Starting Chemo May 2015

mysunshine48

Me too! Drinking lots of water.....let's get this party started.......so we can get it over!!!!

dunesleeper

I am confused. I'm always confused. lol. One of you fine ladies posted a link to foods we can and cannot eat. Among the foods that we can eat are apples, grapes, blueberries, etc. However, I was warned by the oncologist not to eat raw fruits and vegetables unless they can be peeled. Fear of germs I suppose. I'm going to run this past my oncologist next time I see her, but has anyone else gotten conflicting information?

Sally1985

Sally1985

Hi all, started chemo this week. First dose of AC flowing through me fighting away! Had it on Tuesday and so far so good. Anti emetics are great. I'm her2+ so will be having 4 doses of AC over 8 weeks follows by four doses taxol and herceptin over 8 weeks and then herceptin three weekly for a year. Surgery to follow chemo and then radiotherapy. This site has been an brilliant support and you ladies are all amazing inspirations! It's good to know I'm not alone in going through this. Keep up the good fight ladies! The diagnosis is never easy to come to terms with but you can't beat the positivity and great openness on this site. It's helped me immensely. Thank you! Love to you all. X

Beachbum1023

Hello May chemo ladies, I just wanted to drop in and wish you all well!! I hope you have your wigs and hats and scarves ready to go. And you have your chemo bag all packed and ready to get going. You got this! I finished AC/T on 11/25 so I have been there done that. I'll be happy to answer any questions if you think I can help. Just pull up those cancer killing butt stomping boots and go for it. I'll be happy to send you my pair to get you through. I'll answer the first big question - I went two weeks ago for a haircut, so keep your eye on the prize. While the hair issue is very distressing, I loved my wig. I washed her once a week, and I loved having all that time to just shower and go. 60 second hair when you don't feel well, worth it! And I do have a Smart Port Power Injectable and no issues since it saved my veins. I use it for chemo, blood draws, and CT scans. Just get a small pillow or something to put under the seat belt strap so it doesn't rub. I use a cute little brown stuffed puppy. Mac makes me smile, and he rides shotgun when I don't need him. Something should be fun right?

Good Luck Ladies - while not fun it is doable and you are all worth it! Remember to be kind to yourself, and listen to what your body tells you it needs. Sleep as much as you can, use plenty of moisturizer on the dry skin, and drink a lot of cold water to flush your system. That will help you stay healthy and hydrated. I'll see you at the finish line!! Hugs, Cheryl

JenJenJen

Thanks for your advice and words of encouragement Beachbum! Sally I think I'm doing the same regimen as you.

Went for my dose-dense AC yesterday and so far hasn't had much side effects. Just the feeling of fullness and not being able to eat that well. For the A = doxorubicin part, it was syringe with the med in it that was slowly pushed into me in ~10 minutes. C = cyclophosphamide was a 30-minute infusion. However, I started having lots of sinus pain and headache so they gave me extra fluids to help with that. Also the nurse said that the cyclophosphamide infusion could be lengthened to be given over 1 hour to prevent this side effect.

I even met a new friend at the clinic who gave me words of encouragement. She says she knows it can be scary the first time but it will fly by really fast. We will be done in no time!

StefLove

thank you beachbum! and welcome sally, glad you found us over here

JenJenJen glad you're feeling pretty well! Just had breakfast and taking the morning slow before heading out for my first AC!

Sally1985

Best of luck StefLove! Hope it goes well for you! You'll fly through it! Keep yourself hydrated and well rested. JenJenJen best of luck to you on your regime!xxx

CatsRus

Hope all goes well StefLove, I head out for number one TC soon too.

tjh

My oncologist said washing fruits and veggies is essential. I don't have to limit them unless my white count goes down too far. I was very concerned especially with the constipation issues.

mysunshine48

Me too.....heading out for #1! Trying to be calm and drinking lots of water. Good luck to all my chemo sisters!!

KJSUN

To all my chemo sisters - I will start my chemo later this month but I have already been through this in 2013. I had a BMX at the beginning of April and will find out when chemo starts next week. The first time I had no problems with my neoadjuvant chemo and even ate while hooked up to the IV. I had AC then T, the only thing I had a problem with was the Taxol, I felt the chemicals more, I was tired and my blood pressure was low. They gave me extra fluids and I felt much better. I really didn't lose my hair until the Taxol and then just got it cut off. I only wore my wig about 1/3 of the time. I can only hope that the new chemo drugs are as easy to tolerate as the AC-T, if not then I will just deal with it at that time. No worries! Just wanted to again let you know that chemo does not have to be an awful experience. We all react differently so try not to go in expecting it to be really bad. The only thing I strongly suggest is you bring something to do. I had bought a Kindle Fire several months earlier and it was my best friend during chemo! Good luck and prayers to you all.

