Starting chemo September 2014

GailWNY

9/12

barremom64

Sistar- I had the a mild sore throat and a cotton feeling in mouth. i was diagnosed with thrush...npw that you mention it I also had mild a "pins & needles" .   I wonder if you have thrush as well?  Call your MO offices and report. My thrush was cleared up within days with a script for an anti-fungal pill. The trick they said is the catch early before if progresses into sores.  Feel better.

DaniellaD

Oh no - I have had a sore throat for a few days and a headache.  I thought maybe just seasonal allergies but feel worse today. Tomorrow I have treatment. Ugh...do I need to call MO? 

barremom64

Hi Daniella- I guess it couldn't hurt?  I did hear allergies are bad right now so it could be that too.  

RosieB90808

Sep-8-2014

DaniellaD

I took a Zyrtec and Tylenol then gargled with warm water and salt. Feeling better but still a little sore.  I'll call the MO.  Thanks barremom! Xoxo

Moderators

Rosie,

Welcome to the BCO community.Good Luck to you and let us know how things progress for you. let us know how e can support you. The Mods

Lori1967

So I had my first chemo on Friday, and other than being constipated for two days... It was okay

I took my Claritin and still am till I am done the neulasta shots.

I missed taking day 1 of the dextramethasone because it was missed when I handed in my stack of rx's!

I only had minimal nausea and when I took the pill it seemed to take even that away!

Last night getting ready for bed, I sort of stood there and thought,"hey, I FEEL normal " 

I set my alarm and woke up early to get my daughter off to school, stopped at the market for a few things, went for my neulasta shot, came home and had company for about 45min, had a soup and sandwich... Then crashed tired for two hours!

Bit all in all, I feel pretty good Will otbe like this for the next 3 infusions of A&C? I switch to taxol for my 4-8 infusions, better or worse??

barremom64

Hi Lori-  So glad you're feeling well! I certainly hope it's like that for you each and every time! I can't speak to weather or not it will be like that every time as I  have only 1 treatment, of a different regime, under my belt. Just wanted to say "way to go"!  continued smooth sailing  to you. 

leac1188

Hello! I hope everyone is getting through tx with minimum SE's.

It's been a week since tx began, most side effects have been tolerable but has anyone experienced really bad intense stomach pain? Not related to the big D or C.  It started yesterday afternoon and lasted throughout the night. Most of the pain has subsided today, but the MO doesn't know what could be the cause of it.  She said that if it returns to go to the ER, which is something I want to do as last resort since WBC is really low. Could it be acidity or an almost empty stomach? The doctor prescribed omeprazole to be taken since beginning of tx, so I'm not sure what is causing the pain.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

runningchef

Hello,

I am a husband and was hesitant to post in here, but saw that I wouldn't be the first.  Everyone in here has really inspired me, and I have learned a lot from these forums and have a question.  I will actually probably have many in the future.  Obviously all of the data below the post is my wife's.  We are allowed to choose our day and time slot for chemotherapy, so the start date for chemo may change by one day or two.  We are really trying to figure out the general consensus for SE's and when they hit.  I realize that not everyone gets all of the side effects, and it can vary in severity as well.  My wife would like to go back to work if possible, and we are trying to of course pick the right day of the week to try and have the worst of the SE's hit on weekends.  She will have Adriamycin and Cytoxan (dose dense) every other week for two months, then Taxol every week for two months.  She will be getting Neulasta as well.  She will be on leave through all of the A and C infusions, due to return to work(if possible) 1 week before Taxol begins.  Any thoughts?  I hope I have asked a decent question, my wife has yet to show interest in seeking out any of these groups, but to me this seems like a wonderful sounding board.

P.s. learned a great tip about Claritin here tonight.  Thank you!

SiStar-TX

Barremom64,  Much appreciated!  I will definitely get with my MO.  

Hey Ladies,  Anyone have an increase in appetite?  I seem to have a bottomless pit over here!

SiStar-TX

Hi Lori, I am glad that everything went and is still going well for you!

