Chemotherapy Questions:

Question #1 Is it normal for a person to be extremely nervous before chemotherapy starts?

Definitely. For one, you would be thinking that you'll be getting "potent" drugs. Drugs that could could kill every cell in your body. Plus it doesn't help that whenever the chemo nurse comes and gives you the treatment she has her chemo gown, chemo gloves and eyeshields on. And when you ask her why she is wearing that, she tells you "to protect myself from those chemicals". Chemicals! Just the word sends chills to majority of patients.

Before starting, your nurse needs to start a clean stick IV (we want to make sure we give chemo in a freshly start IV). We usually want a large bore needle. If you are squemish about this or you have a hard time, your nurse might use an EMLA cream (per MD's order) first to numb that spot where she would poke you. If you are a frequent chemo patient, the doctor might order a PICC placed or a PORT (I'll discuss port and PICCs next post.) They would be easier for the patient because it would mean less poke from the rest of the medical staff.

Relaxing is the key. Some patients think of it as "another regular IV bag or another IV push" just to get them over the experience. Others ask for a "relaxing medication" (Xanax or Ativan) prior to the treatment. While some, at the time of the injection, they bring their CDs or iPods with earphones and they listen to some soft music, or a relaxation tape.