Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

alibug05

OH the hotflashes - I am only 33 and haven't had my period now for almost 2 months and let me tell you the hotflashes STINK!!!!!!  I have to sleep with a fan blowing on me just to rest.  Talk about annoying - my poor hubby says he'll be ok but after waking up to find him wrapped in a blanket and in long sleeves and pants - I figure he doesn't deserve this so I have been sleeping upstairs on the couch so we BOTH can get some rest!!! LOL I miss sleeping with him terribly but we both do sleep better this way - just for now anyways.  I told him not to get used to having the bed all to himself cause I will be joining him again - SOON.  I feel pretty good today - hope all the se stay away - I have ball practice and a volleyball game tonight!!!!! Gotta love kids - I hope everyone is feeling good and I hope the ones that go in this week pull through with little or no se!!!!!! Love to all!!!

Monique

Stacy - I am definitely joining you - even my bald head is sweating today.  I had a partial hysterectomy a few years ago but the doctor told me with that and the fact that I am 50 I will probably go into full blown menopause from chemo.  Just one more lovely se to look forward too .

My hair was coming out in clumps yesterday so last night my six year old played hairdresser on me and then my DH shaved off the rest.  Feels really strange but I guess I'm ok today with it.

Hugs to all and everyone have a great day today

Monique

Tonya36

Hello ladies.  Hope everyone is feeling good today.  I have lost track of when everyone's tx's are.  My brain is not working like it used to. 

Stacy,  I have not had a period since I started chemo on 08/06.  I have hot flashes all the time during the day.  They haven't hit me in the middle of the night yet though.  That would really suck.  At night while lounging and watching tv I find myself wearing a sweatshirt over my t-shirt.  I freeze SO easily.  But when the hot flash comes on I just want to start stripping. 

 LASHON, I too would like to hear from you.  Please post and let us know you are alright

I had my dd EC tx #3 today.  YAYYYY!!!  Only 1 more of these.  I am so happy.  I just hope that this one goes as good as the last two.  I know the next week I will feel bad and I am ready for that.  I just want this one done.  Of course then on to Taxol weekly x12 but onc thinks that it won't be as "insulting" to my bone marrow as this has been.  Of course new worries with neuropathy and such but I'll face that when I get there.  I just want the STUPID CANCER to die.

God Bless each one of you.

Tonya

mommomjuju

Has anyone had problems with RBC?  Has anyone had a blood transfusion?

Misty1

Hey Girls,

Saying of the day:  "We have been given sour lemons, but let's make lemonade anyway."  I am saying this because I have been trying to be so positive about going for treatments, having the SEs, wearing a wig, losing the hair...  Both my mother and sis-in-law complimented me on separate occasions about handling this whole situation so gracefully.  of course, there were many crying episodes since dx and deciding to do the chemo.  Anyway, I think all of us here are handling this so well.  So, when you get down, think about the lemonade!!  Congrats to all who survived round 2.

Feeling good today and enjoying the next seven days before TX#3 on the 11th.  I have been hungry, eating, and actually enjoying food since Sunday.  I have had no hot flashes yet as some of you seem to be enjoying-ha-ha!  I'll be on the lookout for them.

Have a good night, all!!

~Misty

Hitchy

Hi ladies,

Just finished TCH #2. Does anyone use claritin for the neulasta shot. My chemo nurse
has never heard of that. I want to try it and was wondering exactly what days to take it.
My pain wasn't to bad last time , but I want to see if it works.

People at my chemo center are having a tough time with the shots and I'd like to
help them if I could.

Laurie

Nico1012

HItchy,

You will find numerous posts on these boards from women who swear by Claritin for keeping a lid on the Neulasta bone pain. I found that it made me slightly drowsy so I switched to Zyrtec and it works great. Someone explained it to me that the pain is part of an allergic reaction to Neulasta and since Claritin and Zyrtec are both antihistamines, they help control the allergic reaction. Whatever it is, my pain was much better with it than without. I took it the day of the shot and for 3 - 4days after. Sorry you are having this se, I hope the Claritin helps!

Nico

Anonymous

That Neulasta shot has me paralyzed. I cannot move without pain. If things don't improve I may be out of work.  How much Claritin?

