Starting chemo September 2014

Kris103

Hi, everyone! It's been a busy few days, prepping to hit the chair tomorrow. Monday my PS turned me loose for the duration, Tuesday my BS did the same, and this morning so did my PT. Then it was off to check in at the MO's for bloodwork and a long chat with the PA about the differences between doing cytoxan/taxotere and doing straight adriamycin. Big grocery store run this afternoon to stock up and get the last of the prescription meds. Tomorrow the chair, Friday the Neulasta.

Zimastar - I'm so sorry to hear of your trip to the hospital! That's never any fun. I wound up hospitalized for 3 days after my first CT infusion with neutropenic fever, not that the ever figured out what caused the infection. If you're still having problems with the spots on your head, hydrocortisone cream really does help. Check with your MO first, of course. I sure hope you feel better soon!

Amy - your new picture is too cute! Love it!

ZJ - Red Sunshine, eh? Sounds better than Red Devil, or some of the other names I've heard it called. I guess I'll hold off judgment until tomorrow. The sternum pain you mentioned could be Neulasta. That stuff stays in your system for a couple of weeks according to my MO, and you can have SE's just about any time.

melannmor44 - sorry that you're here, but welcome to the club nobody wants to join. That's interesting that your MO has you on Zyrtec instead of Claritin. I don't know enough about either and how they affect Neulasta bone pain. I'm glad it's working for you!

Wow, too long-winded!! Gentle hugs, everyone, and may your SE's be mild!

sybilskelton

Amy, I'm with you. As soon as the hair starts coming out in clumps I'm going for the shave. My hair is very short anyway, and I figure the last thing I need to deal with is hair all over the place and a clogged shower drain.

My boss's 6 year old daughter is currently battling leukemia, and she's doing very well, even back playing soccer. But she did one thing early on that I found so adorable. She had long blonde hair, and she understood that it would all fall out. Before that happened she had it cut into a short bob and donated the hair to Locks of Love. Leave it to the children to lead. I saw her recently, and she's bald as a cue ball, no wig, no hat, no scarf. She is my inspiration.

Rose0766

day 1 post chemo for me, had my neulasta shot this morning, been taking my Claritin as ordered, urine still slightly pink from the adriamycin, actually took the dog for a short walk today, waiting for the other foot to drop, which can happen, as we know can happen at any time, good luck tomorrow Kris103, I was so nervous my BP shot up to 160/80, I normally run 110/50, but that didn't stop anything, lol, may everybody feel as well as possible and keep the faith that we will all have easy side effects to deal with!

Tobycc

starting 9/26

1_more_Y_me

Start Date: Sept 23, 2014

Treatment: Adriamycin & Cytoxan (4 cycles), Taxol (4 cycles); followed by radiation (tbd) & then 5 years of oral meds

Apprehensive: YES!

I've already had most of my hair cut. I will look 10 years younger for at least another couple of weeks. I am going wig and hat shopping on Friday with my daughter. Sometimes, one has to have adventure where one finds it!

Thanks to all of you for sharing your advice and experiences. I
understand that everyone is different, but you've already been helpful
to me. I hope that my experience can help others too. May I join this group?

SiStar-TX

barremom,  Why were you told not to take vitamin C.

Hi Ladies I haven't been online for a while because I am having a great deal of pain in my arms.  It seems that it is normal due to the removal of lymph nodes.  I am going for my weekly lab tests tomorrow I really hope that they can provide some suggestions.  I read on another link about using neurogen.  Any thoughts?

PoppyK

Sybil- I'm so glad your chemo went well today. I was nervous at my port placement today and my BP shot up as well. I had such a horrible experience with my first breast surgery, that it made me very apprehensive. I'm sure I will be anxious when I start chemo next week. I hope you have minimal SEs.

Kris- Good luck with your day tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you!

1 more- Welcome to the group. The women here are amazing! I start with Cytoxan and Taxotere  on July 23rd.

SiStar- Sorry you are in pain. I hope some of the ladies can share their knowledge and help you out. I hope they are able to help you at your appointment tomorrow. I have sore beasts, and now a sore neck (from today's port placement), but not experience with sore arms. I'll be thinking of you. 

barremom64

Sistar- I'm taking a lot of supplements Biotin, silica, probiotic, vitamin B & D, Iron and a few more. Originally vitamin C was on that list. When I showed list to my MO before first infusion, that's the one he scratched off. They're is some research that it may interfere with chemo. That being said, I'n my googling research that seems to be one of those area were there is contradicting research. That's why checking with your MO is a good idea prior:) 

As far as your arm pain, your posts don't have a surgery listed or date, but I'm assuming you had a BMX. Have you been checked for lymphedema?  Your PS or surgeon can write a script. Then find a certified Lymphedema Physical Therapist.  The sooner the can get treatment for that the better.

