For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....

jpsgirl96

Karen and Sylvie - Sorry such a rough day for you both.
Mindy - Hope you are feeling okay...I had trouble to sleep on the first night (I only had the steroid in the drip, no pills before or after) and took a Tylenol pm which helped.
I crashed a bit today - just very tired by about 3 or so, came home and had a couple of hours of sofa crash. Leigh

peejay

Had my second TAC today at the new place, and what a huge difference it was! Now I'm shaking because all the nervousness about switching docs and stuff is gone. I will probably lie down and be out for the whole night... unless I have to pee LOL!

I tell ya, this one is hitting me a little harder than the first as far as tiredness is concerned, but it could be the nerves too. Interesting thing is that this onc gives neulasta the same day as treatment. Says in his years of working with it (and he has a total of 29 years with all the drugs) it doesn't really make a difference 24 hours or same day, so I don't have to go back tomorrow! But I do have to have a port put in for my last 4 treatments, it's kind of scary going into surgery again, even though it's minor. But it will cut a good 35-45 minutes off my treatments trying to hook a good vein. To me, that IV is the worst part, now I won't have to worry about that either.

So I'm mostly tired, didnt' get a headache this time from the steroids (crosses fingers, and knocks wood!) felt a little quesy, but I ate half a small steak and some mashed potatos. Rest is for lunch tomorrow. bedtime now.

Paula

JulieMcKeehan

New to TAC 3/31.
I've just started TAC x6. I was so rushed that I didn't have decadron until chemo day in an IV drip. I'm also did Emend and Zofran (which is giving me a heck of a headache). My stomach hurts slightly all the time, with stronger pains in the morning and when I eat (which makes that harder to do). I did my Neulastia shot on Saturday. I was okay until day 3 then I got really tired. Day 4 was worse (shakes, hard to get up at all), but Day 5 has been better. I do have one big question, I'm getting different answers about when my hair goes. Is it day 10 or later at day 20? Or is it vary and there is no way to tell.

I'm so glad to find this thread. I hope we can all see each other through this.

Regards,
Julie

mindyk

Julie, I am not to sure about the whole hair falling out process either. The lady that I went to for my wig is a cancer survivor and works with alot of people with cancer. She is saying that hair usually starts coming out on day 16 after 1st chemo , but I think it just varies from person to person. So, I really don't know either! Any one else help on this???? My daughter is 7 and she wants to cut my hair before I have it shaved and I am doing the shave thing on the 18th. Which will be my 16th day. Plus my wig lady will do any adjustments that need to be made with my wig. I don't want to see it fall out or wake up with hair everywhere. I think that would may be more traumatic for me watching it fall out. But that is just my opinion. I have very thick hair now so I can hardly fit my wig on with my hair still there, so before I wear my wig, my hair has to go!
I didn't sleep much at all last night and even took Tylenol pm. I go back to the onc for my neulasta shot today so I am going to ask about something to help me sleep. Also yesterdays bloodwork showed my wbc was high? Don't know for sure why that is. They were wondering if maybe I am trying to fight off some kind of infection. But I have no symptoms of infection.
Hope everyone is doing ok and I will keep in touch. I know that we will all get through this together.

Keep positive!
Hugs and prayers,

Mindy

Mindy

MarciaA

Greetings fellow TAC ladies! I can relate to everyone's symptoms. I am learning the hard way that for me day 4-6 are the worst for fatigue and living in a fog. I would love to get a magic pill to get some sleep but I am afraid of being even spacier from what I am hearing about drugs like Ambien.

Peejay, I am glad you are happier with your new onc. Getting a port isn't much fun but it is better than being poked..you will be joining the ranks of us other (port)cyborg chicks. I am a little surprised that the doc gave you a neulasta shot the same day. The drug manufacturers are specific in their timing of administration it reads: Neulasta® should not be administered in the period between 14 days before and 24 hours after administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy (see PRECAUTIONS). I just hope that the effectiveness isn't affected. I would just watch your blood work 10 days each chemo.

Take care ladies, we are in a tough protocol.
MarciaA.

peejay

Yeah, I asked them about 16 times about the neulasta also. but they have had the same results either way. And my jaw pain is here, right on schedule from it, so it must be working. I think they are afraid that the chemo will kill the new cells, and make the shot less effective, which is why they say 24 hours. I will find out when the draw me. It lowered and then went up to almost the max last time, and he said I was young, healthy, blah blah blah.. Will keep you updated.

How long did the port hurt after you got it put in? I want to schedule it when I dont' have anything coming up so I can lay low and baby myself even more. I can't wait for no more sticks in the stupid arm!! Except.. they will have to do one to get an IV in me for the surgery. D'oh!!

