Chemo May 2013

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  • Lauralind5
    Lauralind5 Member Posts: 220
    edited May 2013

    Hi everyone. I had my first AC infusion 2 weeks tomorrow' what a rough ride ! I think Nya's ever side effect known to man. I finally was feeling better Monday but woke up with horrible chemo mouth throat. Finally got some magic mouthwash for that. I feel great today except my hair started falling out last night. It's falling crazy today. I have or um had really long blonde hair..... Sigh...



    Whoever said chemo isn't for sissies is so right !



    I had enmed in my pre med iv and Rx for zofran and compazine. I also had dexamethasone for 4 days. Not doing that again! I didn't sleep for 6 nights. I also had neulesta shot which gave me fevers for 6 days.



    Tomorrow is my second infusion. I'm a little anxious about how the side effects will be since the first time was so bad.



    Re alcohol my MO said have beer or a glass of wine if you feel like it. No big deal.



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  • Rose57
    Rose57 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2013

    Hi Goldie,

    I am also doing T/C chemo; I am half way done! 

    I will start radiation towards the end of July.  It looks like our diagnosis is pretty similar I am a Stage 1 but everything else is the same.  I was wondering if you had met with your radiation oncologist and if they discussed brachtherapy versus full external radiation with you and what they had to say?

    Hope you have a good day

    Rose

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited May 2013

    Lorrie,

    That's the vein that is shot! Sigh...



    Good luck with number two tomorrow ladies.



    Pat

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  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited May 2013

    LauraLind5 - ask your ocn for Ativan. Its a anti-nausea medicine and also an anti-anxiety drug. I use it solely to get a good nights sleep. It counter balances the steroids.

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  • Worrywart9390
    Worrywart9390 Member Posts: 101
    edited May 2013

    Hi Pattysmiles, I took do not have a port..............1st infustion went fine, yesterday I had my second and they couldnt find a vein...the first nurse was so nervous, i'mnot sure why she tried, but for the 2 seconds the needle was in, i have some huge bruise, i asked her to get an expert and she said they had to try two times first, and i was like thats great but i may not have a third spot.  the second nurse wouldnt touch me but she seemed confident that their wasnt a vein she was comfortable trying.  the third nurse came in, 2 warm compresses and she found a vein on the back of my hand, near my wrist that no one looked at.  thank the lord...2 down and 2 to go...i hope i get thru them.

    my doctor never heard of the claritan and told me to just used tylenol..tomorrow will be my first neulasta as i wasnt offered it the first time and wound up in the hospital..

    well good luck to you and hoping for the best for all of us.

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  • Worrywart9390
    Worrywart9390 Member Posts: 101
    edited May 2013

    goldie, i'm one day past 2nd infustion, still have plenty of hair...i had it cut to no. 4 on day 12 so i wouldnt witness big chunks of hair coming out, about day 17 a lot of my hair started falling out, it still is, but if you look at my head, i still have plenty of hair, it is just cut so short.   people online have said it will come out before treatment 3 but my nurse practicitoner said i may have some bald spots but keep some of the hair.  i think i'm on the same treatment as you.   cytoxan and taxotere.  

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited May 2013

    Worrywart, they knew to go to the back of my hand. Guess that's a good thing.

    I'm just concerned if its going to be a bad vein for next time.



    Wish there was more warning on this!

    Pat

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited May 2013

    Here is a link about a study that is open for the use of Claritan (generic:loratadine) as well as naproxen in regards to Neulasta.



    https://www.smartpatients.com/trials/NCT01712009

    Pat



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  • MomofSam
    MomofSam Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2013

    Angie...I suffered from quite a bit of nauseA after my first treatment. I took emend and 1compazine prior to chemo. They also have me Aloxi via my port. Then I took emend the two days after and followed the directions for compazine the tee. It was not working so doctor have me some zofran which helped..it was not perfect but at least I was functional. Sitting at my 2ND treatment as I write this and they are going to incorporate the zofran into my mix to see if it helps this time around. I am hopefully because 5 days of constant nausea was not any fun,!

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  • LJaeger
    LJaeger Member Posts: 58
    edited May 2013

    Pat - I am sorry about your vein. My chemo nurse told me today she would have had to send me home today wihout my port - my veins are non-existant when I'm cold. If you do need a port, it really makes things easier. I'm finishing up the chemo now, and I think 7 out of 8 of us in the room have one (mine is the only arm port).



    Still hanging on to my head hair - every day I give it a tug to see if it's the shedding day! I am going to have to bring a dust buster to work to pick up my little hairs in the carpet!



