Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

bc50

Seacretgarn,

I'm thinking the chest pains may have been anxiety or a little bit of a side effect.  I feel fine today.  I'll tell them about it at my next treatment but am not real concerned now. 

I ended up buying the Claritan right after I had my neulasta shot and took one when I got home, hope it works.  So far, the nausea has been minimal today.  Seems to bother me more when I drink water.  I think it's because I'm so sick of drinking water!  The only food that tasted different to me was a banana.  Had some ensure, jello and string cheese; they all tasted okay. 

I'm like you Markat, waiting to feel worse the next couple of days from what I've been told. 

stephanie33

Hello Ladies

I haven't been on in awhile because I had a terrible weekend with the chemo, if I wasn't nauseous I was in intense pain from the Taxol.  I keep thinking to myself "this was the first dose, what's the last gonna do to me?"  I read somewhere B6 for pain so I am gonna talk to dr and weird thing is oranges (sour) help with my nauseau.  Guess I will be living on those for awhile.  Any other suggestions anyone have?  It has been 5 days since chemo and the nausea is still lingering 

naan1004

Hello all been a while since I last posted. First chemo was on 11/22, took loads of anti nausea meds due to fear of throwing up, but SE from medication was worse this time 12/13 second round of AC I'm gonna take meds as needed. Yesterday had my picc line put in hurt like heck and still very sore. I also ended up with headache, sore throat, chills, and slight fever so on oral antibiotics. Saw onc today did blood work my white cells low so no fruit or veges for a week uggggh! But I got ok to eat ice cream yeah! Hope all of u r doing well.

Tammie my chemo buddy thinking of u!

Terry71

naan- really? your picc line site hurts? Mabe they messed it up when they put it in, Mine I didnt even feel, didnt hurt at all I did dishes as soon as I got home, was doing housework and everything, vaccuming, driving... I had a slight fever nothing bad though but thats it.. Did they freeze your arm before they put it in??? and where is it placed?  mine was in my right arm on the inside between my elbow and shoulder and Never ever bothered me at all.... If the pain continues tell your Onco...... Take your meds religously before nausea even has a chance to start, first sign of yuck in your tummy take them. Ginger ale works too, and keep on your temp, watch it often anything over 101 for more than an hour go to emerg ASAP. I went neutropenic back in sept 1 week after my 3rd treatment and ended up in the hospital for 8 days..... so watch your temp.... Big hugs too all having treatment today, always remember to SMILE because ladies WE SHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

naan1004

Terry, thanks for the 411, my onc told me to keep an eye out and if my fever keeps on going i do need to be hospitalized, but feeling a little better although throat still sore.  The location is the same as yours, but the left arm.  I think maybe it's from the tape removal and alcohol rubbing that was done yesterday, they must have pulled out all the hairs on my arm, finally able to bend my arm and touch my nose.

darlam

Computer crashed this morning. Grrrr. Wont be on much till I figure out what to do

Whatashocker3

Naan why not fruit or veggies for a week? I had my first chemo yesterday and so far so good. The sure do give you lots of meds. Not a fan of meds but I did what they said as I am even less anxious about nausea. Funny today I feel like a cancer patient and tried to convince my husband to bolt with me. We didn't so now we are dedicated to 5 more rounds of "cleansing". The nurse says I shouldn't feel any changes for a couple of days. Neulasta shot comes in today, took my claritan this morning. Did anyone inq as to how we can work on keeping our red cells up?

naan1004

whatashocker3, I am what my onc called, "neutropenic"  which mean my immune sys and white cell count is really low so eating fruits and veges that may be contaminated with bacteria or salmonella.  Until my counts get better, hopefully within this week prior to my next chemo, no fruits, veges, crowded places.  Don't do the drugs unless u feel symptoms, all those anti-nausea meds made me anxious, jittery, more sick from it's side effects so unless u need it, try not to take them and read up on their side effects wish i did before i took them religiously.  I ended up not being able to sleep well and having panic attacks, shortness of breath...

seacretgardn

Naan, so sorry to hear you have a fever. Hoping by now it's begun to lower. Were you told to take any medications to treat the fever?



Whatashocker I know what you mean. Today i wanted to jump in my car and just keep going.



I start tomorrow. Anxiety is through the roof. Can only imagine my BP is too.



I hope the SE's of those who began last week are beginning to ease.



Thinking of ALL of you.



L

naan1004

seacretgarden, they prescribed me some antibiotics which i'm taking and feeling a bit better, although the throat is still sore

seacretgardn

Naan, I was wondering if you were advised not to take something to reduce the fever?



And I'm glad to hear you're feeling a bit better.



L

Terry71

nan gargle with warm salt water for your throat, and or An ALCOHOL FREE Mouthwash...... antibacterial

naan1004

seacret, no but onc told me to limit how much tylenol i take to 2-3 per day, but no need now, fever gone, but was taking it prior to getting antibiotics

naan1004

Terry, thanks I'll try that

naan1004

Terry tried the mouthwash, feeling better already, thanks, shoud've thought of that! 

Kelloggs

I am starting TCH tomorrow and am trying to prepare as much as I can.  I have been to the thread listing shopping items and feel like I have most of it.  I have one question....all the snacks seem to mention sugar free, sugar free mints and lemon drops for yucky mouth taste, etc.  I am allergic to artificial sweeteners!  Is there a reason for the sugar free or would the good old fashioned sugar ones be okay?  Anyone have any insight?

markat

Kelly I think the sugar free is because of cavities.



