October 2011 Chemo group

NancyJill

I have to chime in that an early "extra" period is a real pain. My Onc said typical. Lucie--get away from the bad vibes at you dad's if you can! I like the Blistex medicated ointment in the tube. My scalp hurt too, but only a few days. It's better now that most of the hair fell out. I'm still liking the Navelbine, at least for now, better than the TC.

perts1

Some of you are absolutely amazing!  I bow down in admiration.  You have children, grandchildren, families, jobs, and a million other interests - including not having periods!  That would be awful for me - of course at my age I don't need to worry.  My husband called me into his computer today and played Martina McBride singing I'm Gonna Love you Through it.  I'm still crying so I asked if he could just cut my throat next time.  It's absolutely beautiful and you will  see yourself in that song. 

Word of caution to all:  watch the salt intake.  I ate very salty Tater Tots last night & they burnt my mouth - behind my lips.  Never again.  I also made creamed eggs the other morning - I have nightmares about those rich, nausea inducing monsters.  Ugh!  Also, somehow our water pipes are bringing in sewage!  I'm sure of it every time I taste the water. 

WiMusicMaker - I'm so sorry!  That would make a saint rant so you just go right ahead.  We'll all listen and give you virtual hugs! 

Hey - if any of us is having a real problem and can't write on our website we should have a "second in command" to let us know.  We can pray, send good thoughts, or whatever you believe would help.  Anyone else think this might be good?  

Lady-di

Julie and Lucie- welcome to the both of you. Sorry you have to be here but you have found a great group of ladies here.



Not sure where I would be without them!!!

I couldn't imagine doing this on my own so thanks to you all

Lady-di

Perts- I like your idea and have seen in other forums the DH posted to update everyone. Not sure if this is what you had in mind.



I also get teary every time I hear that song. I think it will always remind me of this time in my life and how I feel right now.

TAPPY

Another good mouth rinse is eqaul parts of (about a 2 tablesoons of each)

Malox - mint

Childrens Liquid Benedryl

Cherry Clorseptic

 Dont swallow - just swish and spit out.

Personally I like Biotene and keep the small spray size in my purse.

FWIIW - I cant do the ginger tea - it made my mouth raw...maybe it was to strong.

 ginger does a number on the inside of  my mouth.

My scalp is also itching like crazy and hair is starting to fall out...8 days...I thought I would have another week

Hugs to all my October girls ! 

Carla9112

Hi everyone - welcome to new folks.  You'll love having all of the support on this board.  When I get home from work the first thing I do is come to the site to check on my chemo sisters!  Nancy and Normandy - I love your new pictures.  WI - I'm sorry you are having so many problems with your treatments.  This is hard enough when everything goes smooth.  Even though the port sometimes makes me feel like I have a GPS system in my chest, it really is much easier when it comes to getting treatments.  It just feels weird at times.

I sure hope that this nasty taste goes away like it did last time.  I think it lasted about 7 days with the first treatment.  Everything tastes gross right now. 

Hang in there everyone - I think most of us have 2 treatments behind us now.  Yeah!! 

Hugs to you all!

Lucie_inthesky

Hi Julie



I was wondering if the side effects from one chemo to the other were getting worst or if what I saw so far was what I should expect. If it is so than yes I could manage from home and for the emotional crap I am better by myself more intro than extraverted





Thanks

Lucie

PS Julie with ie are you French ?

Lucie_inthesky

Hi Julie



I was wondering if the side effects from one chemo to the other were getting worst or if what I saw so far was what I should expect. If it is so than yes I could manage from home and for the emotional crap I am better by myself more intro than extraverted





Thanks

Lucie

PS Julie with ie are you French ?

stjude10

Auntie, thanks for the diabetic info.

I'm with Carla, I love the gals' new pics!

Getting my first sore in my mouth today. It's not too bad though. My appetite is much better, but low grade temp has me feeling kinda yucky. One of my sons has strep throat and I'm treating him like a leper.

welcome Lucie. We're big Beatles' fans in my house!

Here's to a good night's rest for us all, and I'm sorry if I've missed anyone in my post.

barbyjean

Hi Ladies, welcome to the newest members!

Juls, I had mouth cracks before chemo and stumbled upon this: I clean with Bactine Antiseptic Wash (also numbs them) and then apply Almay Concealer with titanium dioxide. Any similar products would work, this is what I had at home. The Concealer actually helped heal them while hiding them!  I don't have them now with chemo (yet!).

Lucie, I too live alone. My sister came after the first tx and was very helpful but mostly for the moral support because I didn't know what to expect. Now I just finished my 2nd one and am fine being alone. I have friends to call if I need anything, and frozen soups in my freezer. And two cats who give me attitude but make me laugh! Good luck - you can do it!

