If you can bring someone with you. Most chemo sessions run over 2 hours. My Mom's were nearly 4, so I would read to her. Also, if you are going to lose your hair ... get it cut beforehand, before it starts coming out in clumps. My Mom went for hats/scarves, but you can do wigs-whatever feels best for you.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you so much for all the help! I have breast cancer and I will lose my hair. I will shop for wigs soon. It's funny, my main fear is the actual infusion. I am afraid it will hurt, or I will be allergic to it or something. I am glad to hear that it usually isn't as bad as everyone expects. Thanks again everyone.

22:12 back again. I also had breast cancer but had a little different chemo regimen (TACx6). Check out the message boards at www.breastcancer.org. There's a great deal of info there. For example, check out the links here:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/785189

One thing they didn't tell tell me was to take 24-hour Claritin for a few days after the Neulasta shot (the injection they give you the day after your infusion to help boost your white blood cells). I learned about that on the breastcancer.org forum and asked my nurses about it.

Re: hair - I got mine cut short, but my longtime stylist wouldn't shave it off for me. In retrospect I wish I'd shaved it - when your hair is falling out it comes out everywhere and gets in everything. Plus, it just prolonged the process - I'd wake up in the morning with a clump of hair on my pillow. I also did chemo in the fall/winter so you can wear some cute winter hats too. I also wore a soft cotton cap (like this http://www.tlcdirect.org/Cuffed-Cotton-Hat.html?did=61) when I slept because I'd get cold.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you so much for all the help! I have breast cancer and I will lose my hair. I will shop for wigs soon. It's funny, my main fear is the actual infusion. I am afraid it will hurt, or I will be allergic to it or something. I am glad to hear that it usually isn't as bad as everyone expects. Thanks again everyone.

When you have your infusion there will be nurses there the entire time. Usually its in a large room where the nurse's station is in the middle so they can see everyone, and they go from patient to patient. Its really important to tell them if you are experiencing any negative symptoms because they can generally do something like slow the drip to make them go away. If you are having taxol (and maybe this is true for taxoter but I had taxol) they give you benadryl in the drip because of the potential for an allergic reaction and they watch you very carefully. Chemo nurses are also the kindest nurses I have ever dealt with. It might help with your anxiety to just think you are putting yourself in their capable hands.

It won't hurt any more than a blood draw and once the needle is in it won't hurt at all. If you have a big problem with needles you can get a port.

Many people in my family have had cancer and lost their hair. I've always thought if that happens to me before the chemo I'd go and get my hair cut in a way I'd be too scared to otherwise, like a pixie cut or something, just to see how it would look.
Just a thought. Of course you might not feel like spending time or money doing that right now,

OP here, thank you so much for all the help! I have breast cancer and I will lose my hair. I will shop for wigs soon. It's funny, my main fear is the actual infusion. I am afraid it will hurt, or I will be allergic to it or something. I am glad to hear that it usually isn't as bad as everyone expects. Thanks again everyone.

Anonymous wrote:Just another chemo veteran chiming in to say it's not so bad. They have so many great anti-nausea medicines now that it's not the way it used to be. The PPs have given you great advice.

Drink lots and lots of water during your infusion and after - it'll help flush the toxins out of your system faster. Although sometimes you'll feel like you could never get off the couch again, make yourself get up and move. Walk around the block, do a load of laundry...it'll make you feel better. Ask the oncology nurses any questions - they are so, so helpful and really are angels on earth.

I'm a year and a half out of chemo, my hair's to my shoulders, I'm in the best shape of my life and, most importantly, am cancer free. You're going to be fine - good luck!

12:06 here to offer congratulations and best wishes for a long, healthy and joyful life. Rock on!

Just another chemo veteran chiming in to say it's not so bad. They have so many great anti-nausea medicines now that it's not the way it used to be. The PPs have given you great advice.

Drink lots and lots of water during your infusion and after - it'll help flush the toxins out of your system faster. Although sometimes you'll feel like you could never get off the couch again, make yourself get up and move. Walk around the block, do a load of laundry...it'll make you feel better. Ask the oncology nurses any questions - they are so, so helpful and really are angels on earth.

