc.

    I'm due for #15 on Thursday (doing 3 weeks on, 1 week off). It's been mostly boring. I ice feet and hands, neuropathy has been minimal. Had a dose reduction due to liver values (but that might have been tumor flare), fatigue and low neutrophils.

    Let us know how it went and how you're doing!

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  • Mary6886
    Mary6886 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2020

    Only a couple of bumps in the road. They would not use my port because it wasn’t “verified.” I was upset just because I don’t like changes after I prepare myself. They had to give me an IV. No big deal; I just don’t like when plans change and I am not prepared. Then the infusion nurse asked how I found the cancer. I was relating my story and she said something like, “ how long did they tell you have?” I just started at her. I said, “no one ha given me a prognosis on time.” She followed that with, “3, 6 months? I believe in God. You need a miracle.” I tried not to let it upset me. I think my team would have told me if all that was all I was expected to live. Anyway, I am hoping I have much more time than that. thanks for listening!

    Mary

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited August 2020

    Mary, sorry but wtf is wrong with that nurse??? I would be calling the infusion room first thing in the morning, asking to speak to the nurse manager and filing an official complaint against your nurse. That was *totally* inappropriate & insensitive for the nurse to quiz you about prognosis. How horrible for you

    Hugs

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2020

    Mary, I agree with moth, that’s a really inappropriate thing for a nurse to say.

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  • Mary6886
    Mary6886 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2020

    I am so glad to hear you say that. She sent me down a thought path I didn’t want to go down. I am going I remain positive and put chose faith over fear. Thanks

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2020

    Good! Let me also encourage you by sharing that I was on Taxol for six months and it did a great job knocking out the cancer. Side effects were minimal, I did ice my hands and feet to avoid neuropathy and that worked well for me.

    Wishing youthe same result!


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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited August 2020

    Time for some training for the nurses! I hope you can let the nurse manager know, as moth advises. You might like to know that I started my mbc treatment with taxol for liver mets...SIX YEARS ago.

    I had my first taxol with an IV because I couldn’t be scheduled for port installation in time. To answer your question, put the cream on an hour before your port will be accessed. Really glob it on and don’t rub it in. I don't know why, but it works best this way. Then cover with a square of plastic wrap. That will squish it slightly into one big glob with good skin contact.

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  • Mary6886
    Mary6886 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2020

    Way to go Shetland Pony! I will make a call tomorrow. Thanks for the advice on the EMLA cream. So glad to have this place to share.

    Mary

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited August 2020

    I’’m chiming in to say that nurse is horrific. Absolutely unacceptable. I would certainly be contacting her superiors and raising holy hell. The nerve or her! My onc never gave me a time line, only said that with treatment, I could live “years”. It is 9+ years now.

    Mary, you can go to the chemo section of this breast cancer forum and join a thread/
    group for women starting chemo in August 2020. I did it when I had chemo in March of 2011. It was great support and extremely helpful to be able to compare notes with others as I went through the process. Best wishes to you!

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  • Mary6886
    Mary6886 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2020

    thank you so much! i will look for that group

    Now!

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited August 2020

    But be aware that the early stage patients are mostly doing two or three dose-dense chemos and may be dealing with more side effects. There is also a Weekly Taxol for Stage 4 thread.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topics/790290?page=78#top


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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited August 2020

    Mary I am also horrified by that nurses remarks. The oncologist that she works for needs to know that she is saying these things. I would also see if they have a nurse coordinator or nurse navigator. I was first diagnosed in 2012 and then diagnosed with mets about 3-4 years ago. Both times I thought I had a month. Now I see there are lots of treatment options and the most important is for you to stay positive and believe in yourself and your team. Healing hugs

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  • Kjones13
    Kjones13 Member Posts: 1,520
    edited August 2020

    Mary!!!! I hope you were able to report that nurse! That is ridiculous and completely inappropriate! No one should talk to you like that! I’m sorry you had such a bad first experience. Chemo nurses are usually the best...

    How are you feeling? Those other group suggestions are good ones. I hope you find the support you are looking for on here. And hoping your next visit to the infusion room is more positive

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