Is There A September 2011 Chemo Group?
Comments
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Hey ladies. Hope everyone is doing well today.
Well, I thought I was doing so good with my first chemo treatment. I am 7 days post chemo and 8 days post neulasta shot and today has proved me wrong. I am so tired and my bones ache. All I want to do is just crawl in the bed but I only have half a day at work to go and fortunately most of my work is office work so I don't have to move around too much. Looking for some quiet time tonight when I get home.
I have also lost my voice. I don't know if it's from the Magic Mouthwash, chemo or just because the weather is changing. Ugh!
I know tomorrow will be a better day.
Hugs to all of you that are getting ready to begin and I'm thinking of those of you that have already begun.
RJ
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Motheroftwins..... I also live in WI (Madison), also have 6 year old twins, and also will be starting chemo on Friday the 16th. Crazy! Good luck. I will be doing AC dd x 4. T dd x4 followed by Herceptin. Radiation seems to be iffy. Had double mast, but 1 pos node and a close margin. In a gray area. Getting opinions on that now. Wishing all very few to no side effects. One thing I have noticed is that everyone seems to get through the 1st tx okay, so hopeful that is the case for us starting now. I am so scared I cant even believe it. I mean millions get through it right? It just seems so horrible and I want to be able to spend time with my kids and not be completely sick around them. Good luck to all.
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rjbaby, day 7 sucks. You are at your NADIR, and your white blood count is all screwed up. I felt the same way and was able to sleep all day. Honestly, you will feel slightly better tomorrow, even more better on Sunday, and maybe back to almost great by Monday. Eat well, treat yourself to an Ensure milkshake, rest.....hugs to all, and special kudos to our mothers of twins....takes a lot of strength during a normal time!
For the record, I never really felt sick. Just tired. I think there's a huge difference and will take tired over sick any day! Round 2 tomorrow......hugs to all!
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RJ: So sorry to hear about how rough you are feeling. Hopefully you will feel better after some rest tonight. [[Hugs]]
ccjj: I think it is natural to be scared when facing something you are unsure about like this, but you are right: people do get through this every day. One positive I keep hearing about is that the anti-nausea meds really work...so that willb e good. The second is that the wuper tired seems to ease up and not be much of an issue for more than 3-5 days. If that's so, it seems to me like that's not much different than if you had a real bad cold or flu for a couple of days and kids seem to deal ok with that.
Good luck with round 2 Shelley...thanks for the pep talk...you keep making me feel less and less worried
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I just finished with ACT 6 weeks ago.
I found the AC with Nuelasta to be much more tolerable than Taxol. With the AC, I was definitely tired but would have the treatment on a Thursday, off Friday through Sunday and back at work on Monday feeling pretty good.
Taxol made my muscles weak and sore in my feet and legs. It made it hard to walk and even after 6 weeks out my toes are still numb but are getting better.
After getting used to what the AC would do I could work around it but the Taxol was constant...I didnt feel better after a period of time. I still kept up the same schedule but it was hard.
I had the dose dense regimen...every other week (AC 4x then T 4x). Looking back now, it wasnt so bad but it was not easy either. i am just glad to be done and be alive! I am blessed!
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Thanks Shelley! It feels so good just to sit here and rest and not have to do anything! I am having steak and mashed potatoes. Trying to eat the red meat like they told me. Gonna have steak, but a different kind, tomorrow. My onc also suggested a glass or red wine each evening. Got to invest in some of that too. Have any suggestions? I like red wine, but I like mine a little sweet and definitely not dry.
Hugs!
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Hi Kimberly - Treatment went well yesterday. Everyone was so nice!! Tonight I'm starting to drag a little and I'm fighting off a low grade fever. Feeling just a little heartburn and my mouth feels burnt. So far, so good. I'm glad your treatment went well!! In all of the excitement of getting ready, I totally forgot my EMLA cream! It worked out fine though, they shot me with some lidocane and it was all pain free. Doing my best to stay super-hydrated. So far, so good. I think it's time to hibernate again.
Welcome Mother of twins!!
I hope everyone is having a good, hard-fightin' week!
xxxx
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Iwarstler thanks! Hopefully I will be able to bounce back after some rest. I am going to eat well tonight. Then plan on taking a wonderful shower and going to bed early to do some reading. I know that will put me to sleep in a few minutes! LOL!
