April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

vballmom

I have to call and ask about the port tomorrow.  I am going to be going for the next year, so it's going to be a long road.  Thanks for all the advice - makes me feel so much better.

lsharvey822

Maybe Indigo.  I'm on TC x 6 every 3.  Maybe they have to be more aggressive with AC?  I guess I'll find out!

nofear2012

I will be having my 3rd treatment this weds. I am getting AD (red warrior) and cytoxin. I am wondering if anyone else has experience a racing heart beat. The day of treatment I am getting a racing heart beat about 6 hours after treatment and it usually last about 5 hours. I have talked to my onc nurse and she said that should not be happenin but I talked to my onc dr and he said that it is the steroids causing this. I remember reading about this as a SE from steroids, but I am hoping someone can relate. It only happens that night of my treatment and then it goes away. The next day I feel the flushed face and restlessness and then the overall feeling of being hit by a truck and upset stomach. My biggest struggle so far has been my stomach. After treatments physically I usually bounce back but my stomach does not. I have no appetite and have to make myself eat. My hair started falling out just after my second treatment. My husband shaved the rest off. Funny thing, I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes they have not fallen out and I have tried to pull them and they remain in place.  Really love reading everyone's post. Everyone keep going and pushing thru we will get thru this.

sandik

Velutha, nah. It was my choice. I could have waited another week, but I already thought I was starting, and since I had that node that still had cancer in it, I figured let's get moving and zap that thing!  Congrats on getting the port out! 

Isharvey, glad you are doing well so far! Remember to keep drinking!  

Tweetyb422

Isharvey822 - they gave me compazine first time, I felt fie til about 2 hours after first chemo, I took the compazine was really sick within 2 hours, vomiting, like 100 times worst hangover ever, so I called office and they gave me zofran, that helped really fast. Ths time emend and then a steroid to take along with it next 2 days...so far so good . Good luck to you.

Melrosemelrose

IndigoMont11- I'm glad I have my port.  I will still be using it after the chemo is over because the Herceptin is going to infused through my port.  I'll be receiving Herceptin through April 2013. I don't think you can use the EMLA cream until the port incision is healed but I'd ask for some lidocaine spray. 

Isharvey- I had my first Taxotere/Cytoxan infusion 2 weeks ago.  I felt fine until almost 48 hours later when I started to feel what I call the "slide down".  By the evening, I definitely did not feel well; I ate dinner and slept for a few hours.  Around midnight, I got up because I started to feel ill.  I drank some really cold ginger ale and sat up in my desk chair for several hours.  By the morning, I definitely felt better.  I drank lots and lots of water and ate small meals on schedule even though I didn't feel well.   I read on older Taxotere/Cytoxan threads that one may not start to feel bad until the 3rd day so I had an idea that I would be okay the day after the infusion but after that, the side effects might show up.  I just burped a lot; no nausea or diarrhea or constipation.  I took my Decadron (steriod) the day before, the day of and the day after the infusion and Zofran twice a day for 3 post chemo days.  I have a prescription for Phenergan but I never had to take it for the 1st infusion side effects.  I did not get a Neulasta shot and will only receive that shot in the event my white blood count drops too low.  Hope this info helps you. 

IndigoMont11

Thanks, Melrose, I will ask for the spray.

dancetrancer

That spray is the bomb.  I barely even feel my port being accessed.  

Melrosemelrose

vballmom- You take whatever you want to bring to the first chemo treatment so you are comfortable and at ease.  I know I loaded up my rolling backpack with the things I thought I might need or wanted with me and did not use most of them.  I took snacks (peanut butter packets to go size, ritz crackers, apple sauce, cheese sticks, package almonds/walnuts) and some mints since I didn't know when I'd be able to get to eat lunch.  My husband got a turkey sandwich at the hospital and I ate part of that as well as some of my snacks.  I also took my own insulated mug that I could hold while icing my fingers during the Taxotere part of my infusion so I could eat ice during my Taxotere Infusion without having to fed the ice by my husband.  I didn't bring anything to read because I watched tv during my treatment or walked around with the IV pole during the Cytoxan and Herception infusions.  I brought a fleece jacket, fleece pants and a knit hat to wear if I needed it since the infusion center is kept cold.   I wore the fleece pants during the Taxotere infusion.  I did not bring a blanket since I knew I could get a warmed one at the infusion center.   The first infusion may last a little longer because of the newness of the chemo routine and time taken to help explain the routine to you.  If bringing a few extra items gives you comfort and peace of mind, then do it.  No overnight suitcases needed since you aren't staying overnight!!!!!