So, second TC today, went without a hitch, but my MO decided to not do the Neulasta shot this time because my blood counts were really good, better than they needed to be? and I complained about severe pain over two days. But she said the Taxotere could also have caused the pain, and recommended Zyrtec on days 2 thru 6. Said it worked differently than Claritin. So we'll see. If I get any infection I can get the Neulasta shot any time during the cycle. Sometimes I think it is all kind of a crap shoot!

Stay strong, but cry if you need to!      Barb 

Normandy18

Day 17 post first chemo treatment and scalp has been very tender for the last two days. I was taking a shower this morning and could barely touch my hair as my scalp hurt. While I was gently shampooing, my hair started to come out. Since my hair is now short, I don't need to brush it, so gently dabbed my hair. I was wondering when and how this would happen.

Take care!

NancyJill

I hadn't been expecting the tenderness of the scalp, either. It is better now--I'm on Day 2 of second treatment. I like the Biotene mouthwash, too. 

Tipnas

Good Morning ladies!  I'm starting my first round of chemo today.  So I guess I'm technically in the November 20011 chemo group, but I had a question for everyone already going through this.  I had my port placed yesterday and felt fine.  I took my first dose of dexamethasone yesterday, an 8mg dose.  I wsas supposed to take two doses but only got to take one, as I had been fasting for the port placement.  I felt okay and just a little light headed until I lay down in bed to "try" and get to sleep.  My heart started pounding really fast and really hard.  I wasn't anxious but I couldn't get to sleep.  I feel better this morning but my hands are shaky.  I understand that the steroid is for nausea and any potential rash that may develop.  I was wondering if any of you had similar problems and were able to reduce the dosage and still get benefits.  I am planning to ask the dr or nurses this morning.

Thank you so much.  I found the links on things to get to prepare for chemo very helpful.  This is an amazing group of women and I have learned so much already just from "lurking"!

 

auntienance

Welcome Tipnas -- you've joined a great group here.  The steroids will definitely make you light headed and shaky and affect your sleep.  A lot of docs give Ativan to help with the sleep issue.  Some of the women here have had their steroid doses reduced successfully.  My doc was reluctant to do so because of their anti-emetic effect.  Since I have an "iffy" stomach anyway, I was ok with it, but I haven't suffered from the palpitations that some others have.  Definitely tell your team about the heart pounding.  Good luck in the chair today.  Once the first one's out of the way, it does get better.

auntienance

Thanks for the feedback on the new pic everyone.  I've called it "Channeling Mr. Clean"  

mnjclark

I also can't sleep well the night before chemo - likely due to a combo of just being nervous and the steriod.  I take 2 4mg tablets 2x a day for the day before, the day of and the day after.  Then at the start of chemo they give me more - at that time it makes me have what I call slow visual traking - kind of like being light headed or a little tipsy.  But, it goes right away once they start in on the chemo bag.  The night after chemo I take prochlorperazine 10mg every 6-8 hours for anti-nausea.  I typically take it for 3 days.  It makes me VERY tired so it counter balances the effects of the steriod and I then have no trouble sleeping.

cfdr

Today is the last day of my first cycle....tx #2 scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. This week has generally been OK, then last night after dinner I felt queasy, and this afternoon I'm fatigued again! I was not expecting this at all so late in the cycle, especially after so many good days. But I know in weeks 1-2 I also expected things to get better every day, and it was more up and down than I expected. Has anyone else had a late-cycle dip in energy?

CarolSar

Hi, I have been lurking for a while.  I had my first chemo (TC) on October 13.  The first few days were fine (steroids, I guess)--but then I had more symptoms than I'd have guessed.  Constipation, followed by diarrhea, yeast infection, 4 or 5 days of headache (from Neulasta shot?), an activation of lichen planus (a chronic condition I only get every couple years, with horrible tongue sores), weird pains, bladder irritation, dry eyes, etc.  But no nausea at all, never needed the meds that were prescribed.  And I'm feeling pretty good during this third week (only my tongue hurts).  My hair is really starting to fall out, so have to decide whether to get it all cut or buzzed off?  Anybody here tried the cold caps, and did they work?

Carol

perts1

dia - yes on both counts.  I'll always think of this time when I hear it and yes we should delegate a dh or someone to update our group if someone can't do it themselves for more than 2 days.  I do notice when someone is gone and I am very concerned for them.

Tappy- my head is tingling and I'm only at day 9.  I'm not ready!  I can't believe how angry I feel.  Just very jittery.  

jlkola

Carol,

My first Chemo treatment was 10/10/2011 T/C and I used cold caps to prevent hair loss. Its 17 days post chemo and I still have my hair.  I don't use any heat or styling gels and wash my hair every four days with a ph shampoo. My next session is on 10/31/2011.  Julie

barbyjean

HI, I had my second round of chemo yesterday. cfdr, I also had unexpected down days throughout the last two weeks, for no apparent reason. This time they won't be so unexpected, I guess.

Julie, I take the steroid pills same as you, But none in IV form during chemo. Instead they give me two bags of anti-nausea meds before chemo drugs. I haven't had to take any nausea pills at home - maybe I'm just extra lucky. The steroids make me feel very weird and I'm glad tonite is my last dose. The nurse suggested ativan to help with sleep.