Hugs!
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Kimberly 196- I'm with you. I took my steriod today in prep for tomorrrows first chemo, worked all day, picked up my kids from school and we buzzed around going into many stores. I don't know if I was nesting or panicking because of the pending chemo or just hyped up from the steriods but I found a bigger purse at a consignment shop for work since all my chemo stuff- toothbrush, mouthwash, etc is spilling out the top of my old purse. Then we had to stop at Dunken Doughnuts because I had to pee so bad and it was close (I'm trying to hydrate today). I allowed them each one munchkin (I am a health food nut and so they rarely get stuff like that). The lady felt bad for them I guess because after we got 5 she put 5 more in the bag for free! I didn't even have to mention I have cancer- what do you know, the kids were thrilled. Then we went grocery shopping and I was spastic grabbing items just in case I will be layed up later. They all thought I was funny, especially when I felt the urge to dance with them in the isles.
rjbaby69- I think you are at the worse part, like everyone says, just take it one hour at a time and be patient with yourself- don't put expectations on how you should feel.
cerla9112. I feel the same way about a wig. I still haven't purchased one. I am going to a woman next week who works with Orthodox Jewish ladies who have to cover their hair for religious reasons. I was told she was very good. All the wigs I tried on so far looked so....wiggish, I can't bring myself to buy one.
Welcome all new posters. Hang tight for our journey together!
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Motheroftwins and ccjj My first treatment was a very long day and I was exhausted by the time I got home. You can do it though. I am wishing you both lots of luck and very little SE's! Please let us know how it goes.
Hugs!
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Thanks findingsolace! I am just so grateful for a place that we can all come and share our experiences. It has really meant the world to me.
Hugs!
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rjbaby, I thought we were supposed to stay away from alcohol!!! Red wine is good news! I would suggest a cabernet, or even a bottle of grocery store sangria. The stores here sell a nice sangria for like 5.99 a bottle and its really good over ice if you are not much of a red wine drinker.
For everyone doing round 1 tomorrow, happy thoughts! While I am doing round 2 tomorrow I will be sucking on my ice and chanting in my head: I will be well. I will be strong. I will be healed. God is with me. Hugs to all!
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Started my DD AC today. I thought I was handling it really well but almost fainted when they stuck the needle in the port. It was really kind of funny. After that all went well. I'm 6 hrs post chemo and have just slept through most of the day. No major issues. Just feeling a bit yucky. It would be really nice if this is as bad as it gets but only time will tell. My 2 1/2 year old just keeps asking if I'm
Feeling better. She gave me permission to cut my hair. She loves my hair so that has me most worried. going to have a hair shaving party when I'm to it this weekend. Good luck everyone! I'm so glad to have started so I can be done with it! -
Kelli, yet another great idea! There's a Sonic right down the street. I hope you are feeling well. Keep me posted!
Hugs
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Just wanted to jump in tonight and wish all of us starting our chemo tomoro a peaceful day. I read somewhere on this forum that it helps to think of it as a MASTERCLEANSE, ridding our bodies of all the little baddies that may be lurking
I know....I know.....spoken like a true Kindergarten teacher! And on another note, these steroids are ah-maaaaaazing! Never been on them before and I'm wondering why all us superwomen who try to do it all can't take them every day?! But I'm sure there is a reason. Oh well, getting ready to pack my bag for tomoro...book, ipod, snacks, water, blanket, phone...am I forgetting anything? -
Hi everyone! It's been a while since I posted because I have been busy with the two little ones, but I am wishing everyone the best of health and luck. I am glad to see that so many of you have not had bad side effects. I had a rough couple of days (days 4-6) but figured out the hard way it was due to dehyrdation. I met with the oncologist yesterday, and we are going to be proactive next week for my second round by doing a fluid infusion with my Neulesta shot the next day.
To RJ and any one else having a rough time, I went from feeling terrible to feeling pretty normal almost overnight so try not to feel discouraged. Hopefully you will bounce back quickly.
Sheypres- I felt the same way as you did about my hair and my 3-year-old daughter, but I brought her with me and made it seem like the wig thing was fun. Even though I still really haven't come to terms with losing my long hair, she now things wigs are fun and is talking about wearing one for Halloween. Hopefully I can keep smiling about it in front of her.
