Starting Chemo March 2015

Trvler

Are you on Thursday, Leighr?

Italychick

My chemo center is one big room with everybody in recliners. But they do have one isolation room, and I use that when it isn't in use because I typically work during infusions.

Got the steroid buzz right now in preparation for tomorrow. The steroids also make my feet swell and feel funny. I hate them.

Trvler

I think they are the cause of my heart issues. I kind of hate them, too.

Italychick

I think so, because they make my heart race, and I have hot and cold flashes all day when I take them. Some women say they have gone without them, but I'm kind of chicken.

Trvler

They said I could cut the dose down if I wanted to but I think I will just take avian a few days longer this time. Last time I tried to cut it back. I know my worst days are friday and sat. But only at night.

Trvler

Oh, and I asked the doctor if she saw any shrinkage. She just said they aren't getting bigger. I knew they were not shrinking much if any.

wpmoon

My food dilemma from today: Was craving mac and cheese from Panera after a doctor appt today. Went, and wouldn't you know it, they were out. I just about cried before turning around and making it out the door. SIGH.

Echocardiogram was this morning, they were able to get me in first thing. Hopefully things look good with the heart. Trying not to freak out about my liver.

eheinrich

Allison I'm not sure what causes the reaction but last time I got woozy and my chest felt really heavy then I got really hot like I was on fire and turned bright red. They gave me hydrocortisone and a 20 min rest on saline then ran the taxotere really slowly. This time I only had the on fire red color rxn, but they were already running it slow. Now it is realllllllly slow. I fear I may never leave.

My center is also a big room of recliners. I wish they were massage chairs....

Italychick

Omg, they ran out of mac and cheese? That is criminal. I so, so, so hate when I want something only to be denied. It is like a pregnant woman craving stuff. Our local health food store Jimbos makes a macaroni and cheese dish, and I love it. Might have to get some for tomorrow!

Last chemo I took in chili (I know, I'm weird, chili on chemo day?) and heated it up at lunch. Everybody was walking around going, wow, whatever that is smells amazing lol. So i'm making a barbecued pork chop for tomorrow.

Trvler

I find myself wanting spicy foods, not bland stuff. Can't even taste the bland stuff so no interest in eating it.

SueH58

Tryler, is adriamycin very dark red? When I went in, I saw many chemo bags and initially thought it was blood. Then I thought, wait, no--it's adriamycin. Hats off to all of you who have had or are having that treatment. I've heard it's not easy.

Carrie37

Allison, congrats on finishing up the red devil meds!!!!! Such a relief! I have only had one Taxol so far but I do feel better than I did with AC. Bekah, I am right there with you with the diarrhea and cramping. It sucks. I am not nauseous but I have zero appetite. Whitney, I love Panera's Mac and cheese! I would have cried if I was craving and they were out. I'm so sorry!

Jackbirdie

hang in there Eileen! Hope you're going home soon and rest

SpecialK

SueH58 - usually Adriamycin is given as a "push" meaning the syringe of the drug is injected into the IV tubing - it is not usually hung like other chemo drugs.  What you were most likely seeing infused by bag is iron, as many oncologists are hematologists as well.  Bags of iron infusions are a dark rusty red, Adriamycin in the syringe is a bright cherry red.

Trvler

Sue: I have actually had a fairly easy time with AC. My only issues were heart skipping a beat frequently. It is the worst on the 4-5 day and then it eases up to almost nonexistent before the next visit. But I worked out every day in this last cycle and I felt pretty good by the end. I think exercise helps tremendously for both physical and mental symptoms if you can do it.

BBwithBC45

I'm having a little anxiety attack.

I've been having an enlarged and painful node in my neck for over a week. Last week my MO said that cancerous nodes rarely are painful, and this problem should resolve in a few days. It did not, so today before my spa he said "weird", and wanted to do an MRI, which I cannot have now because my tissue expander is not MRI-compatible. So for now he's doing tumor marker test and talking about CT of the neck. Did any of you have tumor marker tests done?

Then there is more. Last Saturday I had an ultrasound at my gynecologist's office. I have them done often, because I've had ovarian cysts and fibroids in my uterus. After the test I made an appointment to see the doctor to discuss the test. Today the doctor personally left me a message telling me it's nothing urgent, but I should schedule an appointment to discuss the results and my options. So now I'm very nervous that it IS urgent and more bad news. My BRACA tests are negative, so I wasn't very concerned before. I know some women preventatively have ovaries removed and chemo is already pushing me into menopause, so I can get rid of them if necessary. But I don't want a hysterectomy. I have to wait till tomorrow to be able to talk to the doctor. Anyone of you Ladies have similar issues?

BB

Trvler

BB: Oh, I am sorry you have to wait until tomorrow and be worried. I haven't had any similar issues but keep us posted when you talk to him.

Carrie37

I'm sorry BB. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted. Mostly when they say not urgent they mean it. Hang in there.

Carrie37

SpecialK here is a picture of my Adriamyocin. It was definitely hanging every time I had my AC.

Carrie37

Carrie37

A picture of the red devil aka Adriamycin. My onco nurse calls it orange kool-aid.

SueH58

So yours is a drip. I wonder how they determine if a drug should be administered via push or via drip..... It's quite interesting, really.

SueH58

I was undecided as to whether or not to take chemo, as I was in the gray area. The more I read about recurrences of board members or chemo room partners the more certain I am I made the right decision to proceed. Cancer is ruthless :-(

Beachbum1023

Adriamycin push, I had two of those each infusion.

Carrie37

Interestin, I had no idea it was done as a push. How long does that take? My drip was at least an hour.

Angiel

My Adriamycin push lasted about 10 minutes. Pretty quick.

slothabouttown

BB, I had a cyst on my ovary that showed up on the cat scan and my surgeon ordered an ultrasound. He did call me in for a consult about my options which ended up being a recommendation to consider removing my ovaries in a year or so. I was negative on the BRACA and he wasn't concerned about the cyst but thinking defensively I think. I hope your experience is the same. Thinking of you. Hope you don't have to wait too long.

Sonya-

Thank you to those people who responded to my question about postponing treatment for one week, so I can be with students on their last.day of school.  I sure hope doctor says yes. The last day of school is so fun and rewarding.  

rleepac

I'm so tired of emotional cramps...you know - those times when you can't help it...you just burst I to tears? It's so not like me and it's pissing me off!

Carry on...

Bekah

eheinrich

Bekah you have to just go with it. This sucks hard for all of us and a pity party is sometimes just a necessary part of the day or week.

hugs

~eileen