I'm getting my first chemo of 5fu and oxaliplatin next Tuesday. Freaked the $%^& out,

[Evoman]

I've read so much about it yet I don't know what to expect. I've got stage 3 rectal cancer, am getting a port put in tomorrow, then chemo starts next week. I'm absolutely terrified...hell, I've even cried thinking about it and I am NOT a crier. I'm terrified of nausea and vomiting. Can anyone help me calm the fuck down.

[livetohike]

1. Evoman - I don't have any personal experience with chemo

but I know that the fact you are trying to find out all you can is a good thing. :hug:

Also, maybe you won't have nausea and vomiting - everyone doesn't react the same to the treatments (based on my friends/family who have had chemo).

Sending positive vibes to give you strength and calmness as you deal with this.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear evoman...

You just hustle yourself in here, and let us help you, OK? Any time at all...

Big hugs to you! I hope you will feel OK during this, and remember, the cancer doesn't like the chemo either.

I hope your health care providers can ease any pain/nausea that you might have.

:hug:

[Evoman]

3. Thanks Peggy.

I'm just trying to muster up some courage. It's such a scary thing to go through...and my family has such little experience with chemo.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I hear that...

Maybe your doctor could put you in touch with other patients who have already been down this road?

If not him, maybe someone else?

You can always be brave if you have enough support...

:hug:

[MerryBlooms]

5. I have ptsd

and my doc gives me ativan (sp). It doesn't get rid of the anxiety completely, but it does take the edge off enough to where I'm not sitting in the waiting room sobbing.

Sending love, hugs and best results, to you.

[dana_b]

6. my thoughts are with you

I was a pediatric oncology nurse for a few years. My only suggestions are to take it easy on your self and do things that you like to keep yourself calm and distracted. Art, reading, writing, music - whatever it is. Talk to your good friends/loved ones daily. Sleep when you want, eat when you want, and let people in.

Will this be out patient or in patient?

[Evoman]

11. Outpatient.

A shot of each drug every two weeks,plus 5fu is put on a pump for two days. The pump goes home with me.

[Brother Buzz]

7. I experienced zero nausea and vomiting but was whacked with dyskinesia

I initially thought it was caused by the Chemo drugs, but it turns out it was the antiemetic drugs. They changed the cocktail a bit for each treatment, but it always reoccurred. Weird, weird sensation that lasted a couple of hours. With a little luck, all you will experience is a general punk feeling on treatment days.

Five year Stage IV colon, stomach, and liver cancer survivor. You can beat it, too.

[elleng]

8. Evo, I'm no pro, but have chatted with someone with some experience.

If possible, look into marijuana, both for side effects and MAYBE for anxiety. (I've got an RX for Xanax which I use for 'situationjal anxiety.)(I think that's the name; have a generic.)

Don't hesitate to ask EVERYONE for help.

We'll be thinking of you.

:grouphug:

[Lucinda]

9. My experience....and I used to be the same way about nausea & vomiting.

I was as proactive as I could be by learning what to expect about possible side effects for the type of chemo I was given. This took a LOT of the fear out of the situation for me, even though I was reading about best case and worst case scenarios of peoples reactions to the specific drugs.

Stay ahead of the nausea by asking for anti-nausea meds ahead of time, and take it BEFORE you even get queasy. It will make a huge difference.
Rest when you need it, eat when you feel you can, even if you aren't hungry.
Other than one or two little glitches, nausea was not a big problem for me once I started taking the anti-nausea meds as a preventative.

Lucinda

[seabeyond]

10. i wish the best for you

as far as the fear today, for what is going to happen in the future...

breathe
sit in the now. today. not tomorrow...

work on meditation and find a peaceful place. i would imagine it can come in real handy even in the experience of what is happening to you, and the sickness you feel

easy for me to say

but fear is generally generated thinking of past, thinking of future, but never from what you are experiencing in the moment

take care of you.....

[Evoman]

12. It's hard for me. I'm in pharmacy school and didn't want to drop out because of cancer

but even with help and reduced load, there are lots of times when I'm thinking of future.

It's hard for me to meditate too, because im so uncomfortable because of the cancer. I dont think the chemo on top of that is going to make me much better.

[FloridaJudy]

13. As a pharmacy student

You must know there's a ton of meds out there that can help relieve the side-effects of chemo. It may take a few tries, but I'm sure you and your oncologist can come up with ways to make it easier on you.

But I understand your fear. All you have to do is say "chemo" and I want to urp.

Hang in there, We want to have you around for a long, long time,

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. I can offer a hug! *hugest of hugs*

[Dystopian]

15. You inspired me to call.

I just called my daughter, an R.N., and as you know .....you know more than she does about meds...but it was a beautiful call. As soon as I told her that you were a pharmacy student, it didn't matter. She said she wasn't going to look up the meds and side effects...She knew that you knew. I've held her more times than I care to remember regarding fear of vomiting. ...she's almost forty....
As you already know, everyone reacts to meds differently and your MD(s) will ensure that you have medication.....
She told me beautiful stories...made me laugh...and I only hope that you keep your spirits up.
"Mind over matter"....is what she said.
In spite of her many medical conditions...she lives life to the fullest. Daily.

Good. You should be thinking of the future....there is much ahead.
Meditate...think of the future....
This is merely a bump in the road.
Only words of wisdom that I have...from my daughter...who knows what life may bring, and ignores it....
Live in the moment...every moment....

Tomorrow...or perhaps tomorrows from today...
There will be peace and joy....

Wishing you the best....
You'll get through this....
Thinking of you with heartfelt thanks...you inspired a call...
And you also have a calling....

I know fear...fear of the known and unknown....
Soon this will be a thing of the past.

peace and love to you~

[applegrove]

16. Tears are your friend. Get used to them. That is the best thing you

can do to deal with horrid anxiety and fear. There is also deep belly breaths. Sometimes they can stave off anxiety. Best wishes on your treatment. ((((HUGS))))

[TuxedoKat]

17. No experience

but hoping and praying for a good outcome for you. Try to stay positive, it will attract more positive energy and feelings to you. (((HUGS))) You can do this. :)

[Zorra]

18. +1+

[Contrary1]

19. I've been through chemo...

I'm not gonna sugar coat it for you. It can be rough. But, you can do this.

There are some great meds for nausea when going through chemo. They are very expensive. With my first round, I was nauseous...but didn't, or maybe the better word is couldn't throw up. I would have felt better if I could have. The chemo nurse was very upset upon hearing that, and changed the medication. It was better after that.

The day before...eat as if you have the flu. Soups, dry toast, jello, stuff like that. Don't have that last great meal where you eat whatever you want. Stay clear of fried foods. Drink plenty of liquids. You'll fare better.

Same thing after treatment. No matter how great you think you feel...eat like you have the flu.

Prepare a "chemo travel kit" for the car. Take a blanket, you may have chills. Pack some wet wash cloths in a zip-lock bag. Also, take along a bucket. Better to be ready, just in case. (I only needed the wash cloths.)

I have talked to many women (breast cancer) all over the country getting ready to go through chemo. Without a doubt, nausea and vomiting is the thing they feared the most. So, I will tell you what I told them. You threw up as a baby, you threw up as a toddler...you've been there before, and you're still here. It wasn't fun, but you survived, and you will get through this also.

It's ok to be afraid, it's ok to cry. I did a lot of that. But, I eventually found a strength within myself that I didn't know existed. You will too.

You can private message me if you like. I would be more than happy to give you a call, if you think it might help. I had a different cancer than you, but I just put another notch on my survivor bedpost. It was my 14th.
You'll get there. :pals: