Starting Chemo in December 2013

denise4603

Hi everyone and thanks for your good wishes. Yesterday was my first Taxol/Herceptin infusion. Four and a half hours and my nurse was very nice. I don't have a port but following Board advice, I drank a liter of water just before leaving the house. IV went in easily with only one attempt. Lots of pre-meds, then the Taxol, then the Herceptin. Felt a little sleepy, probably the Benedryl. Question: Should I take Zofran this morning or wait for the nausea? I hate to medicate unnecessarily, especially when others report Zofran headaches. But definitely don't want nausea......what to do?

KLI

is anyone having loss of feeling in toes and tips of fingers? Just started last night seems to come and go.

QuirkyGirl

Hugs to you, Anita, and we're here for you! I'm a cancer newb who just started TC this week. It takes courage to fight this and you're doing it. Tears seem very reasonable and making the most of today will return, I'm sure of it.

mercedes60

denise, hi. Just had my #2 taxol this week, like you they pumped me with pepcid,benedryl and decadron before the taxol i had no need to take extra for nausea the decadron is anti nausea and i was fine the next day. I took zofran when i was doing the AC ugh! Like you i dont like to over medicate as these drugs are strong so why dont you wait and see how u feel, drink lots of water. I am still trying to recover from my last AC which was nov and ive had 2 taxols since, my red count is low is been trying to build it up, y onco saidit would take. Couple of weeks to level out, oh well lots of naps....

RobinLK

kjfromca - sorry about the port and low WBC. What is your MO suggesting?

KLI - sounds like neuropathy. Is that a SE your MO wants to know about? You may want to ask?

Anita, sorry to hear that you are dealing with progression and facing more chemo. Crappy time of year to get that news, but I imagine anytime of year would be crappy to hear that.

For everyone else that is just joining the group, welcome. For those of you doing well I am happy to read that. I am reading all the posts, but can't remember all the specifics by the time I go to reply!

keepthefaith

kj, I hope your counts can jump back up for you soon!

Glad that you that have started, made it through number one okay!

jackie-I believe the steroids help with a possible reaction to the chemo; sometimes taxotere gives se's that are caused by an allergic reaction. I am not sure that it's for nausea. Enjoy your limo ride!

anita, good luck with your upcoming treatment. It sounds like your medical team is on top of things for you. sorry you found yourself going through this again.

(((HUGS))

 

jackieak

thank you keepthefaith, I will play it safe and take the morning steroid. My taxol starts after my AC, had first one yesterday, feel fine this morning, I do look a bit flush in my face but I'm assuming this is the red devil at work.

I asked my MO about Claritin she wasn't aware of it helping with the neulasta but said go ahead and try, so I'm taking that today as well, those neulasta SE sound awful.

Water, water today, that short one hour limo ride may need to let me out a few times! Best wishes to all on this Friday the 13th!

kjfromca

RobinLK - My MO is at a conference, I think she returns today. I pulled up my report online and my white blood cell count is 1.5 (5.0-10.0 normal ranges?). I never should have pulled up the report, I know better. I have no medical experience and I kind of freaked myself out last night. So, I am staying at home until I hear from her office. No fever, thank God. I will keep you posted.

Kim

Colt45

Husband here just trying to offer support to you all.

My wife started her chemo 1 year ago today. I had forgotten the exact date.

She did DD AC every 2 weeks x 4, then 12 weekly Taxol. She lost all of her hair on the DD AC. It started growing back slowly towards the end of the Taxol.

A year later, she is more active than ever. She has a personal trainer at our Health & Fitness Center who is also a BC survivor. Her nurse at the facility is also a BC survivor----and one of those helpful ladies is out over 12 years if I remember correctly.

The personal trainer is very understanding of all of my wife's health history and surgery history and knows just what to help her with.

My wife had some mild neuropathy in her feet late in the Taxol portion of treatment that has since subsided.

Her hair is THICK. It's of a shorter length, but adorable----and it's short because she keeps getting it cut to keep it neat as it grows in longer.

Somebody asked a question about the hat with the hair attached------my wife had 1 and she looked HOT in that thing! Get 1 if you are so inclined. It was perfect for this time of year (cold).

What I'm mostly trying to say is this: You are embarking on a journey that is not the easiest thing to endure... But you WILL do it. And you will come out on the other side. And a year from now, you'll just be pushing this hurdle further and further behind you as you focus on your wonderful life ahead.

You are all wonderful, beautiful, strong women.

OneTexasDay

Colt...

Your wife is a lucky woman... but I have a feeling she is well aware of that.

She sounds like an amazing woman; I can't wait to prove that I can come out of this stronger than ever as she obviously has.  This early in the process it just seems like forever away but one day at a time I suppose...

