Anyone Starting Chemo Jan. 2010?

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  • mom2Bnegativex3
    mom2Bnegativex3 Member Posts: 221
    edited January 2010

    Mine was no big deal either. Acutually nothing at all and they asked me where I wanted it and I chose the back of my arm.

     What is Sandostatin for?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    chasinghope

    Yes the rash is pimple like and itches. but so far only on my torso.  No mouth sores a little mouth rawness(for lack of a better word). I've been gargling several times per day with a baking soda solution and it seems to keep the irritation at bay.

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  • VegasDiva
    VegasDiva Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2010

    mom2Bnegativex3:   I was treated for colon cancer 6 yrs ago after having a colon resection and total hysterectomy.  I had so much diarrhea from the chemo even the docs were stumped.  I had to get a monthy shot of Sandostatin that would help control the diarrhea.  It is very thick and must be kept chilled.  It is in 2 syringes that need to be plunged back and forth to mix it before it is given in a needle the size of a small knitting needle.  It is given in your hip and takes aprox 5 mins to inject because it is so thick.  I would dread that day it was so painful. I was also on liquid opium and lomotil for the diarrhea.

    This treatment for BC seems really easy to me compared to what I went through before.  At least I have that to be thankful for.

    I had my first visit with my radiation oncologist today.  She is so sweet.  She treated me for my colon cancer.  I will need 33 visits which will start on April 1.  She told me this would be much easier for me than my previous treatment.  That made me feel better.

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  • KAJDerby
    KAJDerby Member Posts: 310
    edited January 2010

    vegasdiva - You have had a lot on your plate!  Yet you seem to have such a good attitude!  Thank you for sharing.  Don't know if I would be handling this all the way you are.

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  • VegasDiva
    VegasDiva Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2010

    GraceOkinawa: luckily I have a pretty easy going personality.  I just go with the flow.  It is what it is, and you deal with it.

    Here I am at chemo yesterday sporting my new wig!

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  • wren22
    wren22 Member Posts: 40
    edited January 2010

    I also had the Neulasta shot and though I was terrified (I hate shots!) it wasn't bad at all.  Like VegasDiva, it was a quick shot in the back of my arm and I didn't feel a thing.  I also took the Claritin for the next couple of days, just in case.  I don't know if I would have had any pain or not, but I wasn't taking any chances.  Now that I know what to expect I am actually looking forward to getting the next one over with on Thursday!  End of January and I will be half way finished.

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  • pagowens
    pagowens Member Posts: 194
    edited January 2010

    Hi All,

    I had my first chemo AC plus Avastin (or placebo) on Wednesday.  The rest of the day one was okay with a slight frontal headache and a queezy stomach.  Yesterday, day 2 my only two complaints were the continued frontal headache (kinda of lingering there but not causing much pain) and the queezy stomach that could go when I ate small bites of stuff.  Today, day 3, I woke up with a bright red rash on my cheeks and nose!  I look like I'm either wind blown or sun burned.  It doesn't itch or anything - just looks strange.  And, my diarrhea started so I immediately took Immodium and that mostly controlled it except that I had had pretty bad smelling gas! (sorry but true - could clear a room). Lovely!  The headache kinda came and went today and the queezy stomach hung around.

    All in all, not too bad considering the Wednesday poisoning.  Today I had to tweeze the hairs growing on my chin (as usual) and so I'm imagining I'll be looking like Yule Brenner in the King and I with a bald head and Fu Man Chu mustache.  That plus the gas should make me a hit at any party!  No mouth sores, dry mouth or other side effects cited by others on AC....but I'm only at day 3. 

    I had the Neulasta Shot on Day Two and the nurse put it in the fatty back of my left arm.  She took about 5 minutes to do it and it burned occasionally.  No bone pains or anything -- don't think that did too much harm.

    I'm learning that this journey is requiring me to dig deep to keep smiling.  But, I'm determined to live thru this and come out the other side.  I'm looking foward to the other side!

    Ciao!

    Pat

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  • pagowens
    pagowens Member Posts: 194
    edited January 2010

    Hey Vagas Diva,

    Love the look!  Your wig is natural and great looking.  Laughing  Cute style, very flattering!

    Pat

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  • mom2Bnegativex3
    mom2Bnegativex3 Member Posts: 221
    edited January 2010

    WOW, Diva you look FABULOUS!! It looks so natural. What kind is it? Did you style it? It looks so real! You are one tough cookie. You desrve the best and I think you for your great support.

    You make me smile everytime I read your post, Pat! Sorry it is going so rough. I hope it gets better!

