Starting chemo November 2012

michellej1980

I have a central venous line (Hickman).

politicomama

Paula, 

My treatments will be at SS at OSU on Thursdays.  I start this coming Thursday, the 15th.  I made an appointment to get my hair cut short that night.  My cosmo also cut my mom's hair off before she started her second round of chemo when she found bone mets.  It's bittersweet.  I do not carry the BRCA mutations so we are going to do a clinical trial with OSU genetics.  My mil does carry it, so my poor daughter....  She's going for her baseline mammo at 18.  Interesting enough my MO referred to my cancer as pregnancy induced several times during my visit.  Not that I would change having the sweet boy for the world though.  

Thank you to those of you who are sharing your experiences with SE.  We are all differnt but it is good to get an idea of what to expect. 

Praying for each of you. 

beckstar18

Adagio, I'm only having 8 treatments and my onco brought up the port almost like that was just how it's done routinely. I'd prefer it rather than multiple IVs. Between my labs, scans and surgery within the last few weeks my veins have already taken a beating.



TLYM, I don't have my regimen yet, I'll get it at my appt next Friday. They were waiting on final path results from surgery (whether or not in lymph nodes) which those results should be in by tomorrow!

5LuvBugs

Adagio I have a port and only need 4 treatments but my MO said I only had 2 good veins and he didn't want to take the chance.  I had lymph nodes removed from my right arm so that won't use that arm at all...  I don't like this port and had issues with it (allergic to the meds used) but I didn't have any problem getting my first chemo 3 days ago.  Hope they don't have to leave it in after I'm finished my treatment = it sticks out so much looks like I have a bone tumor....If you have good veins be glad...Good luck..

Pbrain

Adagio, I'm a hard stick and always have been.  My veins are deeply under my skin and I have to tell phlebotomists to look and see where I've been stuck for blood donations (which I've done a lot and they leave a little scar).  So I have a port.  But my boss who is a breast cancer survivor started her chemo without a port and she is small of stature.  So are her veins and she came home with a small chemical burn on her hand where they placed the IV line after her first treatment.  They placed a port (but we are both HER2+, so lots of IV injections over the year) and she was thrilled.  She told me it will be my new best friend.

My thinking--if you have a limited number of treatments and good veins, don't worry too much.  But if you are a hard stick (years ago I had a new phlebotomist throw the butterfly needle into the sharps box and storm out even though I told her I was not squeamish with her digging), you'll want one.

marianelizabeth

adagio, bottom line is what are your veins like? Has it been easy to have blood drawn and any other times you have had to be stuck? For me, said it before, it was hopeless. I was just reading my MO's notes and she remarked on all the brusing on my left arm from all the pokes for my tests. No question that A/C is a chemo drug that they will watch like a hawk as it is given to you IV push, not IV drip and last time my nurse explained that they do it that way so they are always watching in case of vein blowing. I don't mean at all to instill fear but I am always asking questions and had read about the seriousness of it "leaking."

So now I just want to know why we in Br. Col. get Taxol in 4 cycles and not 12 x weekly?

Marian

adagio

marian - good question about the taxol - however, I would rather just have 4 than 12. Perhaps we are getting the same amount of the drug, but faster - at least that is my understanding. Especially if you have been told that your cancer is aggressive - which is what my oncologist said about mine (Triple negative). However, who knows? 

I didn't know that AC isn't done by a drip - I guess I will learn all that next week when I go for the chemo teach. It is getting closer to November 20th and I am still quite scared even though lots of women on here have been very reassuring that it won't be as bad as I think it will. 

Do you feel any fear at going for your chemo? Any fatigue yet? How about the shots - are you able to give them to yourself? Would love to know either here or in a Personal e-mail.

I am off to Tofino for the long weekend so I am planning on being away from my computer - I need a break - my head is bursting with information. Just going to go and embrace the wind and the rain of Long Beach and try to forget about breast cancer for a few days.

Tlym

You cannot stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.

-Jon Kabat-Zinn

Pbrain

Adagio, I have some friends who have had AC and they say their only big complaint is a metallic taste in their mouths that won't go away.  They say it isn't easy and they were tired (like we all will be) but the anti-emetics make it much easier to endure.  My chemo teach nurse told me there is absolutely NO reason to vomit with chemo in these days, no matter what form you are enduring.  She said the drugs they now have are very, very good, you just might need to find the one that works best for you.

So I start chemo today (up and wired from the dexamethasone--weird stuff, but if it helps so be it) and I was given the wimpiest anti-emetic for the first go-round.  My chemo nurse told me if I feel sick to take it and wait 1 hour.  If it doesn't seem to work, call the on-call number immediately and the nurse on call will step up the pill to the next one that stops nausea.  I say A-OK.  she said they can keep doing that, so keep calling.  They'll prescribe 5 pills at a time until I find the one that makes me feel like I can eat and sleep without tossing my cookies.  That makes me so much happier...

My mantra---bring it!

Dakota212

Hi girls-

Had my first treatment yesterday. My adriamtcin was push cytocin was an hour drip. I am also have 4 tax old when done with A/C. I took an Ativan and went to sleep the same time as my kids and slept thru the night. Good luck to u all today I am headed to work. I will check in soon. Please keep us posted!! We got this

5LuvBugs

Today I hurt all over - guess the Neulesta is kicking in (had the shot on Wednesday)  bad night achy and mouth is getting sore.  Hope I feel better when I'm up and around a little more , I've been laying low here since my 1st chemo on Tues.  Maybe if I feel better I'll force myself out the door for some fresh air. 

Hope you all have a good day, chat later.