Heck yeah this protocol is tough I'm finding out! But it's the best out there for us, and we deserve it! After out 6 treatments we will all be so glad of our low risk of recurrence and that we got through it all. I'm going on vacation the second week it's over, right before rads start just to get away! Cyborg chicks... hehehe

Paula

svans

Well I must say that I feel better than I did on Monday!! Im just a little tired, trying to make myself eat something is hard but just a little at a time. My headahes is finally gone and now just dealing with tired and sore all over my body. I will take being sore and tired over throwing up any day!!

Hope evryone is hanging in there, now its a count down to when this is all over!! Thank goodness. I will keep you all in my prayers

Sylvie

JulieMcKeehan

I had a port put in on Tuesday, 3/28 at the same time they did another biopsy. For three days it felt like I couldn't move my head well (like a bad neck cramp) and then it got a little better the next day. By the weekend it was just annoying, though not painful. I know its there, but it doesn't do more than pull funny if I turn to fast. I hope this helps!
Regards,
Julie

MarciaA

Sylvie, I hope you get some nausea medication that works better before your next round. Having to use a suppository should be last resort. I got Emend and zofran and phenergan to back up. I have a weak stomach anyway. I hope you have an easier time next time.

Paula, Give the port three weeks to feel ok, takes a while for swelling and stitches to settle. I notice it if I get in an awkward position or put my hand over my heart, although my surgeon put it under my collarbone in a muscle pocket and it isn't visible since it is a low profile one. It is a little more sensitive after each chemo round for about a day or so. Ask your surgeon for some Vicodin for the pain.. you can use any leftover for the bone pain from neulasta shots, works very well. Also I was prescribed a 1 mg. coumadin pill every day to keep the port from clotting. It keeps from having to get heparin inserted in the port between chemo.
Best wishes
MarciaA.

svans

Thanks Marcia, It will definitely be the first thing that I talk to my oncologist about when I see him on the 21rst of this month. I feel better today but obviously not myself.

I hope that everyone else is feeling ok.

Thanks for this support
Sylvie

kburns

Hi everyone. Day seven for me and doing better, but I must say every day seems to be very different. Yesterday I felt like I was hit by a truck and could not get off the couch. Today was much better, but the the bone pain started in the legs. 3 Advil helped and I went over to PS for my first fill. He put in 250cc which seems really high compared to what most people get. I feel like I have bricks in my chest. Sore, but not really painful.

Went for a short walk and got totally winded! Not sure if it is from the fill or the blood count stuff. Feel "sore throaty", but no fever.

I have hardly worked at all and feeling a bit guilty, but I truly do not know how folks can work full time with this regime. Bless you.

Take care everyone. Karen

baldeagle

I am having a port put in tomorrow AM. so your posts have been very helpful. I was planning to do a few things afterwards - but it sounds as tho I should plan to go home - and expect a bit of discomfort for a few days. Oh well, should be feeling beeter by the time chemo begins next Tues.
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One interesting thing - I have been told that the nurses will teach me how to give myself the neulasta shot. So why is it that so many of you have to go back the day after chemo?
Jeannette

dshallis

My hair fell out on dy 13 after first A/C. Everyone had told me it would be between days 14 and 17...Guess I'm an overachiever! Word of advice: When you start to see signs of your hair pulling out. Go have it shaved. Your head will continue to hurt until the hair is gone. Didn't look better, mind ya...but it felt sooooo much better! Best wishes...this was the hardest part of the whole ordeal for me!

MarciaA

Hi Jeannette, Here is my experience with the neulasta shots. I am an RN and I could give myself the neulasta shot no problem (it is given subcutaneous in arm or belly fat) but there were several reasons why the office wanted me to come in..TAC is so hard and it was mainly to check my vital signs and see if I needed hydration, the shot is $3,000 and having their staff give it would assure I was getting the dosage the way it was prescribed and accurately in case of any complications from the WBC count dropping. It makes good legal sense as well for them to document they have given it. Chemo is dangerous. Also, I can tell you that when I see the nurses that give me the shot they have given me great advice on handling side effects and even given me samples of drugs that I can try with chemo. I know it is inconvenient for some to drive into their oncologist. If you do take your shot at home be sure to monitor your temp. Between day 3 and 14 your WBC count can bottom out. Good luck with your treatments.
Best Wishes
MarciaA.

svans

Hey Jeannette, did you get into the support group for April? I will be thinking of you on the 11th and hope that all goes well.

How is everyone else doing?

