[Ruth]

Use the numbing cream (lidocaine - 4%) with a big glob of it. I asked my pharmacist for some or get a prescription for it. Cut a square piece of saran wrap (press n seal is best) over the cream at least 30 minutes before anticipated stick and then it should be numb. You'll feel the punch of the needle but no pain. If you don't wrap it completely with no air getting in- it won't sufficiently numb it.

It seemed that I had a longer wait time at the beginning of chemo treatments because they have alloted more time to you anyway. I would give your office another few visits before you bail on them...especially if you like your doctor. When I first started it was an all day affair but by the time it was only herceptin I was in and out usually under 2 hours. It is hard sometimes but the office staff has bad days too. A lot of the time they are over booked and that makes everyone unhappy...including the front liners. I came to know all of them so well. It was a blessing to have them as you go on this long journey of going to the office which seemed to be ALL THE TIME :-). As a hint - don't schedule on Mondays for treatment. They are ALWAYS the busiest. Wednesday is usually the best and you feel worse on Friday and can recover by Sunday.

Hugs ~ Ruth