    Woo Hoo Wren! Great attitude! Monday is my next, 2nd, half way there point, (only for AC).

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  • friscosmom
    friscosmom Member Posts: 146
    edited January 2010

    chasinghope - I have mouth sores too, I feel for you. I had my follow up Thursday with the onco and he gave me Carafate which is a liquid I take 30 minutes before eating and it only helps "slightly" . I have really bad heartburn too and doc says it all related to the mouth sores, I have it down my throat... not pleasant.

     vegasdiva - I didn't feel my Neulasta shot at ALL, which was a very pleasant surprise. I elected to have mine in my stomach instead of the back of my arm. They did inject it very slowly though like some others have described. They warmed it with their hands first, then pinched the flesh and kept it pinched as they were injecting.

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  • paxton
    paxton Member Posts: 577
    edited January 2010

    Diva: You look great.  I didn't even think about a wig until I read your post.

    I'm feeling really exhausted today.  The baby was a handful even with help.  Some days its like climbing Mt Everest and the worst is yet to come.  Guess a person just can't think about it.

    I got our family pics taken before my hair fell out and got them back.  Soooo cute.

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  • bbd
    bbd Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2010

    Merilee-

    It actually is Ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic to help avoid infection while my white count is so low. Today my white count is almost twice what it was last week, but still low. If it is still low for round 2 next week, I will need the shot of Neulasta. I have heard so many bad things about the shot. Anybody have any suggestions about improving white count?

    Barbara

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  • paddlegirl
    paddlegirl Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2010

    Well the first one is done!! I can't believe what a relief it is. I had a reaction to the taxotere right away and required benadryl in the IV then they were able to run it slowly. Felt fine to go to dinner with my parents afterwards. I actually am feeling great tonight with lots of energy. I will enjoy and take advantage of it while I have it.

    Paxton18064: Beautiful family pictures Laughing I decided also to get our pictures before my hair goes, the schedule will be tight as my son is coming home from Florida so it will be done about day 10-12.

    Vegasdiva: your wig does look great and natural.

    Amazing what 24 hours can do- last night was spent bawling my eyes out and laying awake until 2:30 am. Taking one day at a time.

    Stay strong!

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  • bbd
    bbd Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2010

    Vegasdiva and Paxton-

    I love the pictures. Thanks for sharing. 

    I finally gave in and got my hair buzzed tonight. I was so weepy today. I sometimes can't believe how upsetting losing my hair is. My hairdresser was so sweet and helped cut my wig a little to make me for a little more comfortable. My DD came with me for moral support, cheering me on, for a 16 year old she has been amazing as a cheerleader.

    As Jayne says, stay strong....we can and will do this. Be well.

    Barbara

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  • friscosmom
    friscosmom Member Posts: 146
    edited January 2010

    paxton - great pictures, that one of the baby is just precious!!!

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  • VegasDiva
    VegasDiva Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2010

    paxton18064: nice family pics.  Your baby is just too cute.  That picture of him in the sweater is soooooo beautiful.

    mom2Bnegativex3 : I got that wig at my local wig shop.  The tag inside says Elura and I know she mentioned the style was Abby.  The cut was pretty much exactly what I had.  I got the bangs trimmed and the top thinned a bit. The only difference really is the color.  The wig is about 2 shades darker than my natural hair.  Most people think I colored my hair.

    pagowens: laughed when I read your post.  If it's any consolation, my billy goat chin hairs are easier to pull out now and they don't seem to be coming back as fast. Laughing

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  • Issymom
    Issymom Member Posts: 264
    edited January 2010

    Paxton and Vegas - Great pics.  It is nice to put faces to all your names.

    Grace - I don't know why I didn't get a Steroid but will ask on Tuesday.  I am not really sure what the Steroids do for us (I am sure my onc told me but I don't remember).  Anyone else know?

    I got my Port installed today.  It went well.  Came home and took a 2+ hour nap.  It is really sore but manageable.  I didn't have this amount of pain when I had my bi-lat.  I guess that is because I have no feeling there so it can''t hurt.

    Tomorrow I go with my mom and sister to have my head shaved and wig made.  I'll try to post before and after pics.  I am bringing extra makeup to do touchups as I expect to cry.  I like my hair and the fact that I don't know how it will look when it comes back is so sad and unsettling.  We can't avoid this so I guess it will be good to get this over with!