SiStar-TX

runningchef,   After reading in the various forums, the SE of chemo are different with everyone.  I received my first dose on a friday and went to work on Monday.  The only thing that I noticed so far, at least with the first treatment, is that I have been a bit tired and constipated.  My arms did hurt for a bit but I stayed hydrated to push the meds through my system. I also have found that bland foods taste best.  According to everyone claritan and alleve will be a lifesaver when it comes to neulasta. It is suggested to take it one day prior.

Stay tuned.. and welcome to the forum

Rose0766

hoping to get my mediport inserted by the end of the week so I can start chemo on Monday 9/15, starting with adriamycin/cytoxan every two weeks for 4 cycles, then taxol/herceptin/perjeta every three weeks for 4 cycles, I will also be getting neulasta, then I get 3 weeks off to prepare for BMX, then more herceptin and radiation-- I found my own lump in July, after benign mammo in April, couldn't believe what I felt, was hoping it was a cyst--no luck-- biopsy was done August 19, shocked was an understatement! Hope we all make it thru this nasty treatment, have minimal side effects, and that the whole thing teaches us to be vigilant regarding our bodies and reporting the changes we see to our docs. I'm thankful I found this when I did, and that the ones before me allowed the trials of new drugs in order to better my chances to be labelled NED!

Lori1967

I am on the same regimen, but so far have only had one infusion.

My first infusion was on Friday afternoon and by Monday night I was feeling pretty good everyone is different I have found, but my nausea wasn't bad and I didn't take any meds really...

I wanted to keep working as well, that's why I chose Friday's. Unfortunately I work with kids all day so it wasn't an option for me and I had to close my daycare

zjrosenthal

Started chemo yesterday and so far only waves of fatigue and some bloating.  I also gained 4 lbs but the nurse said that was from all the fluids since I have eaten very lightly.  I had an ariamycin push, cytoxin and three infusions to lessen sides such as nausea and neuropathy.  I just gave myself the neulasta injection which was finally approved for me to pick up yesterday at the hospital.  I have claritin and aleve ready for any bone pain.  The chemo nurse who did the prechemo teaching said that they had done a double blind study about Claritin and found no benefit but it wouldn't hurt to take it.  One thing I was told was to avoid soy since I am estrogen receptor +.  I checked for soy in many foods and found that even Ice cream pops, coffee creamer, breakfast bars and saltines have soy in them.  The nurse told me I could have them since it is so small an amount but I feel like eating them would be feeding the cancer cells. I feel very blessed to be treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering, they are so knowledgeable and caring.  Love, Jean

 

 

VioletKali

Hello everyone! I begin chemotherapy 9/15.

Carboplatin/Taxotere and Herceptin. I do not have my port yet, BUT they mentioned that I could have the port placed after my first treatment. I have good veins, but I would rather use a port.

PoppyK

Hi Everyone,

I've been away for a little while, spending time with my family who flew in from No Carolina for a visit.

I've decided I want a port. Any advice? Will I be able to drive the next day?

Thanks for posting your updates.

Poppy

VintageGal1111

Hey Lori

 Hope you continue to feel ok. Chemo side effects are cumulative. Hate to say it but the SEs, the low energy etc are likely to get worse with each treatment. Taxol is different SEs than A&C. For mew it wasn't as bad. Good luck!

Kris103

Poppy - Seems like ports are another thing where everyone has a different experience. My port surgery was a piece of cake, and I had no problems driving the next day, although I did put a little pillow between the port site and my seat belt. Other people have a lot of discomfort and feel the need for pretty strong pain medication for a few days. Either way, to me it's been worth having the port. Not only did I have it used for my first course of chemo (and it's still there for this next course), but for most of the blood draws and even contrast dye for a CT scan. I've always been a difficult stick, so the port has been awesome.

KiLin

runningchef - I notice a couple of people have recommended Friday, and that they felt better by Monday.  My experience has been a little different.  I've actually been through chemo twice now (1st time 9 years ago, 2nd time I'm in the middle of), and for me, in both cases, I felt fine for the first couple of days after chemo, then crashed for a couple of days.  So for me, Wednesday is the best day for chemo, because then the weekend is my crash time.

I expect they can probably adjust your wife's chemo day slightly, if it turns out that you haven't guessed right the first time.  Best of luck!