Sylvie

peejay

Today I slept most of the day, on and off, except for peeing! And the stupid red face from the steriods is driving me nuts!! At least I just took the last of them until next time. Seems like all my symptoms hit me today, from bone pain, to headache, to slight nausea. If it doesn't last too far into tomorrow, I guess it was worth it.

Marcia - My WBC count drops in the first week, then it goes all the way back up to the high end, maybe that's why he was comfortable with giving me the shot the same day? I really don't know, and it's so new (neulasta) who knows. I'll just keep an eye on my temp and general health.

Paula

jpsgirl96

Paula - Just a quick one about the port. The guy who did mine said the neck pain would be the worst of it and it was, but it went away overnight for me...took some painkiller to sleep and the a.m. that stiffness was gone. Port area was moderately sore but less than some of the biopsies. And I love having it - my last vein finding experience was a nightmare, and I used to be "easy". Leigh

JulieMcKeehan

Hello All:

I thought I would give an update to things I'm going through and also see what else you all are seeing. Days 1-2 I felt like I'd just gotten off the Teacups ride at Disneyland (just this side of dizzy), and then on Days 2-3 I was terribly tired, had shakes at night and sweated alot. Headache from the Zofran. Day 4 was the start of the stomach stuff for me. Regular sharp stomach pains, diarrhea, difficulty eating.

Any idea how long the stomach stuff will last?

Hope you all feel loved tonight and are doing well. My best moment today was when my 10 year old came out with a brush and said he was going to brush my hair. He said, I could remember what it felt like and store those memories up for later when I needed them.

Regards,
Julie

peejay

The first time my stomach.. err crap.. lasted until day 5, I had diahreaa, but took Immodium for it day 4 evening and it was a lot better. So not getting anything the second time around, but it's only the second day. If you are getting decadron that will cause sweating at night, it's icky! But it goes away fast. Just try to eat like saltines, toast, and drink whatever sounds good. Today was ginger ale for me, tonight it's iced tea. Go figure! Tireds suck but I nap a lot. Sounds like you are doing pretty normal to me. Maybe if the Zofran doesn't work that well you could ask about Emend? I think a lot of people have switched to that if insurance covers it. It's wonderful!

Paula

svans

Hey girls!! Today is actually a good day. My stomach has settled, went to the washroom - if you know what I meen! Drinking alot of gongerale and apple juice, cant stand water at the moment!

Had a very small bowl of stew last night (very small) and it stayed down! Had a popsicle before bed and slept through the night!

Feeling much better and Im hoping that the worst has past! Only day 4 after first chemo but hey only 5 to go - oh yah!!

Sylvie

purplehaze66

Hi ladies1 I just wanted to say hi and let you know that I wish you all well! I just finished #5 TAC and have 1 more to go April 23. It has been a rough road. The effects are cummulative so I didn't really feel too bad until #3. I am very tired and feel like I am eighty but I have no regrets!!! it was doable!! Just remember to listen to you body!!

Good luck to you all!!

Peace Michele

MarciaA

Hi Michele, Congrats on finishing 5 TACs. That is awesome. I hear you say that after #3 it was bad. I am scheduled for #3 on April 13. At least it is encouraging that you survived them. I am envious of you that you have only one more to go. I hope you feel that they have done the job, that is what I think about when my chemo fog clears. Take care and thanks for the encouraging word.
Best wishes,
MarciaA.

baldeagle

Despite the uncomfortable side effects so many of you are now on the way to being finished. the count-down has started.
I got my port put in today - so a bit sore and know that will pass ( thanks for your wise advice). Am so glad that needle pokes are no longer mandatory.

However - my surgeon looked at the incision from my TRAM flap ( about 2 cm still open), declared that it needed some help to heal, cleaned it and has now put me on home health wound care until it is sealed up. So I get the friendly visiting nurse on a daily basis. Such service!

Meanwhile chemo gets delayed. Then I find out that they need to repeat the MUGA for a 3rd. time. That's tomorrow. It's necessary for the clinical trial protocol that I will be part of.

Sylvia,
I'm glad that you are feeling a bit better. Guess that it's a day by day thing.

