April 2010 starting chemo

peacelovedogs

Count me in.  I start my chemo on Thursday.  I am waiting as I type to have my port inserted.  I will have 5 months of chemo then surgery.  Fun. 

tpcjkk

Hi,

I am at day 13 from my first AC treatment, and the SE's from the first treatment seem like a distant memory.  Yay!    I feel mentally prepared to get #2 on Thursday.  I am getting a blood draw tomorrow, but hopefully counts should be OK.  I did Neupogen for 5 days, and have not noticed any problems with mouth sores or any other opportunistic infections.  Taste buds are almost back to normal - too bad, I will miss eating after TX #2!!

Last week, the mom of one of my son's friends reached out to me.  She is a two-year survivor of BC and went through exactly the same chemo as me.  She's awaiting her reconstruction in June.  She said that during her Look Good Feel Better program, she connected with someone who was part of a "group" of BC gals.  They formed on their own because of their similar ages and backgrounds, and are not part of any sponsored program.  They meet once a month or so.  I'll be joining the group tomorrow.  I am very excited to do this, even though I never had any interest in pursuing the support group opportunities offered by my docs and thought I didn't need one.  It was nice to talk to this woman, who had "been there and back" and I think the group will have a lot of knowledge to offer.  Anyone else doing a support group besides this forum?

Take care everyone, and stay strong!  Good luck to those having their treatments this week.   ~Julie 

marcy4

For any ladies considering getting a port put it, I highly recommend it.  The nurses always had a terrible time finding my veins...usually 3 to 4 attempts.  Initially I felt discomfort with my port and wondered if I had made the right decision, but I had it in on Apr.12th and it was used yesterday, April 19th for my treatment and it was wonderful.  I don't even notice it now.  I feel that one week of discomfort for hopefully many months of comfort will be well worth it.

I am in day 2 after treatment.  I had my Neulasta shot this afternoon and so far still feel good.  My face was very flushed this morning, but I slept very well and had no fever.  I was already on an antidepressant (Remeron) and think if helps with anxiety and sleep.

Best of luck to all those who are waiting getting started. 

LauraM

Well it looks like I might be getting chemo this month after all.  My surgeon said I should be all healed to start next week because my stomach really healed a lot last week.  I will know for sure by Monday.  I have been working on getting my wig and trying to see when I can get my port put in.

I hope you all are feeling well!

caltex_catlady

I'm on Day 9 of Round 1 (AC). Also 5th day of Neupogen shots (3 more to go this cycle). Up to now, the bone pain has been very mild and transient, but today it's very noticeable and ongoing in my low back (pelvis level, rather than a little higher up where I usually get muscle aches). I'm hoping this doesn't last long. I haven't tried the Claritin trick but have been taking extra strength Tylenol.

Julie, it's good to hear you're doing well, especially since I'm on the same treatment just a few days after you. I have noticed improvement in the taste buds as well. SInce I'm also on the 2 week cycle, I have a few more days before starting it all again. I just wonder how much the SEs will vary from one cycle to the next.

Karen

kad22

Hi everyone -

Well I'm on Day 12 of Round 1 (AC). Go back on the 30th. I am still having a terrible time with eating. I can only eat eggs, soup, and potatoes without getting diarrehea and cramps just awful. Any ideas about this would be great - because I am hungry for other foods just when I eat them I feel awful for two days.

Still have not lost my hair or have any weird head sensations - so hanging onto hope that I know I shouldn't have - o-well!

Julie - I haven't joined any support groups but think it maybe time.

Here's wishing that everyone who has a treatment this week goes without any SE's! Good luck to all!

shadow2356

Good luck to everyone starting chemo this month. I finished mine on 3/22. When you are going through it you think it will never end. But it does!! When you look back at it you will think it went fast. You can do it!!!!!!

I wish everyone strength in their fight!

Anonymous

I start my chemo tomorrow. I got my port last Thursday. I will let you all know how it goes.

sharonquail

Yes I started chemo on the 9th April 2010 an new to chat/blog. HER 2 Pos.

kad22

Well I shouldn't have said anything yesterday because this morning after my shower I got a handful of hair!