Good luck to everyone tomorrow, and may we all have a relaxing, restful weekend.
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Thanks Shelley. I thought we were too. Then Tuesday I overheard two older couples talking about how the onc had suggested red wine for them too. I remember one of them saying "just a glass now, not the whole bottle." Kinda cracked me up. I was thinking the whole bottle!!!
I live in a dry county which means I have to travel to buy wine. Ugh! Well, I have to have labs next Tuesday in the big city and I think I will stop and check out some wine then. Thanks for your suggestions! I appreciate you!
Hugs!
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CJRT thanks girl.
I also get fluids with my neulasta shot. I think they are potassium and saline. Then they give me the shot in the belly. Nurse told me it hurt less there than in the back of the arm. Got lots of belly fat!!
Hugs!
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RJ, red wine sounds really good right now but I am too chicken! To everyone else starting tomorrow- let's do this:) I've got my chemo survival kit (thanks to everyone on here) and I'm ready to roll!
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FindingSolace, Cooka, JerseyL, CCJJ, and Mother of Twins - Good luck tomorrow. Go kick some cancer butt. All I brought to chemo was a water cup, a sandwich, book, and my phone. Hydrate like crazy ladies, that's what they tell us.
Sheypres - Why did you almost faint with accessing the port? Was that anxiety or did it hurt? Do you have the EMLA?
RJ - I'm pretty sure that our protein needs are higher on chemo. Steak is great, which reminds me, I still didn't clean my broiler. Out of sight, out of mind. My outdoor grill has tanked out on me and I had to grill indoors for my last steak. Hope you got a good early nap or sleep too.
BlueJay - Sorry I had your name mixed up with another BlueJay.
Kelli - I had some heartburn too. I've used Zofran 3 times so far for that and a little food, small meal like a scoop of warmed potatoes or a little yogurt. I should have bought more yogurt. Tonight I am trying a Nexium to see what that does. I also had flushed face, nice pink glow but no fever. It feels like a layer of tastebuds have disappeared, puffy hands and fingers this morning (which never happened to me before), and I still had the headache today, but it seems to be resolving. The headache is the only really bothersome thing and it goes way down when I sleep, so 2 naps today, one for a couple of hours at 9:30 a.m. and one at 6 p.m. despite the Dexamethasone. Incredible that I took 2 and went to sleep at 6 p.m. Just woke up again at 10. I wonder how much I would have slept without the Dexamethasone. Well, I did wake up at 5:30 today, but still.
Well, I took the Claritin this morning and so far.....no bone pain from Neulasta. They did call today to tell me that my insurance wants me to self-administer from this point out for the next 3 shots. With the price of the Neulasta, it has me very nervous that I will not do it correctly and waste it.
Well, one of the collies chose this morning to get sick in the living room and I didn't lose it while cleaning it up. Usually that gags me. I think my sense of smell is a little burned along with the tastebuds. I thought smells would be more intense with chemo. Not for me.
I haven't heard anyone mention this, but watch your tub drain with this hair fallout thing coming. I'm going to search out the plastic pop in drain with fine holes for catching hair that I used to use when washing dogs in tub. It's somewhere under the sink, I know it. I'm also going to add a little Drano everyday. My plumbing is old with small diameter and I don't need the plumbing bill.
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Hey Kimberly, I think was just nerves. The pain was not bad. Just got really hot and sounds got muffled. After I washed my face I felt so much better. Now all good. Nuelasta shot today. Drinking lots and taking claitan in a bit.
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Good luck to everyone starting Chemo today!!! Relax and hydrate!! If you have a Sonic nearby, I had a Route 44 1/2 diet limeade to sip on during my infusion and it was perfection! I love their crushed ice too
.To everyone getting the Nuelasta shots, I'm listening... We opted to not do one for my first infusion because I don't work or have small children at home. I'm getting my bloodwork done next week when I get my Herceptin only infusion. Hopefully it will all be good
.Kimberly - I had the face, chest flush after my infusion too. My low fever is gone, thank goodness!! My tastebuds are off, but not too bad. I know the "fun" part hasn't started yet. I'm having some stomach cramping and eye burning now, but even that's not so bad.
Jerseylicious - LOL!!! MASTERCLEANSE - I love it!! Good luck with your chemo today.
