Starting chemo

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mrscrj
mrscrj Member Posts: 55
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
Starting chemo
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  • mrscrj
    mrscrj Member Posts: 55
    edited June 2008

    I am to start chemo in five days and wonder a couple of things that those that have been there already might be able to help me with. It's easy to find all the medical information about the side effects and all but it's the little things I'm wondering about. 

    My appointment is at noon, and wasn't told anything about eating or drinking before the treatment. Is it helpful or hurtful to eat/drink before the treatment? I've read some posting about eating ice to help reduce some problems, and a friend told me her husband would drink a vanilla milk shake right after chemo to help reduce nausea. Any suggestions about what has helped or caused a problem?

    I apprecaite any input. No matter how much one reads about chemo, it's a new world and kind of scarey.  

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited June 2008

    Hi mrscrj,

    You will probably get a lot more answers to your questions in the Chemotherapy, Before, During, and After section. Look for a thread that someone has started for Chemo in June and join all the ladies there that are starting this month. 

    Let them know what meds you will be recieving, and some of the old timers will pop in to let you know their experiences with those drugs. There are so many combinations, and every reacts differently, that it's hard to say what your side effects will be, but there are some general tips that are posted in another thread in that section.

    Good luck, andI hope you have minimal se's (side effects).

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  • Skyrat
    Skyrat Member Posts: 310
    edited June 2008

    mrscrj - So sorry you are here.  Nancy is right - there is all kinds of information regarding chemo and side effects in the Chemotherapy: Before, During and After section.  Also, everybody tolerates chemo differently and side effects vary from one person to the next.  Also, the type of chemo treatment you are getting will have a bearing.  One thing to remember during chemo:  drink lots of water, be as active as you can, and rest when you need to.  *HUGS* and it will be over before you know it.

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  • mrscrj
    mrscrj Member Posts: 55
    edited June 2008

    Thanks for the directions... I'll ask in that section.

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  • myheidiscrapbooking
    myheidiscrapbooking Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2008

    Hi mrscrj, I would say to you to ask your dr. for any drugs that help your side-effects. And be firm if you are having a hard time. I had a hard time w/chemo ONLY because I was anemic. I would ask your nurse how your red blood is - if it is low, you will have a tough time. I got boosted with extra shot of arenespt (they usually will give you this anyway) mine was an extra mg. added to help my red blood and it made a world of difference. I did find the first part of chemo hard - the fatigue for me was hard. However, not all go thru that. It really really depends on your chemistry of your own body. That is why it is so hard to say. Everyone reacts differently. Other than ALOT of fatigue, I had no other side-effects. Good luck to you and hang in there - you will get thru it!

    Heidi

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  • myheidiscrapbooking
    myheidiscrapbooking Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2008

    Hi mrscrj, I would say to you to ask your dr. for any drugs that help your side-effects. And be firm if you are having a hard time. I had a hard time w/chemo ONLY because I was anemic. I would ask your nurse how your red blood is - if it is low, you will have a tough time. I got boosted with extra shot of arenespt (they usually will give you this anyway) mine was an extra mg. added to help my red blood and it made a world of difference. I did find the first part of chemo hard - the fatigue for me was hard. However, not all go thru that. It really really depends on your chemistry of your own body. That is why it is so hard to say. Everyone reacts differently. Other than ALOT of fatigue, I had no other side-effects. Good luck to you and hang in there - you will get thru it!

    Heidi

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