There's an active thread here on BCorg that can also give you some direction.

Feel better:) 

sybilskelton

Can we talk about gas? Has anyone been plagued with massive amounts of gas? What about the effectiveness of OTR medications?

Ten years ago I had pelvic radiation for the cervical cancer, and it did a number on my bowel and bladder, which I was well informed at the time would be an unavoidable side effect. So I've become accustomed to the fact that eating can often be an adventure in digestion for me, but this is completely out of hand.

Anyone else suffering this (mostly) annoying SE? Any tips to deal? Specific foods to avoid? Vegetables and fresh fruits have long been a particular challenge for me, so I'm thinking there may be other things I should shy away from.

DaniellaD

I was told not Vit C, too.  At least not before chemo or three days after.  My cousins in Italy have a pharmacist send me these effervescent vitamin tablets Berroca that I take on the third day.  They are basically a b12 shot in an alka seltzer-like drink. It has 66% Vit C, which is why I take it three days after.  It also has lots of other vitamins, biotin, zinc, magnesium, etc.  In Italy at least, they give it to cancer patients during chemo to boost their energy.  Or they take it for hangovers. I know it's big in Australia, too.  I think they sell it in the US now but it's not the same formula.  Works great. Took it while studying for the bar and during the exam itself. Gives you great energy but without that caffeine jittery feeling. 

Kris103

SiStar - On the arm pain, I agree with barremom, do what you can to start seeing a Lymphedema PT. I had a UMX (left) with 5 nodes removed in July, and even though what little cording I had is resolved, I'm still sore. I've seen the LPTs at the hospital a few times, and they've given me exercises and taught me self-massage, which is very helpful.

sybil - I had horrible gas the last couple of rounds of CT last spring. My MO ok'd taking symethicone (Gax-X) to help. And you're right, certain veggies are notorious for being a problem. I really hated giving up broccoli for the duration.

Poppy - Thanks for the good thoughts. I hope your port site is no more than a minor annoyance as it heals up. I'm sure you'll get used to it quickly.

Well, I hit the chair in about 3 hours. Guess I'd better find the cooler to pack my popsicle stash in. If I've got to be chomping on ice during the Red Sunshine push, it may as well be a little fun!

Lori1967

I have to tell you.....I decided to up my fibre a bit for the next round of chemo and made myself a big pot of roast chicken/bean soup. It was delicious!!!

Until that evening....the beans had been soaked for 48 hrs and simmered and yet they affected me in the most painful way!! I had 3 days of agony!!

So after trying gasx and walking etc... nothing worked and I was desperate!! I googled and decided to try the one remedy I remember my Nana using years ago.....1tsp baking soda in a cup of warm water.

I only got two good gulps down before I started gagging.....but within 40 min. I started to feel some relief. I was able to finally eat lightly that evening and slept well. The next morning I was uncomfortable and did it again....by lunchtime, I was back to normal.

Try it and see if it works for you, I will be making sure I don't run out of baking soda here  

VioletKali

Well, the flowers and roses did not last long. Today is day 4 post chemo. No fever, but I feel as if I have the flu. I feel yucky. Nothing tastes good.

SueBe

Inspired by Daniella (thanks for all the info) I've decided to fast for second of four infusions of CT. It will be 48 hours before my chemo tomorrow and 24 hours after. My MO doesn't think it will work but says go ahead anyway, another onc I know said it will help. I think if it doesn't hurt me, why not. But now I am wondering will it hurt me to be so weak? I am 105lbs and I am cold capping. It just seems the potential benefits are too good to pass up. 

I've only had miso soup (miso past melted in hot water) and herbal tea. There is a small thread on fasting here and its potential benefits. 

So now my mind is on the fast and the cold caps, and the chemo part (which I was crazy anxious about the 1st time) has faded to the background. Already a plus for me. 

BTW: Fasting is to help curb SEs and put your normal cells into a dormant state which make the cancer easy targets for the chemo.

