Tips for getting through chemotherapy

newtonville

sea-nymph

yes this is my very hopefullllly LAST breast cancer.  she gave me choices of TC or AC, each every 3weeks.   i chose AC dose dense, every 2 weeks. i want to be done soon and not drag further. im also getting neulasta shots after each chemo.   I don't know the answer to why no T part.  which im thankful.  the less the better, however, i will be on 30 rounds of radiatiton after chemo and tamoxifan for the next 5eyars. 

newtonville

hi Morgan,

i can feel your pain. with my first tx, i had HORRIBLE constipation. i got sores there as well. it was horrible.  i hope this time is little better, i already got my laxalltives, prune juices, and colace ready and started them early on not to suffer too much.

Nico1012

Bump!

MarieK

I too had constipation with my first treatment.  Usually coffee in the morning does the trick but I just couldn't stand the smell so I was looking to try something else.

I was told (by the injection nurse) to eat 22 green grapes.  So that's what I did and it worked for me.

Don't ask me where the number 22 came from (I ate more than that because they were so good) but it was gentle and manageable eating the grapes!

one-L

Just wanted to jump in here and thank everyone for their usefull hints.  I will start chemo next week and I am really not looking foreward to it, however, with all of your help, maybe it will not be as bad.

Thanks again.

Juannelle

birdhouse46

Awesome info thanks!!!!

birdhouse46

Does anyone have a surgeon and / or plastic surgeon recommendation for Dallas/ Ft. Worth area? I have Dr. H. Jane Bussey in Ft. Worth as my surgeon, and meet Dr. Strock my plastic surgeon today. Has anyone used them??

mommy2two

I have never heard of the doctors you mentioned, however, my surgeon was Dr. Anita Chow and I loved her.  I did not have to have any plastic surgery but Dr. Danielle LeBlanc came highly recommended and that is who I would have went with had I needed her.  Both doctors are located near Baylor-All Saints Downtown.

karyan57

Thanks for all the tips.  This was exactly what I was looking for.  I will begin my treatments in 2 weeks.

Gin52

Birdhouse 46, depends on what type of reconstruction you are wanting to have.  I had diep, and from TN I had to go to New Orleans to the "Center for Restorative Breast Surgery", but when I was searching, I remember seeing there was a center in TX too that does the micro surgeries.  Check on the web for more info, or feel free to pm me

Ginnie

Nico1012

Bumping for the newbies.

Nico1012

Bump.

mommanurse

I found this last night and found that I couldn't wait to get on and read all your posts again.  Thanks for all the advice!

Catlover123

What winderful information to go by, when i start my chemo. after surgury when do they start chemo???? they told me but i forgot

aakitkat

Generally chemo starts within six weeks of surgery, at least that's how it's done at the cancer center here. In my case, it was a full six weeks bc of work concerns, availability of husband (who travels a lot), etc. That worked very well for me as it gave me plenty of time to recover fully from my mastectomy and axillary node dissection as well as time to re-establish my normal routine of home and work. No one has mentioned much about work in this thread. I've found work to be an extremely important motivator and distraction. My institution (in my case, a university) has a fabulous health plan and I could have taken up to a year at full pay. But, once I recovered from my surgery, I went back to work; and, except for a few yucky days when I needed to stay near a bathroom (not for nausea, the other end), I've gone to the office during chemotherapy. Even on my at-home days, I can work and, again, welcome the distraction.

best to you, kit kat

deedee3835

Thanks for the tips.  From a nervous neebie.

mom2Bnegativex3

bump these are so helping me for Monday! I get my port and chemo all in the same day! Thanks ladies!

1marmalade1

bump

cs34

just wanted to share what worked for me. hopefully, it will help someone else too.  

for those who will be taking Taxol...put clear nail polish on your nails (fingers & toes) throughout the treatment.

i put it on my finger nails religiously and all was well but for whatever crazy reason i didn't put it on my toes and i lost both big toe nails at the end.

Also, start taking B6 (confirm ok with Onc) to reduce the chance for neuropathy.

 wishing all the chemo beginners as much peace as possible.

burley

Thank you for all the wonderful information-I have been incredibly lucky and have so far (fingers crossed!) had very little side effects after my first round of chemo (AC).  Do the side effects get worse as the treatments go on?  I have 7 more to look forward to...

juleisyd

These is great stuff guys!!! Thanks Mommy first Chemo is on Friday! I am packing her "chemobag"...

Much love and Health and my God Bless u all!!

Juleisyd

rubyredslippers

Being well hydrated the before and the morning of you chemo helps a lot. It helps as it's easier for the nurse to find and access your vein, and it also lessens your queasiness afterwards.

Psalm121

Bumping for newbies

Melissa38

Hello community I have had four sessions of chemo I am having my breast removed in two weeks with immediate reconstruction and I will have four chemo sessions after I recovery. I have encountered a oppinonated person who says things like why are u removing both breast, u will be disfigured, just because u remove both breast doesn't mean you wont get cancer somewhere else, and you just want cosmetic surgery. These things are hurtful and insensitive so as a result I've stopped talking to her about any of my treatment and now she calls me secretive, Has anyone else encountered this type of situation. How do u deal with clueless people like this.

Dawnmrn1

No I haven't encountered anyone like that!  However I would ask if she has had cancer?  If the answer is no I would tell her I don't need her opinion until she has walked in these shoes!!! I bet she would become speachless!  If she didn't I would tell her to keep her opinions to herself, this is a hard enough time without people who know nothing, giving their opinion!!! Thank you very much!  Sorry that just got  my Irish up!!!!

standingfirm

Thanks for the helpful tips will try the Aleve  as I receive my third neulasta tomorrow.

Oncologist also recommended claritn D ( Yes the allergy Med) for bone aches,  works good for aches but still needed pain med for 1 severe day , last treatment only had 12hrs.  severe pain immediately took pain med.

Also Crystalized Ginger works good for nausea.

Terry731

Great info. I have my 2nd chemo this week, First one went went pretty well, only I caught a cold/sore throat and I cant seem to shake it. Taking vitamins, Emergence's, zinc and plenty of fluids but Im still stuffy with a sore throat.Does anyone know if I can take cold medicine? Temp is still under 100. Thanks!

Gin52

Melissa, so sorry you are having to deal with someone like that!  My answer was always "Yes, I could get cancer somewhere else, but I wont get breast cancer again, because I wont have breast tissue"  Can you change their opinion? No  Does their opinion matter? No

I would also tell her - " I don't want cosmetic surgery, I don't want any surgery, I just want to live.  Have you heard of another way other than surgery that I can do that?"

You are worth it.....evidently, she is not...

SKD

awesome article!

Resting

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