March 2012 chemo

Kadia

MSBelle--Masserz said it perfectly. I was told diarrhea could be a SE of my treatment, but call if you are concerned.

Galena and Sissydi--Sending healing thoughts to your tummies!

So here's my update: Night following chemo: slept terribly, probably due to the steroids. Lots of trouble falling/staying asleep. And also having to pee after drinking so much water! Day 2 AM: SE are still manageable--a powerful headache (dulled a bit with Tylenol), and just occasional waves of mild nauesa. Not too bad, so far.

 Good thoughts for all the sisters!

MaxineO

Hi ladies! I am popping in from the March 2011 chemo lounge, and I want you to know that you CAN get through this! It's not fun, but there is an ending to chemo. I did MX, chemo, and rads, and I am doing great now, with a head full of curls!

I would reinforce what some other Marchers have said, stay on top of your constipation meds, drink all the water they tell you to drink; when it started tasting metallic, I started mixing in Propel powder, which helped a lot.  I had a terrible time sleeping the night of chemo, thanks to the steroids, but ativan did help a bit.  Keep up the exercise, even if it's slow walking. And yes, I started losing my hair exactly on day 14.  Summer is not a bad time to be bald!

I was on A/C + T. The A/C was hard, mostly the fuzzy brain feeling. Some nausea after the first treatment, which I think was from overdoing it while pumped on the steroids.  For me, though, I think I tolerated both chemos pretty well. Not everyone is going to have every side effect, fortunately.

Good luck to all of you. I keep tearing up thinking of how I felt this time last year and how all of you must be feeling now.  You can do this, warrior women!

shera

Kadia.. thanks for sharing your day after SE. I'm one day behind you --- posting from the chemo lounge..almost 2 hours into Taxotere. so far so good. The possible things that can happen mixed with the unknown and ones own imagination... is not for the faint of heart!!

Sissydi

So far day three really sucks. I'm taking all I have in my arsenal for nausea and constipation! Sorry, TMI.........just whining

Sissydi

Thank you maxineO!

Masserz

Shera, good luck today! I hope your SEs are minimal (or better yet non-existent). Keep us posted!



Sissy, I'm so sorry it's not getting any easier. Whine away...I know I will if I'm in the same boat. I can't stand feeling sick. I had autrocious morning sickness with both of my children and spent most of the first six months of each pregnancy with my head in the toilet. I'm not looking forward to the possibility of going there again.



Kadia, it's great to hear you are okay so far!! Keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way.



I think we also have Alicea and Hannahsnana starting today as well...anyone else? I'm looking forward to hearing how you are. Sending you hugs and well wishes.



It's funny because I haven't even met any of you in person, but I'm finding myself worrying about you and checking the posts to see if you've checked in! I guess that's why they say adversity brings people together.

Msbelle

My chemo is TCH. I get that for 4 rounds then herceptin for 1 year. 3 more to go. Diarrhea now when I eat. Think I will go ahead and start immodium. Just didn't want to stop the movements and keep that poison in me any longer than neccessary. Hair thinning already at day 6. It's long so I think I will cut short over weekend. I really hate this part. I don't want to be bald!

Alicea

Hi ladies, 20 mins into my treatment so far so good,excellent nurse, will keep you all posted. Thanks for the well wishes!!!

Kadia

Sissydi, sorry you're having a tough time. Hopefully it will ease up soon. Don't worry about TMI!

Msbelle-- Feel better soon! For your hair, are you doing hats, scarves, or a wig? I keep checking mine even though it's early. I'm ready to shave it off as soon as it loosens....

Alicea--good luck, glad you're in good hands. 

MaxineO, thank you for the inspiration! 

journey4life

Masserz - I appreciate the info on the anti-cording exercises. I will keep doing what I've been doing to make it go away! I find that I am calmer after reading your posts; I can tell you're going to be a comfort to all of us as we go through this. Just be sure to take care of yourself along the way.

Sissydi - is there a way to list us Marchers along with 1st tx date and tx (and anything else that will fit) into your initial post? I know it would help me to keep it all straight!

Sissydi - you go ahead and whine, girl! That's what we're here for - to prop each other up when we need it and to celebrate all successes when they happen!!

MaxineO - I hope you know what it means to us for your words of encouragement and helpful hints. Thank you!

Reading everyone's posts, I almost feel guilty that I haven't begun tx yet. I'll probably have a start date when I go for "Chemo 101" next week.

Thinking of you all - we can do this! 