Dakota212

Tricia - feel better!!!! (((((Hugs)))).

maryah930

Adagio - Enjoy Tofino!  I could definitely endure anything chemo throws at me if I could walk the beaches of Tofino.  Craig promised a week in Tofino after my last chemo tx.

marianelizabeth

adagio, will send you a PM but you may not get it until after the long weekend. Tofino, lucky you and enjoy! We went with the whole famiily to a wedding at the end of March and it was wonderful. 

maryah, sounds like a perfect getaway after chemo. I hear that we get time off afer chemo before next event. What are your chemo dates - don't see it there? I would love Hawaii but Tofino might have to do. 

Both of you, please share the place(s) you stay at for future reference.

Marian

Dakota212

Please post pictures I have never heard of Tofuno sheltered I guess

michellej1980

Am due my Neulasta this evening. Dreading it as I'm anticipating the pain. My mouth tastes horrible today, like a bag of coins. Have had several bowel movements, quite loose so don't know whether to continue with the senna. Just quite tired now but I've been out all day. Have been in to work to chat to my boss and hanging around while my car gets repaired at garage next door. I wanna sleeep!

Dakota212

Michelle -

I am sooo dreading it too!!!! I am so tired I came to work no patients just paperwork from the month I was out but feel like I have the biggest bags under my eyes and a headache. We can do this !!! Good luck

5LuvBugs

Hi Girls, I already have a few mouth sores from the chemo... Dr. said 1 tbsp baking soda; 1 liter warm water = rinse 4 x day and if you have white spots like I do, prick a vitamin E gel capsule with a pin and put on sores with a QTip...

Oh and a nice hot shower and some body cream helped the aches I had this am...

Oncotype DX Score 34
Dx 8/29/2012, IDC, 1cm, Stage Ia, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-Hormonal Therapy ArimidexRadiation Therapy ExternalSurgery 09/13/2012 Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph Node Removal: Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection (Right)Chemotherapy 11/06/2012 Cytoxan, Taxotere

Dakota212

Tricia -



Good to know. When is ur next treatment?

michellej1980

Anyone going to try takin Claritin (loratadine)? When should I take it and for how long?

Dakota212

Michelle -

I did. I figured it can't hurt unless ur allergic to it. My nurse yesterday said day before shot, day of, and day after. I figure some people take it everyday. Why not. Do u have a headache?

marianelizabeth

Michelle, no to any senna if loose bowels! I am not taking Claritin as my MO wanted me to try a cycle without so have a baseline. She was right as no S/E and same most of the way through second cycle. I am taking so many frigging drugs that one I don't need to take I am happy not to take!

Tricia, I have those white patches too and last cycle a couple of sores at back of bottom molars but not this time. I am also doing the baking soda and it seems to be working.

Dakota212

Sorry girls just my opionion on the Claritin. I swear I have no luck and I believe in preventative medicine. Do what u feel comfortable with good luck

Tlym

Michelle and Dakota-I gave myself the neupogen shots at home and and took both Claritin-1x/day and ibuprofen-400mg/6 hours for the duration of the shots. The meds took the edge off the aches and pains, but they did not completely go away for me. As I've mentioned before, I very reluctantly chose to take any meds, as I have a hard time opting to fill my body with toxins-but we are on chemo, ladies! Do what you need to do to stay sane and comfortable. You ladies are amazing, going to work and running errands! Hope you're able to squeeze in a nap today.

TriciaM-Sorry you're feeling the SEs of the neulasta. Walking does help. I gave myself the last of 4 neupogen shots (my MO let me stop one short of the regular dose) on Wednesday and finally woke up today free of aches and pains!

michellej1980

Well I just gave myself the Neulasta - slowly as it stung a tiny bit. Only took loratadine an hour before so we'll see how it goes. I do wonder whether to just see what happens without but then prevention is better than cure I say!

Dakota212

Michelle-

Have mine about an hour ago. We can compare notes... Lol. Mine stung also by the way

michellej1980

I remember the Neupogen I had years ago felt the same but was fine as long as I took it slowly. Some bitch nurse gave it to me once and despite me asking her to go slow, she decided it was better to get it over quickly.



Am not taking any more senna for now as I keep going to the loo. Will only take it if I get to a couple of days without a BM.

5LuvBugs

Still aching from the Neulesta shot - my joints hurt the most = my knees feel double their size.  I haven't don't much of anything today but sleep, eat.  Made rice pudding because I needed something soft and smooth - that's about it...

Hope you girls are doing well.  How in the world do you go to work and take care of kids? 

Tlym

Michelle-Lol about the bitch nurse! Definitely lay off the senna. I actually didn't take any and just went with the docusate sodium. Been comfortably regular.

TriciaM-Try to get in a couple of gentle walks and lots of rest. I was miserable with the aches, but managed to get out to my backyard and walk a few laps around with the dogs, enticing them with strawberries to keep them occupied. No fair they got the organic ones and I have to avoid them for fear of bacteria!

Dakota-Hope you're SEs are being gentle on you tonight.

Well, ladies, I had medicine-free day! Aches were manageable and I went out to lunch with a girlfirend and hit the Nordstrom half-yearly sale. Wasn't too enthused about shopping, but I did want to try to get in some exercise. Weather was a bit chilly, having dropped from mid-70's on Tuesday to mid-50's today, so I figured the mall was a safe bet. Picked up a cute hat (I'm doing cold caps, but my gentle hair cleaning protocol makes me look like crap) and a nice cashmere scarf. 7 days post first tx, and I'm finally feeling more like myself again. Hallelujah!

5LuvBugs

TLYM Yeah!!!!  It's good to know that your feeling better - we can do this can't we...  I walked out to the mailbox - about 125' and took 2 showers and that helped some.  Tomorrow will be a better day. 

So question, if your 7 days post, isn't that the time where we have to be very careful of germs????  Guess I worry too much...