August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

aimska

meholly - 6 weeks doesn't sound right.. I think your nurse misinformed you :P.  Mines started coming out about 12 days after my first treatment.. I have a port.. can't say that I love it.. it kinda sticks out .. it doesn't bother me much, but when I look in the mirror it's definitely noticeable.  I've always had iffy veins though, so the fact that one puncture will do it, is enough for me to get the port!  haha.

Chrys23

I think I'm also in the minority again in that I do not have a port. While easier, my Onc was against it as he said if I happened to get an infection, etc, it would be a pain in the a&&. He said since I'm only having 4 treatments and that my veins are pretty good, we'll go the IV route. That was fine with me. I had complications from my 2 lumpectomies, that I'd rather not go thru another "procedure".

I'm not knocking the port at all -- I'm sure it works out well for you gals that have them.

vtellen

I don't have a port either. Noone even mentioned it to me. And Chrys, you are on my same schedule, bad leg pain followed by wierdo mouth stuff - numb lips, chalky feel inside. This is where I started really loving the ice! Filled the glass up and watered down my juice, then I could stand to drink it. This phase lasted a couple of days for me.

Well, I am thrilled to report that my wbc count is barely any higher, and now my granulates or whatever fights bacteria has tanked. It has been a week since he told me I was neutropenic, and I've been feeling fine, so I just assumed everything was OK. Even went out and mucked the horses last night, cleaned litter boxes, stopped wiping down the world w/ chlorox wipes. D*mn. Back to the excessive hand washing, again. Discouraging....

Chrys23

VTEllen -- girl, maybe you are doing too much! I'm sorry your blood counts, etc aren't up. 

Also, watch those litter boxes -- I was told by my chemo nurse NOT to partake.  I can pick up dog poop if I walk little Nacho, but I use a paper towel and dog-baggie/gloves and then religiously wash my hands afterwards. If he goes in the backyard, it's even better (poops are small, thank god!) I'm sure you are being careful though.....(((HUGS)).  

I can't believe I feel better today -- it must be a dream 

vtellen

Well, I didn't get a neulesta shot, so I guess I'm about where they expect me to be. My bone marrow ( or whatever makes the new blood stuff) count is super high, so things are getting ready to turn around. I just hope everything is up by my next dose, so I don't have to postpone treatment. Not that I'm really looking forward to it, but... still.

Robyn6463

I'm finally feeling well enough to sit in my chair and catch up with all of you! So much has happened on here! I'm feeling better today - MUCH better today. Worked a little bit this morning, and promised more for the rest of the week. My first T/C was on Friday. I had diarrhea at first, then the dreaded constipation, indigestion...stomach pain, but not much nausea. But the muscle aches are horrible! My husband says I keep moaning in my sleep! Finally took a Vicodin last night, and I think it helped!

Haven't really had the bad taste in my mouth, so I can't weigh in on the great Biotene debate yet! 

I had to ask specifically for the Oncotype Dx test. My insurance did cover it after review. But my score was 21. In the mid-range. I could have skipped the chemo, but my oncologist said she thought that she would do chemo if it was her...and I figure she's the smart one here. My GP agreed, he was voting for chemo even before the test. He believe you should buy whatever extra insurance you can with this stuff!!! So, chemo it is. And now that I've committed, I needed to be talked back into it after the 1st treatment!

Had some trouble with the IVs during the infusion, and the nurses are insisting I get a port. With only 3 treatments left. Part of me thinks that the nurses just don't want to mess with my veins, which aren't all that bad I don't think. I don't think my onco nurses are very good at it...maybe they don't get a lot of IV practice because of ports? At any rate, port placement is scheduled for 8/30, next treatment 9/2. And the happy news, my best friend has her C-section scheduled at the same time as my infusion! The new baby will be exciting happy news in the middle of this! 

I have two wonderful dogs, also, as well as two kitties and my son's pet turtle! They are awesome company on the rare days that I'm home alone.

Hope you all are feeling well. Welcome new people! Sorry we have to get together here! 

Chrys23

VTEllen -- when was your first infusion? And when will your 2nd be?

Robyn: Glad you are up and around. Aren't those muscle aches horrible? I felt like someone was holding me down, while punching me with 80lb weights. My legs felt heavy, like I was wading through sand or mud and then the whole body-aches were just agonizing. But I've had no nausea either. I don't know which is worse! LOL

MaryjRN

Peachie...you may not need more disability.  Many of the ladies are working through their treatments.  You'll just have to see how it goes.

Sweeney...thanks for stopping in to say hi and remind us that it does get better!

VtEllen...My leg/underarm hairs have slowed but not stopped.  My hair is coming out big time today.  It is day 17 for me.  started AC on 8/1.  I have been wearing a head cover when preparing food because the hair is all over.  I may wear my wig later today.  Haven't decided.

Madis...Emend is the one I get dripped in before my treatment.  I believe it is newer/better than the Zofran.  Not sure.  The compazine is an 'oldie but goodie' that they start with.   I have the Z and the C at home.

