April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

IndigoMont11

One other thing - I was really worried about mouth sores because I tend to get a nasty canker sore every so often.  I have been rinsing with a solution of 1 cup warm water, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp baking soda.  I did get just a few sore spots and my mouth kind of blistered in a few places (like when you burn your mouth eating something that's too hot), but none of it has been as bad as a canker sore at all.  So I highly recommend the rinses too. I love spicy foods, like Mexican green chile, and sriracha sauce, but between mouth issues and heartburn, I have avoided all of those.

Lol, when I had my chemo class, the nurse, who had a Texas accent, said that "coldermils" can help with mouth soreness.  I gave her a totally blank look because I had no idea what she meant.  She stared back at me - like "what is your problem?" and then I started laughing because I realized she had said "colder meals"!

Good luck and minimal SEs to everyone!

Lezza13

SadeSurvivor, THanks.  I am actually on Lomotil which is a script. Immodium did not do the trick but thanks for asking.  Glad you are feeling better.

Wildflower2828  The xanax will help. I would take the Claritin with the Nueclasta like some of us have. I would also stick with the anti nasea meds that your MD suggests.  Small meals help too.  I was more tired than sick but I am stuck with the "runs" rather than constipation. Drink lots and lots of water!  Hope  this helps.

Krazycatlady37

I am triple negative so i am starting with chemo first (May 8, to be exact). Port install is this Friday.  My seat belt will go right acress where I think the port will be. Will this be painful? If so, solutions??

Also, selfishly, I run a cat rescue and our semi-annual tent event at PetSMart is this weekend!  Yikes!  Will I be able to attend? I will be mostly sitting. But will I be too sore for walking around, etc.? I will not be handling cats (I have already cleared with continued work with cats with my MO). 

C-squared

Catlady ask them for a "port pillow" at the infusion center.  It wraps around the seatbelt with a velcro strap and is just enough padding.  My port is on the left also.

I would think you should be able to attend the event this weekend but you may want to double check with your surgeon.  You should be feeling fine.., just want to know if there are any precautions to take at the surgical site.

dancetrancer

Wildflower, the worst for me starts 3 days post chemo thru day 6 or 7.  However, that doesn't mean day 1 or 2 post chemo is uneventful.  I am one day post 2nd TCH yesterday, have been running to the bathroom all morning ("D" train).  Much better than the "C" train in my opinion!  I've been drinking prune juice to prevent the "C" train which happened to me a few days after my first chemo with sharp abdominal pains and gas.  No sharp abdominal pains so far, which I am so happy about b/c those hurt!!!   Just bloated and going a lot.  Drinking lots of water, flushing the pipes (and, er, the toilet...LOL...amusing myself today).  

Re: runny nose...I put a bit of baby oil in my nose with a Q-tip and that fixed 'er up for me straight away.  I do it preventatively every morning now.  and for the watering eyes - GenTeal eye GEL (not drops) is HEAVEN.  Again, fixed me up straight away, just use as needed.   

Stacie

Catlady-My port is on the left and I already had a fluffy fur pad for my seatbelt.  But I still kept lifting it up off of it when I drove and felt insecure about it.  Then I  noticed I hadn't been doing that and that my port area had gotten toughened and healed and now I just drive.

Day 9 post chemo # 2 today--Really feel better today.  My "I love life" feeling is back.  I was in CVS (buying false eyelashes) and this lady was next to me at the check out.  She was reaming the cashier for making her wait on a manager I don't know why.  She was super rude.  I started humming as I was checking out thinking "I'm in a better mood than her with cancer".  It was all I could do to not say something, just decided to mind my biz.  I was also tempted to slash a tire on her car as she complained all the way to it.  Instead I just felt grateful that I am me, cancer or not.

IndigoMont11

Stacie - LOL.  Rude people suck, don't they? Living as well as you can and being as happy as you can is the best revenge, I say.  

I got the GenTeal gel after hearing about it on this board, and I like it too.  I called the eye doc about about the cyst thingy-she said those are caused by allergies, btw - and she also said to use the GenTeal about 4 times a day (I was only using it at bedtime because it makes it hard to see for a few minutes).  My dryness does seem better the last couple of days.

C-squared, thanks for the tip about the port pillow - I have a little pillow that they gave me after my BMX, but not sure that one will work for the port.  I will definitely ask!!   

petagae

I've been home for a couple of hours since my first chemo. I ended up with no reactions during the infusion. It took about 3hours and 45 min. I had the best nurses and my sister was there with me. I work from home mostly on my computer so I did do a little admin work because I was just sitting there (only thru the pre-drugs and the Taxol). My sister was great company and the time flew by. The funny thing is that my nurse actually gave me ginger candy in order to keep the nausea away.