Love74

Msbelle - Looks like we have similar dx but I'm about 5 days ahead of you.  I have long hair as well...about half way down my back.  I have an appointment friday for a shave.  I have been having nightmares about it...not so much about shaving it but how long it will take to be long again.  Maybe I will like it short!  My wig matches my hair and it will be kind of nice to not worry about the daily knot untangling!  Take half of an immodium and see if it works...a full pill didn't push me back to the other side but you never know!

mybodymydecision

Thank you I will be coming to this board often I'm sure.  Sores are starting in my mouth today I feel little better.  I may make it to work tomm. haven't all week.  Friday back to doctor which is a hour drive so no work that day either.  Well I hope all goes well for everyone it is good to know we are not alone.

Masserz

Lisajcj, great idea on adding the names and details in the first post! I think that would be good...I had created a cheat sheet as I read through the posts to help me keep it all straight. I'm pasting it below, if anyone needs/wants to update their info, please respond. I didn't find tx or start dates for everyone. Sorry if I missed or messed up something. Then maybe Sissydi can add it to the first post when she's feeling up to it.



Alicea: ACx4...THx4, start 2/29

Sissydi: adriamycin x?, start 2/27

Tc9876: TCHx6, start 3/1

Cucho: FECD, start 3/9 or 3/15

Shera: start 2/29

Gabbi42: start 3/1

Rosie24355: TCx4, start 3/10

Kadia: TCx4, start 2/28

galena_79: ACx4...Tx12

Corkins: TCHx6, start 2/20

Kam170: ddACx4...ddTx4...carboplatinx6

Love74: TCH, start 2/17

Mybodymydecision: ACx4, start 2/28

Hannahsnana: TCx4, start 2/29

Siops: start 3/1

Msbelle: TCHx4, start 2/23

Masserz: TCx4, start 3/6

Kadia

Nice job, Masserz. Thanks!

Msbelle

Kadia- I have a wig and also plan on getting some hats and scarves. Have a great local wig shop that will teach me how to tie scarves etc when all hair out. She said it was easier once all hair gone. Thanks!

Love74- I just took one immodium. Hope it works. Thanks! My hair is almost as long as yours and that's all I think about too....how long will it take to grow back out. I keep telling myself it's just hair get over it but it's just not sinking in. I'm taking baby steps, cutting it short first then shave next week. I'll be thinking of you on Friday!

Masserz-thanks for the list!!

Sissydi

Now if I can just post that list correctly! It keeps wanting to become a solid paragraph!

Sissydi

Thanks masserz! I'll add March peeps as they come along......everyone, please correct us where we did any mistakes!

Hannahsnana

Masserz I too had to start a cheat sheet...thank you so much for the list!!  My Hannah is 13 and spends alot of time with us.  She has from day one.  How old is your Hannah?  Good luck to you and I'll be watching for your updates next week.  I was get it started to get over with also.  1 down 3 to go.

Alicea and Shera - I am with you girls.  Chemo was a breeze today for me. No port, but stick well thank goodness.  Haven't had surgery yet so that is not an issue for me with a one arm limit.  

Lisajcj - I checked with my nurse today to confirm the Calcium w/Vitamin D should be 1200 mgs per day.  My mom has osteo so I am supposed to be taking calcium but had gotten way from it.  Started back when I learned of my BC and read alot of post.  Not sure, but I think the chemo can deplete your vitamin D levels.  I think they will monitor that w/blood levels but may be wrong on all of this.

Kadia, I too am concerned about lack of sleep after all the water and staying up peeing all night if the steroids don't keep me awake!  My face was real red today from them.  (2) pill form the day before (2) the day of and (2) the day after.  I have benedryl to take to help me sleep if I need it.  May or may not work.

galena_79  I had the cold hand issue and seemed like the pressure was building at the iv point.  Not really pain, but sore pressure if there is such a thing.  I told the nurse and she wrapped my hand in it and it seemed to help. She said the meds were cold going in.  Hand is sore tonight, but scared the other SEs will override that in a day or three! 

Kam170 - 22 weeks of chemo and a long drive to get there too!  Bless you!

Sissydi  I am with the others you whine if you want to....its your party!  Am I telling my age?  Anyway, maybe you are on the downhill slide now!

Thinking of you all!

Kadia

Sissydi, minor correx on mine next time you edit--my regimen is TCx4--no "H." Thanks for posting the list!