EEkwine...I was told days 14-19.  My onc was surprised that I had so much left when I saw him for my second treatment.

Grimbol...hope today is going better for you.

Chrys...glad it's going better today.

Meholly...I got my wig before I even started treatment.

Robyn...glad you are feeling better.

Today is day 3 of my #2 treatment of AC.  It's going ok.  Feeling tired today, but nothing I can't handle.  Hope everyone is doing well.  I think Summergirl was having her first treatment today.

Kasi

Mary - Thanks for checking in and letting us know you are after #2. I get AC #2 tomorrow. Feeling kind of headache-y and worn down today. I hope my WBC count rebounded - I kind of feel like I did when it was 1300 last week. And I did have the Neulasta.

vtellen

Chrys- my first treatment was 8/3. Next isn't until 8/29. So, a bit over the 3 week mark. I had, in my anxious enthusiasm, moved up my start day. To get it over with, I guess. Oh, something else, my onco prolonged my steroids - 2x a day for 4 days after treatment, the idea being that it will help alleviate some of the leg/body pain. Robyn- I tried a vicodin as well, but the next day woozies were so intense. After my lumpectomy, the recovery nurse quipped " you wouldn't make a good drug addict" I remember because it seemed an odd thing for a nurse to say. Just can't handle my drugs, I guess!

MaryjRN

Kasi...They will check it again before your next infusion.  Mine went from 1.8 to 8.6 in 7 days.  I also had the neulasta.  This one was easier because I was less anxious and more prepared.  Good luck!

michelleo13

Hi All!



Glad to hear everyone is hanging in there.



This afternoon I went to visit my dear friend's mother who is a 15 year breast cancer survivor. She had lumpectomy, node involvement, chemo and radiation and is doing great today! Very inspiring. She has also done a lot of work in the theatre over the years and has a whole collection of wigs. She got them out so I could try them on. We just howled! She even had a curly blonde Dolly Parton wig! In the end, there were two that I really liked so she let me borrow them for as long as I need them. I like the one so much I think I may wear it instead of the two that I bought. I should have gone to visit her first!



Meholly, I think the nurse misinformed you as well. They told me to expect hair loss around the two week mark. Today is day 10 post 1st AC and I still have my hair. I don't think it is growing much though as I colored it three weeks ago and would normally have visible roots by now, and I don't. I also have noticed less stubble on my legs and underarms.



Kasi and anyone else having treatment tomorrow (sorry don't have the list handy on my iPad), good luck!

Chrys23

Ladies -- does anyone know if you can go swimming in a pool during chemo? Just curious. I know we are supposed to stay out of the sun and try to wear sunscreen and seek shade, but I don't know about swimming (pool only -- no ocean).

michelleo13

Chrys, In everything anyone told me or gave me to read about chemo, there was no mention of avoiding swimming in a pool.  I think it's fine.

capinva

Today I felt better. The aches are gone and I didn't throw up Still not much appetite and nothing really taste good. Someone mentioned taking the anti-nausea drugs regularly. I'm with Vtellen cannot handle many drugs. Remember, I'm the one with the weird reaction to taxotere. So the adivan and phingren (? sp) only make me sleep for 8-10 hours and I'm taking half the dose suggested.



I am going to ask my onoc about the test many of you are talking about. I did not get that test but would like to know where my numbers are. All of the MRI's and cat scan show the tumor in one breast and no hot spots anywhere else in the body. If that test came back with a low number then maybe we need to look at a different plan. The tumor has shrunk so i believe I could have surgery now. I have been told I will have radiation after surgery then 5 years of tamiflox (sp ?).



Hope everyone starts feeling better soon.

tldrose

Hello - thanks - Im not sure how helpful I can be, but I will try. AC has been okay for me. The worst s/e has been no energy and fatigue! I have been given alot of anti-nausea pre meds and haven't had any problems with that. I did react badly to the Neulasta and told my Onc that I wanted a round without it to see what my body does and I feel much better this time. I do have to go get my CBC done tomorrow and am praying they are good so I don't need the Neulastat on the the next round! After AC next week, I will start 4 rounds of Taxol and not sure how that will be!

summergirl1

Well to give you all a laugh, I had to start my steroids today and only ME would get the weirdist side effect from it , approx 1/2 hr  after taking it I had uncontrolablle LAUGHTER, which i might add lasted all day, had to go for my chemo training and found it rather embarrising  that each time the nurse read out the serious side effect of chemo I would break out in hysterics, and could not help it ,my family got a great kick out of it , I guess i cant complain but mt TE hurts from all the laughing,

Well tommorrow is my first TX day and Im feeling positive about it just want it started now ,

Good luck to everyone, and have to thank you all for getting me through so far. xx

vtellen

So, Chrys - seriously, you must be feeling better! Out of the sick bed and now to lounging by the pool side - excellent!    

Chrys23

VTEllen - I wish I was lounging by the pool. Just never asked my Onc and was curious. I miss my wine and Cosmos though!    I want a drink! LOL

TLDRose: Glad you are doing ok!

