Tips for getting through chemotherapy

Bumping

Bump

Bumping up for Feb gals

suz

Great hints, and a footnote: it appears that Claritin can be used to off-set the side effect of Neulasta. I haven't tried that, but I wish I knew it at the time, as neulasta is great for our immune system, but feels really down for a couple of days.

newbie question...what is "bump" and how does it work?

and a huge thank you to all who've posted what's worked for you.  because of the information, I feel far more ready to handle my first chemo next week.

be well...

Kalen

I know a lot of people have had problems with mouth sores, so wanted to add this idea.  It's always good to change your toothbrush every few months when you are healthy, but more important when you are doing chemo and at risk for infections.

I changed mine before starting and should have before now, but did so just after the 4th, b/c I started having sensitivity with brushing.  I would think every month or more often if you have problems with sores. 

Also...to keep your RBC's up.  Use peanut butter in everything.  Smoothies, on ice cream, toast, crackers, fruit and so on...... I had to did this when I did plasma donations to keep my counts up and I think it helped with the A/C too, b/c my counts never when down badly.

bumping this up for contessa....

I have been told that my first tx will last appx 6-8 hrs. Any suggestions on what to take with me, other than what has neen posted, for such a long tx time?

PS: Great suggestions. Thanks to so much to all. 

bump for newbies

bump for the March 2008 group.

Lila, I'm getting a neulasta shot friday.  I'll let you know who does it, but it certainly won't be me.  I have to go back to the onc's office for it.

Kalen

bumping again for the March 2008 thread...come on, girls!!

The question of who administers the neulasta is generally in the docs office. But I had to administer the neupogen shots myself. Or rather I should I say my husband who wanted to play doctor. No I am just to chicken to do it myself. I had a total of 7 starting two days following my chemo. The needles are very fine and you have different spots to choose from. Fronts of your thighs, stomach or backs of your arms. Just make sure that if you have nodes removed don't use that arm. I made the mistake of using the arm I had only 4 nodes removed from and it ached for days and scared the crap out of me. I just had my second chemo tx and start 6 more on friday but with a stronger strength. My white count was still to low.

Hi all,

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time and trouble to post their advice and recommendations. What a lot we learn from one another. I've been terrified of the chemo, but now feel more reassured about what's coming up this next Tuesday. I've always found information to be reassuring, and I wish doctors would take the time to share more of it, or else train their personnel to do so. It might be due to the speed with which they're getting me into treatment, but I find that I'm going in totally uneducated except by what I'm reading on this forum.

Thanks again,

Annie

I'm going to start making these, and test drive one myself next week. - please see my blog for details. I would be very grateful for your input. 

Dianna