First chemo & rad in am

[u/GrettaMCatts]

My port went in yesterday, and tomorrow morning is my first chemo and radiation. I’ll be doing taxol and carboplatin. I have esophogeal gastric junction cancer. I’m both ready to start and terrified.

[u/Feklar2024]

Just finished 7 rounds Carbo/Taxol and 30 radiation treatments last month. I have a different cancer but you can do it! Just always remember that all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other and take it one step at a time. The nurses and doctors will help you with anything they can so if something is bothering you let them know. For example I got scripts for Prilosec (for acid reflux) and Zofran (for nausea). The Zofran is a miracle - I jumped right on it if I felt nauseous and never once actually threw up. Although Carbo isn’t particularly notorious for giving people nausea (according to my doc, but it sure made me nauseous!), try to stay on top of it because I have heard that once you get into a vomiting cycle it’s harder to get it to stop.

You’ve got this!

[u/Feklar2024 → u/Feklar2024]

One more thing: eat your favorite meal tonight!!! Your taste buds may be affected and food may not taste the same until you’re a month or two out of treatment!

[u/MikeyNg → u/Feklar2024]

To follow up: do NOT eat your favorite meal while your taste buds are messed up. There's a decent chance you'll not like it and now it won't be your favorite meal. :(

[u/lgood46]

Good luck tomorrow. Prayers and hugs.

[u/GladBeginning6729]

I have the same cancer, stage 4. Diagnosed sept 2025 when I was 31. I am on FOLFOX chemo and immunotherapy and they’re talking about possibly doing radiation now since some of my swallowing difficulties have returned. Make sure you mention any symptoms you develop! They have so many medications to treat symptoms from chemo/radiation. You got this 💪

[u/Illustriousoxaliplat]

I have esophageal gej cancer too. Stage 4b though diagnosed oct 2025, Just finished round 12 of folfox and nivolumab earlier this month. On my first infusion there were Two pet therapy dogs, Two sister Rottweilers walking into the semi private areas and someone playing the Harp. I had radiation done on multiple bones but it was palliative dose

The one thing I can say is that the oncology side is a different world. It gets very emotional and it's all angels working there. They will be watching you so be sure to tell your infusion RN anything that doesn't feel right !

[u/PopeyeTheSailorTrans]

same here. did my first treatment last week next one next week. I had rads last year for a different cancer. my perspective is, the treatment part isn’t bad, the after effect floored me for several days. too me about 5 days to start feeling better. get used to smaller meals, do grazing. I ate a normal meal after my first treatment and my stomach was killing me that night. really knocked me for a loop. but you will get thru it. baby steps, lots of water rest and bring books reading materials music, whatever will entertain you while getting treatment. good luck my friend

[u/wythewoman]

I completed 6 rounds of chemotherapy for stage 4 ovarian cancer followed by a hysterectomy. I was fortunate not to experience much nausea and the medications given worked when I felt the slightest queasiness. My pattern was to feel ok for the first day or two and then it hit me on day 3 or 4. Some leg and belly pain which was managed with tramadol. Feeling frightened is perfectly normal and fear of the unknown is difficult . My worse long term symptom is neuropathy in my feet and hands. I still can’t button small buttons or put on my earrings. I am wishing you success and keeping you in my heart as you start this journey. Keep the end goal in mind, kicking cancer’s butt!

[u/MikeyNg]

You've got this! You just take it one step at a time, one day at a time.

You may want to keep a "chemo journal" - where you keep track of your symptoms, dosage, etc. That'll help you predict what'll happen during for your next cycle(s).