    Wish I could address everyone with my posts - just can't keep track of everything we are saying. We are an active group! I am so happy to be one of the "May Chemo" folks!

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  • ReddHeddMomma
    ReddHeddMomma Member Posts: 38
    edited May 2013

    Started randomly losing a little hair today, mostly on my legs. I have to say, the thought of not having to shave in the summer is not too depressing for me. But I have started dreading the loss of the hair on my head, even though I already have a wig just in case and already got a shorter pixie cut in advance. Funny how my vanity is so tied up in my hair, but here I am, I suppose.



    The mouth and throat sores are on my last nerve, mostly because I can't taste anything properly and eating hurts, even w/ the mouth meds. I am a big foodie, and am having to get someone else in the family to taste things because I can't tell how anything tastes right now. It is driving me crazy because I feel well enough to cook, and am starving for something good. The only thing that tastes like it should is a baked potato with a little salt and butter. Please tell me this won't last all the way through chemo. (Although, honestly, I should probably stop torturing myself watching The Chew reruns on my DVR...)

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  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited May 2013

    ReddHeadmom - my taste buds were only off for about a week to 10 days after chemo. Then they came back! Yeh! I'm also a foodie, my brother has a great restaurant and I was SO bummed when even plain water tasted off. I have my second treatment tomorrow so it's back to yucky tasting food....but rest assured, it does not last the whole cycle. At least not for me.

    I'm with you on the hair. Mine is shedding profusely and I'll be damned if I'll shave it before I see huge bald spots. Although it is annoying to find hair flying everywhere. Nurse said it would most likely all be gone after the second treatment....so must just bite the bullet and put vanity away for the time being. Afterall it's temporary and by this time next year we will have our "short' hair again.....maybe longer!

    Annie

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2013

    Good evening ladies



    Lorrie my dh had a picc line for about 2 months and it was a minor inconvenience. I don't think he felt it anymore than I feel my port.



    I am feeling quite well which only means I have chemo tomorrow! What a shame.



    Cant remember who said it but my head is also a bright shiny dome! Unfortunately leg hair just wont go!



    So sorry for all those dealing with side effects. Hopefully they will be

    under control soon.

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited May 2013

    I got a folder of information from the nutritionist the day I started chemo.

    Lemon helps your taste buds.  I picked up angel hair pasta with a lemon marinated chicken breast one night.  I could taste it some.  Pickles (have I mentioned this enough?).  Anything with vinegar, spicy flavors, etc.  

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  • Goldie1431
    Goldie1431 Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2013

    Worrywart,



    We are on the same chemo mix. I am going for 6 treatments. Are you doing 4 or 6? We started fairly close together. I will keep you posted on the hair situation as I get to #3, which is in 11 days. I have met with my RO and was told 35 treatments. What is the other treatment you are referring to?

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  • ReddHeddMomma
    ReddHeddMomma Member Posts: 38
    edited May 2013

    GWTF - I picked up a jar of pickles earlier today, based on your suggestion the other day. Just opened them and had a bite...OMG! I can taste! Bless you for the tip.

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  • Lauralind5
    Lauralind5 Member Posts: 220
    edited May 2013

    Annie I have Ativan and it didn't help much. I went up to 2.5 and I only slept 2 hrs at a time lol



    Spicy or tangy foods did best for me the first week or so after chemo. My taste buds came back mostly.



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  • MomofSam
    MomofSam Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2013

    Well finished treatment #2. So far, so good - we'll see how I feel tomorrow.  Nurse said that sometimes if the A is pushed too quickly that can help cause nausea...maybe that was part of my problem with my 1st treatement.  Came home and played with my little one in the sprinkler (she played, I watched) and then we went for a walk (about 2 miles I think).  She was on her scooter...I was in my shoes.  She even got to come visit while I was having my treatment so she thought that was pretty cool.  The nurses were really good to her by getting her cookies and apple juice :) 

    Have to get eating under control or I'm going to end up much heavier than I ever anticipated.  Not sure at what point to shave down my hair - I'm shedding quite a bit now.  What day are you all shaving your head?  Confused as to whether it will just keep shedding and thinning or will it start coming out in clumps?  Just my random thoughts at the moment.

    Hope everyone is having a good a day as possible.  Wish me luck with Zofran tonight to help ward off the nausea.

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  • elkatho
    elkatho Member Posts: 159
    edited May 2013

    Ukate. I get emben through my iv before chemo and than zofran as pills. Did you get anti-nausea fluids before chemo? I took zofran the moment I thought I was getting Nausea about every 10 hours for 3-4 days. I kept it at bay the first round. Fyi to discuss with MO.

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited May 2013

    Momofsam--glad to hear!!! You sound great!!!!!! Any metallic taste??? I'm starting on the 12th.

