Starting chemo on Monday (ovarian cancer)

I have to admit I'm a bit nervous. It would probably be odd if I weren't, I'm thinking.

I'm still not sure what drugs I'll be given. I only know that I'll be going once a week for six courses.

I'm nervous for a few reasons. Treatment was really delayed because one week after I got home from the hospital after my TAH I ended up having a major gall bladder attack and was back in the hospital and had more major surgery. (I still have a tube in me from the gall bladder surgery. The surgeon and oncologist think I can go ahead with chemo, though because the risk of infection is low.) The delay has made me nervous that the cancer cells have been busy spreading.

I'm also nervous about how it will affect me, of course. I'm trying not to anticipate any problems, but being aware of the intimidating list of possible side effects it's hard not to project. I don't mind losing my hair. heck, it will go great with the horrendous scars all over my belly, the tube sticking out of my stomach (I call it my pet alien), and my orange boob! (It's orange from all the betadine they swabbed on yesterday. I swear those staff members have a sense of humor! Lol!)

And here's a silly one. I'm nervous because I just got my port placed yesterday and it's really sore. When I was in recovery, a nurse warned me that a lot of times they like to start chemo quickly and it can be painful because the port hasn't had time to heal.

I'm more than ready to take this on, though! Heck, I've been ready to start this fight since the day I found out I had cancer!

I guess I just needed to air my condcerns a bit. I have a feeling this is something we all go through. (Pre-chemo nerves, not a pet alien or an orange boob! Lol!)

Thanks for listening!

Dear Bookwoman,
I really empathise with you. I'm due to start chemo in 3 weeks and I am nervous too. I'm not sure what to say to comfort you, I just hope you will recover quickly from your surgery and that the chemo does its job and gets rid of your cancer. In six weeks or so you'll be on the other side and can start feeling better. I had chemo last year (although I kept my hair that time) and it was not as bad as I expected. The very best of luck with your treatment, take care x

Wow, you've had a lot of surgeries in a short amount of time and still manage to keep your sense of humor. Hang on to that attitude. As for the port, there is something they can spray on(sorry I can't remember the name) to keep it from hurting so bad. It feels icy cold and numbs the area. Maybe someone else will know the name of it. If you're doing taxol/carboplatin plan on being there about 6 hrs. So be prepared with book, ipod or someone to keep you laughing. Good luck for a speedy recovery.

Dear Bookwoman3,

You have a zest for life, in your message. What a wonderful thing. You sound so upbeat and ready to go. I really admire you for that and for what you are going through. It can't be easy.

Take courage, knowing that we're here for you, whenever you need us.

Warm good wishes to you on this new part of your journey.

I had chemo shortly after having my port put in, too, and was worried that it hadn't healed enough (it was sore for several weeks). My doctor prescribed lidocaine cream that I put on about an hour before they access the port. I've never had it accessed without it, so I don't have a point of comparison, but I can reassure you that with the lidocaine, when it's done right (and chemo nurses have a lot of experience), it's close to painless. And I say this as a total wimp when it comes to any medical procedure. Ask your doc for the lidocaine.

And for the rest of it, my best advice is to take the good advice of the chemo nurses and treat side effects proactively. Don't wait for nausea or achiness to hit first.

I head in for my third chemo on Tuesday. I'll be thinking of you. Good luck, Bookwoman3!

Your upbeat attitude will carry you far! I just had my 4th of 6 carbo/taxol treatments yesterday. I, too, was concerned about all the side effects. I did lose about 60% of my hair after the first treatment and had the rest clipped off very short. I haven't lost anymore since, probably because the taxol dosage was decreased some to help with the severe constipation. I manage that with stool softeners, Miralax, and diet. I've had no nausea/vomiting, just some queasiness, little appetite, indigestion, etc. They have great anti-nausea meds that they give prior to the chemo now. Hopefully, you won't have that problem with your chemo drugs. I have some flu-like symptoms - achyness, feeling bad, no energy for several days. Then my appetite returns and I feel better. The fatigue is hanging on longer now, but they say that's to be expected. All in all, it's been doable, not fun, but it could have been worse, so I'll take it! Prayers and best wishes to you, Bookwoman.

*Hugs* Wishing you well for Monday.

Hello,
Just wishing you well. You sound like the type of person that will feel better knowing that you are accomplishing something for the fight (chemo). I think I was the same way, it was the sitting around and waiting to do something that bothered me the most - let's get to chemo and get on with it!
Are you talking about your IP port, or your IV port? I never had an IP port (never did the interperotoneal chemo), by my IV port that I had in my chest, I had that surgery to put it in during the AM, and that very morning started chemo...they left the port "accessed" after the surgery so chemo could be started (and I had carbo/taxol so it was a good 6 hours once they give you the steroids, benadryl, all that fun stuff....). My next treatment was 3 weeks later, and I didn't feel anything at all when they accessed it, and was so happy they didn't have to go poking around for a vein in my arm...
You'll do fine, and you sound more than prepared for chemo...as I believe it's a mental preparedness more than anything.
Take care! Keep us posted!

They did the same thing for me that they did for pokadot. As soon as I woke up from them inserting the port they wheeled me to the chemo room. It was pretty sore the next day, but I think that was more due to having this "thing" where nothing should be. It does get better in a few days though.

As the others have said, in 6 weeks this will be behind you and you'll be able to focus on healing. Until then, take it 1 day at a time.

Bookwoman - I'll offer some prayers for you as you begin your chemo. I'm so glad to hear that you're gearing up for the fight! We're all behind you - lots and lots of us, so never feel alone and check in often to let us know how you're doing.