Help,please!

[beckersjay]

I am due to start chemotherapy for lung cancer on Monday. Suddenly it's all too real and my positive thinking has gone out of the window. I'm really scared and worried - about the illness, naturally, but also about the treatment. Any ABers out there who have experience of chemo or who can share some positive thoughts?

[SMP]

beckersjay, cannot begin to imagine how you must be feeling. Sending love and hugs.

[jackthehat]

No practical support from me, either, I'm afraid.

Just my very best wishes to you. :o)

[Kiki-frog]

No personal experience, but a friend who had lung cancer (and is now in remission, looking and feeling fantastic) said that it made her feel lousy at the time, but is so glad she had chemo. I can imagine that it's a very scary time for you, a real leap into the unknown, but we'll all be thinking of you. Let us know how you get on. Hugs. x

[beckersjay]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and best wishes. I will let you know how I get on. Tonight I'm planning to seek some Dutch courage in a bottle of champagne..... (well, half a bottle)

[hammerman]

No advice here but i really can't imagine what you're going through. good luck to you, you're a bloody brave person so keep thinking positive and see the cancer as the enemy you've got to fight. Im sure that a positive mental attitude is half the battle with these nasty things.

[divegirl]

Oh how horrible for you :0(
I've just been given the all clear from cervical cancer so I really do feel your pain. I didn't have to have chemo though, they speyed me instead lol. If you have just half of the support that I had from my friends and family you'll be fine on that count and please always come on here to rant, there's always someone to listen to you. I found it very therapeutic to be able to talk to 'strangers'.

Get yourself a nice notebook/diary and write everything down, you're going to have loads of questions and be given a mountain of information, appointments etc.... write it all i one place.
I also read somewhere not to eat your favourite foods on days you have treatment as you'll hate that food for ever more. I wish I had more advice for you, but what you do have are my love and healing thoughts....be strong and keep laughing, it really is the best medicine, I wouldn't have got through the last months with out laughing.
Oh and make it a full bottle of Champers tonight....spoil yourself....you deserve it!!!!!

Lisa xxxx

Oh and please keep us updated x

[rockyracoon]

So sorry beckers, I can't offer any practical help, but I can and do wish you luck and a speedy recovery.

[DTCwordfan]

You may not like the man or the sport, but these are inspirational - we gave them to a friend who had stage 3 breast cancer and she found them invaluable....she is in remission.

It's Not About The Bike: My Journey Back to Life and (ii) Every Second Counts, both by Lance Armstrong ...

[divegirl]

I'm posting this link for you to read... if you are easily offended then don't open it as some of the language is erm.....a bit choice lol. It's not from an official cancer site but theres some really good tips on there for surviving the chemo [remember it's the chemo that will make you feel like sh*te]

http://www.reddit.com..._ii_breast_cancer_im/

Lisa x

[craft1948]

My daughter's best friend had to have chemo, it wasn't pleasant but she managed very well...............she's now been in remission for 12 years and is as fit as a fiddle.

[ladybirder]

You will find the strength to face it beckersj and you have everyone here cheering you on through this horrible time in your life. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. X

[lilacben]

beckersjay, I have no help to give you except for saying all my love and thoughts will be with you. I know it will not be easy for you but I feel sure you will go ahead and knock this so and so right between the eyes!!!!!! You can fight this and must believe that. Show it the door with a hefty kick up the butt.!! Love Brenda xx

[gness]

Beckersjay. I am an atheist and don`t believe in miracles but I once experienced the most amazing......well I don`t know what to call it....something that couldn`t possibly happen did. I won`t bore you with the story but I know, without a shadow of doubt, that it happened through the love and thoughts of the people who cared about us. And through the prayers of the Christians among our family and friends.
You have so many people wishing the very best for you and we will be thinking of you as you go through this terrible time. Hold on to that. Of course it is hard for you to be positive...you have so much to be thinking of. We will all be positive and think of you even when we are not on AB.
Keep us up to date as you can.
With all my love.Gxx Enjoy the fizz!

[looobylooo]

I send you my very very best wishes, beckersjay, I hope it all goes okfor you x
I know it'll be hard, but try and keep as strong and as positive as you can, and remember, come and chat with us whenever you feel like a natter and / or a listening ear :o) xx

[Mamyalynne]

beckersjay, there are so many types of Chemo - each has it's ow side effects, you will be fully briefed about them and remember not everyone gets them to the same degree. Tiredness is a big issue, so make sure you get lots of rest, nausea should be covered by a med they give you too.

The day of treatment can be long and boring in some cases, take lots to read or occupy yourself and something to wet your whistle too - the best advice from me is to ask ask and ask some more, they know how scary it is.

Sending all my love and positivity.

Mamya ♥

[puzzled54]

A friend at work has just finished 6 sessions of chemo, and she seems to have come through it very well. Nausea and tiredness were both a problem for the week after each session, so plan to take it easy and be looked after. Hope you have a good network of friends and family to support you; us virtual friends will be sending good thoughts your way.
Keep strong, but dont forget we are here if you need a shoulder to cry on, or a good rant!

[NOX]

Not personally, but have known a few people who have had chemo- tiredness and feeling you can't cope and panicking are all to be expected, as well as the more usual physical things but know you are doing the right thing in being treated and that there is light at the end of the tunnel- feeling yukk doesn't last forever and plenty of people do beat cancer. Keep strong and take our love and best wishes with you.

[silliemillie]

Hi Becker, I am sending my love & support to you as I know how you feel (I am a big C battler myself)

As others have said, all types of chemo r different but I found the 'daily' ones not too bad (just a bit tired & sick) so make sure you have someone to take you home. But it wasnt as bad as I thought.

After several weekly chemo day sessions I had to stay in hospital for a few weeks where they did a super duper blast & then I was really ill, but hopefully you dont have to do that, it was only cos I had a bone marrow transplant.

After you have the first session out of the way you will know what to expect & feel better, sometimes the unknown is worse than the reality.

Lots & lots of best wishes.

Please let us know how you get on.

Millie XXXX

[woofgang]

just wanted to add my good thoughts and prayers to the heap of good wishes.

[Greedyfly]

All I can do is send positive thoughts and hope that things get better soon for you.