The worst part of the process was when we took my gauze off the port placement from yesterday.  It is the biggest bruise I've had in my life. The actual insertion into the port didn't hurt. I did get the Zoladex shot in my tummy so that was a joy. She was nice enough to freeze the area with the spray before hand.

Lezza13

I am upset about losing my hair.  It is 10 days after Round 2 of TC and not much left.  Any helpful hints, comments  It is really bothering me.

Pkate

Leeza - I too have felt that the loss of my hair is the worst of it.  Even with all the 'work' my hair was to keep, I feel I have lost my femininity.  Hang in there cause it will grow back.  I actually change my hats or wigs in the closet so my family won't see which is so silly but it gives me a little control.

Just had chemo #3 of AC - had lunch with a friend and still feeling okay.  As usual, I like to pass my new knowledge on to the group.  Today I learned that if you get the funny taste in your mouth with the saline or heparin flush, ask them to do it slowly.  Had an awesome male nurse who gets my sense of humor.  My friend and I shared our snacks with him and he was so grateful as single guys always are.  With my last chemo, I found that I loved cinnamon applesauce - must be the sweet.  For the first time in my life, I want salty things but trying not to eat because they make you retain water.  The other lifesaver is chocolate Boost.  My sister got me hooked on them and they taste good, lots of protein, especially if you freeze and then let thaw (during my work day) and its likea chocolate slushy. 

Someone posted that they took only 1 steroid pill instead of 2 for the 3 days afterward.  That comment made me realize I did the same so bless you for sharing.  The doctor said that it didn't affect the treatement but I did go 'lifeless' on Friday afternoon rather than Sunday afternoon so I don't know if it was that mishap or the cumulative effect you all mention.  Not doing that again.  I've got to pull myself together to go to my son's confirmation on Sunday at 11.

Also, last week my tongue felt funny so I stuck it out in the mirror.  Yuk, it was white on the bottom and brown toward the back.  Called the center and they had me come in for bloodwork.  I thought they would give the mouthwash but they gave me two very strong antibiotics because my neutriphil count was 30 when they like to see 1000.  She also told me that my nadir was 7-10 days out, when I was the most susceptible.  I actually feel good starting about that time and was working.  She told me just stay away from crowds.  So, ladies, stick your tongue out.  I never dreamed I'd have to get antiobiotics (they tear up your stomach, too) but glad I did so it didn't get worse.  

Sorry for long post. Love and gentle hugs to you all.

wildflower2828

Hello all I have stressed how nervous I am about getting my port tomorrow.  Just wondering if anyone could tell me where they put the port, I forgot to ask radiology when they made the appointment so if you can please help and let me know where they put it usually.

Lezza13

Wildflower  It is all what you don't know.  They put mine in the opposite chest wall where my cancer was which was my left.Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

pkate-  thanks for the pep talk.  I just have to tell myself it will go back. I will check my tounge too. My nadir is coming up.  hugs back.

IndigoMont11

Hi petagae!  What is zoladex? I had two heparin shots in my stomach while in the hospital after my BMX, and I hated them.  

I've been wondering about where the port will go too - do some people have it on the right side and others on the left?  

Melrosemelrose

My port is on my right upper side of my chest, a few fingers below my collar bone, close to my right arm.  (I'm sure you are confused now with that location description).  My UMX was on my left side..

dancetrancer

I requested (well, insisted) that mine be placed on the opposite side of my SNB side, which also happened to have just been radiated.  Didn't want to risk any skin issues related to poor rads healing and/or LE risk.  

IndigoMont11

OK.  I will tell them it needs to go on the right side then! 

dancetrancer

FYI, my surgeon wanted to put it on the L side, since I am right handed.  She felt it would be easier for me to manage for the first 3 or 4 days when you are fairly sore.  However, when I explained my reasons for wanting it on the R she agreed to do that (assuming she had no issues when she attempted it).  My onc agreed it should be done on the R for me if at all possible, too, for the reasons I noted.  Yes, I had more trouble brushing my teeth, etc., for a few days using the L hand, but it was no big deal.  I was willing to struggle a bit more in order to reduce my risk of LE or skin issues with rads.  I don't even feel my port now, at all.  Hope it all goes smoothly for you Indigo! 

IndigoMont11

Of course, I'm right-handed too.... You really couldn't use your right hand for a few days?  Hmmm....