Finally a note to MarciaA. The clinical trial I am part of is international - Canada, US and UK. All participants get neulasta as part of the tx protocol - and are taught to self administer. I suspect that docs make a lot of money by having people come back to the office the next day for a shot (since they can't tell at the point if you would need it). Anyway, it galls me to think that docs make so much money from sick people who may well not be able to afford the Rx and who could save a lot by doing it themselves).
Guess that's enough of my ranting for today.
Jeannette

Irene4105

Karen, I hope you are feeling better today. I am on Day 15 and it has been a very rough ride my sore throat turned into a nightmare tonsil infection which I had to go to ENT specialist today who ordered a CT scan, luckly it was not abscessed, and they put me on more meds to fight the infection.
Thankfully I still have my hair for right now although my scalp is tingling and feels strange. I get my port on Tuesday and my 2nd chemo is scheduled for 4/13. I am better prepared for the next one.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend! - Irene

RedShoes1

Paula, i had my port put in on April 5 and had my first chemo on April 6. All went well with the surgery and it did not hurt very much. It is a bit tender but the IV nurse put in the needle before the chemo and it did not hurt at all. and, it is so much better than having poke your arm for a vein. The doctor gave me a numbing cream that i will be ablt to use during the other chemo appointments. You can't use it the first time.

Let me know how it goes.

Red Shoes

MarciaA

Hi Jeannette, Actually my doc doesn't make any money when I come back for my injection, it is included in the $15 copay for my chemo visit. I get charged the shot at cost to them. Unfortunately at least in the US, drug companies can charge anything they want for cancer drugs and they really charge big bucks. My concern for Peejay was her getting her shot the same day as her chemo. Anybody can be taught to give an injection.The manufacturers are specific in the time frame for administration of Neulasta. The prescribing info reads: Neulasta® should not be administered in the period between 14 days before and 24 hours after administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy because of the potential for an increase in sensitivity of rapidly dividing myeloid cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy. As a nurse I am well aware of the side effects of medications when they are not administered as prescribed. I don't feel my doc is overcharging and my insurance is paying the usual and customary rates. I would encourage anyone who feels they are being overcharged by their doctor to report them to the department of insurance for their state. I have no knowledge about how the canadian health system works.
Good luck on your trial.
MarciaA.

peejay

I'm having my port put in Monday, which will give me 2 weeks to heal up before my next chemo.Yay for small favors! My surgeon is going to give me that cream and some vicodin or something also, she is wonderful. I only dread the IV they need to do to get the surgery done lol

Today is day 3 after my second round, and I think a truck came thru the bedroom last night and ran me over. I get the bone pain from the nuelasta below my neck, across the shoulders and spine. Second time that's happened so I assume it will be in the same place everytime. By tomorrow it will be in my knees. Had to take some Zantac for heartburn this morning too. And taking walking my daughter to the bus stop was really really hard. I guess day 3 is going to be my horrible day. At least is only 4 more treatments left. It sounds so short, but so long, ya know?
Time to drop into bed, and do what my body wants.. sleeeeeep!

Paula

svans

Good morning ladies, well today I just have a wicked headache, I did not sleep much last night so that may have something to do with it. i am going for a quick power nap now that the kids are out of the house and the husband is gone to work. Other than that I am feeling ok, a little tired but hey Im 1/6 of the way done,,,,yahoo!!

I hope that everyone is doing good considering and I will keep you all in my prayers!
Sylvie

JulieMcKeehan

Hello All:

What a day it has been. Here I am sitting on day 8 and I thought the side effects might start lessening. I couldn't have been more wrong. The medium level stomach pain has moved to high level and won't let up. I took Amend, then Zofran, switched to compazine, and am now back to Zofran. I have terrible diarrhea, and the thought of putting any food in my mouth and making my stomach seize is making me want to cry. My temp also went up, but they are watching that and don't think it will be a real problem yet (too soon for my BC to be down).

I hope this stomach part passes sometime soon, it really sucks.

Regards,
Julie

shineonme

hello lifesaver forum..... At last,people that know what I'am going through with this tough TAC protocal. Isn't it strange, that no one knows what it is like not to have enough energy to walk across the floor(Day 6 for me). March 6 begin TAC program, heading into cycle 3 in one week. I'll just throw out things that happened and things that helped. Hair loss day 21. Daughter and husband shaved my head -- great therapy for my 8 year old. Also, I gave my daughter my oncology business card to put in her bill fold and that made her really feel involved. The steroids on day before and day after are really annoying to me. Doctor prescribed Lunesta for sleeping problems. The Neulasta shot is really worse than the chemo for me. Back pain and bone pain persist for 2-3 days. Tylox seems to work well and doesn't really make me sleepy. Weight loss/weight gain. I lose 10 pounds the week of chemo and gain it back on the third week off. lol. I try to clean my house up really good on the weekend before, that seems to make be feel better the week of. Questions for you all: the dreaded constipation/diarrhea and hemmorroids. Any suggestions? Also, eye changes - my eyes hurt and water all the time. I don't think it is tears? lol. I really appreciate this forum. again, nobody here in this family or city knows what I am going through. This is really great to have you all. I could keep going on and on, but I will stop for now. all of us, need to hang in there.... there is a light at the end of the needle.