Day 3 after TCH has been ok. Tired and some stomach issues. I had the luck of starting my period today also.



Hope everyone is well!

Mardibra

SE's have finally calmed down. Yippee! At least I now know that days 5-7 will be my not so great days. Hopefully everyone else who has already started is doing well. For those of you starting soon (Kellogg's) try not to stress out. It is doable. Not pleasant but certainly doable.

darlam

Well, got the computer working again. Actually went online on my phone, figured out what to do, and fixed it. I am so non-techhy, and my adult kids are very impressed:)

Also think we are possibly beginning to get a handle on the SE's. Called the answering service last night and said, look, I didn't expect to feel good, but constant dry heaves almost a week out is not gonna cut it. They called in a Rx. for Zofran, told me to take that instead of the Compazine I had first. By this afternoon, no change, called back. Now taking Zofran every 8 hrs with Compazine every 4 in between and it is tolerable. I am now feeling "good" enough to be annoyed with the diarrhea and heartburn, and taste changes and all the other stuff I didn't care about before, so I think that's improvement. 

I think you just have to keep letting them know if things are unbearable...hopefully we will find a way that every experience is not this bad. I expect to feel more fatigue, etc as things go on, but I don't think it's even possible to be more nauseated. I was also told that taking the meds AHEAD of time is important, as it's harder to control once it has gotten crazy. I am always hypersensitive to any medication that I take, so it kind of makes sense that this would happen. Going back tomorrow for just Herceptin....hopefully that will not be as rough to handle.

Glad for those that have one treatment behind us, and wishing peace and comfort to those just beginning. I know I read everyone else's experiences before I started and got scared when I saw that someone was having a really bad time, but not everyone gets every SE, and you just don't know till you do it how you personally will react.

seacretgardn

Markat Mardibra and Darlam, so happy to hear you're SE's improving!



Kelloggs my 1st AC tomorrow and I am trying to prepare as well. Was a nerve wracking day. I hope you get some rest tonight and tomorrow goes smoothly.



Naan, like you, sometimes the side effects bother me more than the symptoms. Esp the anxiousness and jitteriness you describe. Sleep is already at a minimum. I guess I have to see what happens.



I wouldn't wish any of this on anyone...



To those of you who've been sharing your recent experiences, thank you again, it really feels less scary and less lonely.



L

naan1004

seacret, drink lots of water and don't get freaked out when u pee red, one of the AC meds I got was red so i ended up peeing pink more than red cause i drank a lot of water.  Well hydrated also means easier access to good veins, good luck!! Hugs to u!!

FLislander

Hi everybody, went for second AC treatment yesterday, just tired and napping all afternoon ok today taking zofran and phenergan on schedule. Went for nuelasta shot today and took claritan will post if it helps, I was really sore last one for 24 hours....last update on day 14 hair is coming out at pretty fast pace, ordered halo and hats today ...here's hoping for less SEs for everybody!!

FLislander

Naan sorry to hear about your SE and infection, I,m taking zofran and phenergan for nausea and it's not too bad, hope you are feeling much better tomorrow.

naan1004

FLislander, thanks feeling somewhat better, still have a slightly sore throat, but the mouthwash helped.

Kelloggs

Thanks again ladies....I actually went out shopping with my best friend tonight. It was fun and relaxing and I bought some cute hats to wear around the house.  One of them I bought from the kid's department, it's a monkey!  It made me smile and I think it will make me smile every time I wear it!  I'm really feeling less stressed about tomorrow already.  I'll let ya know how it goes!

rachelvk

Hi everyone. I have been following, but haven't been writing much. Just overwhelmed with trying to get ready and getting back to work full time. I hope everyone's SEs start subsiding. I get my wig tomorrow, and I'll do the rest of my shopping over the weekend.

Wishing everyone a good night. 

Gator65

Hi Ladies!

I finally feel decent today, minimal nausea, just very tired. I am writing from my desk at work where I am freezing my butt off. Have a great day ladies!

naan1004

Terry, I finally figured it out today why my picc line hurt so bad, it's cause I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive they covered it with.  I started getting blisters last night and called my chemo nurse this morning, she told me to come in so she can take a look.   She said that I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive and took it right off, feel so much better now, although I still have a big fat blister on my arm, what next...

Kelloggs

Just got back from my first TCH....yay!  Not scarey at all.  No allergic reactions and I am thanking the good Lord and my BS for the port!  It was a long day but overall pretty stress free.  I am gonna take my nausea med tomorrow morning whether I need them or not to try to stay ahead of the monster.  So glad the first one is over.  Hope all my December sisters are feeling well!  Anyone else start today?

seacretgardn

Kellogs, had my first AC this morning. What is making me nervous is one hour after finishing, I feel miserable. Foggy, anxious, headache (steroids)?, nauseous.



I drank 3 quarts of water, worried about my bladder, (IC), but since I've been home, Im barely peeing. Wondering if the steroids are causing water retention.



Mad at myself, had gained weight the last couple years so of course I'm blaming SEs on having to get higher dosages of meds.



Wish I could sleep a little.



Hoping you fare better,



Laura