Caring4Cancer

I haven't started chemo yet and am afraid to do it. Has anyone felt this way before chemo?  I'm afraid it will harm my good organs.  Please help..

I underwent IMRT Radiation and Chemo for 7 consecutive weeks beginning early February 2007 for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head & neck due to a tumor on right side of tongue.  Male, 53 years old, corporate executive, wife, 2 children.

Chemo consisted of Cisplatin plus several anti-nausea meds.

I was scared, but more scared of dying so I went agressively at this disease and did everything my oncologists asked me to do.  Chemo is not a pleasurable experience as it is very time consuming and you will feel weak and in the "chemo fog" (cognitive function) during the entire time which is normal.  I could not tolerate the Cisplatin very well so I was prone to vomiting frequently 2-3 days after each treatment.  Be sure to drink plenty of water and eat as much as you can during treatment to maintain strength as you will feel tired at all times. Fatique is constant so you should expect this for the duration plus 3-5 weeks following. Rest whenever possible as the cumlative impact of Chemo worsens as the weeks go by. You will see people of all ages and ecomomic status in the Chemo rooms so do not be scared when you see people in their 20"s-80"s.  Some will lose their hair and others will look fine, it all depends on the individual and how positive you approach this treatment.

The good news is you begin to return to normal immediately stopping Chemo. I was 80% after 6 weeks and almost 100% after 6 months.

Chemo is a proven treatment for Cancer so you should follow directions from your doctors and complete all treatments as requested.  It's perfectly natural to be afraid, however, the risks of not doing Chemo are much worse.

Good luck------You will be fine and beat this terrible disease.  All the best!

I had my 1st Chemo on 12/17/07.  The worst part was sitting in the infusion room for 5-6 hours.  The after effects were well controlled by the prescriptions my doctor gave me.  My chemo regimen is the R-CHOP.  There are other regimens used for other types of cancer.  So far, my fears have been much worse than the chemo.  Your doctor will closely monitor you to preserve the health of your other organs.

Good luck with your therapy

 

WayneC 

 

Chemo is scary but the best thing to do is to read about it before you start. I am 22 yrs old and diagnosised with Hodgkin's. It was a sudden and it completely stopped my life but I did my research. There are many great websites that give you info on the side affects and what to do to cope with them. I was in a room for 5 hours and everyone was over 50 yrs of age at the time I went. Instead of scaring me it made me feel better because everyone introduce themselves and basically told me I was going to get through this. It gave me more hope and faith. I am on my 5th treatment and with great meds such as Emend and others it controlled the side affects. It is true you will be tired all the time and when you are just rest. Listen to your body. But again do some research on what type pf cancer you have the the treatments and drugs used. List all your questions and talk to your oncologist. I felt like I had somewhat of a controlled factor because I knew almost everything the oncologist explained to me. I didn't feel lost and felt a level of comfort. When I did get sick I didn't freak out because I knew that was one of the side effects and I knew how to cope with it. I hope everything works out for you and Good Luck.

I have gone through the chemo in two sessions.  Each person reacts to chemo differently.  So many of the stories you hear may not even happen to you.  I am in remission after 19 months and two mastectomies  at this time with breast cancer.  The chemo did not effect any of my good organs.  I believe my Faith helped me to stay positive during the complete ordeal.  May you find peace in the midst of the storm.

Hi Kathy,

 

Chemo does sound scary, and I will admit I was very anxious at my first chemo and it started to subside through all ten.  I read about the cancer and did research, I asked alot of questions, especially pertaining to lab values.  This gave me control of my treatment.  If my platelets were too low, I refused the infusion to they were acceptable to me.  I was able to connect with alot of other people at the chemo center, we would get up and walk around and talk to each other.  This helped out alot, this was alot of support.  Some of us even managed to share e-mails and phone numbers.  Just recently, I started oral chemo, I thought I would not ever say I missed the chemo room, to the extent, I formed relationships with staff and other people who had cancer, plus their friends and families that were there with them.  I also went to support groups, one which was helpful was mindless meditation, where I learned how to relax without taking more medication.   I am afraid it will harm my other organs also, but I had to really go with my feelings and question myself what would be better for me.  It is such a hard and difficult decision to make and each of us has to make our own individual decision for ourselves and hope it is the right one.  The not knowing is difficult, because we actually do not know the outcome of our disease, but all of us hope it is a good one.  The best of luck to you.  Ask alot of questions.

