October 2013 Chemotherapy

justaskmom

Hi, first time poster here! This board is massive and it's taking me a little while to figure it all out. I am actually starting chemo this morning. Super nervous, but I know all will be fine. I will be starting out with adriamycin and cytoxan for the first four appointments and then switching to taxotere or taxoll (sp?) for the rest. Good luck to all of you!

sebaroni

mc in nc - It is the steroids that are keeping you awake. You are right about taking the Claritin the day of your shot and for several days after. I had read some women experience bone pain as late as 7 days after treament. I always took for a full week just to be sure.

Jaybird26

Ok Ladies my chemo train has left the station. I am currently hooked up receiving my pre meds. I have decided to go with ACT. I hope everyone is well.

wrenn

Ack, I felt excitement for you instead of fear....a good sign. Keep us posted. 

Annecy

Jaybird - sending very positive thoughts your way!

Kellee318

My thoughts are with all of you getting started on chemo this month.



Jaybird...glad you made a decision you're comfortable with. Please check in and let us know how it went when you're up to it.



Pat...so sorry to hear about the infection. I am sure you were shocked and disappointed not to get your port.



I had a busy day yesterday with my husband having surgery at 7:30 am. He had to be there at 6:00 but we were early. Traveling to Boston is always tough to predict traffic. He did really well and they sent him home...the original plan was for him to stay overnight. I'm glad he's home because I woke up feeling like I got hit by a small truck. I had a flu shot Friday and I'm blaming that for my achiness.



The nurse in charge of the Her2 trial at my hospital called today and I decided to participate. It's a one year trial and half get the Herceptin. Tomorrow I go for a CT scan, sign the paperwork for the trial, and then meet with a nurse at the infusion center and learn all about receiving chemo. We'll make my schedule while I'm there. This is getting real...and even more scary!!

LiLi1964

Jaybird – hope the chemo ended on a good note.  Keep us updated on how you do w/any SE’s. 

Justaskmom – I hope your chemo went well today!  Let us know how you are doing. 

Lgkgde13 – thank you for the kind words.  You will see below I think I’m all settled now. 

How are the SE’s today?  What do you mean about the head feeling odd – like headache?  Or something different?  I read sucking on sugar free candy helps w/dry throat – and apparently Lemon is the preferred flavor (don’t ask me why – it’s just what I read and what I stocked up on for when chemo starts). 

Kellee – it is scary.  But what a few of us have found is that this strange type of calm settles over you a couple/few days before start.  I do hope that happens to you!  Glad to hear your husbands surgery went well and he is home already.

My update:

Good news - just returned from Cardiology and my heart is perfectly healthy.  Apparently there is some "grey" area on interpreting the ECG; he looked it over and looked for any beginning signs of heart disease.  Put a huge smile on my face when he returned and said "your heart is very healthy - no signs of heart disease.  Any of the factors we can see in early stage heart disease are not seen at all on the ECG.  Furthermore, I interpret your heart muscle output at 60%, not the 50% as originally noted on the test results.  You are well in the normal range and it is my opinion this is the way your heart has always been".  GREAT news!

He, too, was of the belief based on the notes he received from my MO that it is the entire medical teams view to treat this cancer with everything possible and with the best chemo they have.  He said the note he received made it very clear MO was concerned if the heart muscle issue could not be resolved if this right node surgery shows cancer lingering there because she feels I NEED the AC-T to properly and fully rid this cancer once and for all.  That hit home as well; when he read me her note to him.

So, all clear.  He said there are a few (and he was clear it was a few) human studies showing Coreg does in fact protect the heart muscle for Adriamycin use.  Nothing is guaranteed; but we both agreed to use it as added "insurance" to protect the heart.

So, surgery is scheduled for right node removal/biopsy and port placement first thing 10/9.  MO and chemo to begin on 10/10 - and I am going to take the advice of my doctors and go w/AC-T now that I know my heart is healthy.

Hope all is well w/everyone!

ML40

Hi Ladies, just checking in with everyone. I am trying to stick to my morning walks, walked 2 miles yesterday and today. I find myself with spurts of energry then I will get tired and take a nap. I am continuing to drink as much of water as possible. Hope everyone who is starting this week is doing ok.