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited January 2010

    lssymom

    The steroids open the blood vessels making it easier for the chemo to get into your system

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    OH LADIES! I finally found you. I had my first chemo the first week of Jan. Everything has gone too fast since diagnosis. BC was found "by accident". I had chest pain and my pul. doc did a CT scan to find a malignant tumor. Surgery with a lot of infections and into chemo. Anyone following me knows that my first CT treatment was ungodly. I truly have never been so ill and been in the ER twice this week for IV fluids and once at my onc's office. I can barely function and I am just so not sure about all of this. There was no time to educate myself and now I cannot think. So, thank you all for your info and knowlege as I have been living off of your experiences and your advice. So glad to have found the "Jan Chemo Clan" and a group of sisters to go thru this with. And waiting for a time when I can write that I am not ill and complaining about it. AND loving life again!LOL, SV

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  • cmkdtk
    cmkdtk Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2010

    Hi all,

    I am a newbie.  I had my first treatment of TCx4 on the 13th, to be followed with radiation.  I also had terrible constipation and was suprised to hear how many have also experienced this.  I also had problems with my mouth.  Day 5 I was back at the onc because my tongue was so soar.  He gave me the magic mouthwash and it helped a little.  It felt better a couple of days later, but it still feels wierd like there is a coating on my mouth.  Overall, I didn't have too bad an experience after my first treatment.  After reading some of your posts that you prepared ahead of time for the constipation and it helped, that's what I will do too for treatment #2. 

     Has anyone else experienced the dry/numb (as best as I can describe it) lips?

     Keep the faith and I love reading all the posts.

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  • youngmomof3
    youngmomof3 Member Posts: 156
    edited January 2010

    Well day 2 has been okay. Met with the surgeon and she was bale to get my port working so hopefully it will work again next week. Think it was the position the nurses put the needle in. Other than that, surgeon said all incisions looked good. Next we will have to start discussing surgical options after chemo: implants or FLAP? any thoughts???

    Issymom: good luck tomorrow. I'm sure tomorrow will be a difficult day but you are a strong woman.

    Paxton & Vegas: also love the pics. Vegas your wig is great, very flattering. Mine is also a little darker and has bangs which is something I will have to get used to. Paxton I especially love the pic of your little one looking up. So darn sweet!

    Paddlegirl: I also had a reaction to the Taxotere but they stopped it immediatly and want me to come back next week so they can increase the Benedryl and give it to me at a slower pace. So glad you ended up doing well which makes me feel better for next week. And yeah, you made it through round 1.

    Pagowens: you crack me up. I am sorry to hear you are going all that crap but your outlook is amazing. It will definitely help myself and others as we are dealing with some of the crappy SE's:)

    Hang in there everyone and thanks for listening and sharing
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  • mslrg
    mslrg Member Posts: 293
    edited January 2010

    Vegas Diva, I had a Neulasta shot last Friday.It was relatively painless and just a few seconds. I had achy bone pain in my arms, legs, ribs, back, and fingers for a few days, but otherwise, it wasn't too bad.

    youngmomof3--sorry to hear about your port cath not working. I'm getting mine placed on Monday--in the OR, under general anaesthesia--just the way I want it. I'd prefer not to be awake when someone cuts on my jugular!  I had precisely the SAME reation to Taxotere that you described when I had my 1st infusion on Jan 8th. You described my experience to a T, except, Taxotere was my first chemo drug, directly after benadryl and I still had a reaction. My blood pressure also sky-rocketed. It was scary! I continued to break out in that red rash for two days after the infusion. My doc, shut down all meds, put me on oxygen because I couldn't breathe and got me stabilized. They gave me a second dose of benadryl, which made me super sleepy. Then they started up the drip again--about 2 drips a minute. After Taxotere, I had to get my cytoxin. My 3 1/2 hour day turned out to be 8!

    mom2bnegative: that's so cool that you got all that free stuff. What part of the country do you live in? I don't think we have any resources like that where I live in Northern Cal.

    My hair is continuing to fall out--even in the nether regions, oh MY! This will be my first and only opportunity to go Brazilian!!! Could never muster the courage to get a wax job there! Embarassed  I picked up my wig today and hated it. It wasn't as I remembered it when I ordered it. It looks like a WIG on me, not natural at all. A bad assessory to a Halloween costume! To add insult to injury, my dog tried to attack it when I brought it in the house because he must have thought it was some kind of animal! Not a good sign! My kids laughed at it, and my husband put it on and started singing "Wayne's World". I am not one to wear hats or anything on my head, so the whole thing is uncomfortable and unnatural! The lady at the wig shop offered to shave my head for me today, but I was too chicken to do it. I want myown hair!

