Starting Chemo February 2013

Melrosemelrose

Neulasta shot helps stimulate the growth of white blood cells.  White blood cells are essential for fighting infections.  There is a lack of certain white blood cells ( aka neutrophils) when receiving chemotherapy.  Some patients receive the Neulasta shot or Neupogen shots beginning with the first chemo round while others receive only when it is demonstrated that the Neulasta or Neupogen is necessary.  If one experiences an infection during the nadir period, the Neulasta shot may be administered after the next round of chemo.  Neulasta shots are expensive and require one to return to the infusion center to have the shot administered.  Neupogen shots are less expensive and can be administered at home and are administered daily for several successive days.

The process of receiving a Neulasta shot is by injection.  I used to receive my Neulasta shot the day after I received a chemo round.  The nurse would have me hold the shot syringe in my hand to warm it up before she injected me.  I had the shot injected into my tummy since there was more fat there than in my arm and the area was not sore as my arm might be after the injection. 

My first Neulasta shot was administered the day after my 3rd chemo round.  I had a high spikey fever and chills during the nadir period after my 2nd round which was treated with 2 antibotics.  My onco prescribed the Neulasta only after I had the infection and needed the shot to help my white blood count.

Heidi9256

Hi!  I'm a newbie.  I was diagnosed on 1/30/13 with IDC, Stage II (large tumor size - that sucker came out of nowhere), Grade III and no evidence of lymph node involvement.  It is a lower quadrant tumor in the right breast so I'm having a PET/CT scan next week to check all lymph nodes including the internal mammary chain.  I opted for a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction followed by chemo.  When all of my pathology came back as ER/PR - & HER2 + (LOW), my oncologist wanted to go ahead with chemo first since this was a fast grower and pathology supports this.  She felt it would be better to get chemo started as soon as possible instead of waiting for surgery & recovery before we can go after the random circulating cancer cells before they take up residence somewhere since that is what is most dangerous (not the lump in your breast).  So I'm starting TCH next Thursday (2/14 - Happy Valentine's Day!).  I'm actually looking forward to getting on with treatment and actually doing something about it.  This sitting around waiting is making the stress worse.  I have a 9 year old son and REALLY don't want to do this again so I'm trying to be as aggressive as possible.  My oncologist & surgeon are both onboard with that.  I am wondering if TCH is the best chemo option since it's close to a triple negative with the low HER2 positive.  There isn't a lot of info on the internet concerning this type of tumor.  Overall, I'm just looking at this a something I have to do and invisioning how good it's going to feel when they tell me I'm cancer free.

slv58

I like your attitude!! "Cancer free" I can't wait to hear that also. I am triple negative and like you, my 3 cm tumour came out of nowhere. I had a normal mammogram 8 months earlier, and apparently I have low density breasts that make reading mammograms ideal. My surgeon feels confident that I am a candidate for lumpectomy followed by radiation due to where the tumour is situated- right breast at 10:30. She feels that there is no node involvement but will do a sentinel node biopsy at time of surgery. Because the tumour is so aggressive I have started chemo first- they got me in for a picc line and started chemo in 2 days! I am on FEC - T. I don't know if this helps you at all, as I know each woman and her cancer is different.

I know the waiting is the hardest, but as soon as you start treatment you will feel better-just knowing that you are doing something to rid yourself of this disease is empowering. While I was waiting for core biopsy results (that took a week ) I kept myself busy preparing as much as I could, which helped. You fill find so much support here as we are a sisterhood on this journey to recovery.

I have an inspiration tapestry hanging in my washroom beside the mirror, I keep adding things to it that remind me of important things. The first one is "I will beat this". The second one is " hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible" .

I also listen to guided imagery on my iPod. It helps me relax and I have also found a new found love in classical music. You will get through this, you are in the hardest part right now, but once decisions are made and you start your road to recovery, you will gain strength!!

tangles

I will have to ask my Doc why I am not getting one? I went for a one week re check yesterday and they said my white count was very low so take temp daily and stay out of the public, but nothing was mentioned about a shot.

Heidi9256

Yeah, the waiting is ridiculous.  I'm foregoing the port for the first chemo treatment this week as I don't want to wait for that surgery - that is how anxious I am to get this started.  We'll put the port in for the 2nd treatment.  I don't fear the chemo, radiation or the mastectomy.  I fear what happens if I don't kill this thing fast enough.  I am seriously looking forward to watching that tumor shrink.  I am unfamiliar with FEC as it has not been mentioned as a possibility for me.  I'll have to do a little research.  How have your side effects been?  I'm trying to decide if I need to take Friday (the day after chemo) off just in case.  I'm a teacher so it's a pain to miss if I don't have to. 

slv58

Hi Heidi, I have been really fortunate with side effects so far. I go for my second treatment wed. I have felt a little nauseated but with the advise of oncologist, nurses and everyone here, as soon as I feel a little off, I take my medication and almost instantly I feel normal. I am averaging 1 pill a day. I am also a little tired but I'm sure half of that is that I'm not sleeping great at night. My skin has gotten incredibly dry and I'm starting to loose my hair (had it cut really short 2weeks ago in preperation.) I am drinking a lot (3 litrs) of soda water a day which I think also helps with nausea. The first few days

flyer chemo I was on two other meds which kept me awake almost nonstop-I felt like I had ADD. You may want to prepare for that and at least take one day off after and see how you cope-everyone is different. I took 3 days off after but in all honesty I could have easily returned after 2 days and that was only due o lack of sleep.

