April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

7donatela81

Dancetracer, that would be good news if the weekly herceptin is better for the heart.  I'll be on weekly for a while, then every 2 weeks, then after 5 months every 3 weeks. Hope the other SE s are minimal.  I see my onc tomorrow.  Hope my WBC is ok.

chapter4

I have chemo number two on wednesday. I've been feeling so good the last few days...so I'm dreading it. I had a hard time after first treatment a rough 4 days...I still get my period and will likely have it right during the down days of day two....I hear the chemo with throw me into menopause...anyone know when that typically happens. Should I expect to continue having my period throughout treatment? I'm 48 years old...thanks

Lynnbea

I have my chemo today. Made myself notes of what to take and when. Set the bottles out so I wouldn't forget, take them early enough so you're not staring at the ceiling all night...and sure enough the 3 day steroid that I start 1day BEFORE chemo says take 2 pills twice a day and I only took 1 pill the first time. Didn't realize until I took the 2nd dose that I shorted the first. Oh well...praying it won't make a difference.

Definitely will be taking Claritin today before the Neulasta tomorrow. 

Thanks to everyone who posts on these boards. I was so unprepared for my 1st treatment. I learned so much listening to each of you share. And a special thanks to those who've finished but come back to encourage.  You're such a blessing!

Kelloggs

Hi ladies!  I'm just dropping by to give my 2 cents worth.  I finished TCH X6 on March 22 and will continue Herceptin every 3 weeks until December.  I did pretty well with TCH, no terrible SE's, could all be managed.  My first Herceptin only treatment I had no SE's at all!  What I wanted to tell you is that it may seem daunting in the middle of treatment, but don't give up on it.  I am stage IV, had multiple lung nodules found on pre-chemo scans.  I had a CT after my 3rd tx and the nodules had shrunk by over half.  I had a PET scan at the end of my TCH and was declare NED!  The lungs nodules have disappeared!  Chemo does work and all that time feeling crappy was so worth it!  I am off to RADS simulation today and figure I can do whatever the docs throw my way.

This site has gotten me through some emotional days.  The ladies here are wonderful and it is invaluable to be able to share your experience with someone who is going through the very same thing.  I would love to help others through it so if I can be of any help.....PM me or feel free to ask on this thread.  You are all stronger than you think and you can do this!  Hugs to all!

Kelloggs

P.S. chapter4 - Of course the experience is different for everyone, but I am 45 and I had a period after my first treatment.  I haven't had one since.  Some people do get their period back after treatment is over and for some the chemopause turns in to permanent menopause.  Don't know which I am hoping for.

lisak7290

So far the new SE since chemo #3 is no period and my head getting warm several times a day. I've been sleeping good so far.

Is this what they call chempause?

Melrosemelrose

Kelloggs - Thanks for the encouraging words and support!!!! We are all glad to have those who have travelled through this part of treatment to let us know that we can all get through this and so willing to share their personal experiences and help any way they can.  Chemo angels are everywhere and appear when you least expect them!!!!  Please keep checking on us as I have asked others to do and make suggestions to help us all get through this!!!!

dancetrancer

fantastic Kellogg's, just fantastic!!!  Thank you for sharing, you are an inspiration to those of us just starting TCH! 

Kelloggs

dance - I've seen your posts on the TCH and Triple Pos threads...so sorry you have had a bad time so far.  You seem to be very on top of things and well informed and I have no doubt you will get through this.  I hope the SE's start treating you better.  I had a couple of rounds where I wanted to quit, but then I came to BCO and realized that others had it much worse.  I still can't believe it's over sometimes because it really does consume your life. 

Kelloggs

Melrose - don't know if I would call myself an angel but I want to help to pay if forward.  The women who visited my month's board from the past really made me feel better and I want you all to know you can get through this...and that it is worth it!

Melrosemelrose

Kelloggs- Periodically, I have surfed the boards to educate myself on things and have found that some of the threads don't always have posts by those who have moved past that part of treatment.  The suggestions, tips, and personal experiences postings are invaluable since to find out some of the these things, one really does have to read a lot.  I'm glad you found this thread and decided to post.   You know that you don't have to think you are an angel, but I certainly consider you one!!!!!!