How long do you thing I have before I have to shave it off?

 I work in a school and don't want to scare the children but would like to wait at least until the weekend!

Help!

Kelli

SGJ05

Welp, gearing up to take my pre-meds tonight for treatment tomorrow! Can't say I am excited about it, but at least I am better prepared to deal with the dreaded SE's--I am crossing my fingers they are the same if not better than the first round.

kad22-I buzzed my hair on Sunday and for me it has been a very gradual fall out process. It is Wednesday and I just now have my first quarter size bald spot.Not sure if it is the same for everyone, but this is how it has been for me:) Hopefully it will be the same for you and your hair will hold out until the weekend.

susiesue

kad22, I'm sorry to hear about your eating problems.....here are a couple of suggestions that have worked for me (although we all know they may not work for my next round), instead of hard candy, which I ate during treatment,  I fould that soft candy works better for me--Swedish fish, gummy bears.  I also have found that besides water about the only other beverage I like is orange soda (and I rarely rarely drink orange soda), cinnamon raisin toast , and I find I like things that are chilled versus room temperature.  I usually drink coffee and I have not had a cup since I started treatment.  I now also own every possible type of 100 calorie snack available.....at least these won't go stale and if I don't eat them I'll pass them on to my daughter.

BC support group.....I wish there was one in my area, I was actually surprised that there wasn't.  My center does have a program where they match you one-to-one with a BC survivor......right now, I'd prefer a group

good thoughts to all......

saralmom

HI all.  Well, I had my post chemo appointment this week (I will meet with the PA between treatments) and had all my blood work done.  All of my numbers were low - WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, platelets, etc.  Even with the Neulasta shot last Tuesday.  She said it takes 10 days for that to kick in and do it's job.  So I'm officially neutropenic now, but hopefully not for long.  Weird that all my numbers look sick, but I feel good...

Re: my nausea throughout last week - she said that perhaps by not eating I was causing stomach acids overload which in turn leads to more nausea.  So she prescribed an antacid to start next time which could decrease that.  Just FYI for those of you who suffered along with me after your tx - with lots of nausea, etc. I agree with all who have said to just eat something when you can every couple of hours too - and ginger ale is now my best friend.  Done with coffee (total addict before - now it's so gross sounding) but can drink tea.  

You all have inspired me to do a few things I've been meaning to do - look into support groups and find a Looking Good Feeling Better class.  Also, I am going to start taking gentle yoga and maybe a meditation class...  whatever works.

SJ - good luck tomorrow...

Kad - hope your hair hangs on until the weekend!

Hope everyone else is having a good day.

Sara 

toughmom38

I'm right there with you, kad22.  My hair started coming out today, but not a whole lot at once. If I run my fingers through my hair I get about 10 or so strands each time.  I have a LOT of hair, so none of it is noticeable, I'm hoping for thinning hair not loss of hair. (Hey, a girl can hope can't she?)  I have absolutely no pain or tingling in my scalp and am waiting to see just how much comes out before I whack it off.  SGJ05, is your hair still coming out or does it appear to have stopped for now?  Hope everyone had a good day, best of luck to everyone starting chemo this week.

Jennifer

Pickles

SGJ- 

Good Luck with #2 Tomorrow

Hope all the first time and second timers have a no SE week.

I'm still in recovery mode 1 week out from first tx.  My tongue swelled and turned white on Sunday.  Called the onc.  Hubby ran to pharmacy for benedryl.  Broke out in big red bloches a few hours later, called onc.  took more benedryl.  Apparently taxotere and I have a delayed reaction to each other, lucky me.

 The Benedryl has made me more lathargic than ever and now things I eat seem to think it would be better to "run" out of my body about an hour after I eat.  Gads, could this disease be any less sexy!  Oh wait, that's right, it can...cause I'm gonna loose my hair next week!