DaniellaD

SueBe - I only weigh around 120 and my treatment is weekly. So I only do 40-36 hours before and 22-24 hours after. I tried someone's suggestion to do keto diet for 12 hours then fast 12 before chemo and then  fast 12 hours after then keto for 12. I was nauseas and had explosive D.  I will see what happens by day 3. Next time I'm back to my water fasting. I sometimes drink powerade zero or vegetable broth, too.  Not sure if Miso is ok bc you cannot have carbs, protein or sugars.  Between the cold capping and fasting, I don't think so much about the chemo.  You will feel weak - more tired than weak. It's not that long and you will only be doing it every three weeks. Check out the fasting thread. Good luck!

SueBe

DaniellaD, 

Oh. I'll just do tea then. Thanks!

Kris103

Well, that took a lot longer than expected! Since I'm only getting pre-meds (Benadryl, Emend, and I can't remember the 3rd) and Adriamycin, it should only take an hour, maybe an hour ten for a tx. Yeah, I know, way shorter than most. But today, my port decided not to cooperate easily. It downright clogged. My nurses wound up using something stronger than heparin, I think it's called TPA. Anyway, I had to just hang out letting it work for about an hour and a half, with a nurse checking every half hour, before blood would draw and we could get on with the tx.

The rest was pretty uneventful. I got the chair next to the TV, so I didn't bother with my book or internet stuff. Their wifi is pretty spotty anyway, its not worth the headache trying to stream Netflix or anything. The popsicles I brought to have during the A push really tasted great. They also have snacks and some Ensure available for whomever wants.

Right now, I'm just feeling a little tired and have a mild congestion that runs from behind my sinuses up to the top of my head. This is probably as much due to it being fall allergy season as anything. Oh well, time to get something to eat and contemplate a short nap. Its about 93 degrees here, so I don't feel much like going out.

Tobycc

anyone icing hands during tx?  I have my "education class" tomorrow.  Trying to make lists of supplies to get before the 26th and questions for tomorrow 

Hugs and love...

PoppyK

Kris- Thanks for the update. I've been thinking of you all day. My DH will go with me for my infusions and it's good to know that things may take much longer than planned. He has to work, too. I hope your SEs are minimal!

barremom64

hi Tobycc- 

 I just got finished with # 2 of 4 same chemo cocktail as you. I filled 6 Gallon size ziploc bags with ice and put them in a cooler and toted them to hospital. I also found having a electric blanket was great!   I asked the nurses to give me aheads up when they know it was going to be 15 minutes before the TAX started. They did and I started icing, 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after.  Fingers went right into the ziplocks from home, I put rubber gloves, the medical kind that are thin and stuck my fingers deep in the ice. That simple.  For my feet I found two rubbermaid small totes that are made for shoes, plopped a ziploc bag of ice on bottom and set entire foot on top, took the remaining 2 Ziplocs and sat them on the toes. With the pre-ice, TAX time of 1 hour and 15 minute post-ice, it DID get cold. Fingers more then feet. I pulled them out a few times to send a text or two-nice break. 

I'm also cold capping so I was quite the sight today!!!!  

Good Luck to you!!!

Tobycc

thanks Barremom!!  How are your are your Side effects?

Tobycc

Kris, thanks for sharing!  poppy I am right behind you

barremom64

Toby- Everyones are different and SO very minor as compared to one of my fellow cold cap sister who's   currently in the hospital with a terrible series of serious SE.  So, these are my minor, easily treated SE...thrush (easily treated with a pill), Constipation (easily treated with OTC medicines) Diarrhea (after too much constipation medicine), Nuelasta bone pain (easily fixed by staying on the Claritin and  Alieve for a week). Fatigue, haven't found the treatment for that. Although from the first day after my chemo until today 22 days later, I've walked or ran from 2-5 miles depending on my fatigue level. Always makes me feel better:)

All the best and may you have minimal SE!!!!!!

Kris103

Tobycc - For what its worth, I did 4 rounds of neoadjuvant CT this past spring, and iced my fingers and toes pretty much as barremom describes before, during and after Taxotere. For my feet, I used a couple of bags of frozen peas. I had a very little bit of fingertip neuropathy for a couple of months post-chemo that I would have been perfectly fine living with, but that has since gone away. Also haven't had any significant problems with fingernails or toenails, but for some slight horizontal bands of discoloration that are growing out.

OK, so I'm really not liking this Adriamycin thing already. Took a nap for a few hours, and woke up with a nasty headache and nausea. I thought I'd have a day or two before that kicked in. My MO didn't prescribe oral Dex (steroid that's also good for nausea) for day before/day after, I'll have to ask if that could have made a difference. I'll also be asking why the Emend hasn't seemed to do so well and if they've got anything stronger. In the meantime, I think I'll pop some Zofran and Aleve, and maybe a Prilosec for good measure.