Bette 

Anonymous

Hi ladies. I know I have been missing for a few days since my last post. Thank all of you guys for the kind words.. So the second session is done.. 4 more to go.. I am so looking forward to November when i have my final session.. I feel good I was tired for a few days after. I got the neulesta shot 24 hours after chemo.. I think that has helped a lot..my body didnt feel like it did the first time I had chemo.. I felt like that was god tell me everything is going to be okay and i can make it through this. I so wish I could eat a salad among other things. was anyone told they couldnt eat fresh fruits and other stuff. I talked to my grandmother who is a 11 year breast cancer survivor and she said she could eat what she wanted. as long as it didnt make her sick.

But ladies I thank all of you for the prayers (cause i know it helps) and i know that we can all beat  this and one day there will be a cure for cancer. 

good luck with  chemo this month.. I know i am looking forward to a good treatment also

Lashon 

Nico1012

Bette,

Ohhhhhhhh I'm so sorry you're having so much pain! My onc told me that typically the OTC med will give directions to take one tab, this is 1/2 the prescription dose. GENERALLY speaking, you could take 2 to get the prescription strength. I know this doesn't apply to ALL OTC meds, but in the case of Claritin I would think 2 tabs would be safe. Wishing big relief soon!

LaShon,

It's so good to hear from you! **HAPPY** to hear you're doing better. I have been eating salads and fresh fruit and veggies through chemo. I just am very careful about washing them 2 or 3 times before eating. That seems like a bit overboard I know, but NO problems from it here. If I don't keep them in my diet the constipation is too severe and the laxatives make me nauseous. You WILL make it through this, never doubt it.

Hugs and Prayers,

Nico

DFOnt

I'm just going for FEC#2 next Friday, so I'm pretty far behind everyone else.

LaShon, I thought we were supposed to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables!  I do try to get organic as long as it's not incredibly expensive.  I don't even wash them that well because we have well water and I don't trust it to be any better than whatevers on the food.  I do get a little nervous when I hear about all the listeria problems with food here.  I think over all the benefits of the fruit and veg outweigh the risk of getting sick from them, or at least I hope so!  I have been eating a lot better since I was diagnosed, and have lost about 12 lbs.  I didn't have much of an appetite for the first week after my 1st chemo though.

So far no real menopause symptoms, I'm 44.  Just a little dry all over (at the risk of too much info!) I'm expecting my hair to start falling out this weekend, probably Saturday when we're having a family picnic!

Nice to read everyone's reports, I wish you all the best!

Deirdre

Monique

I tried the claritin because I felt like I had been hit by a mack truck after the neulasta shot last time. It didn't work very well for me.  I asked my onc about it and gave me a funny look, asked if it worked and gave me a script for oxycodone (which is a pain killer).  I not a big fan of taking pills to begin with however I will probably try it next week if I feel anywhere near as bad as I did last time.

I was also told to stay away from fresh veges and fruits unless peeled and/or washed several times.  The chemo nurse even said that some people us a little bit of clorox in the water to wash the veges?  Does anyone do that?

Misty - I like the reference to lemonade - I have been trying to be positive about the whole process lately myself and I find that it helps how I feel physically as well as emotionally.  Of course this is my good week - next week after treatment will be a better gauge of how I'm doing with the positive thinking.

I hope everyone finds relief from their SE's.

Hugs to all

Monique

mommy3abm

I was told to  avoid all raw foods the entire course of chemo.  My entire cancer center is adamant about it.  They used to tell patients to avoid them on days 7 - 14, but changed it to all because everyone's "low count" days vary.  I asked about fruits like melons and bananas where you don't eat the outside and she still said no.  I asked why and she said the contaminants can enter from the knife that sliced it or from peeling with your hands.  Sounds pretty extreme, but I am not taking chances.  I sure miss a good sandwich with lettuce and tomato and fruit like you wouldn't believe...I guess you all would though!

As for the claritin, my onco nurse recommended taking it the day of the injection and for up to 7 days after.  It has worked well for me.

