Chemotherapy is not as terrible as they say!

OH, guicha...this is such a POSITIVE discussion, for which I thank you...as I know that I, too, am on the fence, and don't know from biopsy to biopsy, test to test, when and if I will need chemo, and reading some positive here, would surely help with my fears and trepidation! Just reading this positive re-inforcement from you...truly has helped! AND, Marguicha--I will save this discussion for my son to read! He is being biopsied on Jan. 3 for "skin cancer"...I only found out last nite--he didn't want to tell me, with it being so heavy on my mind! Thank you..Thank you, as now I have to try and be strong for him, too! I'm in a bit of a whirlwind, this morning!

That is exactly correct, chemotherapy is not that horrible like the popular believed out there, it all depend on the severity of the disease you contracted as in this case, the stage where the cancerous tumor has reached. In an early stage of the disease, chemo. treatment side effect is not that bad and horrific as it sound like in most people mind, a physically and emotionally strong patient can easily overcome the side effect with proper care and close monitoring . Compare to the outcome of doing nothing and let the tumor continue to grow inside your body, it is a treatment that is well worth your time and money, not even mention you stand a chance to survive and avoid more suffering and pain later on before it take away your life. Take heart on this, if you are diagnosed with cancer by your doctor, don't afraid to take his or her advice to go on chemo. treatment if that is the only option for you and is strongly recommended by your doc.

Hello dear... I don't have any experience.. But I wish you speedy recovery from your pains n illness... Take care of yourself... God bless you!!!

Hi marhuicha This is quite a positive discussion. I have known only one person - one of our family docs - who had cancer and was undergoing Chemo. She lost her hair, her skin went pale and other things but the best part was that the last results came out negative and she is now free from cancer. I have been following some of your discussions since you mentioned the Chemo and also the lymphoma - and I see a positive you on these which is quite a big healer in itself. I wish you a great health always. Take care

hi friend, so glad you are well now and have a positive outlook, well I still dread it cause I saw so many of my love ones underwent it since cancer seems to be in the genes of females in my mother's side of the family. I think another thing most dread in our country when you say " chemotherapy" is the expenses that comes with it

That's great, you're having remission, i hope that it will continue to get better. I have a friend who also had cancer, She was able to survive. She also had chemotherapy of course, which is really a big help, and works for her. When we visited her, she's already bald, she's losing her hair, because this is the effect of chemo. This is just normal, it will grow again, as you did. She also wore some wig, which is cool, because she's a blonde now. LOL.

Well, luckily for me, Cancer is not a thing I have had to deal with. I have known many that have, and have seen the issues they have had to face. But hey I would think anything to help someone live longer is a plus. I know with all my Health issues anytime you are faced with something New it is scary, but if you just learn to trust God with everything you are going thru, one day soon they can all look back knowing it was truly worth it all.

During my chemo I learned that if I ate something small like toast or half of a half of bagel I didnt get nausea, I would end up sleeping for a day and a half or my food tasted like metal. But like you said I wouldn't want people to fear it. I suggest, if they let you have someone in with you, bring a friend. My nurses let my mom in with me (I was 24). My cancer is in remission now as well because of Chemo (and I think prayers), I had Lymphoma as well ^_^. It was kinda fun watching my hair grow back. 4 years later and my hair is as long as it was when I began treatments, I went through so many colours and am now back to my blonde. But I think having that support helped also because she helped keep my nerves calm,so did eating just a little.

Chemo - 1 Cancer - 0 Hooray for you. Keep on keeping on and whip that nasty old cancer!

I'm glad Chemo wasn't as harsh on you as some other people. I appreciate you sharing your experiences because if you remember correctly several months back I thought I had it because of the way the doctor said, you either have this or that and didn't say there was a 3rd option of not having either. Do you already have a color for your hair you've decided to dye it or are you going to pick whatever when the time comes?

This is a good discussion, always we fear most the unknown and by sharing experiences such as yours it makes it easier for others to face this treatment. I do know that they have made these treatments much easier to bear over the years. Blessings to all who are facing this.

Unfortunately, I have too much experience with this ... not me personally, but very close friends and family. Every person does react differently, and I am very glad to hear that not only did the chemotherapy work for you but also that it was not as terrible as you expected. I am going to leave it at that, since this is a positive discussion and I do not want to bring it in a different direction.

Fortunately, I never had to do chemo. But, I spend all my days at the hospital since I study Medicine and a few semesters ago we spend a few months with the children that had cancer. It was very sad situation, specially because they were only kids. Chemo is different for each person. There were kids that didn't had any bad effect, the majority felt a little uncomfortable after the chemo and had a few that had really bad effects.

I wish you a speedy recovery,chemotherapy is indeed very painful for some patients,during your chemotherapy,if try to use traditional Chinese medicine to tone,may be better.marguicha,if you have physical conditions,then the sun came out to the sun,think of something fun to do a lot,a lot of activity,your disease will soon be better.Come on!

Different people have different reactions to chemotherapy. some people have little affects from the procedure while others become despondent. It is an experience that nobody should have to suffer but it does bring more to life for so many.

I have a family who has suffering with bone cancer, he should do chemotherapy for several times, and he looks so painful. His hair fall gradually. I think it's depend on the cancer levels.