Merry Christmas.

denise4603

Mercedes...Thank you for sharing your experience. I ended up not taking the pills and experiencing no nausea. I do have a bright red, hot face and have had it all day. No fever though. I called and reported the flushed face to a machine, but didn't get a call back, so maybe it's nothing important. Trying to continuously hydrate as recomended.

keepthefaith

thanks Colt!

denise, jackie, my face was a little flush the day I was in chemo; nurse said it was okay and probably from steroids...might be a reaction to taxotere also. It went away pretty quickly. Keep an on eye it!

It is hard to think past today when we are in the middle of this process. It seems as though as hard as we try, it still takes over our life. I took a day off from my "new normal" routine of taking care of my nose, mouth, nails, skin, etc yesterday just because I was tired of it! I want my life back already:) whaa whaa.

I know I will be stronger at the end of this and I really am fine now...I guess I just wanted to vent!

((HUGS)) y'all!

ADJ

At Thanksgiving of 2002, I had a biopsy showing stage zero LCIS . Caught it "early," had surgery, done deal. Then in summer of 2011 I fell in my driveway, which led to radiology and a pelvic biopsy positive for widespread skeletal only mets. And the saga continues.

Anita

KLI

Kim I just came back from my blood cell counts they are even lower. The absolute neutrofil count is an important one. I was told to lay low for the weekend they should start coming back up on Monday. I will have to do neulasta with the next round. From what some of you have said it sounds like Claritin a day or two before helps.... Anything else.

Hope everyone is hanging on it I seeming like a long road from right here.

charusa

Had my neulasta shot today and so far no problems. Was told to take some tylenol before I went. Been staying very well hydrated since yesterday's first round of AC. I am so grateful that the first round went so well for me...so far... because that first appointment after all the test results come back and the fear of the unknown is enough to deal with.( I already suffer from panic/anxiety disorder) I am also very thankful and grateful for all of you...I don't know how inspirational, informative and supportive you all have been!!! Thank you.

Charlotte

kjfromca

KLI - I had the neulasta shot day after chemo. It was my first round last week....I can only imagine how low I would have been without it. I am taking tylenol as a precaution against fever, I take my temp every time I start freaking out, and have bleached everything in my house. Now I am going to be lazy for the rest of the evening. When is your next chemo scheduled? Mine is supposed to be Thurs. What a learning curve this has been. Keep me posted...Go white blood cells....

Kim

momat927

hi all. Keepthefaith, can you tell me what you do for nose, nails, skin ? I think i have been ignoring all of that. I brush with Biotin (spelling?) toothpaste, use Olive Oil on my face, but other than that am kind of just waiting. Are we allowed to floss? Thanks in advance for your answer and if you posted this previously, am sorry.

Kim , i took my temp obsessively several days after chemo ! I am so relieved to hear I am not alone. And if someone doesnt wash their hands when they come in , i am very very unhappy

Everyone, this is scary. No matter how I have tried to impress my family with my strength ( blah blah) I have been afraid and angry. Charlotte , I finally took Ativan last night because I couldnt let anxiety keep me awake all night. It was the first time in weeks that I felt I could breathe

Still, there is great hope for us & we seem like a tough bunch. Thank goodness I found you.

Anita, please keep us posted and I am sorry you are here , but glad to be here to help.

Sorry if I sound schmaltzy. Finally sinking in, as you said, "new normal"

Amy

ADJ

thanks, Amy. And I remember that Alleve goes with Claritin as a pre med for neulasta, which gave me 103' temps a couple years ago when I last had chemo. Does everybody know about salt and soda mouth rinses?

Anita

jackieak

I took my temperature twice this morning, even before my Neulasta shot, it was 97.8 each time, new, good thermometer...my hubby thinks we need another one for back up. It did go to 98.4 when I got home today, hey I have a pulse and I spent the entire day on top of a beautiful Alaskan mountain having lunch, no nausea or anything.

I took my shot of neulasta when I got home and just hoping for the best with that as well. My MO said I would feel fine today but watch out for days 3 and 4, I assume due to what pain neulasta can cause.

Plan to do a short treadmill walk tomorrow, I am tired this evening but really no complaints, other than my surgery pains, only 3 weeks out from that and I have temp implants which I go for fill #2 on Monday. I need to start a therapy plan for the arm movements and these muscles where implants are, are the major source of pain now. How long did everyone wait before they were told ok to start arm exercises? I have cording in the left and a seroma in right ( total aux removal). Thanks all

kjfromca

Jackieak - You are a trooper. I started going to physical therapy as soon as I got the go ahead from the PS, about 5 weeks post surgery. Good thing, as I have cording too. I was seeing my PS weekly for TE fills, they are picky about how much weight/movement they want you doing. So, get the go ahead from your doc before you start exercise. Since you have cording, I recommend a physical therapist if possible, this has helped me a lot with my mobility. Stretching your arm is very important.