For those ladies who are doing the scarf thing...I found some beautiful, soft and light weight ones at www.anokhi.com.  They are fabulous!  I don't even feel like I have one on and the prints are beautiful!  They are only $14 and free shipping.  Check it out!  I am ditching the hats for now (too hot) and only doing the scarves.  I have gotten several compliments on them too!  Who knew!

Go to onco next Monday to do counts.  I so hope they stay up (I only had 3 units of Neulasta instead of the usual 6) as we just bought Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island and Empire State Bldg. tickets for our NYC trip in 2 weeks!  I am sooo excited.  I guess NYC is as good of a place as any to be a bald chick!  We have a full 3 days planned...MaMa Mia on Broadway, dh is going to first game of last series at Yankee Stadium while I hang out w/ my cousin who lives in Brooklyn, the tours I mentioned earlier, and reservations at Carmine's and Peter Luger's.  Anyone been to either restaurant?  This will be our first trip by ourselves since before our kindergartener was born and my first trip to NYC.  Onco is on board with delaying Tx #3 for 5 days so we can go.  Counts stay up!!!

OK girls...Have a great night!

Stacy

dlb823

Hi, all ~  For what it's worth, no raw food restrictions here.  One of the onco nurses started to tell me not to eat them, but stopped and checked with another one who said, "They're fine -- just wash well."  Maybe the first one was new?  Who knows, but I can't imagine not eating those -- especially the fruit, since I have been craving grapes.  I do soak them in water (not just rinse), and I add a drop or two of a biodegradable cleaning product.  One interesting thing they told us at UCLA (general nutrition info, aside from chemo) is that organic IS worth the price, and some things should always be organic. There's a list on-line of "The Dirty Dozen" which are foods that you should always buy organic.  The one that surprised me the most is apples, because whatever they're sprayed with is waxed over, so virtually impossble to wash off.

I feel like I am just coming out of several rough days after tx #2.   I suspected the anti-nausea meds (Zofran + Compazine) and maybe the Claritin had messed me up as much as the chemo w/tx #1, so this time I eliminated the Compazine and the Claritin, and took very little Zofran. I did have a bit more mild queasiness, but wasn't quite so spacey.  Surprisingly, w/out Claritin, I didn't suffer any Neulasta pain.  I just used extra strength Tylenol and was fine.   As w/ tx#1, day 3 & 4 were my worst, but I didn't bounce back quite as fast as I had last time -- just feel like I have very little energy.

So sorry to hear that some of you are having worst SE, like those nightmares!   Do you think it might be from sleep meds?  I know any other meds seem "mild" on top of chemo, but maybe mixing so many is causing the problem.

Thinking of you all, and praying for the easing of those SE's for those of you who are suffering ~

Deanna

SheRee

Good morning, everyone.  It's good to see that everyone seems to be doing well, aside from the lack of sleep.  I made myself stay off the computer the past few days, as I was beginning to feel like an addict to the site!! 

So, I'm off to chemo #3 in just a little while... my husband, Mike, won't be here for this one.  That kinda breaks my heart, but I know that it couldn't be helped.  And usually I just sleep all day on the day of, so maybe I won't miss him anyway!

Monday I was really down.  I think I've gained about 8 pounds, and you're talking about someone who has been struggling to lose 15 - 20 lbs for the past couple of years... so that was very depressing!  Then I've got the whole bald thing going on.  At least when I had hair, I could "dress" for the day (nice clothes, extra time on my hair) and feel kinda pretty, but that isn't possible anymore.  I just feel huge and ugly.  Probably didn't help that I was on my period.  (I was hoping to not have those during chemo, and was about 2 weeks late, but nope...it showed up.)  Anyway, I woke up feeling much better on Tuesday...so guess what I did?  I went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart COMPLETELY BALD!!!  When I got there, I knew everyone was staring, but trying not to.  Halfway through the trip, I wasn't noticing them anymore.. and by the time I left, I felt natural.  Amazing, huh?  Want to know what I discovered?  People stare when I have on a bandana or scarf, too... AND complete strangers are absolutely KIND to young bald women!  Seriously, I had more people say, "hey!  how are you doing?" than I've ever had with my hair.  Kind of funny.  I would be like, "HEY!! I'm GOOD... and YOU?"

