October 2011 Chemo group

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  • barbyjean
    barbyjean Member Posts: 108
    edited October 2011

    Hi Maya.  For a shopping list:  go to Forum Topics, Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After, and look for Tips, and More Tips and a Shopping List -  both of those are very complete and helpful.  Good luck!

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  • Maya847
    Maya847 Member Posts: 41
    edited October 2011

    Thanks Barbyjean!  Heading there now, knew there had to be something on this site, but still trying to navigate on here.  :)

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  • sue_from_wi
    sue_from_wi Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2011
    Hi, all and welcome to WIMusicMaker, Barbyjean, wildumara.

    WIMusicMaker - I see you are a music teacher somewhere in WI - where? I live in Baldwin - about 40 miles east of St Paul.

    My chemo nurse warned me I might crash yesterday and I did. Felt very brittle and shaky and had a low grade fever. This was toward evening, after I got the house cleaned and did some organizing. Wildrumara, you summed it up pretty well: loopy, flushed & fatigued. I'm going to lay low today, but will be thinking of you and praying for you all.

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited October 2011

    thanks barbyjean, that was helpful. I've got some lists made!

    hang in there Sue, sounds like you're resting like you should.

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  • WIMusicMaker
    WIMusicMaker Member Posts: 78
    edited October 2011

    Today my DH and DD visited our 2 DS in college. It was a wonderful day! The weather was beautiful and we are basking in the glow of a big badger football win last nigth! I made sure to get pictures of the entire family and I took an individual one with each of the kids. I am going to bring them to every chemo day to have a visual of why I am going to let someone pump all that poison into me!

    Sue-I live north of Milwaukee in Grafton and teach west of Milwaukee for Kettle Moraine. I miss the kids! I hope you are up and around soon! 

    I wish everyone a good day tomorrow! 

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited October 2011

    I've been very nervous about headaches; I've had migraines for 40 years, and they have gotten worse since my diagnosis. Also been having some mood issues: getting ridiculously upset over very minor things, having difficulty concentrating. I started lexapro last Friday; hoping that will help with both depression and anxiety. Onc says that anecdotally it sometimes helps with headaches, and since the increase in mine is probably due to stress, I hope that will be the case for me.

    I breezed through 6 weeks of radiation...little to no fatigue, some redness and soreness but nothing terrible. Right after radiation was completed, we moved to a new house. THEN all the side effects started. My rad onc had told me "no heavy lifting", so I avoided carrying boxes as much as possible, but the 1000 little motions of moving things in and out of boxes really irritated the area where I'd had the boost. Ended up with a moist reaction and a big blister. It was actually more painful than the day after surgery had been; one afternoon I just took an oxycodone and went to bed. Once the blister popped I was able to use Mediplex dressings (about $11 each!, but they can be reused a few times) to keep clothing from irritating the wound any further. Also kept slathering with aquaphor at any opportunity. At this point I think all of my bras, t-shirts and bedsheets sport aquaphor stains.

    Had the chemo orientation last week; I had learned most of the side fx stuff by then, but it was good for my husband to hear and be able to ask questions. We also got a tour of the treatment area so we know what to expect. Each area has a TV; we decided to forego cable in our new house, so he's excited that he can watch the baseball playoffs during treatment! I'm looking forward to beating his ass in Scrabble while he's distracted by the TV.

    I took the Look Good...Feel Better workshop last week. It's good to take prior to starting chemo...I didn't realize that makeup and makeup applicators can be a source of infection, so if you are at risk of infection, they show you how to use disposable applicators to use makeup hygenically. Also taught some neat scarf tying techniques. You can go to more than one, if you go to a second you have to bring your own makeup, no second set of freebies. I may go again once I lose my eyebrows for some help learning how to draw them back on. I'm not usually much of a makeup person but with no hair or eyebrows I'm thinking some makeup may help me look human again.

    Good luck to everyone getting their first tx this week...with mine at 2:30 on Friday I'm guessing I'll be the last of the week!