I also self administer the neulasta shot the day after chemo and so far seem to have tolerated it well.

Today in the shower is the first time I examined my tumour since finding out what it was (I just couldnt touch it as it felt like such a betrayal) and am happy to note that it seems a bit smaller (yeah chemo!) and the pain and tenderness is reduced by about 60%! I am feeling like chemo is my best friend now and am thankful. If I can answer anything else, please ask, Shari

PositiveThnking

Right on smethot!  Had my surgery on Monday Feb 4th.   meeting with the Med Onc on the 12th so I anticipate chemo will start this month (6 cycles TCH, 6 weeks of radiation, and herceptin for a year). The surgeon said its all prevention to ensure it doesn't come back from here.   They went ahead and installed the port catheter when they did the lumpectomy.  Its sore but getting better.  I am accepting all the support I can get and will preemptively have my husband shave my head.   I'm taking charge of this not letting it take charge of my life.    ss and living well is the best revenge.

DiZZyMom

Tangles, your insurance might not cover it which would stink. The shot is $9000 which is ridiculous....Def check with your doctor though. I got it and my WBC still dropped!

tangles

I think everyone is different and it depends on your situation. For me I was only 3 weeks out from surgery and I had also had surgery for a port 4 days before my first chemo. My body was already wore down. I got home and felt tired from the day. Then the next day, sat, I was more tired. Sunday a little nauseated. Monday I went for a fill in my expander's which was uncomfortable. Monday afternoon I was crying as I felt horrible. Tuesday also horrible. Wed got better then Thursday the mouth thing & severe diarrhea started. By Friday I was so weak from not eating because of the mouth thing and going to the bathroom so much I felt horrible again. Went to the Doc and my white count was way down. She gave me some meds and I went home to bed. Today day 8, I am slightly nauseated and tired but up and down. Did some laundry and dishes ect.. There is NO WAY at anytime I could have worked this week. I am due to go back to work the 19th but I think I will wait until after my next chemo session on the 22nd and see how that one goes. My doc said it could get better or it could get worse one cant know for sure. If it gets worse I may have to take a leave of absent from my job until after chemo. I am hoping to be able to work through some of this though. I guess  Time will tell.........

shadytrake

Hi All,



My MO called on Friday and told me to be prepared to start chemo on Monday. My tumor was 8mm but I am TN with a lot of family history. Waiting for my BRCA results which should be back in a couple of weeks.



I have most of my kit packed. Just need a few more items. I don't have any scarves or hats yet. I'm not getting a wig at this point.



I did move my toothbrush and charger to the kitchen. Tomorrow is sanitize the bathroom day. Hubby and I are going to scrub it top to bottom.

LisaMM

Today is 3 days post first infusion and 2 days post Neulasta.  I've had a few transient episodes of nausea, achy from the Neulasta despite the Claritin and Tylenol, my fingers and toes are slightly tingly, my scalp is tender, and now today my tongue feels like I burned it yesterday.  So none of these have been extreme, but I could really do without them!  Just wondering if these things last until chemo is all done or if they tend to lessen after a few more days until the next infusion.  Anyone else having these SE?  I have found that hot showers/tub baths and heating pad helps with the achiness I have.  I think that's the most annoying SE I have right now. 

Hope every one else is faring a little better!

To all of you new to this thread, it's a great place for support-welcome!

McKatherine

LisaMM - yes. Feeling like your mouth was burned is the exact way to describe it! That's what's bothering me most today. But I guess that's better than everything tasting like metal (which is what I've heard others say). I've switched to an ultra soft toothbrush, am brushing several times a day and gargling with baking soda - hoping to avoid sores.

LisaMM

McKatherine-I am considering starting to use a mouth rinse concoction of baking soda & salt, recommended on here, to see if it helps.  For now I just keep drinking like a fish, I think my gills are starting to grow!  No metallic  taste....yet.

Rdrunner

Im 5 days post infusion and all i can say is that if there was any cancer hiding out anywhere in the digestive tract.. I think it is well and truly dead now.. no way anything could have survive today lol!

Gina925

The nulesta shot was given to me the day after chemo. I had to go back to their office and a nurse just  gave me a quick shot in the back of the arm with a tiny needle and then I was out of there. It took a day or so to start feeling any bone soreness/irritation as they try to force more wbc to be generated faster to replace what was being damaged during chemo.

IamNancy

what do you take with you when you go for treatment? book? blanket? snacks? water?