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited January 2010

    NKrun & Pat - I finished the AC part of my treatement last November.   I had the rashy hives on my tummy, back and neck after my first TX and my Onc recommended a daily Claritin.   I started taking one every morning and the rash/hives never came back.   The Claritin also gets rid of the very red face I have the morning after a TX.  I believe it is from the steriods.   It goes away a couple hours after I take the Claritin.

    One suggestion that y'all might consider...I have kept a daily journal of side effects since I started my 24-weeks of chemo.   It is a really useful way to find patterns in your SEs as you go through the cycles.  Especially when it comes to predicting when the "down" days will come... that way you can schedule your life accordingly.    Plus you'll be surprised by how many days you actually feel just fine!

    Stay strong everyone!   I know it is really scary and seems like such a long road when you start chemo...but time does pass quickly!  

    Patty

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  • mslrg
    mslrg Member Posts: 293
    edited January 2010

    paxton--love the pics! Your baby boy is too cute for words! What a darling little face!

     paddlegirl--sorry about your reaction to Taxotere-It happened to me too! Scary!

     cmk-tdk--yup, that constipation is really something isn't it? My next infusion is on the 29th--next Friday. I will start taking senakot that day and try tonot let myself get that way again. I was extremely uncomfortable. Took a couple of days for the senakot to work, but when it did, boy howdy! If I had any doubts about its effectiveness, I now know for sure that it WORKS!!! Good luck!

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  • jrlegal
    jrlegal Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2010

    Hi. Had my first treatment of chemo today (TCH) I was there 6 hours, boring, boring. But talked to some of the other "victims" All very nice. I left feeling good and went and ate, I was starving, didn't bring anything w/me except water. Still feeling good, so hopefully, this is not the calm before the storm. I guess we'll see as the days progress. I keep trying to think positively.

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  • nursemary66
    nursemary66 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2010

    My counts went up so I was able to stop the antibiotics yeahh! I sure didnt need the Senakot while on them. The 26th is my 2nd chemo. At least this time I know what to expect and will take more pain pills on those horrid days. My worst days were 3-5 and again 8-11. the second time I think because my counts were so low. I belong to Kaiser. They dont use Nuelasta,but a different one. the cost is horrendous. I am  a knitter. and have knitted 4 caps so far. Also have made 6 out of knit and woven fabric. Also made a couple of liners to give my head some oomph! Still planning to make some bangs out of my hair. Mine started falling out on day14. Its relly thin anyway and now is pretty sad. My treatments  only last 2 hours so I dont have much time to get through. Think I'll go by myself this time. Tonight DH said I was still beautiful without hair!!! Bless him. Good luck to all of you getting ready for # 2!  We can do this!!! Maryanne

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  • ckm3ofhearts
    ckm3ofhearts Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2010

    First treatment went well on the 11th. I sure didn't have the constipation problem that you all speak off, I had the opposite. Absolutely miserable opposite! Immodium became my new BFF. whew! I picked up my wig today, it is really pretty, I can't believe I'll need it soon. Monday will be 14 days after my 1st treatment and I'm absolutely obsessed with my hair falling out. I check it constantly, I hope I'm okay when it does. What? Of course I'll be fine. I hear all of your stories and it's helpful to hear everyone getting through it and knowing it's possible.

    I had the Neulasta shot the second day after and had wicked hip pain for 2 days! ouch.

    Nursemary66: My mom is making me surgical caps, I am a nurse and will need to wear something other than a wig to work, I don't want it to get "yucky" with patient's germs and plus I get to darn hot at work for a wig. I'm excited for the cute hats I guess. Carolyn

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  • agbmom
    agbmom Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2010

    Vegasdivas: What a super photo!  I just cut my very long waist length hair to a short do yesterday.  I have a wig in the ready. Starting chemo on the 28th. 

    chasinghope:  We'll be at DF the same day next week.  How long did your first infusion take?  I'm having acupuncture beforehand, so the chemo itself won't start until 2 PM. So sorry to hear about the mouth sores. More things to look forward to.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    vegasdiva-your wig looks great.  Thanks for sharing the pic. You inspired me to post one as well. I'm opting for no wig and plan on sporting a bald head with an occasional hat. 

    Sure I was smiling during chemo but certainly not for the next 5 days. 

    msmpatty-thanks for the tip on clairtin.

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  • cs718
    cs718 Member Posts: 37
    edited January 2010

    To CMKDTK newbie:

    I too had my first TC on Thursday.  fine so far, except I've been prescribed to take Sennakot=S every night before bed and have had no stomach problems so far, so ask your doc about taking that to avoid constipation, and drink lots of water those couple of days after too.

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