IndigoMont11

Kelloggs, that's awesome!  Love to hear about your story and progress!  Everyone I'm around is so positive about treatment - except for my DH.  He is so terrified and so drawn to the worst case scenarios.  It puts pressure on me not to be honest about everything and to keep my bravest face on 24/7, although we are working on it and I've told him that if there are days when he can't do any more than tell me he loves me and let me lie around, that's that, but it doesn't mean I'm not getting better.

Thanks for paying it forward - you made a difference for me today. 

IndigoMont11

lisak7290 - I've been wondering too.  I've only had my first tx, and my period was just ending at the time.  Seems like it is still tapering off after a whole week, which is kind of unusual, so I'm thinking it is some effect from the chemo.  Not looking forward to hot flashes, but the end of 40 years of periods would be nice in my book!

Kelloggs

Indigo - I know this is hard on our DH's as well.  I am sorry yours isn't handling it well.  I always put on a brave face to the world, expecially my two DD's.  It was nice to have my DH to break down in front of and to vent to.  If you can't do that with yours, perhaps you have a close friend you can talk to.  It helps to let the emotions out.  I found that day 3-7 after treatment I was coming off the steroids and was highly emotional.  If you don't feel like you can do that with anyone.....come here and do it.  We all know what it feels like and where it is coming from.  You never have to wear your brave face around your sisters!  HUGS

IndigoMont11

To do him justice, my DH also has had some serious health issues about which he already feels vulnerable, so this is a lot of the reason why he's reacting the way he is. I'm the only one that HE can let it all hang out with - and I can usually handle it after being married so long - but you know, this whole BC thing is different, too, for me.

I have a few close friends but honestly, my lifeline has been this forum.  I would be so devastated without it - and a lot less better informed.  I love all my sisters.  

Funny you mention it - today is day 4 so the first day off the decadron.  That stuff made me so hyper I'm glad I'm off it for now!  

LisaG65

@stacie i love that your rocking the bald look with me!!! i am also #2 TCH tomorrow!! drinking tons of water today. i will take a canteen to chemo, last infusion i felt like i was the only one dragging my IV stand to the restroom. i have a few dvds to take with me. bringing  a season of Absolutley Fabulous with me sweetie darling. this time i am also packing snacks. i got so hungry 1st infusion, was worried i would be sick so i didnt eat and i was there from 9:30 am till 5 pm. since i tolerated everything well will go faster. the center did have a snack area with all sorts of crakers, honey grahams processed stuff but, i would prefer healthier stuff likie some fruit or salad. i did enjoy the lil fridge, and snagged a 7 up after i was sick of the h20. i have gotten my nails done, i needed a back fill. brought my own implements. all 20 nails are doing fine no changes so far.good luck stacie with #2

Stacie

Lisa-Thanks so much.  So cool I have a bald ally.  The women in the cancer center were so complimenetary.  I came in head held high like I've been bald all my life.

Kelly-I noted you are ER+.  If you are going to take hormone therapy for 5 years you will be in psuedomenoopause anyway cause that drug shuts down estrogen.

I had a hystorectomy years ago but had to stop my estrogen replacement when diagnosed..  My hot flashes started right away.  I have gotten used to them.

dancetrancer

Hey all - great report after seeing doc today - white counts WAY up - Neupogen really worked overtime for me!  Only 4 shots needed...probably needed only 3, but it was over the weekend so couldn't be tested.  So I am set for round 2 next Tuesday of TCH. 

I am going to enjoy my 8 days of feeling somewhat "normal"!!! 

velutha

Tamoxifen:  I dunno what the optimal start time is, when I finish chemo my MO is giving me a drug holiday because I'm have my TE's swapped out for implants, she says I can start after surgery.  I'm 100% sure there is no medical reason to take a break, but I'm early stage and tired of hot flashes, so I'm taking it.  If I'd had positive nodes I might want to start ASAP as a security blanket. 

There is a really good tamox FAQ the UK's clinical trial folks made here:

http://www.ctsu.ox.ac.uk/pressreleases/1998-05-16/fact-sheet 

Of note! If you are premenopausal, while on tamox if you are not having periods, that does not mean you can't get pregnant.  Conversely, if you are having periods, it doesn't mean you can get pregnant.  Very important detail for us younger folks.  