I can already guess at what I'll hear tomorrow. Something like, 'Gee, less than 5% of patients experience those SE's so soon', blah, blah, blah. It's what I heard about my SE's on CT, and from my PS when I had skin necrosis after UMX and my TE had to come out. I'm the 5% Girl. Although I'd much rather be the Impossible Girl (any other Whovians out there?).

Oh well, this too will pass. Gentle hugs and minimal SE's, everyone!

zjrosenthal

Ladislav who fast, please be careful about MISO soup if you are ER+  It has a lot of soy. 

Rose, glad you are feeling ok today.  

brandyrose

Hi Ladies, 

I am starting my chemo September 29th. 

I'll be doing 1 - 1 hour treatment every 3 weeks for 6 treatments. The first 3 treatments are a regimen called FEC (Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, Cyclophosphamide), and the last 3 treatments will be Docetaxel. I've also gotten several prescriptions for anti nausea drugs, and will be taking an injection to boost my immune system. 

After that I will be doing radiation, and then hormone therapies. 

Long road ahead, but I'm actually happy to be moving forward. But it doesn't mean I'm not scared shitless about chemo. I am young (31) so I really hope to cope well with it, but it's all very overwhelming. 

Thanks to everyone on the discussion boards who have already been so supportive, and have great advice! 

Brandy  - 

Courage means being scared to death, but saddling up anyways.  ~ John Wayne

PoppyK

Welcome Brandyrose!

I start chemo on 9/23. Is the injection to boost your immune system Neulasta? If so, many of the ladies recommend taking Claritin the day before and a few days after to help minimize the deep bone pain that can happen. I'm young (but not nearly as young as you) and my MO is going to see how well my immune system recovers on it's own without the Neulasta. She expects I will be able to do without the injection. But if I need it, it will be there.

Help! I had my chemo port placed on Wednesday and I am very, very uncomfortable. It hurts to move my neck. The side of my neck hurts even when I swallow.  I need to take Norco to make it through the day. I'm a light weight with meds, so it knocks me on my butt! Is it normal to be this sore... okay in this much pain? I am going to my chemo training today and will ask the MO about it, but wanted to know what you ladies have experienced. Plus, I would like to be thinking clearly, which the Norco interferes with. Good thing my DH is taking me.

Thanks everyone!

zjrosenthal

Poppy, I had a port for my last cancer in 08 but not for this one.  I don't remember it giving me much trouble but it is surgery so give yourself a few days before you panic.  Also they let me use some lidocaine gel to numb the skin before accessing the port.  You might want to ask about it.  I pray your chemo goes smoothly with few side effects. 

I have developed a bladder infection.   I am waiting for a call from my chemo nurse this to see if I can take the antibiotic the doctor up here prescribed.   Hope I can still get my next chemo on Monday. 

Tobycc

welcome Brandi . If nothing else, we have each other on this great site together !  I have learned so much, folks are so helpful.

poppy, so sorry about the port.  Will be praying for you....do you think it's too soon to call the office and ask it is normal?

I won't have a port....but did my education class today and loved the nurse.  I saw a woman in chemo room whose wig looked completely natural.  I would have never known. I was also advised to get my flu shot now, so will go tomorrow.  poppy, stay in touch 

Hugs to all

Kris103

Poppy - I'm so sorry to hear about the problems with your port. I recall mine being sore for several days, but not like you're describing. After your class, try the Norco to see if it provides any relief. You may need it for a couple of days. And it may well be worth a call to your surgeon's office to see what they say.

ZJ - Hopefully your chemo nurse or MO ok's the antibiotic quickly. The last thing they want is for you to have an infection of any sort. Good luck on getting it under control before Monday.

Tobycc - Good idea about the flu shot. They even give flu shots at my MO's office! My MO's PA told me that I didn't have to wait until after chemo was all over, that it was OK to get one about a week after an infusion.

I got my Neulasta shot this morning, and as expected, the nurses were surprised to hear that I had such bad nausea so soon after yesterday's infusion. Another rare SE for the 5% Girl! They offered to hook me up to another bag of Emend, but I decided not to, since I've had luck with the BDR my MO had compounded for me. A minor drawback is that there's enough Dex in it to turn my face red. (Not really this mad - the color is too perfect!)