    Is anyone else here getting their treatments at Duke?

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  • sue_from_wi
    sue_from_wi Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2011

    cfdr - Thanks for all the information and the update. You have been through some tough times already. I'm hoping, with you, that the Lexapro will keep the headaches away plus help with anxiety and depesssion.

     I'm really looking forward to the LGFB workshop - I'm going Nov 1. Hard to say what shape I'll be in then - my chemo nurse said I may not lose much hair at all. But, like you say, there are other good reasons for taking the class, like good hygiene. Plus you get free stuff.

    Yesterday, I had terrrible heartburn so I am REALLY watching what I eat today. Just trying things on mentally first to forsee if it will sit well or not. Also I was drinking lots of club soda but that strikes a wrong note today so I'm done with that. 

    Had lots of bone pain last night. The clinic I go to does not routinely give the Neulasta shot with my treatment regimen - they test first, then give it (warning that by doing it this way, I may have to delay a treatment).

    But I figure even without the shot, the pain bone may have the same cause - my marrow working overtime to produce white blood cells. Does this seem reasonable? I took a Claritin since I know I tolerate it well and it does seem to have helped some.

    Deciding I just couldn't go into work today so I'm working 1/2 day from home. I have the sort of job where that is accepted and common and doable - very thankful for that. And for a supportive boss.

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited October 2011

    What about dental work during chemo ?  Is this doable ?  I have a crown that needs replacing...it could go a few more months, but maybe I should do this before ?

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  • barbyjean
    barbyjean Member Posts: 108
    edited October 2011

    Hello Tappy, I had my teeth cleaned and a tooth fixed last week, and they said they will not do dental work of any kind during chemo, because of mouth bacteria that could get into your system when your immunity is so far down.  I don't know what happens if there's an emergency.  So before or after is what they said.  When is your first chemo?  Crowns can take a couple weeks sometimes.

    Good luck with it! 

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  • barbyjean
    barbyjean Member Posts: 108
    edited October 2011

    I have a question about the Claritin with the Neulast shot:  when do you take it, how often, etc.?  They didn't say anything about it in my chemo class.  My first chemo is this Wednesday.

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  • sue_from_wi
    sue_from_wi Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2011

    TAPPY - I have to have a cavity repaired - pulled out an old filling while test driving a ginger chew that was supposed to help with nausea - ironic! Anyway, I felt I couldn't go through chemo with things in this state and my dental office got me in for the temporary seating the day after my first treatment. Not ideal timing and the temporary work makes everything taste bad on top of everything else, but, I did enjoy the nitrous oxide ride :) I go back in for the final crown next on the 14th.

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  • sue_from_wi
    sue_from_wi Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2011

    WIMusicMaker - great idea about the pictures and remembering why we are doing this. I just looked up Grafton - don't get over to that side of the state much except to go to the Jesuit Retreat House in OshKosh around advent time.

    I'm also not a big sports fan, but it IS cool that our Wisconsin teams are doing so well.

    Hoping for the best for you today.

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  • wildrumara
    wildrumara Member Posts: 450
    edited October 2011

    Day three after chemo.....good hours during the day and not so good hours.  Bone pain from Neulasta is what is bothering me most.  Took Aleve, and Claritin.  Doesn't seem to be helping much.  No nausea, which is good.  Not much of an appetite.  Can't taste much at all.  Grateful not to have nausea at this point......hope to get out and take a walk tomorrow....heard some sunshine is coming our way.   Sleeping o.k.  I can only describe the bone pain as having a bad period....pain mostly in my pelvis, burning-like.  

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited October 2011

    Hi ladies - just popping in to see how you all are faring with your first treatments.  A couple of points...

    Claritin - I took generic claritin, not the "D" formula.  You don't need the decongestant and it will just add to the jitters if you're also taking lots of steroids.  I took it on the morning of the Neulasta shot and for three days afterwards.