I almost went to the doctor yesterday uncovered, but at the last minute I threw on my bandana.  Guess my courage comes and goes.  lol

Anyway, if the past two treatments are any indication, I'll be out of it all day today, but should be able to check back in tomorrow morning... Then after the neulasta shot tomorrow, I'll be out for a couple of days, but I'll check in as soon as I can function again.  Until then, know that I'm thinking of you guys...

Hood1980

Hi Everyone!  So Glad to hear from you LaShon!  Yes Nico & Aug Hot Baldies Rock is back on the discussion boards.  She's fabulous and so is Otter, talking to her is like talking to a doctor.  She is a wealth of knowledge and is active on the T-C board as are several of us here. 

I'm sorry I've been MIA, but the 2nd tx kicked my butt!  I know it gets a little worse each time but this was a LOT worse.  I'm sure I didn't drink enough & that was half the problem so I must get more Crsytal Light & grape juice and drink them constantly!  Also the bone pain wasn't worse, but lasted longer this tx 4 days vs 2.  I take the Claritin and Aleve/Advil during the day and 2 Tylenol PMs at night, but that didn't work.  Can't sleep more than a couple of hours without waking up from a crazy chemo dream or a dang hot flash!  Nico, Stacy, Deanna any other 2nd tx people experiencing this?

Fruit & Veggies - I really can't live without mine (I need the fiber!) and asked the onc before this last tx what the deal was on them.  He said now that they give the Neulasta injection prophylactically, they don't discourage eating fresh ones unless patients have problems with their counts.  I haven't had any problems so my defense are up so I am free to eat them.  I know different oncs have different opinions but this one makes sense.  If your counts are up, you can fight off the "normal" stuff that's out there.  Most imporant thing he said to do is....you got it... WASH YOUR HANDS!

DFOnt

Ok, are those of you getting FEC getting the Neulasta shot or is that just for something else?  No mention of that for me yet.  Maybe they're waiting to see how my blood work is after the first treatment.  How often do you all get blood work? I only have to go the day before treatment.

I have been carrying around hand sanitzer and lysol wipes, and I have a bottle of sanitizer in my car.  Some people say side effects get worse with more treatments, some say the 1st one is the worst because you don't know what to expect!  

Stacy, I think I'm going to order some of those scarves, but  I think the url is 

http://www.anokhiusa.com/all_scarves/index.html

looks like they have free delivery to Canada too!  I ordered some other "vintage" ones off ebay and another wig, and I have quite the assortment of hats just waiting....

Nico1012

Hood ~

GREAT ADVICE! We should keep hand sanitizer everywhere. Purse, car, gym bag, kitchen bath and on and on. Same here with the bone pain and not sleeping well. Switched to Zyrtec for the bone pain and that made all the difference. Edge @ no surrender recommends Alpha Lipoic Acid so I ordered that for future tx's, this is mostly for perpheral neuropathy. Ativan is a huge help in the sleep/dream dept. I get 8 hours of sound sleep/no dreams on 1mg. at bedtime. Tx #2 is brutal according to sisters on other boards. A cumulative effect at work. Gastric problems tend to worsen with the last tx's. Otter has some great suggestions for that. You're so right, she IS like talking to a Dr. She has researched several things for me and like Rock says, "she's never wrong". I think the fruits and veggies are essential for cleaning the chemo toxins out of our intestinal tract and colon. Have read some nightmare stories on other threads about ruptured bowels and surgical intervention for impactions. Yikes!! Anything to avoid that!

Shee Ree ~

BRAVO for you on the Commando trip to Wal-Mart! I wish I had the nerve. You can picture all of us at the tx with you keeping you company. Wishing you a smooth sail through it and NO se's!

Stacy ~

Where do you get your enegy? The trip to NYC sounds wonderful but exhausting. I can barely make a trip to the mailbox! Have a great time and Peter Luger's is one of my favs. You'll love it.

Nico

DFOnt

Is Tx taxotere?  or treatment?  I will have 3 taxotere after my 3 FEC treatments, so maybe it's the FEC that doesn't get worse but the Taxotere does? 