I'm a year and a half out of chemo, my hair's to my shoulders, I'm in the best shape of my life and, most importantly, am cancer free. You're going to be fine - good luck!

First of all, I'm sending warm wishes your way. You can do this.

Are you doing the infusion at a hospital or your oncologist's office? Has the facility given you information about their procedures and amenities? Here are a few suggestions:

Wear super comfortable clothes and take warm socks. Chemo usually takes longer than expected and there is usually some waiting involved, whether for blood counts or for the meds or the nurse or whatever.

Take comfort items: maybe a soft fleece throw, a great book or a Kindle, headphones, and if possible a tablet with movies/games/music. Some kind of video option will probably be available if you don't have something to take.

Take some liquid that you know you'll feel like drinking. You need to stay hydrated. There may be options there but it's good to have something with you.

Take some soothing snacks. Avoid anything too stinky or objectionable as it might make other patients feel ill.

Ask questions about the side effects of not just the chemo meds, but steroids, antiemetics, etc. If you have prescriptions for home use, fill them before you have the first infusion.

Have plenty of appealing liquids available at home and have your "just in case" meds readily available. That might be antiemetics, Imodium, whatever the staff recommend.

Give yourself lots of love and compassion and ask for and accept help. Have someone take you to your first session if you haven't already planned to do that.

I hope these suggestions are helpful. My mom had months of different types of chemo and I took her to every session. She experienced none of the anticipated side effects. As a PP said, the first time is the worst. So breathe deeply and know you will come through this.

I wish you all the best, OP.

Get an iPad,if you don't have one already. Load it up with your favorite shows, music, and games.

hugs to you. i cared for my mother through four rounds of cisplatin back in the day and it was very rough. but she is well 18 years later! good luck

Oh, go shopping for wigs now, if you want to wear wigs. And get two.

Get some Ensure.

Its not going to be as bad as you think. The first round is usually the worst because you bring a lot of anxiety to it and you don't know what to expect. Once you get that under your belt it will become almost routine. For real.

The third day is when the symptoms peak. By one week you should feel much better.

If you can find a way to exercise, even just going for walks, that helps. Continue with your life as much as you can. Make plans with friends, rent a stack of dvds. It will go by quicker than you think. And good for you for taking care of yourself.

You can do it! I won't lie--it will suck, but you will be done eventually and will feel better again. Think of something in the future you can plan for that will give you something to look forward to.

If you are a woman, this workshop made me feel so much better about myself, and I got a lot of free make up!:

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/supportprogramsservices/look-good-feel-better


Not everyone loses their hair (your doctor should be able to tell you if that will happen with the meds you will have) so decide now if you want to wear wigs, hats, or scarves or a combo. I ordered some wigs but sent them back and just wore hats. This is a great place to order from: http://www.tlcdirect.org/default.aspx?crcat=branding~acs-wigs&crsource=adwords&crkw=%2Bcancer%20%2Bsociety%20%2Bwigs&crcampaign=12135330514&gclid=COH9v4i35LkCFcqZ4AodY18A8Q

My wonderful friends hired a cleaner to come clean our house every other week because I wasn't up to it and my husband was busy taking care of everything else, plus the three pets.

Don't be afraid to ask friends for help--to bring over meals, walk a dog, bring you magazines, etc.

You won't know until you get into it what your stomach will want to eat, so don't stock up on a bunch of food yet.
Some chemo meds can give you a metallic taste so you may want to stock up on hard candy.

Stay away from Doctor Google! The message boards can be a support, but haring about recessions won't be helpful.

Good luck! If you think of any other questions, post them!

Starting chemo soon, four rounds. I am so scared and anxious. I know it is good for my situation, but I just was wondering if anyone had any hints or advice to help it go smooth. Please no scary stories or anti-chemo rants. I have made up my mind to do this, and I don't want to hear super negative stuff right now.