Sending healing, happy vibes to all!!!
xxx
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Hello, ladies!
I did not see oncologist yesterday, but NP.They also flushed my port and tried to get blood, somehow it did not work,so technician called the collegue for help. It did not work either, so they put me on a bed, and the it worked.The test was good, did not show any infection, but a little anemija, HB10.They decided to reschedule my first chemo on Monday, th 19.I am so scared. NP told me, that I am , probably, togh, so I can do it. What if I am not? Still no idea about the temperature.
It is good I read about EMLA CREAM here, and told them that, other way I probably would be without it.och! They even did not have a numbing spray in the office....I asked NP How to prepare for my first chemo? she told me nothing to prepare...
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Olgah- Sorry that you're having the rough start. I also was told nothing special to prepare. Some of the ladies on here gave the helpful tip of Biotene, which I have gotten and found super helpful. I have also found lip balm and eye drops to be awesome suggestions too. Also, I would try to get as hydrated as possible going into it and plan to drink as much as you can on infusion day. I heard about the cream on here, but didn't have any and didn't experience any pain. My nurse did suggest putting some ice on it before, so maybe you could ask for that if you are concerned and don't have the cream. Good luck!
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My onc's office uses a cold type of spray to access the port. They spray it on the area and hold a cotton ball on there until it becomes numb. I felt no pain at all. But I think I had a very experienced nurse. Hope next time goes as well.
Good luck to everyone today. I am thinking about you!
Hugs!
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Hi all! Round 2 is now done, and I am 50% complete! Less Cytoxen, less Aloxi, so hopefully less SEs this time. I had anxiety that my blood counts would not be good enough to proceed today but MO said that the 3 wk interval for TC pretty much guarantees that the counts are good.
I am hydrating like a maniac again, and will take the Zofran every 8 hrs whether I feel nauseated or not. Would rather be safe than sorry.
You are all so brave and I am so glad we are here for each other. Remember, HYDRATE and rinse with Biotene!!!!! Hugs to all, especially those that started today. I was so frightened, and now I feel much more in control of the situation, mostly due to sharing with all of you! Love and hugs!
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what is it Biotene?
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Olgah34, Bio tene is a mouthwash you can buy at the drug store. Rinse with it four times a day to prevent mouth sores and dry mouth. Also helps with preventing thrush. Didn't cost much, and so worth it. I keep a bottle here at home, and one at work. Only needed it first 10 days or so.
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Olgah - There is also a Biotene dry mouth spray. I keep mine next to my bed for when my mouth gets dry in the middle of the night. Eye drops have been a huge help for me too. I have Refresh Plus lubricant eye drops. I'm on TCH chemo and it makes my eyes burn and water. These drops take the fire out! The last thing that has been great for me has been drinking unsweetened coconut water. It is great for electrolite replacement and seems to go down with no strange aftertaste.
Good luck with your treatment. I'll be thinking of you.
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Shelley - I hope the adjustments do the trick for you so this round is better tolerated.
RJ - Are you feeling any better today?
BlueJay - I thought I got rid of the headache today but it came back around dinnertime. It started with the chemo, the day before the Neulasta. I saw it as a possible SE of Aloxi also, but I would think the Aloxi would have worn off by now.
I don't know why, but when I mentioned Claritin for Neulasta pain to both my oncology nurse navigator and my NP at the oncologist's office, they both reacted with "No, never heard of that." I said "Well it's all over the cancer boards if you google it." My nurse navigator sent the information up the canal to head pharmacist for oncology, who checked on it and said that Stanford was studying the connection.
She asked if I had bone pain, which I didn't, but I didn't know if I would have had bone pain without it and I am not willing to skip the Claritin to find out. When I googled side effects of Neulasta it said up to 1/3 of people had bone/joint pain as a side effect. Nurse navigator said she has now recommended the Claritin to a few patients, and is also recording my reaction. If any of you have reactions you would like to share, like you took the Claritin and it didn't help at all, let me know, and I'll tell her about that too; or if you had bone pain without the Claritin, but then did not have the bone pain with the Claritin the next time, share with me and I will share what I have heard with the NN. If this stuff is really effective, it is a shame they aren't routinely telling patients about it. I hear some stories of excruciating bone pain out there on the boards.
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