Tonya36

mommomjuju...I had low rbc's after first tx and had to have 2 units of blood transfused.  I felt really bad and knew there was a problem.  My heart was beating in my ears, ringing in my ears and I had no energy.  Tried to go for walk and my legs felt like jello. The transfusion was a miracle.  The worst part about it was that I had to spend 6 hours in the hospital to get it.  Other than that I felt much better when I walked out.

I spoke with my onc about the fruits and veggies yesterday and because the whole office had told me to stay away from them.  Of course everytime I have my counts taken after these dd chemos on day 7 or 8 then they are low.  He said that when our counts get low (usually between day 5 and 14) then we can get neutropenic and that would put us in the hospital because they are so low we could not fight off ANY infection.  Fruits and vegetables whether at a store or a restaurant are NEVER cleaned good enough for our systems.  He said we could bring them home and we could scrub and they are still too dangerous.  He says most infections on people suffering from neutropenia from chemo are started in the gi tract.  The chemo itself tears up our stomachs as we are all aware and kills the bacteria that we need to counteract what we put in.  Then most of us have to take zantac or nexium for the heartburn and that kills off the excess bile in our stomachs that helps attack our foods.  He told me that if its something I can peel and I am VERY careful I can have it (i.e., apple, orange, banana) other than that NO NO NO.  He says if I want to then I am taking a risk and I need to know there can be bad consequences since I never really know when my counts drop.  Now we are to have fruits and vegetables but they are always supposed to be cooked while on chemo.  This sucks I know because I am having a difficult time with fruit.  But...I figure its a small price to pay for life.  I would hate to be greedy for a few minutes of food enjoyment and end up in the hospital and it be MY fault.  Just my two cents.

 Lashon...so good to hear from you.  I am glad you are doing better.  Stay in touch with us.

DEFont...I get my counts taken exactly a week after tx.  I am taking dd EC so I get the neulasta the day after each treatment because they know my counts will drop.  I am sure they are waiting to see how your counts are then they can either give you neulasta or neupogen if needed.

SheRee...you go girl?  I do not have the courage to go bald yet.  I won't leave the house without the wig.  I go outside my house with my skull caps and hats but not anywhere public.  I commend you. 

bettelou...I am soo sorry you are having pain.  I hope you feel better soon.

 Stacy...I hope you have a wonderful trip you deserve it.  Sounds great. 

God Bless,

Tonya

mommomjuju

Thanks so much for your reply.  That is exactly what I am experiencing and will get the blood tomorrow.  Hope it works like yours did.  This was after my second tx.

DFOnt

Those of you that have worn wigs already - do you wear a wig cap under them, and if so what kind?  I was going to order some but I don't know which ones would be most comfortable.

Does the wig cap cover your ears?  I just got this wig that's a longish bob and I'm wondering if I'll be able to tuck some of the hair around my ears, or if I'll have to trim it or maybe use barettes!

Roya

Nico, thanks for the advice about keeping the hand sanitizers everywhere just in case.  Great advice!

DFOnt, I use a thin wig cap sometimes.  I also bought some wig tape which is wonderful at adhering the wig to the scalp so it does not shift. I use one or the other. If the day is warm I tend to use the tape. If it is cooler, I use the wig cap. I do not cover my ears with the wig cap since I sometimes wisp  a bit of wig hair behind my ears when I style it.

Tonya, I too was told to eat my veggies cooked rather than raw.  I don't eat out as much either. I have eaten some raw salads occasionally but tend not to.. The main raw fruits that I eat are the ones that are blended. There is a little cafe close by the clinic that I have visited after each chemo tx. They are similar to 'Jamba juice' in the US. I usually get a fruit and veggie blend.  These are all washed & peeled or mechanically scraped before blending. They sure taste good after chemo & are easy to tolerate.

Mamashift, we live in Paris in the 7th Arrondismont.  My DH is Swiss so we spend a lot of time in Switzerland too especially in a very tiny village in the mountains called Pagig.  I am an expat from the US  so we also visit there quite often as well.

Stacy, have a happy, wonderful, exciting time in NYC !!!!!

Sheeree, you are great!  To be able to go out without a head covering and just be yourself......I admire that soooooo much!!!!!  By your example you are helping me to get the courage to do the same.  Here in Paris, there is so much diversity.....so many different  people with so many different styles, I could carry it off.  Its' just about gathering the courage to do so.

