I just learned my chemotherapy and immunotherapy are scheduled to begin Monday morning, with check-in at 8:45 a.m. at the Queen’s Cancer Clinic in the Kuakini Medical Building (the earlier version of this post erred by describing the Queen’s location for tomorrow’s placement of a chest port, which is at the front of my mind right how, but not the location where I’ll be getting chemo).
On Wednesday, in preparation, I have a zoom video appointment with an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse from my oncologists office to go over what to expect during chemo. It’s also my chance to ask any remaining questions or seek further information about, well, just about anything.
I have practical things to figure out. Scheduling rides to and from the chemo infusion sessions, for example. Uber and Lyft will take care of the rest.
What should I bring to pass the time during the long 5-6 hour infusion sessions? Should I bring snacks? What do I need to bring to stay comfortable during each session?
And, I wonder, when I can expect side effects to kick in. Are they likely to start immediately? Later after I get home?
What’s the chance that I’ll escape any very unpleasant side effects?
Lots of questions occurring to me now, so I’ll make a list for reference during tomorrow’s call.
And I’ve heard from several people who are anxious to share lessons from their own experiences.
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Best wishes for a smooth process. I hope you have the best possible outcomes. ?We are all sending you lots of love and good vibes!
All the very best! You are so brave !!
Sending all good wishes for best possible progress and outcome as you begin this leg of your journey to full recovery, Ian. We want to support you in whatever ways needed and will follow your progress with love and aloha. You got this! Of that I am sure…
I’ve been keeping you in my daily prayers and will continue to stand with all of your prayer warriors! I believe you will do very well…????
The sooner you get started, the sooner it will be over and you can get on with living! Our thoughts and much love are with you.
Good luck! I brought berries to eat as part of the fmd i told you about. And my book after the 1st day cuz SO works and i did the 3hr roundtrip on my own. I felt no side effects until day 4 after but i figured out i was crashing from the steroids (dexamethasone) stopping so i got an extra 4mg tablet and took a quarter a day and never had the day 4-6 yucks. I did vomit the 1st night but had felt so good on the way home we stopped and got a veg burrito bowl, the oil not really allowed on the fmd. Never made that mistake again. Kaiser made the infusions very comfortable, telling me each drug being administered. The onco naturopath had prepared me with the fmd and supplements to handle chemo. They’ll give you beau coup antinausea meds. I lived in colorado so supplemented with edible thc/cbd. My nausea levels/vomiting only bothered me when i drank a too large veg juice and that first night. Oh, that program i mentioned Sq 2 by chris beat cancer.com? It’s available free right now. Just a wealth of information and sound advice. You got this!!!!
Ian: thank you for sharing your experience. I haven’t had anyone close to me undergo chemo, etc. so it is enlightening. Hope for the best, and good luck !
Hugs, love and cheers for your journey.
The Cancer Society used to offer Angels on Wheels who provide rides to and from treatments. Not sure if that’s still an option.
I live in Kaimuki, am a retired medical social worker, and would be happy to escort you.
E-mail me and we can compare schedules.
Closest parking for your chauffeur is in the main structure on the 3rd or 5th floor, then walk across the sky bridge to the next set of elevators, and take it down to the basement level. There will be lots of time for book reading! Keep your water flask handy! And the phone power charging bank! Envisioning healing energy.
Ooops! Your comment made me realize that I had the wrong location for my chemo. I chose the small Queen’s Cancer Clinic in the Kuakina medical office building. It allows me to avoid the busy central Queen’s hospital location, except that’s where I will be on Thursday for placement of a chest port. After that, I’ll be at Kuakini on infusion days.
You have very good questions for the nurse. You are educating all of us by sharing and I really appreciate it. It takes courage and fortitude to aim for a balanced attitude as you go into this. If you are going to watch movies or series on your IPad I recommend “Unforgettable” which is streaming on Amazon. The plots and acting are good….we’ve been watching one episode a night through June so are through the first season (22 episodes) and now midway through the second season. Bring some good ear buds to pair up with the Ipad. Thinking of you!