 Was going to havr a fun party to shave it all off but have to cancel it because the big ugly rash has extended into my scalp and they don't want me cutting myself.  Think I'll just go to my stylist and have her give me a really short pixie cut.  Then go have a glass of bubbly with the hubby.

 On the up side, I was in the PS office with my favorite waiting room ladies and one of them knit me the cutest, fun, happy green hat with a big daisy on the side.  It's super soft and I wore it all day!  We may have to be cut, poisoned, and generally trashed but the women with breast cancer I have had  the priveledge to know are the kindest, most wonderful people I've ever met.

Keep fighting Ladies!

SGJ05

Thanks everyone:) I am gearing up to take the steriods in about an hour:) I am also trying ginger caps this time round to help ease the nausea. I never actually threw up, but I felt a lot of nausea during days 3 and 4--I asked my onc if I could add ginger caps and he was ok with it. I mean what is the worse that can happen, I feel crumby,lol.

toughmom-Unfortunately my hair is still falling out:( I run my hand through it and pull out clumps. I have a nice bald spot right up front so I am now wearing scarves. I had really thick hair and am hopeful that it will come back just as thick. Good Luck, I hope your hair loss is minimal.

Have a great night ladies!!! Good Luck to those who are going in for round #2 tomorrow--may it be uneventful and side effect free!

tpcjkk

Well, got my hair buzzed today.  Just a day before treatment #2.  My wig shop used #2 clippers; she said they don't take the hair down to the scalp because the hair seems to grow back better.  I went out tonight and wore my wig.  Had sushi, which I love, as my "last meal before I can't eat again."  My husband could not believe that the wig seemed so real.  I am fairly pleased with it, too.  It's pretty cold without some type of head covering.  I was worried that I was going to have bald patches before I made it to the appointment; I had two days worth of hair coming out when tugged on, especially in the shower (like 10-20 strands at a time).  My hair loss seemed to be the most at the base of my scalp, just above my neck, so was mostly hidden.  It was not accompanied by any scalp pain, tingling, etc.  

I went to the support group today.  It was wonderful to be around people who are perfect strangers, yet immediately "get" what you are going through.  All the women there today are done with treatment; some are still dealing with reconstruction.  There is a lot of group knowledge that I know I will tap into.  The #1 message I took away from this morning was that, "You can do it."  All of their experiences are very similar to what's been posted here.  They call the days after chemo the "5 days of going into your cave."  Tonight, my family joked that I am going into my cave tomorrow and look forward to when I come out.  I feel so much happier knowing that I am not alone, and that in time, this will all end and I can resume a healthy life.  I felt so joyful today that I am actually looking forward to getting my treatment tomorrow, as it will be just another step moving me toward the ultimate goal.

Take care. ~ Julie

P.S. - I stocked up on my post-chemo foods today, which are including graham crackers (I was told universally by the support group that sweet seems to be the most well-tolerated), Crystal Geyser Juice Squeeze bottles, Snapple iced teas, Carnation Instant Breakfast powder, diced peaches, canned mandarin oranges, and Cheerios (which I will eat with strawberries, which have just come into season here. Yay!)  

farfaith

# 2 done yersterday got that mettle tast this time started to get moulth sores and the hair has started to fall out not bad just when i run my fingers through my hair i get 4 or 5 strans we are making jokes it makes us all fell better and my oldist hes 10 he keeps me laphing .

best wishies and prayers to all starting and who have we can do this ladys!

KimW

Hi, I see I have been added to the group. My first chemo is 4/27 at 9:00 AM. I went and had my hair cut shorter yesterday so that I won't have so much long hair falling out. I was told with Taxotere you always loose your hair. I ordered a couple of scarves, hats, and turban like caps online because I don't know which I will like. I'm thinking no wig, because it's almost summer and I'm not going back to work until late August. I'm a school health tech, so my onc doesn't want me around all the sick kids.