SadeSurvivor25

Hi Leeza, I too lost ALL of my hair this weekend.I wouldn't let my husband in the bathroom with me. I had him call my mother over. I honestly can't stand to look in the mirror at this point without a wig or scarf on. My husband still hasn't seen me without hair. I purchased some clippers today at Walmart because it's a bunch of little stubbles left. I say handle it how you see fit...scream, cry etc.



Ladies, what are some things that people say that may annoy you??? I'll go first.

I know they mean well but it irks my nerves when they say "it's just hair...it'll grow back"! I know it's just hair and it'll grow back;it's the time it's gone that I'm upset about and how it wasn't by choice that im bald!!! Ugh (ok, ok im done lol)

dancetrancer

I couldn't use my R hand much for the first 2 days.  If I reached too far, it let me know.  Then it just all came back gradually and quickly over the next week.  I did also feel uncomfortable laying on either side the first week, too.   

I could have pushed through the pain and done more with the R arm, but I didn't think it was a smart idea.  I just listened to my body.  

Perhaps I am just more sensitive than others.   

IndigoMont11

Mine is just now coming out so nobody has said anything irritating to me yet.  It's probably going to happen, though....

Sade, hope you got through your final OK!  Are you done?

IndigoMont11

Well, dang it.  I'm still a little sore on both sides from the drains, although I have been able to sleep on my left side again lately.  Since it's a short term problem, sounds like, and I'm getting the port on a Thursday and won't work again until at least the following Monday, hopefully I'll be able to cope over the weekend.  Thanks again for the input - making it hard to use my hand/arm never occurred to me.

velutha

Wildflower: I am almost done with the exact regimen you're getting ready to start.  Good luck with your port placement tomorrow!

First of all, if you haven't yet, get a notebook and take it with you to all appts, etc.  Write down your questions, so you remember to ask them, and write down what they tell you, so you don't forget.

Second of all, don't tolerate feeling anxious and like you don't know what's going on.  It is your doctor's job to keep you informed.  Your cancer is not going to win if you make them wait a day, a week, so you can get a handle on things and understand your choices, etc.  Most MDs don't require a tantrum, but a few do.  Usually just calling and saying you have questions is all it takes.  

Ports: usually on the opposite side of the cancer.  There are lots of ways to put in a port, and lots of different ports.  Breastcancer.org has a good description of mediport placement somewhere.  Compared to "real" surgery, it's usually not a big deal.  I think it's more of a nuisance than anything else.  I drove more than 8 hours a few days after mine was placed.  My surgeon said I could do whatever I wanted to do, just take it easy the first 24 hours.  The site will be a little sore, and if you sleep on it or something, you can bruise the skin over the port, but you get used to it (sort of).

A/C and taxol:  Read up on the side effects.  The important thing for you to know now is for most people, treatment side effects are cumulative -which means it gets worse as you go.  That sounds bad, but the good news is your first a/c will probably not be as bad as you think it will be, so try not to be anxious about it.  

Anxiety: Be upfront with your doctors about your anxiety.  Your MO in particular is going to need to help you, because steroids can make anxiety worse.  Staying ahead of it will help.  Seek out a counselor, sign up for a meditation class at your cancer center, join a support group.  Get together a lot of tools and support now, before you start, so that you have many options for what to do when you feel anxious/sad/overwhelmed later.

dancetrancer

Yes, Indigo, I think you will be just fine with that amount of time off.  It was definitely a short-term soreness issue for me.  

SadeSurvivor25

Thanks Indigo, I did great! I got a 93 on it. I just turned in my last paper of the semester. Now I can relax until the summer semester starts.



I hope your soreness goes away soon.

IndigoMont11

Wooohoo Sade, that rocks!!  Glad you get a break.  I know you deserve it!!  Hugs.

dancetrancer

Wow, congrats Sade!!!!!  Now pamper yourself! 

SadeSurvivor25

My port is actually on the right side where the cancer was. I'm not exactly sure why. They told me while I was crying so it just in one ear and out the other. It is sore for the first day or so but nothing too bad.

SadeSurvivor25

Thanks ladies!! I have no idea what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll treat myself to a new wig lol

petagae

Wildfloer I was offered to get a port in my arm. It's actually smaller than the chest ones and it worked fine today. It is on the opposite side form where  i had cancer. As far as zoladex is concerned it's a drug which shuts down your ovaries in an effort to protect them during chemo. Even tho i would have gone into chemopause anyway this protect the ovaries from producing Estrogen. I'm only 27 and I dont have kids so this was a suggestion from my doctor.