 Summergirl: That is too funny -- and what a strange side effect, but laughter is good for the soul !!  Best wishes to you tomorrow!

justme1

I am with yall I just got finished with a/c and now i get taxol for the next 5 weeks had my 1st today .Feeling a lil scared of whats going to be my side effects this time.

koalakid39

Gearing up for 2nd infusion tomorrow. I'm a little worried since everyone is talking about the second time having worse se's, I guess I'll find out! I will be getting the neulasta on Friday.  I'm glad I can read about everyones experiences, makes me feel less alone in all this!  The hubby and kids just don't get it! Even though it sucks, thanks for being here everyone.....Have a good night all.....(((((HUGS))))) Kim

mommyx2

Well I made it thru TX #1 today - wahoo!! I was pretty nervous, not knowing what to expect. I don't have a port yet just because timing to see the surgeon, so today I got all via IV. The premeds knocked me out cold, I think probably the benadryl, so I slept thru all the taxotere and carboplatin. Felt a little burn with the herceptin going in. And then they gave me the neulasta shot same day (since I live far from the hospital). Now I just feel tired and am wondering how long the premeds will last for the nausea. Since I didn't sleep at ALL the last few nights, I'm hoping tonight will be better.



So did anyone cut their long hair into a short do before the fallout? I'm wondering if it would help to transition.



Good luck to everyone. Reading your experiences REALLY made me feel better prepared for today and the coming weeks. Thanks so much! Oh, and I vote yes on the biotene!

lele

TAXOL IS NOT BAD AT ALL, OF COURSE SIDE EFFECTS ARE DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE BUT IT DIDNT CAUSE NAUSEA OR VOMTING.  IT DOESNT CURB YOUR APPETITE AND YOU ARE ABLE TO TASTE THE FOOD YOU EAT.  MY HAIR EVEN STARTED GROWING BACK, AND I WAS TOLD THAT USUALLY DON'T HAPPEN UNTIL TREATMENT IS OVER. I DID 12 WEEKS AND IT WAS A BREEZE.  GOOD LUCK

MaryjRN

Mommy...I had my hair cut shorter on about day 11.  It is making the transition esier for me.  Glad your #1 went well.

lele...glad to hear that the Taxol went in easily for you.  That's what is next for me, in about 5 weeks.

Koolaid...I had my #2 on Monday, 8/15 and it is going ok.  I am also finding out that my family just doesn't get it like all the great ladies here do!

Justme...well you have one part of your chemo done and hopefully the next 5 weeks will go by quickly!

Summergirl...what a funny reaction.  At least you were happy!  Good luck today.

I'm up early this morning.  Insomnia?  I am planning on getting some paperwork done soon.  Have a great day, ladies!

koalakid39

Maryj, I've been up for a couple of hours as well.  I don't know if it's because I took my steroids so late or what. I know I will most likely crash this weekend anyway and sleep lots! Dr. at 915 and then chemo.

I hope everyone has a pain/se free day! Kim

truenorth

Hi ladies.  This is my first post.  I had my cancer removed at the beginning of July.  I got an incision infection where my lymph node biopsy was.  Almost better now...it was pits or awhile...haha  Anyway, one node tested positive.  It was all caught early.  The recommendation is chemo because it went to the nodes (taxotere and cytoxan (IV) with a neulastin next day shot). 

I am scared about doing the chemo.  Scared if I don't do it, cancer will come back somewhere worse.  Scared of the side effects and what to expect from the treatments.  I am pretty resilient and have a good attitude, but nonetheless sounding like a baby here.  Just looking for some words of wisdom from those of you who have made the choice to do chemo or  not and how you cam e to your decision.  Not sure if the side effects of the chemo outweigh the benefits....Any words of advice?

truenorth

Oh and I also cut my long hair.  I actually like it shorter now it's so easy!  My hair dresser said that  she'd come in early before the shop opens to shave it if I do the chemo and I want her to do that. 

michelleo13

Welcome justme1 and truenorth.

mommyx2, glad your first infusion is over and went okay. I did cut my hair short right before I started chemo. I had a mass of thick curls so I was concerned that once it started falling out, it would be a real mess.

Truenorth, I can't really comment on making the choice to do chemo as I wasn't really given a choice. My cancer was triple negative, grade 3 and in two nodes, so chemo was pretty much a given for me. I'm sure some of the other wonderful ladies on here will hae some words of wisdom for you!

vtellen

I think the chemo decision depends on your stats, truenorth. I walked in for my chemo talk and pretty much said give me everything ya got! I had a small tumor but my node was positive as well, and they only pulled one (looked clear in surgery) so, personally I want the chemo. My onco showed me all the outcomes w/ the different treatments. Also, we sent my info to Mayo and they agreed w/ my onco, so chemo it is. There is the oncotype test, have you had that done?

vtellen

Ok, seriously. Am I the only one who is NOT getting the Neulesta shot? I'm thinking of insisting next time....