Kim

QuirkyGirl

jackieak - my Neulasta pain came day 4 and for the 12 hours was okay without meds. Then the volume got turned WAY up and for me it was overwhelming and debilitating. If you do get pain, I suggest medicating immediately and staying close on top of it. Don't let it get the upper hand.

momat927

jackieak, 4 days after Neulasta shot, I had five hours of back spasms. Believe it or not, plain old Advil helped. MO said it lessens inflammation caused by Neulasta. Good luck. Amy

Becky75

I received my Neulasta the day after first chemo treatment. The pain didn't really start with me until maybe 48 hours after injection. My pain was primarily in my legs and low back. It made it very difficult to sleep. I tried the claritin for a few days but did not help much. The only thing that seemed my help me was Aleve. After the first round of chemo and I have had hardly any nausea. I guess mainly anxiety, constipation and the fatigue. I have been able to work a few days but the fatigue is making it difficult and I work in the medical field so need to be on my feet. Currently I have some sinus problems. I have sinus pressure, ear pain, sneezing and runny nose. It is hard to figure out if I just have a cold or is this related to the chemo. I now have sores in my nose and my face just hurts. Does anyone else get this? I have been using a saline nasal gel to help soothe my nose because it hurts so bad. On top of all that both my kids (whom are 13 and 7) have a cold and the little one brought home a stomach flu yesterday. My husband helps when he can but is working overtime today (help pay all our bills we are going to have) and I am here feeling yucky and have my two kids to take care of. Thank goodness they help themselves somewhat but my 7 year old still wants his mom understandably when he is sick so I was up a lot with him last night. Hopefully we can all rest some later today.

momat927

Becky75. Yes, my nose hurts and always feels both dry & yet runny and stuffy! Feels like constant post nasal drip. I read that one of our chemo drugs (TC) can cause this though my mind such a blur I cant recall source or which. Using Simply Saline but seems this might be the way it is. Good luck, Amy

keepthefaith

Amy, I am using saline nasal spray for my nose and my Dr RX'd nasonex also, which I don't use like I should bc it has steroids in it. I have seasonal allergies. I have also used aquaphor with q-tip when it gets dry. Had some minor bleeding, so it needs to stay kind of moist, I guess. I had thrush in my mouth and ate a lot of yogurt-it resolved itself also, although I got a RX; I rinse with biotene mouth rinse; you can also use a salt, water and baking soda rinse. I think you should floss, but be easy. Use a soft brush when brushing and use a new one every few wks. I am using tree oil for my nails-not sure if it is going to work, but so far, so good. It has kind of a strange smell. Cetaphil for my skin. It is odorless and absorbs quickly. Hydrate heavily of course.  NO hair loss yet; I had a dream last night I was pulling it out in clumps. It seems it hasn't even shed as much as it normally does...weird.

Seems like my Neulasta pain kicked in within 24 hrs but was pretty minor. I think it is less severe each time as your marrow has expanded from the first shot. So hopefully, we won't have to deal with that our next round!

Becky, I hope you stay well and your family feels better soon. It sounds like you have your hands full.

I am mad and sad that I will miss my grandsons' fifth birthday party today. Nadir period for me. So I thought I better be on the safe side. 

I hope you all enjoy your week-end in comfort! Stay warm:)

((HUGS))

jackieak

good morning

I woke up early with a bit of a queezy feeling and laid back down longer, also felt chills. Now up with crackers and took half my steroid and Tylenol.

I am on Coumadin so I don't think I can take alleve for any neulasta pain??? My MO did say no ibuprofen and I believe it is in that family. I do have a few prescription pain pills she said ok to take, but I am trying to avoid that due to constipation and I need to be more alert in the day. I have been taking Ativan at night to help me sleep.

I'm hoping the claritan will help, thanks for the tips on which days to expect this, I sure hope it's mild enough so I can go to work still and function...not to mention the holidays being here!

Sometimes I wake up still and ask " is this still real". I know we all do, damn what a row to hoe ahead!

KLI

Kim my next chemo is the 26th. Just stay away from germs.

I have been sleeping with a vaporizer think it helps the dry nose tissue issues.

keepthefaith

kli, my next (2nd)TC tx is the 26th also. there is another cytoxan taxotere thread if you are interested. says Febuary/march, but it's active.

 

J4DC

ADJ, my Dr. gave me the "Salt and Soda solution" recipe and suggested to rinse your mouse after meals and as needed to keep your mouse moist throughout the day.

1. Add 1/2 teaspoon of table slat and 2 teaspoons of baking soda to one quart (four - 8oz. Cups) of plain water. Shake or stir the solution.

2. Refrigerate solution that you are not going to use in a day. Avoid missing up large amount that will take more than several days to use.

Hope it helps. Many hugs to you all.

momat927

keepthefaith & kli, my 2nd TC is Dec 27 but then have to wait till Dec 30 for Neulasta. Keepthefaith, so sorry you had to miss bd party. Did you skype? & I think I might try the vaporizer mentioned above. I stopped years ago because of mold allergies but it might help nose now. I will get some tree oil for my nails. Is that what it is called? Tree oil? Or tea tree? Be well everyone. Snowing here. Amy