Steroids and months of chemo are making me irritable, trying to behave myself with the family and at work is hard.  Thankfully I am surrounded by forgiving people.

Kelloggs

Stacie - yes, I am starting Tamoxifen May 1st.  Your period can return on Tamoxifen but I'm kind of hoping mine won't.  I have already been dealing with hot flashes so bring it on!

Lezza13

Thanks for starting an April Chemo group. It is nice to find one. Finished my first round of Chemo April 2nd.  Going for my second round on the 23rd.  Not fun. Two in one month.  Thanks for starting this one Claire.

Lezza

Lezza13

I am having my 2nd round Wed as well.   The week before this one has been so good. I am not looking forward to number too. But it has to be done.  I am glad I found you all.

Stacie

Welcome Lezza!

Chom #2 part 1 down.  (Part 2 are SE"s)  Steroids noticeably in my body.  Sang while driving bald.  Inadvertantly slowed some, cars passing me to give me "the look" I just kept on dancing and didn't even turn my head.  Let them deal with being more unpleasant over traffic than cancer LOL. 

I did speed up though.  Started anti-nausea preventatively again.  Will do my same successful sleep routine tonight.  Antihistimine, then Xanax, then ambien x 2 days.

Anonymous

Hi all,

 LisaK, sure sounds like it. I tried to embrace the hot flashes since I knew that the baddies weren't getting fed so much estrogen anymore  

MOs seem to differ in tamoxifen starts.  Mine said I could start it as soon as chemo was over, but I wanted to wait a bit and she was okay with that too. I'm taking it now, though--started 2 weeks after PFC.

Claire

nfranklin

Had Taxol #3 today, was very very tired afterwards, and the hot flashes kicked in around 8 tonight. Slept about 4 hours when I got home, feel sleepy but can't seem to go to sleep. I got up at 6pm from my nap after treatment.



Hair started coming out day 14, my DH cut it down to very short, family say they love it. I am okay with it. I know it will soon be allllllll gone.



Hoping that everyone will have minimal SE's,and a good night.

7donatela81

I had my first herceptin only treatment today.  So far not SE's, only wide awake at 3:00 a.m. My WBC very low, so started 5 days of neupogen today.  Inconvenient to drive to the office to get, but insurance wouldn't pay for a stronger, only once, shot. Also vitamnin D3 low, so started 1000mg of that today.  It's interesting, I asked my primary to check vit. D  2 years ago and it was ok then.

Later this morning I see surgeon to have stitches out aroung port.  I am asking him for a release so I can resume my exercise class. It's a fun, light free weight class which my onc has encouraged me to resume.  Hope he gives me the release.

Thanks to all who post here.  So encouraging and informative.

dancetrancer

7donatela - my WBC shot up from very low to incredibly high with just 4 Neupogen's, so you may not have to drive in for all 5.  They will re-rerun your bloodwork after a few.  Also, if your insurance covers it, you could give yourself an injection instead of having to drive in, if that is more convenient, and you can handle it.  I was able to do it - tough at first, but then no problem.  

I like getting neupogen vs neulasta.  I just like not having to get extra medication if it is not necessary, and you can assess your response to neupogen as you go along.   

chapter4

These posts have been so helpful...thanks everyone....I have AC treatment number two tomorrow. I feel better prepared for this one...

Leeza13.... I'm with you...I feel so good right now and here we go again...right?

I'm drinking water like crazy! Hope to flush this out. No hot flashes or other signs do chemo pause so far....is anyone else on emend the first four days?

dancetrancer

chapter4 - I get emend in my IV chemo day (along with Aloxi).  I understand emend is long acting in your system for like 5 days.  It's a great antinausea medicine.  I take Zofran sublingual every 6 hours for my post chemo nausea prevention as well.  

7donatela81

Thanks dancetracer.  Don't know about giving myself a shot though.  I'm kind of squimish.  Maybe I won't get all 5.  So far I have had no SE's from the shot today or the herceptin for that matter.  I hope it continues like this.  My onc reminded me again today that I will be losing hair soon.  I ordered some cute hats and fake bangs tpday.  I already bought a wig but it gets hot here in Southern California.  It's already been 100.  I think the wigs will be for REAL special occasions.

Your posts and everyone have been so good for me to read.  This is all so new still.