MrsJayd80

Thanks ladies. I've been on zofran round the clock, plus compazine and Ativan as needed, which has basically also been around the clock. I've been trying to eat small meals. It is hard to keep track of time, so I'm not sure how well I'm doing at eating frequently. I basically eat every time I wake up though. My onc said he will add more anti nausea meds to my IV next cycle. I guess there isn't anything they can do now. I'll call back tomorrow if I am still sick.

dancetrancer

Mrs. Jay, I get nausea as symptom due to heartburn/reflux - not typical, but it could be something you could ask your onc about.  He may say you could try something for heartburn (pepcid, maalox, prescription, etc.) to see if it helps.  (My symptoms last well into days 9 to 10.)   Just a thought - it may not be helpful, but just in case!   So sorry you are not feeling well, hope it improves soon. 

Melrosemelrose

MrsJay80- I created some forms to keep track of the meds (blood pressure meds/ aniti-nausea) meds I take and what and when  I eat everyday which has become more of a diary or written record of prescription drugs/ OTC drugs, foods I ate and when I ate.  I just know myself that I would forget to take something or take too many, if I didn't keep a written record of the meds and when I took them.  The eating diary just helps remind me of what foods I have tolerated the best and when I'm supposed to eat my mini meals/snacks.

MrsJayd80

Dance - thanks for the tip. I'm sorry your nausea lasts so long. That is just awful.

MrsJayd80

Melrose- good idea. My husband has been tracking all of my meds. I'm not sure if he's been tracking my food though. I think I am eating fairly regularly, I still just don't feel well. hoping it doesn't last much longer. My onc called me and said that younger patients tend to deal with chemo worse. Ugh.

Melrosemelrose

MrsJayd80- You might want to keep track of when you eat and what you eat.  I also was given "Eating Well Through Cancer" by Holly Clegg & Dr. Gerald Miletello which has helped.  I know there are other cookbooks similiar to this one out there.  Books like this take the guesswork out of what to eat during treatment and what to eat when you have certain side effects. 

dancetrancer

Thanks MrsJay - fortunately I only have breakthrough symptoms from about 2 to 7 p.m. each day.  My doc just put me on double Protonix dosage to see if it controls the reflux/nausea/burping/burning mix of sx better...fingers crossed!!!  P.S.  Interesting about the younger patients and chemo -  I did just read online that younger patients tend to have more nausea with chemo.  I don't know if they know why.  

I also write all of my meds down.  There is no way I could keep track of it otherwise.  It's overwhelming and would be easy to make a mistake.  I also set an alarm on my cell phone for each subsequent med so that I stay on top of it.   

sandik

Ok, so I spoke too soon. The hair in the southern region has started to go. So, my days are numbered. haha 

MrsJayd80

Sandik - at least no bikini waxing this summer!

lsharvey822

Thanks Melrose! Hoping i can work a full day tomorrow since i was out today. After this round the others will be on wed so if i have everything issues they'll be over the weekend. At least that's the plan for now!

sandik

True dat! I keep saying that I will be the 1 in a million who doesn't lose hair on my legs and I'll still have to shave. 

dancetrancer

I soooooooooo want my leg hair to go.  I'm 6 days post my 2nd chemo, and they are STILL hanging on with a vengeance.  Underarm hair was gone like 14 days after 1st chemo....good riddance! 

Stacie

Velutha that's FANTASTIC. I think you are our 1st finisher!

SaraT

Sandik -- I get the hydration therapy the day after my infusion. It's a 3 hr drip of fluids to help with chemo induced dehydration. I was so sick after the 1st infusion that my Onc added Emend and suggested the IV. My 2nd infusion was a breeze and I had no nausea. We also added acupuncture after the IV. I don't know what good that does, but it can't hurt.