For those of you starting this month know that you can get through your first chemo treat. I found walking and listening to my favorite uplifting music helped while I let out my emotions. My search and destory mission just started this week but will tell you when my chemo nurse excessed my port and started my pre-chemo meds through my port my reaction was "That's it??" Sending positive energy to you all.

Jaybird26

Hi Ladies,

First treatment down seven to go. It went well. Afterwards I felt a very slight headache but it actually felt more like pressure on my temples. My head also felt a little off. Fuzzy feeling that is the only way I can describe it. Also felt flushed. Could of been the steroids or the fact it was 85º today in NY. Overall I feel good and will keep thinking positive to try to will the side effects away . If I can be of any assistance to anyone please let me know. Ladies please stay strong and only let positive thoughts cross your thoughts. Let yourself have the time you need to be on the pity pot every day and then let it go. There are so many other beautiful aspects in life that can be focused on. Wishing all of you the best Janet

TeamKim

Janet -- bless you for the positive vibes! so glad it went well for you today!!! --Kim

lgkgde13

Hi all- today was one day post first treatment and had visit to get my neulasta injection. I drove myself as I felt ok. The chemo nurse told me to take claritan for bone pain. She told me for next round to take day before, day of and day after. Well I came home and took it about 15 minutes later I had allergic reaction and had to go to ER. Thankfully I have a friend that lives in my neighborhood and works from home so she drove me. I was flushed, wheezing and had difficulty swallowing and itching. I called doc and they told me go to ER. The have me benedryl injection at ER and watched me and then sent me on my way. I was knocked out from benedryl the entire day.

So just be careful once you get it.



Other than that was feeling good today. No other SEs other than my coffee tasting bad this morning. Whah. I have been drinking lots of water. It wasn't a headache yesterday but more sinus irritation?



Lisa- good to hear everything is set for you.

Pam358

Welcome to all of the new folks that have joined us - JustaskMom, mc_in_nc, KiKo, Aibarbol, Suzan and double welcome to anyone I missed.  I'm happy to see more of us join in so we can support each other through this difficult journey!  We CAN and WILL do this!

Pat - sorry to hear about your infection. I hope it heals quickly. 

Kellee - glad to hear your husband's surgery was a success.

LGK - sorry to hear you had a reaction to the Claritin - that must have been scary. When I asked my MO about it he said that he wasn't convinced that it worked and wanted me to wait and see how I react to the Neulasta first and then we can make a decision about shot #2.  The nurse actually told me that they haven't had many people have strong reactions to the Neulasta just usually managed by OTC pain meds, so we shall see how it goes. 

When someone mentioned positive thoughts it made me think of my "Grateful Journal".  I started it after I was diagnosed with a journal that my sister had sent me. I've included all sorts of stuff, for example - I'm grateful the Radiologist who did my biopsy believes in a lot of lidocain. It does actually help to think about all the positive stuff in the middle of the negative and scary stuff.

Pam358

Wrenn - how are you doing?  Is your infection healing up?

SpecialK

Lgkgde - did they think you were allergic to the Neulasta or the Claritin?

wrenn

Hi Pam. I have been hesitant to post because i'm in such a foul mood. the home care nurse told me the hole in my chest will take a really long time to heal and i was hoping to start chemo focusing on chemo. I am just fed up with 7 weeks of wound care and feeling weak. I am reading books to try to boost my will so i can handle the chemo. At least the complications have been a good distraction from losing boobs and cancer. Silver lining



Thank you for checking. I hope to be more upbeat soon.

lgkgde13

Special K - the ER thought Neulasta. When I looked up some if the rare side effects of Neulasta it appears my symptoms were in that list. Flushing, itching difficulty swallowing etc... Don't think the Claritin would have caused it.

LiLi1964

lgkgde13 - that's sounds like a scary experience!  I was confused when I first read your post; meaning was it a reaction to Neulasta or Claritan - and it makes sense to me that it was the Neulasta.  Good thing you had someone close by to get you to ER!  How are you doing now?

wrenn - I am so sorry you are feeling so blue.  I know it has to be so hard; your recovery has been so difficult and riddled w/problems.  I hope you find some peace in your readings.  Remember, we are here for you.  Please don't worry about sounding down.....that's part of why we are all here - to help each other out in difficult times.  Since they know your recovery is going to continue for a while due to the latest problems, have you been told (or asked) if they are going to wait on chemo or do they want to get it going?  And what do YOU want?