My nail beds are turning dark on my thumbs at the moon of the nail so I am using deeply coloured nail polish regularly now rather than clears and pales. I have read some of the other threads and there are those who have lost their nails.  That worries me a bit.  My 3rd chemo will be in the morning.

Bettelou, hope you are feeling better soon!

and easy to keep

Anonymous

HI ladies.. Thanks for the info..I was told i could do the fruit in the can.. So I eat that. I have been wanting to eat everything this time around.. I just really feel blessed that this treatment is better than the other. My bones didnt hurt as much. I am guilty of not drinking enough fluid.. but i hate water is there anything good out there that you ladies would say is good..

I have been blessed that my husband has been there for my chemo appointments..his job is understanding cause all of our family are in north carolina and cant afford to come.  I think my neoadjuvant is doing good.. when the cancer had started to spread to it feels a lot smaller.. It just makes me feel that I can make it through this and i truly feel blessed..  sometime i feel like my husband dosent find me attractive anymore.. I try not to let it get to me.. but i think that i am going to need some thearpy after this..  hoping everyones treatment goes will..

DFOnt

Lashon, fluids don't have to be water.  I hate water too.  I have been drinking more but I still drink some diet pop, juice, soup, jello, pudding, ice cream, frozen yogourt,  I think all count towards fluid.  What about adding some flavour stuff to the water, I still don't like it though!  I tend to drink most of my water during the night when I wake up feeling thirsty. 

I think I'll call my oncologists nurse and ask about the fruit and veggies.  I do have some canned fruit. But I've been eating a lot of salad to get my veggies that way.  I googled and most sites recommend lots of fresh fruits and veggies, argh. I've been trying to eat Broccoli sprouts almost every day because I read they are very good for fighting cancer.

I do also have a immunity yogourt drink every day and take acidophilous when I remember, wonder if that helps keep the digestive system healthier.

My sister asked her boss if she could have time off to come to my chemo treatments with me, and she said no problem, which is great.  They're also giving her time off to go to the Look Good Feel Better workshop with me, I thought they might, her company is one of their biggest sponsors! We are very fortunate that neither one of us have to work outside the home right now, so my husband can usually drive me to appointments. At least the timing was right that way.

dlb823

Roya ~  Good luck with tx #3.  I'll be thinking about you and praying that the nausea won't hit you the way it did last time. 

I've also noticed a slight blu-ish look to the nail bed on a couple of my nails.  Like you, I've been worried about it, but I've been massaging tee tree oil into them (forgot where I read that tip, maybe on one of these boards?), hoping it will head off any problems.  I've also noticed that my nails don't seem to be growing at all, and they hurt after I've been typing. 

Lashon ~ Glad to hear you sounding stronger!   Bettelou ~  I hope your pain is a lot better.

Stacy ~  Your trip sounds wonderful!  If we don't "talk" here before you leave, have a great time! 

Thinking of you all ~   Deanna

DFOnt

those of you that are having nail problems - did they put your hands and feet in ice during treatment?  The nurse I had at my chemo session said they do that for the taxotere treatments, to  help prevent problems.

mommy3abm

DFOnt - yes, I have my hands iced during taxotere and the nurse said to keep them polished for strength.  No problems yet... And, yes, you were correct the  website for the scarves is www.anokhiusa.com.  I just ordered 2 more yesterday!  I think I am addicted.  While shopping yesterday, a sales girl at the Gap stopped me and asked where did I get that beautiful scarf.  Later I had 2 more ladies comment on my scarf...

While getting ready this morning I noticed the bathroom light was reflecting off of my bald head! YIKES!!  I found it pretty funny though and brought dh and kids in to see!  We had a laugh!

Have a great day all!

Stacy

mommy3abm

Oh, and almost forgot, I got thrush again!!! And a sore throat to  top it off as 2 of 3 kids and dh all have colds!!  I think I will go and lock myself in the bedroom for the weekend.  NO GERMS ALLOWED!

Stacy

dlb823

Stacy ~  Those scarves are gorgeous!!!  First time I've been excited about something to do with being bald!  Thanks for sharing ...   Deanna