Bonnie R

Hello My name is Mike. I went thru chemo and surgery's. well I am writting this so thats proof there is hope. Chemo well it is no big treat and it is not easy at times. However ; The more you can handle the more effective it will be. It is killing cancer cells and thats what is saving your life. You trust your Dr. and the nurse's they know what works the best. They want you around just as much as you want to be here. Praying doesnt hurt either. I did my treatments in Marinette Wisc, Dr, Mertens and the cancer care staff there. they where wonder people. You need to keep your head together. When you don't feel good or food doesnt taste right eat anyway that is important. Even eating peanuts helped me out when i was at that point. They get rid of the tastein your mouth and they are very good for you. You just remeber what the main goal is killing the cancer. They do have meds to help with the flu like simptoms you do get also . They also watch and test your kidneys and blood  all your have to do is drink to wash out the kidneys to get the medicine out. Hey I am cancer free now ; oct 31 2006 has been one year, my last check up was dec and i dont need to go back til July. I wish you the best  just listen to what they tell you and hey whats a few weeks of being sick you'll have the rest of your life to look forward too. Once again good luck there Mike

Yes Kathy I think most of us felt that way.  I had to have someone push me through the door the first time I was so scared and apprehensive, but with the help of the staff, I made it in and made it through.  What everyone else said in this post is true.  Especially drinking enough water.  I kept getting dehydrated even though I did a lot of drinking.  Your doctors will keep a close eye on your organs and any signs for damage, so trust in them and listen to what they tell you.  It is also true that you will be in a "chemo fog" with your thinking at times so take someone with you to make sure you hear everything correctly.  I am a 2 year survivor and feel great now......  So listen to your body and to your doctors and network with other cancer patients, they are usually always willing and happy to help another patient.  Good luck.   

I understand you yes!!! when i was diagnosed in June 2006 i was VERY scared and i was 33 and with three children at home. The only thing i would say to you is. The only thing on me that was damaged was my bones! I have been diagnosed not (up to today) with Osteo-Porosis, Osteo-Arthritis, R.A. and well. Last month i was diagnosed with Fybro-Myalgia and this is from the Chemo. Now bear in mind i have the max doses as well due to my cancer being so very agresive.Now i will tell you all this and ill tell you this as well Everyone will react different to this. My one friend i met while i was doing my chemo had the exact same chemo and has no long term effects. She started the same time as me and ended the same time. The only thing i want you to really watch is your bones and your nerve endings. I have no feeling in any of my toes or my fingers. Any nerve endings i cant feel. Ask for a bone density test to be done before your chemo starts and then another after you are done. Ask to get registerd with a pain clinic as well just for a back up. Go to the closest cancer clinic web site as they are more accuret then other sites. Your Clinic will be the best for any info you may need from diets to health issues to Dr.s advice as well. Educate yourself very very well on ALL the side effects to. But dont be to scared as we have done this before and made it ok. Take one day at a time ok. Also as well i was only sick on my first chemo and then they adjusted all my meds and i didnt get sick at all after that(Vomit). Take a book or a puzzel or anything to keep ur mind busy. Also ask for a PICC line as well cause sometimes vains may collapse and then it is very painfull after for any IV to be put in. .. Take Care ok ..

 

 

here's a link to a newspaper story about chemobrain: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=655669

also see if your doctor will prescribe ritalin, which helps a lot with the fog. 

jerr117, Thank you for replying. I had my first chemo today 1/16/08. I had some business to take care of in Idaho so I went there before starting the chemo, and to give myself a little more time to think about it without feeling to rushed. I started thinking if I didn't do the chemo that I would not have taken all the oppurtunities that I needed to fight and win this battle. So far today I have not had the nausea or anything else, except the tiredness and the "chemo fog" as you mentioned.I am glad or as much as you can be that I am doing this and will be going to get a wig as soon as I have enough strengh. I am planning on going to one of my nephews wedding in March which they scheduled my treatments around so I can go, so I diffenently will need a wig.I have 8 nephews and I have gone to all the weddings and will not miss this one either.There are 2 left to marry so we all almost out of nephew weddings to have. Thanks for the encouragement and info. Hope you are doing good also.

  I know what you mean.  I dreaded starting chemo MUCH more than I did surgery.  I had surgery to remove a section of my colon in Dec of 2007.  I started chemo (Xeloda) yesterday.  I am doing good so far but I have a long way to go.

 

hi kathy b  i am starting  chemo tomorrow and did alot of reading about it and talked to  some people about it i am scared but also anxious to get it over and go on with my life they say a positive attitude and knowledge is the best thing  let me know  how your doing