I keep you in my thoughts and prayers daily.  I wish you the speediest of recoveries from this latest set-back.  Keep your chin up, it has to get better from here!

Pam358

Wrenn - go ahead and write about your foul mood. That's what we are here for! I'd be cranky too if I was going on 7 weeks of wound care. I hope the books are working!

lgkgde13

Lisa -

I am doing ok today just really tired. Too much excitement yesterday. I think my body is in shut down mode with all these meds on board. Just trying to stay hydrated and eat small meals every few hrs.

Jaybird26

Hello Ladies,

Quick update. Had my first AC yesterday afternoon. Slept well last night. Woke up still with a slight headache. Feeling now a tiny bit nauseous. I didn't start the anti nausea meds until 30 minutes ago thinking what I received iv would hold me off longer. Feeling flushed now and then. Neulasta shot at 2 today. I hope everyone is well and please only let positive thoughts cross your mind. Janet

Kellee318

I have had so many of you on my mind today. I hope today is a better day all around.



I had my CT scan earlier and meet the nurse to sign the trial paperwork and another nurse to visit the infusion center and get my schedule in less than an hour! I'm so nervous!!

denise4603

Good luck Kellee - I will be doing the same on Monday.

Laura5133388

Just dropping in to make sure all of you are aware of cold cap therapy. Using cold caps allowed me to keep my hair and my privacy.

Good luck ladies!

Kellee318

I'm back. I start my chemo after I get my port on Wednesday. I think I'll be sleeping through it! The center is great and the staff are amazing!



Denise...hope it goes as well for you. What part of the state are you in?

wrenn

Saw my internist today and he doesn't think my body can handle chemo right now. I am already at the latest date the oncologist wanted to start (8 weeks post op) but the internist is going to talk to him because he thinks my infection will not heal if I start chemo now. I am so angry at the surgeon and when I went to see the internist she was standing at the desk smiling away at me. I don't think she realizes she isn't my doctor any more. 

Thanks for being patient with my shitty mood. :-)

sebaroni

Hi all - Glad to hear those of you that had treatment this week are feeling ok. Listen to your bodies and rest when it is asking you to rest. I know as women it is hard for us to admit we need "down time." But if ever you needed it, this is the time. Give yourselves permission to rest and have other people do things.

A little bit of caution to those of you getting a port and starting chemo right away. The post-surgery can be painful. I had mine done on a Thursday and spent the whole weekend in a chair trying not to laugh while I held an icepack on my neck. I know they tell you it's okay to get chemo and access the port right away, but it hurts for a few days after they put it in. My plastic surgeon told me that most of her patients think it is worse than the mastectomy. I am inclined to agree. Please just be aware of this and have the appropriate pain meds ready, just in case.

One of my good friends went in for her last treatment today. You will all be there sooner than you think! Sending good positive thoughts out to all of you.

Suzan

Kellee318

wrenn...I'm so sorry for all that you're going through.  ((((((hugs))))))

I wish there was something I could say to make it better.  It's so frustrating when things don't go well and you suffer for it.

wrenn

Thanks Kellee, It makes it so much easier to be able to come here and vent though. I really feel for people who don't know about the site and feel alone with what they are going through. I do know it will get better but it is nice to have a place to vent and to get endless information. 

JennH8

Saw my oncologist today and got me chemo regimen.  I start Cytoxan and Taxotere on th 14th, four treatments, one every three weeks.  My doc feels that with the type of drugs I'm getting and the fact that I will only have four, there is no need for a port.  Anyone else doing chemo without a port?  Also, I just happend to run across a post out there in internet land regarding Taxotere stating some women never get their hair back after using this drug.   Apparently it's rare, but it freaked me out!

Jaybird26

Wrenn,

You are in my prayers. I wish you the very best. If you are interested in talking PM me. I am a wound care nurse and maybe I can help you in some way. Janet