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Hi Karen! I've completed two rounds of the same chemo that's being recommended for you. I was diagnosed with IIIA NSCLC on February 15 of this year. I'm scheduled for a RML lobectomy on May 23, and I'll probably do some more chemo after surgery. There are side effects, and the severity varies from person to person. Fortunately, they have great medicine to mitigate the side effects. They want us to successfully complete the treatment, because not completing the treatment is no bueno for kicking cancer's butt. Here are some side effects I experienced, as well as what doctors did to help me. Your mileage may vary. Nausea - I disliked this one the most. Fortunately, they loaded me up with lots of anti-nausea meds, gave me IV hydration appointments in-between appointments, which included IV anti-nausea and anti-stress meds, and were willing to experiment with new meds if what I used wasn't strong enough. Smells and Taste - I became hypersensitive to smells, and things began to taste funny. Some people prefer hot food during chemo, I preferred cold, because it had less scent. Weight Loss - No doubt related to the above two side effects, I lost weight quickly, because I didn't feel well, and things tasted and smelt terrible to me. The doctors don't like this at all. They gave me doses of steroid, additional anti-nausea meds and hydration, and marinol to stimulate my appetite. Fatigue - This varies from day to day, and may vary at time of day. Naps are essential, but so are walks, even if they are baby strolls through the backyard. Hair Loss - I haven't lost all of my hair yet. It's gotten noticeably thinner. I suspect it will get much thinner after the next rounds. The severity of hair loss varies from person to person. I was very nervous as well. I'm nervous about the upcoming surgery too! Do you have a support system at home? Friends and family who can be there while you receive chemo? I have found that to be very helpful. Are you scheduled to actually receive the chemo on Monday, or are they still setting you up? If you are receiving it, have they installed a port, and given you an "education class", etc? Although the above side effects look unpleasant, I agree with Tom. It's worth pushing through. You've been through the tough part. They really do have great ways of dealing with the unpleasant side effects, because THEY WANT YOU TO SUCCEED. Oh, and stay hydrated! It's really important. Mel