Masserz

You all have probably seen these sites, but just in case you haven't...I found the most comfortable hats at softhats.com. I got two and they are great. They seem like they will be very comfy if I need something to keep my head warm around the house too. I also ordered scarfs from headcovers.com. They have some pretty ones with sequins, etc. and some that are pre-tied for ease. Just be sure to read the fabric info...I didn't and ended up with two that require dry cleaning.



I was thinking about this a little bit ago while walking around Costco. How bizarre that I can walk around in public right now and people look at me like there's nothing wrong (or ignore me and run over my toes), but in a few short weeks I'll be walking around with a flashing neon sign over my head that screams CANCER! I cried when they told me I needed chemo and it was mostly about the hair, but I think I've come to terms with it now and I'm really not that worried anymore. I just keep telling myself I'll finally get to take shorter showers than my husband. : ). BTW...he's planning to shave his head as a show of solidarity. Mine will grow back...not sure he realizes his is more questionable...

Masserz

Hannahsnana, that's a crack up! Mine is 13 as well! She's a great kid...keeps sending me "thinking of you" texts. Pretty sweet for a teenager! My daughter wasn't that sweet at 13. : D

Love74

I'm getting some semi-permanent eyebrows tattoo'd on next week. There were a couple of girls at look good feel better with them and I was pretty impressed. I will let you know how it goes. My wig lady has hers done as well and she isn't even going thru chemo! Im going to try my best to not look like a cancer patient!!

shera

So many great posts..I am missing the facebook "like" feature because I want to respond to all of you amazing Marchers.

Love74 - good info on eyebrows! I'm looking into it. I have dark eyebrows.. as evidenced by profile alias.

Those of you going from a dramatic long hair to bald... me too. Yesterday, prior to 1st infusion, I got my first above-the-shoulder haircut since the 5th grade. I did it to save the long strands cut off, to try and make a halo. I also think shedding will be a little easier to deal with.

I just wanted to tell you that I actually like it... and even though it's only here for a few weeks - give or take - it's added a fun element. Just wanted to share that... because it really surprises me. I thought I'd hate it.

I know that doesn't help make bald better. Helps me to remember that it's the one part of this whole experience, that will take care of itself, 100%. There are tips for quicker regrowth. We should share what we learn! I've been told that shampooing the bald head keeps the hair follicles healthier and can encourage quicker regrowth. I have NOT researched this yet... it could be bogus. Worth checking into though.

First infusion today.... went uneventful! A few odd things at the beginning... intermittent mild burning sensations at port site for a few hours. Sore neck. Now it's subtle metal mouth and mild headache... just took 2 tylenol. Ready to crash.

Gnight all.
-Shera

Alicea

Hi ladies had a headache last night and went to bed, woke throughtout the night to pee, and the headache was still there. Woke up this morning feeling fine no headache...yeah!!!!! Overall not feeling bad, now I wait to be knocked from behind with a hammer



Massserz and Sissy thanks for the list



Hannahsnana my MO told me to get the vitamin C & D yesterday also, need to confirm the grams with her.



Tc9876 and Gabbi42 best wishes today!!



Sending lots of (((((Hugs))))) and comfort to everyone

tc9876

Alicea, Thanks for the well wishes. My appt is in another hour. Did you ladies take water or did you just get it there? I'm about to get a big glass of water now with some fiber as I have been very regular lately and I don't want that to change.

fedfan

Fedfan AC X 4, T X 4 beginning 3/5/12  

fedfan

Margaret AC X 4, T X 4 beginning 3/5/12  

Msbelle

Tc9876: most places have plenty of water soda etc and baskets full of snacks! The lady across from me at my first tx actually drank 12 bottles. She also spent most of the time in the rest room but she flushed hers out rapidly! Thinking of you today

Sissydi

Water, water, water girls! This is day 4 for me now, and still fighting a headache that comes and goes. Not sure if it's side effects from anti nausea drugs, or not flushing enough with water, or just plain old chemo sides....but good news, no bone pain from Nuelasta shot!

Kadia

alicea--sounds like things are going pretty smoothly for you so far--I'm so glad!

sissydi--here's hoping that headache goes away for good soon!

shera--how are you feeling today? Sounds like things have been a bit rough so far. (((hugs)))

I'm on Day 3 now, and feeling surprisingly good. The headache is mostly gone, no nausea. I do feel a sore throat developing--we"ll see where that goes. I guess now is when the WBC count starts to drop. Keeping my fingers crossed for no infection. I have a kid in a germ factory--I mean elementary school--so need to keep chasing after him with the hand sanitizer.