    Steroids - talk to your oncologists about whether or not you really need to take steroids for several days.  I just went through 8 treatments of DD AC/T and I got just 6 mg of Decadron on treatment day as part of my pre-meds.  I took no other steroids at all.  I am diabetic, and that was one thing we discussed to be sure my blood sugar level stayed in check.  Steroids can help if you are having lots of nausea, but you may not need those multi-day doses.  By the way, I got treatment at a Dana Farber center. 

    For heartburn - ask your oncologist about taking generic Prilosec (omeprazole) if you're on AC and generic Pepcid if you are on any kind of Taxane (Taxol, Taxotere, Abraxane).  I took Prilosec the whole time I was on AC and then added the Pepcid when I started on Taxol.  It helps immensely!  I did find that I had to minimize spicy foods and carbonated beverages. 

    Yeah, right now I am taking about 20 pills a day and according to my onc, I can start to wean off some of this stuff in two months.  By that time, the chemo effects should be wearing off. 

    And remember...keep drinking.  The more you drink, the sooner you flush out the nasty drugs and the nasty chemo taste. 

    Hugs to all of you!

    Michelle

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  • Maya847
    Maya847 Member Posts: 41
    edited October 2011

    Echo at 11 am tomorrow and then for first treatment..  Have no idea what to expect as far as pre-meds etc.  Michelle, I did not receive any type of pre-chemo class.  I normally take Claritin D.  Why are people taking Claritin on chemo...what exactly does it do....  I am also on prilosec already.   I am doing TAC so will be getting Taxol,  why take previcid on top of the prilosec?  thanks!

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  • Seabrook
    Seabrook Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2011

    Hi! I begin chemo, 4 rounds of AC every two weeks followed by 4 rounds of Taxotere every 3 weeks. My first treatment is Oct 13th. I would love to join your group!



    In the next 12 days, I will be having bone density test and echocardiogram and finally port placement. I have small veins so opted for the port. In am ready to get going because the uncertainties are making me very anxious but am still able to be positive (most of the time :0)







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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited October 2011

    Maya - if you are already taking Claritin, then you don't need anything else.  The claritin prevents bone pain from the Neulasta shot.  It doesn't work 100% for everyone, but it works for lots of us.

    Prilosec and Pepcid are two different kinds of antacids and work on different types of acid.  So when I was taking AC, the Prilosec did the trick.   When I started Taxol, I got IV Pepcid as part of my pre-meds.  I noticed I had reflux the night I got home.  So the next day I started taking Pepcid each morning and Prilosec each night, and I have managed to be mostly reflux/heartburn-free.  Since you are already taking Prilosec, you'll probably be fine during AC.  You might want to add the Pepcid when you go start on Taxol.

    My pre-meds for AC were an hour of hydration, 6 mg of Decadron, Emend, and Aloxi IV.  I also used a scopolamine patch which I applied the morning of each AC treatment and kept it on for 4 or 5 days, depending on how I felt and how thirsty it was making me.

    The first and second days after treatment I took Emend and Claritin (because I always got a Neulasta shot on day 2).

    I had ativan and compazine for breakthrough nausea, which I rarely needed.

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited October 2011

    Maya, I too have my echo, chest films and labs seat for tomorrow. I get my bone scan, and port placed next week. Start chemo on the 18th. I also didn't have a chemo class. I have never been on pepsid, etc. until I woke from mx. I'm on it now, which I thought was weird at the time. Seabrook, I am running the same course of treatment as you. It will be nice to have you other gals to compare notes with. Thanks LuvRVing for all of your knowledge and experience. It's so helpful to hear from someone that's been thru it.

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  • Carla9112
    Carla9112 Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2011

    Hi everyone - hope you are doing good.  I've been kind of out-of-pocket since I just haven't felt so good. I posted that I came home from chemo treatment with a massive headache.  The weekend was kind of rough in that I just felt nauseous and flu-like.  I had no appetite either.  When I went back to doctor on Monday they gave me fluids and a different anti-nausea medicine through my port.  I got another headache from this one too. 