Lmimp64

Hi. What's the mouthwash ratios of baking soda, etc.



Thanks.



Iamnancy - that's what I am taking, plus chapstick, an MP3 player, and a journal to write meds, side effects, questions in. We both start the same treatment the same day. Did you get a port? I did. It's a little less sore today but its up touching my collar bone which is yucky. My recon is still so swollen they couldn't get it lower.

DiZZyMom

My doc's "recipe" is 1 tsp each salt and baking soda to a quart of water. I scaled down and did about 1/2 tsp each in a standard (20 oz) water bottle and kept in fridge.

Lmimp64

Thank you very much. I will use that. hope you are doing well.

LisaMM

IamNancy-all of those things are good ideas to take! Anything that helps to pass the time. My tx center had a large screen tv & some mags (mostly older ones), drinks & snacks. They told me I could eat, drink, & do whatever I felt like. I could even get up & move around if I wanted. I took things with me, but I found that I was too nervous to focus on my book and word puzzles since it was my first time. I think it will be not so nerve wracking the next time. Good luck to you-it will go better than you think!

Melrosemelrose

Mouth wash mixture- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1 cup of warm water.  Make a fresh batch the mouth wash mixture every time you have a "swishing" session.  

tangles

Things I am taking to my next chemo that I didn't take the first time are- a nice warm fuzzy blanket. I was cold and they brought me warm blankets which were great until they cooled off them they were scratching and rough- A small pillow, the chair was so big I needed a pillow to rest my arm on and their pillow had a disposable pillow case on it which was scratchy and not nice-a large cup, I was drinking lots of ice water and my hubby had to keep going to re fill it. I'm sure he didn't mind it gave him a reason to get up a move around-chap-stick, we had a nice flat screen TV so we didn't even read or use our books but I might bring them again anyway. Lots going on the first time so didn't really have a chance. Oh I think I will wear yoga pants instead of jeans next time just to be more comfy!

shadytrake

Tangles- great idea Yoga pants. I'm heading to the goodwill to pick some up. We have an awesome goodwill store here.

blackcat2012

I do the swishing with 1/2 tsp salt in a 20oz water bottle at room temperature. I take my laptop and kindle. Snack wise I take mini-saltines. I have mints and cough drops for a dry throat. Chapstick. They provide warm blankets.

Lmimp64

Thanks for the mouthwash recipe. Yoga pants and a neck pillow are added to my list too.

DiZZyMom

If you bring reading material, keep it light. I had one of my cancer books and just didn't feel like reading about cancer while getting chemo. My husband wanted me to read an article about a local chemical polution situation that we are fighting and I just didn't feel like reading anything so "real". I was more content with the trashy mags they had in the infusion center and I will bring some of my own next time, and the iPad, headphones, lip balm and lotion.

Lmimp64

Lotion and light reading sounds good. . My mom said to remember hand sanitizer and Lysol or such wipes to wipe down chair etc.

Strike_Two

I'll be bringing my Note 2 phone and Kindle to keep me busy, and a shawl and fuzzy slipper socks to get comfy.  In fact, I bought an extra pair and already have them in my hand bag.

IamNancy

such great ideas - my bag needs to be bigger I think

Lmimp64 - no I do not have a port.. I heard after a short time you get use to it - hope thats the case for you.

ywheels22

Well I did fine on my first day of chemo and the next day. I got the Nuelasta shot on Thursday, the day after chemo and Friday oh boy! First, I have had very little nausea but the SE from the Nuelasta shot were bad. I curled up in a ball all day Friday until about 1 p.m. Saturday. I called my nurse to tell her how bad it was and we talked about pain meds for the next time. I'm also wondering, is the Nuelasta shot necessary? I guess it depends on patholgy, treatment course, etc but I will be honest, I would rather take a chance of infection then going through that 7 more times. I hate saying it on here as I like to be positive, but I have to be honest, I felt about as bad as I've ever felt. It is now Sunday and I feel better but my 'new boobs' ache something awful and that does not seem to go away. It got worse after the shot, too. I will be 4 weeks post op this Wednesday and still healing from the doubl mast/reconstruction.

I also have no appetite as well as that yucky, filmy taste in my mouth. I can't chew gum because two days post op one of my molars broke. Had a temp crown put in but the permanent crown didn't come in until AFTER I started chemo treatments and my onco. won't let me have it put it in for fear of infection.

I am on leave from work, as of now, until March 6, but if I feel like this after each chemo treatment, I can't imagine going back to work. I must admit I am discouraged as I feel like this has just taken over my entire life. Since surgery Jan. 16 I have not worked, worked out, gone to a spin class or rode my horse. I have cried a lot the last 2 days. I hope I am not getting depressed on top of all of this.

I enjoy reading all your posts. It gives me hope that I can get through this. I apologize this post is not too positive. Just not feeling it right now. I hope to be back with better news on what will happen with my next treatment in regards to the Nuelasta shot.