I'm more afraid of feeling sick than loosing my hair. I have an 11 year old son and everytime I look really sick he gets scared. I am 3 weeks post bilateral mastectomy today, so am starting to feel pretty good finally. Not looking forward to the chemo next Tuesday. Anyone have better than expected outcome after first chemo with TC? Do you vomit wtih TC?

So far it looks like I should get some gingerale in the house. Also I am consulting with a Naturalpathic Oncologist who says that sucking on ice during the infusion will help reduce the chance of mouth sores.

Talk to you all soon. Have a good day.

Kim

bbmom

Hi everyone.

Kim - I did DD A/T/C x4 given seperately. I got sick once on the T, but I really think it was something I had eaten.  I did have really bad bone pain 24 hrs after getting T that lasted a couple days.

I took ice with me for every treatment and never had a mouth sore. I'm planning on doing the same this time. I will be starting tomorrow on carboplatin and gemzar for liver and bone mets.

Good luck to all of you.

God Bless!

SGJ05

Happy to say round #2 is done-WOOHOO!! And I had absolutely no complications and am feeling great:) Hopefully it will last at least a day or two before the side effects hit!!

Hope everyone is doing great!!!

shygal

KimW, I'm doing TC  and did not actually ever vomit (although I'm only part way thru the first cycle on day 11).  Felt like I was walking through fog on days 1 and 2 and then part way through day 3 and all day 4, I was very nauseous and weak and I fainted in the morning (have heard that drinking a lot of water can prevent this - will drink before getting out of bed next round and make sure to eat something small (2 crackers) every 2 hrs on all those first days).

Felt much better on day 5 and then only had a small relapse on day 9.  Yesterday and today I have felt 100% normal.  So for me, it wasn't so bad.  Some other minor SE's but nothing worth writing about.  If this is as bad as it gets, then I consider myself lucky.

Felt gingerale and ginger tea were both helpful and using the salt water or baking soda/salt combo's about 5 times a day help prevent mouth sores.

For me, losing my hair is going to be the biggest thing.  Not that I have great hair or anything but I don't suit hats/scarves and I hoping that I love that wig.

If you don't get offered ice for your fingernails during Taxotere, ask for it.  And if your sinuses are bothering you during Cytoxan, ask them to slow the drip down a little. 

Good luck next week

JenC

Please add me to the list. I am starting chemo on Wednesday 4/28. A/C every 2 weeks for 4 session and then Taxol every 2 weeks for 4 session. I am very nervous but know what has to be done.  I had left lumpectomy on May 1 with unclear margins and a mastectomy April 7 with immediate silicone implant.  Path came back with clear margins with the mastectomy. I went back to work part time 1 week after the mastecomy and back full time as of yesterday.  I am very nervous about side effects like neausea, etc.  But hoping that the preventative medicines will work good and there will be little side effects.  I have an appointment tomorrow with a wig company and have already ordered hats and scarfs.  Any thoughts on when I should have my head shaved?    Best of luck to everyone.  You are all strong women.:)

KimW

Shygal, Thanks for all of the information. I hope it goes as well for me. Can you believe that we are all at the point where feeling like we are in a fog and being a bit sick for days but not really vomiting much, is what we hope for? It's like we are marching into battle! Well, I guess we are

Stay strong - fight hard!

Kim 

tpcjkk

Hi,

Had my second AC treatment yesterday.  Met with my onc just before and he said my blood counts were normal.  I asked, "Normal for a chemo person?" and he said "Normal for any person."  Makes having had to do those Neupogen shots myself totally worth it!

Like clockwork, my SE's gradually reared their head about 3 1/2 hours after I finished infusion.  In that 3 1/2 hour window, I raced around like a whirling dervish, doing laundry, getting things ready by the bedside, etc.  Made a point to pay bills, answer all emails and had long chats with each of my kids.  Then I told them, "It's time to go into my cave."

Now that I am not so fearful/anxious, I've become more self aware.  I noticed that I don't actually feel crappy all the time, but it comes in waves.  I try to roll with it and eat/drink when I feel less nauseous, and focus on deep breathing and relaxation when the bad waves come.