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited May 2013

    Thanks Michelle... Glad we have an RN in here.. That doesn't sound right! Not that I'm glad you're in here! Ugh... You know what I mean, I hope!



    Thanks ipc... That makes me feel better... We'll see how tomorrow goes.



    Pat... I think what I'm remembering about the IV in the leg is when I was being prepped for surgery, the nurse was telling me that .... Say I have nodes removed on the left & needed surgery on my right arm... They may go to the leg? Im not sure So I would ask your surgeon about it....



    Good luck to all with treatments tomorrow & hope the rest of you are able to cope & relax & maybe get some relief from SEs!



    Happy thoughts

    Lorrie

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited May 2013

    One more thing... Here's a funny! My daughter texts me yesterday.... About my blood draw...



    Her- Hey Mom, how's your blood.



    Me- it was green! What should I do?



    Her- really?



    Me- yes! I'm freaking out!!



    Long pause from her so I texted...



    Me- just kidding.. Haha



    Her- OMG MOM! Rude!



    Haha!



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  • MomofSam
    MomofSam Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2013

    Alibeths - no, no metalic taste for me.  She asked me if I could taste the medicine as it was going in via my port, but nope, tasted nothing.  Good thing I guess :)

    ItIsWhatItIs2013 - love your story from your daughter.  Better to have some humor with all this than none at all :)

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  • sebaroni
    sebaroni Member Posts: 59
    edited May 2013

    First A/C yesterday. Treatment itself was fine, but last night was a nightmare. I was soooo dizzy, staggering to the bathroom each time, hoping not to fall. What is with the hiccups? I keep getting them ever couple of hours. So annoying!



    Today, after the Neulasta shot, I had to have an hour of IV fluids. Feeling much better this evening. No nausea, yet but prepared for it to hit tomorrow.



    Reading that you all are hanging in there, gives me hope. After last night, I was ready to quit.

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2013

    Sebaroni



    Cant remember if you are doing dose dense or not but days 3 and 4 are the worst for me. Can barely get out of bed on 3rd day and 4th isn't much better although I usually make it to the sofa. By day 5 I am back to work. Never got hiccups but plenty of burping. Never had much nausea and hope same is true for you.



    Lisa

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited May 2013

    Sebaroni, make sure to stay well hydrated...and believe it or not too much liquid can cause dizziness! But you really need to flush out your system.

    I did not have hiccups first time around, but have had them day one, when eating, and a bit today, again when eating...it is new to me!

    I don't know if you are aware that Claritan can help to ward off bone pain from the Neulasta shot. Some doctors don't know anything about it (mine didn't). My doctor didn't mind that I try it, she made sure to ask if I had any bone pain when I went in for treatment number two, was pleased to tell her NO!



    It's what it is...funny! I would do something like that to my kids if they were a bit older.

    Pat

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited May 2013

    How much Claritin do you take and when??

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited May 2013

    Claritan 24 hour. Take one on the day of Neulasta shot and one a day for the next 7 -9 days. I think i stopped at day 8.

    You might want to check with your doctor , as with anything you take, to see if they have an issue with it.

    Pat
    Take it in the morning on the day of the shot, and same time each day if possible, makes it easier to remember and it is a "24 hour". I took mine at breakfast every day...on day 4 and 5 when I had a hard time getting out of bed I was able to mumble to my husband to bring it to me. I had the "melt in your mouth ones"

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited May 2013

    Ugh... Love my hubby, but......



    He just got home and said he met an old customer of his out at a job site and (long story short) that his wife passed from bc and he has a new woman and is headed to Az.... Bla bla..... REALLY?!



    When he saw the look on my face, he immediately started to apologize... I felt so bad about making him feel bad.... It was just normal conversation we would normally have until now!



    It's funny how this changes so much of our lives... Not just the physical!



    I said to him "under no uncertain terms am I going anywhere so get that thought out of your head!"... We both laughed.....

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  • MzDiva
    MzDiva Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2013

    Hello everyone, my mom recently started her 1st round of TC Chemo on May 10th. The days that followed were very scary for me. I live with her and I am with her every step of the way. She got her Neulasta shot on day 3, Mother's day. By the end of day 4 she had begun to have bone pain and some mild diarrhea that lasted until about day 11. After that she has been improving. As her only child it is very hard to see her in pain and weak. She would not eat anything but applesauce during that time. She will now be going for round 2 on May 31st. Does anyone have any suggestions for relieving the bone pain? We are both nervous about round 2. She is trying to be strong so I have to also. 

    Best of luck to everyone as they continue on their journey.

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