Ready.....Set....

When you had your port put in I thought about posting with advise but realized that the only thing I had to add was make sure to not let them place it where your bra strap rubbed on it..........didn't seem to be relevant so I skipped it.

Knowing you there is little I can tell you about chemo but here goes my best advise after 20 times to infusion I have few tips.

1. Never let your stomach get empty, if you do you will get sick every time. Always keep a pack of saltines and a juice box with you.

2. If your nausea meds are not working talk to them about taking them proactively. I found starting before the nausea was the only way for me.

3. If you have any symptom a snivel a slight change in anything no matter how insignificant talk to your medical team about it! This is the most important thing we can ever tell anyone doing chemo. Your immune system is going to take a beating and a small thing can become a big thing very quickly if not addressed. Park stoic at the door this is not about complaining it is about giving possible critical information.

4. At some point for most of us chemo does affect our memory. I was so bad at one point that a friend threatened to pin a if lost return to note on my back. It came back fortunately no better than before but for a while invest in post a note stock.

5. Don't forget your need for extra protein your killing off cells and they need the right building blocks to rebuild. I craved chicken breast and spinach the whole way though chemo. I was just recently I could eat either again, chemo was over I turned green for years when I saw either.

6. If they tell you that you will lost your hair go ahead and shave it about the time they tell you it should happen. Waiting is like water torture and upsetting when it finally happens. I lost mine twice and tried waiting the first and the second I just did it and it was much easier and neater.

7. Like BCG the side effect can be cumulative, rest when you are tired eat even if you don't want to, exercise when you can. Cut yourself some slack it is hard sometimes but the reality is that this is one time in life you have to put yourself first and take really good care of you.

I wish I could tell you that the first day I walked in ready to kick cancer in the butt. But I can't the first day I was really afraid, the second day I was ready to kick butt though.

I will be down in Boston for my regular check up Friday but I expect to see a post from you telling us how it is going.

You will be in my thoughts.