[Chelee]

Diannes, Believe me I was scared to death before my first infusion. I just imagined the worse, and like you wondered how much a body can take with all these drugs in it.

But after my first infusion I felt like I could breath again. It was such a major relief. It was non-eventful and everything went smoothly. Once you have the first one behind you the next time you will know what to expect and it will be so much easier...I promise you that.

As to nausea meds you do want to take them as prescribed. I was told to take mine the morning prior to my infusion and then again later that day, & then as needed. Your oncologist or chemo nurse will explain it to you. Do not wait to see if you will get sick...just take them. They also give you something for nausea in your IV and I doubt you will have any problems at all with that. The medications they have for nausea these days are great. After my 3rd or 4th infusion of TCH I was comfortable enough to go without any nausea meds and did just fine. So don't stress too much over all this. Easier said then done...I know!

When it comes to your herceptin you will get that last...after the taxotere, and carbo. (That's how it was given to me and all the other woman I've spoken to.) Plan on a very long day! They like to take things slowly the first time around to see how you will react to the medication. So bring books, MP3, DVD player or whatever will help you pass the time. Your chemo nurse will give you Benadryl in your IV so you will probably be sleepy and might doze off for a while...very common. Bring something to keep you warm because the chemo rooms tend to be on the cool side. You might want to bring some snacks too for when you get hungry. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated because this helps.

As to side affects...they usually are not immediate. They tend to hit you on day three. The 1st & 2nd day you will probably feel fine. That 3rd day to about six days after it was the worse for me. Then I always had a complete week when I felt pretty good just in time to go back for my next infusion. When it comes to how you will feel...you will have to play it by ear and see how things go for you. Your right...every "body" is different. I know of many woman that worked through their entire treatment...then there are those that weren't up to it. Again you have to wait and see. Take one day at a time...thats all you can do.

The major side affects from the carbo and taxotere for me were lots of aches and pains all over my body. Kind of like flu symptoms...maybe a bit worse. A few low grade fevers but nothing major. Plus a terrible taste in my mouth...lost my appetite totally. Everything tasted awful...I believe its from the carbo. I had to force myself to eat. You can get a sore mouth so you need to watch that and let your onc know if you have any problems with it. And of course there will be days/times you will feel really tired and fatigued and need to lay down and rest. Just listen to your body and you will do ok. And of course you will lose your hair...mine started coming out in small clumps...by about day 17 or 18 it was gone. So just shaving your head before hand might be easier on you. You can get some neuropathy in your fingers and feet...but your chemo nurse will keep and eye out for that. After treatment that usually goes away...it did for me. Once you finish with the carbo and taxotere and are just doing herceptin alone it is a piece of cake in comparision.

And yes...once you see how your feeling...I am sure there will be days you will feel up to shopping and going out. TCH is not a walk in the park....I'm not saying it's easy by any means...but it is very doable as they say. I know how scared you are but you are going to do fine. You hang in there and keep asking questions. It won't be long and this will be all behind you.

Chelee