AmyG516

runningchef - Welcome to the group!  My treatment plan is different from your wife's but I agree with KiLin. I've only had 1 infusion so far but Wednesday worked great for me.  Saturday was the worst day.  I went back to work Monday and have been able to manage my SE so far. I'm sure it will become more difficult with each infusion but for now working is going well. Your wife is very lucky to have you so involved in the process! This is a great group with lots to share. 

SiStar-TX

Hi Poppy,  you will able to drive but you definitely don't want your searbelt rubbing the port! OUCH!  nor will you want to wear a bra.  I had very little discomfort after got the port put in.

PoppyK

Daniella, Kris, SiStar, Lori, Amy, Vintage, Zimaster, and Violet, (hope I didn't miss any body),

Thank you for your feedback regarding the ports. I have decided to get a port; surgery scheduled for next Wednesday. I meet with my MO tomorrow to finalize my treatment plan.

Chef, Welcome to the board and the September 2014 Chemo topic. Everyone on the board is so supportive and helpful. I encourage you to post and ask any questions you may have. Treatment plans and SEs vary greatly, but we all have questions! I'm glad you are supporting your wife and being pro-active. Being diagnosed can be overwhelming and it may take your wife a little time to become interested in the board. I encourage you to look at the other topics. Perhaps the triple negative, stage 3, or care givers topics would interest you.

Including you all in my prayers!

Poppy

zjrosenthal

I had a port for a different cancer 6yrs ago when I needed a 4 day infusion.  It worked well.  I found the sticks were much easier when lidocaine gell was applied a few minutes before the stick.  BTW, does anyone have any tips for dealing with heartburn?  I just started chemo on Monday and a bloated feeling, some constipation and heartburn are my worst sides.  Otherwise I am feeling pretty good, just tired.  Love. Jean

Zimastar

PoppyK, good for you deciding to go with a port. I had my first infusion Tues & had to watch 3 people get stuck over & over; heart breaking! I wasn't able to drive the first week after my port being placed but it was related to me getting it while under sedation. It maybe different if it's a local/topical incision? Ive had it just over a month & I still have a pillow over it for comfort. I tend to scrap it a lot.

Zjrosenthal- I bought some rollaides & luckily my dad had some prescription zantac he can't take anymore so that's what I'm using for heart burn. I feel like diarrhea is coming on for me. Have you tries a stool softener? I know you're bloated like I am, 8lbs of fluid, but fluids & fiber are best.

I'm also really tired. I'm not sure when I'll feel the neulesta bone aches, although I'm a bit achy 24hrs post injection, but its really mild. Is it days 4-5?

Also,  food...I'm hungry but everything taste like cardboard.. Except for all the bad foods..any suggestions for healthy??

Have a great day every one!!

zjrosenthal

Thanks for the tips Zimaster.  I have been using tums and that seems to be enough.  I was up overnight and took a Valium which seemed to work.  I don't like taking any more drugs than necessary since there is so much chemo in my system.  The bloating seems to be getting better and if this is as bad as it gets it is certainly manageable. 

I made a big pot of vegetable soup that is helping to soften the stool.  Browned up some small dice carrot, celery, onion then added a can of diced tomatoes, and an envelope of onion soup.  Added more larger pieces of carrot, onion, tomato and some mushrooms.  Cooked it up till softened then added a package of steamed mixed veg.  Yum!  (Some garlic salt also can enhance flavor).  This is lunch for the week with a bit of a protein.  I had oatmeal with some raisins, cinnamon and maple syrup with milk for breakfast yesterday and added some fresh blueberries.  Trying to avoid bananas, rice, apples, cheese which are binding. 

Wishing you all a healing day.  Love, ZJ

AmyG516

Not sure if any one else here has seen this but I just wanted to share this website with you -www.goodwishesscarves.org

They provide a free head wrap or scarf to cancer patients who are losing their hair. My son requested one for me as a surprise. It came in the mail today with a beautiful hand signed card with well wishes for my fight. 

The head wrap is just gorgeous!!   If you haven't already, take a minute to look and request one for yourself.  You can pick 3 choices and they surprise you with one. What an amazing organization!!!

PoppyK

Thanks, Amy. I will check them out!