    So - it appears it's the anti-nausea meds are the biggest problem for me.  Go figure!  That old saying that everyone's side effects are different is so true.  They gave me anti-nausea pills but they knock me out and I'm trying to work so I haven't continued taking them.  In any event, I feel much better today and was able to go to work for five hours.  Tomorrow will be better - that's what I keep telling myself.

    I'm also having major problems with the heartburn - which doesn't help when you are kind of sick at your stomach.  I started the Prilosec and it appears to be helping.

    Two pieces of good news - the Claritin seemed to work.  No bone pain after Neulasta shot and doctor warned me I would probably have to take pain meds.  Also, my white counts were good on Monday.

    Like I said - tomorrow will be better!!  Hope everyone else that took a treatment on Friday is doing okay.  This isn't the easiest thing I've ever done but know that it is absolutely necessary.

    Hugs to you all!!

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  • Lady-di
    Lady-di Member Posts: 150
    edited October 2011

    Hi everyone,

    I had my first oncologist appt today. It's chemo for me. Now I have to decide between AC/T or T/C. Ugh. Think I'm leaning towards the AC/T. It would be 4 doses of each. Have to go for the heart test and have an appt in 1 week to set up the treatments and do blood work. She said it should start 1 week after that.

    I'm going to go back to read all your posts to catch up.

    Hugs to you all!

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  • sherrybaby
    sherrybaby Member Posts: 80
    edited October 2011

    Thanks to everyone who has already started their treatments and are posting SE and what they are doing to mitigate them. I went back to my oncologist today and all of a sudden everything is moving quickly after being stalled for a couple of weeks. I go for my MUGA scan Thursday morning and start chemo Friday morning and then get a Neulasta shot on Saturday.

    For those who have been feeling poorly I hope that you feel better soon.

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  • WIMusicMaker
    WIMusicMaker Member Posts: 78
    edited October 2011

    HI all,

    Carla9112 I hope you are feeling better soon!

    Diana123 Good luck with your decision.

    I had my first T/C today. I was there for 7 hours! They start with a bag of medicine -steroids and anti-nausea drugs. Next week it will also include benedryl as I did have a reaction to the Taxotere. The drip was started very slowly and they kept increasing the speed. I did very well until they put it up to full speed and my arm started to tingle and my chest felt like a heavy weight was placed on it. The nurse pushed benedryl into my iv and I felt better instantly. The cytoxan went well and took only an hour. I was sleepy from the benedryl so I slept through most of it. I am feeling tired and my stomach feels a little funny. Also my cheeks flushed for most of the day. That is a reaction to the steroids!

    Tonight I plan on putting a water bottle and snacks next to my bed to drink and eat as I need. 

    I hope everyone is doing well. Hang in there and take it one day at a time! 

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  • susanwmcg
    susanwmcg Member Posts: 76
    edited October 2011

    Hi everyone,

    I had the port put in yesterday. Site is really swollen so hope that goes down. It is right where my bra and seatbelt hit.....ouch. I found a wig that I love today. Tomorrow is my LGFG class and Thursday is chemo #1. Thanks for all the tips you are posting here - they sure help.

    Hugs to you all,

    Susan

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited October 2011

    Wow Musicmaker, that was a long day.  I felt pretty tired yesterday too, rather like I'd been run over by a truck.  Today was better and I went for my Neulasta shot.  I aleady take claritin and took some alleve just in case, and all is fine so far. It was a beautiful day here, so it was nice to be out for a while.  I've had moments of queasiness since yesterday, but small meals, saltines or the nausea pills seem to take care of it.  I had some abdominal cramping last night, so took some things from my "home OTC pharmacy".  Seems like I have something for every bodily function lol!  My biggest issue is that my beloved morning coffee tasted like mud.  I did add some sweetener which made it a little more palatable (I seem to do better with sweetish foods.)  Thanks to Michelle for assuring me that this coffee taste is temporary Smile    Here's hoping every day gets a little better for all of us!