I've decided I'm not going to fight waking every two hours at night (which I do for about 4-5 nights after treatment).  My sister suggested I get a sleeping aid, but I feel it's probably better if I use the waking to empty my bladder and re-hydrate.  When I get Adriamycin, the onc nurse "pushes" it for about 20 minutes, rather than it going in by IV.  She comes in with the syringe, dressed in full gown, goggles, heavy-duty gloves, and lays down a blanket over everything.  We talked at length about the toxicity of the drugs, and she was candid, saying that they are extremely damaging.  Even beyond direct contact with the drug, there are also concerns about their fumes.  Pregnant women absolutely can't work in the infusion lab.  Special measures are taken for disposal, down to special methods of incineration of everything that comes into contact with the drug.  Yeesh!  I decided then and there that it's a good thing for me to wake every two hours so I can pee and get that stuff out of me.  Oh, and be careful when using the bathroom; shut the toilet lid before you flush, and don't breathe til you're clear.

Good luck to those about to get treatments, and hang in there to those struggling with SE's.

~Julie 

arubajan05

Hi!  Add me!  I start Round 1 of 4 tomorrow at 2pm. CT.  Friday afternoon "Happy Hour" (slightly different cocktail than I usually enjoy! )

Hugs to All!

LauraM

 Hi Ladies - I posted this on the Cancer 2010 tread also, but just realized this might be a better place to ask the question.  Chemo Question, are any of you taking multi vitamins or any other supplements during chemo?  I am on a Multi vitamin, extra iron, probiotics and a fish oil, all natural products that I started when I was having issues healing from my surgery.  They have made me feel great and I have so much energy since I started them.  I was very excited yesterday when my oncologist office said that I can continue taking all of them during my treatment.  Has anyone heard anything against taking these while on Chemo?

Thanks for your help!

KimW

Shygal: Why ice for my fingernails? I haven't seen anything on this.

KimW

KimW

LauraM. Those all sound good. I am taking them plus more. I hired a Naturalpathic Oncologist to help me through this and she told me that during the months of chemo to add L-glutamine powder in a hot drink twice per day to reduce nerve damage and increase energy. Also Acetyl-L-carnitine 1000mg twice per day before meals to reduce fatigue, improve muscle strength and that it helps to reduce chemo brain.  She had me on other stuff for my bilateral mastectomy, and I think it helped me alot. I healed right up and was out at the grocery store within 10 days (not lifting things though). I am 3 weeks, 2 days post bilateral mast. with expanders and I feel pretty good. Although the expanders are decidedly uncomfortable.

Good Luck.  KimW

caltex_catlady

 Welcome to the new folks. I've added you to the list.

tpcjkk, I'm glad to hear your blood work came back so good. I've also been doing the Neupogen shots (just one more tomorrow before my blood tests on Sunday and treatment #2 on Monday). I'll see the onco before the treatment and maybe she'll be able to tell me if I'll be doing the shots during each cycle.

I'm not crazy about giving myself shots, but it's manageable. Most of the time the bone pain from the shots was OK, but on the 5th day of injections (9th day overall) I had really terrible pain in my pelvis and lower spine. I had to take some Vicodin leftover from my surgery. If that's an indicator of how hard the bone marrow is working on making new white blood cells, then I expect my WBC count to be pretty darn good.After the one bad day, it's been fairly mild since then.

I like the idea of going into a cave. It's just a quiet, protective place while you need it, then you can come back out more like yourself. Like a lot of people, the first 4 days were the ones I spent mostly in the cave. Since then it's been more like normal except for the Neupogen issues.

I had a dream last night where I had just finished a treatment and was talking to some others who had just finished as well. I kept worrying that I hadn't drunk my 2 quarts of water beforehand because I thought it wasn't time yet but it was already Monday. Must be a sign I need to start drinking up now before the real Monday.

Good luck to arubajan05 as you start tomorrow. What a way to start a weekend! We're here for you if you have any questions, but don't be afraid just to retreat to your cave for a few days.

Karen (caltex_catlady)