After the 2nd infusion, the worst SE I had was fatigue. Does anyone know what to do for that?



I am also enjoying the hair loss. Not shaving or washing my hair and drying it is a treat. I can get ready in the a.m. so fast now!

sandik

Ahhh ok thanks. I got Emend in the first infusion, along with something else. I forget what. I was pretty hydrated too. I drank so much I could have floated away! I go Wednesday for #2. I'm already chugging to get ready for it. 

mb1024

Tomorrow's my first visit to the infusion center, and the closer I get, the more nervous I am and the more upset my stomach is.  I can barely look at food.  I'm going to drink a lot of water today, and get my bag ready tonight.  Reading all of your posts has been such a big help.  

lsharvey822

@MrsJayD80 - Maybe someone has already chimed in on this and I missed it but I've heard great things about Emend for nausea on these boards.  Maybe your doc could switch you to that?

lsharvey822

@mb1024 - I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.  I just finished Tx1 yesterday myself.  Not sure what you're getting but I had TC and it was a very easy 3 1/2 hours.  Couple of odd tastes in my mouth when different meds were started but nothing else.  Do you have a port and if so do you have the numbing cream?  Worked like a charm for me.  Imagine a jean jacket with a snap bottom on the top pocket.  That's what it felt like.  I could feel something popping together but assolutely no sensation or pain.  Other then that hubby and I sat and people watched, browsed magazines, snacked and talked (and of course I guzzled 3 bottles of water in 3 hours!).  I'd taken my cell phone since it was yelling at me about needing to delete pictures so as I was doing that we were laughing at the crazy pictures.  And believe me this is coming from a person who's blood pressure was 160/110 last Thursday for training so my anxiety going into this was pretty high and it was pretty easy.  Hope yours goes as well and that we both have minimal/controlable side effects!

Lisa 

sandik

Mb, I go tomorrow for treatment #2. If you haven't gotten cream, ask for the spray. Works like a charm. Take your water and chug chug chug! I'm on AC. I was there 3 1/2 hrs and that included a dr visit.

chapter4

Hi ladies....feeling great today...but treatment 3 of AC is tomorrow....for those of you newer to treatment...I found vanilla milk shakes work wonders on nauseau....also saltines and peanut butter.



I shaved my head after treatment two as hair was combing out a lot....still have eyebrows and eye lashes....anyone else keep those throughout treatment? Hope so.



I find nauseau sticks around until after 6th day....that feel like I was hit by a truck feeling comes on the day after I stop steroids and lasts about two days.



Staying focused on the end game

velutha

Thanks, it's nice to be done!  I will hang around, at least through May.  

All you port peeps: So I forgot my EMLA cream once, realized it really didn't hurt much (just a needle stick), and then didn't use it again.  Yes, my port is coming out sort of quickly, but I have a small clot sitting there and so they want it out.  Also, my counts are good and I'm "only" on Taxol.  Plus, I'm going fly fishing (castingforrecovery.org), and I wanted the port out before I left, so I nagged my MO into writing the order.

I kept some of my eyebrows and eyelashes all the way through treatment, but I had a ton of them when I started.  Eyelashes growing in are a PITA!  They are irritating/itchy, and some of them I plucked b/c they were ingrown.  

 Nausea:  If you look at the NCCN guidelines, they have written standards for SE therapy.  For A/C, w/ my infusion I received steroids, ativan, emend, aloxi, and they run pepcid.  I had zofran, compazine, ativan as needed.  I second the advice to be sure that it's nausea -constipation, heartburn, and just the bad taste/less saliva problems can cause you to feel nauseated, but the antinausea meds won't fix you if those are your problems.  I found greasy, starchy foods (french fries, twice baked potato, doughnuts, bacon...basically all the stuff that makes you fat) helped keep my stomach settled during A/C.  Stay hydrated!!! It will keep you out of the hospital!

Those of you just starting chemo, be sure to tell your MO if you tend to have a sensitive tummy or if you are just terrified of nausea, and ask them to start strong with your antiemetics.