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  • RenysCancerInfo
    RenysCancerInfo Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2011

    I am starting my chemo on Oct 11th, the dreaded day is nearing rapidly.  I wish it would just get here already, the anticipation is making me so increadably anxious. 

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited October 2011

    Carla-sure hope that today finds you feeling better, and every day even better as well

    sherrybaby-what's a muga scan? I don't know if I've heard of that before

    musicmaker-7 hrs sounds awful! I'm glad you made it thru ok. That's sooo long. Hopefully it will get shorter each time!

    auntie-oh, I sure hope the coffee thing is indeed temporary, I absolutely LOVE my coffee!

    Renys-I start mine on the 18th. Anxious, yes. It seems that I have so many tests and appts. that the time is going by kinda fast. I hope the same for you.

    I got my chest x-rays, and bloodwork done yesterday. I also had the heart echo done. Gotta say, wasn't digging the whole wand pushing around on my TE. They didn't get everything they wanted, but enough for a baseline before chemo begins. So, today I'm off to see PS and hoping to get all restrictions lifted. I mean, it's been 4 weeks since "the sugery". Hoping to start with a PT soon so I can use both arms!

    Hugs to all my chemo sisters. May the anxiety be minimal for those of us on the waiting list. May the SE take a hike for all of you already on your journey.

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  • barbyjean
    barbyjean Member Posts: 108
    edited October 2011

    Good  morning everyone.

    I couldn't wait to check on news of everyone.  I had my port put in yesterday, that feels ok, and this morning I check in an 8:30 for labs and chemo.  After anesthesia yesterday,  I woke up sneezing and with a stuffy nose, it doesn't really feel like a cold though, so I hope it doesn't get in the way of chemo today.  I don't think I can deal with any more waiting, now that the day is here, I just want to do it!!  I laughed at the "bodily function home pharmacy" that Nance referred to - I bought almost every kind of item in the old people aisle at Target!  

    I am feeling encouraged by all of you gals and am so thankful I have you to help me get through this!!!

    Welcome Jackie! 

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited October 2011

    Good luck to all of you waiting and starting. I can assure you the anxiety is much better after you get in the chair. Keep us posted, we're with you all the way!

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited October 2011

    This BC game is all about the wait: waiting for test results, waiting for surgery, more test results, waiting for radiation, more test results, waiting for chemo, for some, waiting for more and more surgery, waiting for our hair to fall out and other side effects from chemo and hormone therapy, then finally after 5 years can we breathe?

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  • LoriKristine
    LoriKristine Member Posts: 17
    edited October 2011

    Hi Everyone! Just joining the group and I have found you all to be very helpful and encouraging. I had my first chemotherapy yesterday. Adriamycin/Cytoxan for 4 doses every 2 weeks followed by Taxol for 12 weeks with Herceptin for 1 year. I'll start 32 days of radiation in March. I had a slight headache after the Cytoxan that persists today but nothing to hold me back. I did have nausea last night but a couple of Zofran's helped. I'm going in for the Neulasta shot today and will try the Claritin trick thanks to you ladies. Auntienance- you are so correct- I'm waiting for the next dose as this brings me closer to April when I consider the hardcore treatment complete (although I know the Herceptin won't be finished till next October). Also- waiting for the hair to go too- this I consider the last of my big appearance changes. I had bilateral mastectomy on 9/7/11 and port placement on 9/23/11. I'm just ready to get in the groove of things and start to feel somewhat normal again.


    Did anyone have problems with mouth sores? I chewed ice during the adriamycin tx yesterday. Just kinda paranoid about it for some reason. I appreciate any advice.


    Lori
    Diagnosis: 8/16/2011, IDC, 5.9 cm, Stage III, Grade II, 0/3 nodes, ER -/PR- , HER2+
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