Welcome Tipnas!

Best to all of you!   Barb 

susanwmcg

Hi Everyone,

I had my 2nd T/C today. It went well. I am so thankful I have a port. I forgot to take my Pepcid this morning so was nauseous when I got to the chemo room. My nurse asked the Dr for Zantac and added it to my IV.



My hairdresser shaved my head down to 1/4" on day 12. I loved the look and didn't wear a wig. On day 17 it started falling out like crazy. I just wore a soft cap to chemo today. The wig is so itchy with what I have left.



I go back for Neulasta shot tomorrow. I am doing the Claritin and it helped last round. I also do the Biotene mouthwash and didn't have any mouth sores last time. (Knock on wood)!



Hang in there and hope you all do well this weekend,

Susan

Lucie_inthesky

Hi all,



I slept only for 2 hours last night...terrible headache all night ...It seems it was because of dehydration (I think) as I was dying of thrist...I think I forgot the drinking rule... I had a great day and went for 2 walks. Can wait to see if I will still have breathing issue since I am done with the Neupogen shot tonight ))



I have booked one of my ex boyfriend to clip my hair next Sunday !!!

He is completely bald so expertise and he was soooo trilled at the idea so it might as well be a fun experience...



tata for now have great nights !!!





Just a note ...I saw a lot of comment on sore mouth ...I don't have this issue but I drink

Carla9112

Hi everyone - like Susan I cut my hair down to 1/4 so it wouldn't be so dramatic.  Then when I went for the 2nd treatment it was falling out like crazy.  I went ahead and shaved it last night.  It took forever since I had a "girlie" razor blade.  I can't believe how white my scalp is or the way my head is shaped. I have to say that I'm glad it's finally gone though.  I know it's probably vain but it was so hard to lose my hair.  I didn't even like my hair but it was still hard!

I sure am glad it is almost the weekend.  I hope everyone has a good one!

 Hugs to you all!

Terry71

I also take 2 4mg tablets twice a day the day before, the day of and the day after. I get palpitaions too, its just the steroids have had 2 echo's and both came out great.... Had treatment yesterday, herceptin and docitaxil... One to go NOVE 17th cant come soon enough for me...... In in the home safe stretch now :-)  

A warm Welcome to the new ladies, you will get so much caring, support and great advice here from the ladies, they sure are wonderful and have made my journey through this treatment more bearable and easier to understand... They sure are a wonderfu bunch of girl......  

perts1

I have what are the beginnings of sores on the inside corners of my mouth.  I use biotene (thanks for that advice, ladies).  The areas, rather than sores, are just areas that burn so I'm concerned they are becoming sores.  I slept for about 3 hours then tossed & turned for another couple of hours and got up at 4:00.  I did have a cocktail with hubby before bed last eve - do any of you have cocktails and have you had a problem with it?  What a trip!

Terry71

Hi perts: I had those sores too in the corners of my mouth I got a script from my onco dentist and it worked great. I will get it out of the glovebox of my car later and tell you what its called.... I have 2 cesears every other day or a beer or 2  if Im feeling up to it and it doesnt bother me..... although it dosnt take much to get that little glow happening Haha, My onco nurse says its not gonna do anything just dont go on a bender and get hammered LOL I was up at 4:30 AM no clue why so gonna nap for sure today LOL 

NancyJill

cfdr: I had a lot of fatigue on day 11 after first infusion of TC. It hit me hard: it was the day after my Neupogen shot. Also blood counts were really low then--I don't think it's unusual to get fatigued then. The following week, though, was good, since I had 3 weeks between treatments. Welcome to the newbies! Still wondering if anyone has heard of Navelbine, my new drug??

Tipnas

Well, one down and four to go!  Thank you auntinance for your reply and reassurance.  My first treatment went well.  My dr wants to continue at the same dose of steroids for this round and see how I do.  Thankfully, I'm just a bit "shaky" today but no pounding heart or palpitations.  My face and neck are red like a sunburn.  They mentioned I could get a rash, so I'm presuming that's what this is.  My tongue is also starting to burn very slightly.  I've read that some of you are using Biotene with good relief so I will try that.

Michelle from the June group thank you so much for taking the time to post all the great advice. I'm so glad to have found this site.  I know it will be a wonderful resource as I go throught this journey

Thank you all!

Terry71

Tipnas, you can also use a baking soda/ salt water mix Thats what I use, biotene does not work for me for some reason..... I also have nystatin a script from the dr and NEROCC 3 mouth wash its pink and tastes like koolaid... take 1 hour before meals swish and swallow.... the steroids OMG wow my DH says Im like Mickey mouse on percocets LOL I talk a mile a minute haha.. Im almost done had treatment yesterday Herceptin and Docitaxil, neulasta today at 1:30 and 1 treatment left. NOV 17th woohoooo DONE