Magnolia83

Lots of ladies starting today! Good luck gals...just think, you'll get to cross one off the list! It's a good feeling

I am going to try out acupuncture on Friday to see if it helps with anything...I'll let you guys know

labhusky

Wow, a lot of you starting today. Hope it's smooth and for the most part uneventful except for positive experiences, and only mild discomfort if their has to be any at all.

Kjsun I appreciate what you wrote. When you went thru it b4 it sounds like you did fine. I'm like someone waiting for something to happen. It's like ok, I tolerated the first one relatively well. Is this how it's going to go the whole time or was this just the 1st one? I am terrible! It really sucks that we have to do it at all but we will prevail and I know I will be stronger AFTER this.

CatsRus

Well ladies, I'm in the chair! So far so good... a steroid in already and Benedry. Currently I have a saline flush going. nurse is great and had no problem putting my IV in. They ate giving me ice gloved to wear when the taxetere goes in. More later.

JenJenJen

Good luck ladies! It is great to just cross 1 off your list!

Magnolia83, I am going to try acupuncture at my next session too. Supposedly helps with nausea and better appetite.

mysunshine48

I am in the chair

CatsRus

I guess the party has started, mysunshine

StefLove

hey ladies!

I'll reply to individual people later but sitting in the chair now. Adriamyacin was quick. 15 mins through the port. Now on to the C which they said will take an hour so I have about 10 mins left. Crossing my fingers that the rest of today continues as smooth.

ksusan

Labhusky, my MO said how the first round goes is usually a good predictor of future rounds (though fatigue is often worse).

I'm in the chair getting #3 right now--thinking of you May women and sending you positive energy!

tjh

I did first round on Monday, was fine, not good after, and Tuesday. A little constipated yesterday and today...I took Senokot (the med on the dr list). Any suggestions

Magnolia83

tjh, I've found success with daily Colace, along with lots of fiber and walking a lot. Oh, and I take a daily probiotic (Nature's Way Optima Colon Care...it's expensive but seems to be worth it). When my mom went through chemo a few years ago she swore by Smooth Move tea...I will be picking some up but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Beachbum1023

tjh, are you drinking enough? I usually drink about 4 to 6 bottles of water per day. Also popsicles and yogurt seemed to help. I also took Sennokot the night before the infusion and about 4 to 5 days after depending on how it went. Having been on the "C" side I would rather deal with loose than locked.

I ate a lot of fruit, mandarin oranges, veggies, and mac and cheese. The Trader Joe's Mac and Cheese in the red box. I also did well with grilled cheese and tomato soup. Just make sure all the fruits and veggies are clean. I hope you feel better. Cheryl

ksusan

I find a heated glass of half apple juice, half prune juice foes it. A tablespoon of coconut oil sometimes does, too.

Scarlett152

Pear juice, flax seed and ultimately a cup of coffee plus Colace. Don't go overboard though, or you will end up with the opposite problem!

Day 6 post first round TC. Feeling more like myself today. Very tired yesterday and sharp low back and hip pain. Aleve and Pilates today seemed to have help with pain, plus glutamine, B-6 and folate.

labhusky

good to hear all of you coming to the "finish" with flying colors! I'm so excited I don't have any appointments next week so me and 3 people from work will have lunch one day then I will visit with my workmates. That will be good for me. Then Friday I will go visit my best friend.

Do any of you have suggestions on a brand of sunscreen while going thru this? I was thinking of la Roche posey 60 melt. But I just want to make sure ingredients wise and that stuff is expensive

tjh

Drinking around 100 oz. I will have to try the juice. Am eating fruits and veggies, small meals...did 5 minutes on elliptical and planted garden. I think I will start colace before next treatment

Shanann

Amen To getting it going so we can get it over with ! Got my port. Went well. Feeling chill.

Maree155

Hi Shan...You are all done and dusted... take care Maree xx

CatsRus

I got home from the hospital around 4 pm (appt was 10:45). It seemed to go very smoothly. Have been feeling a little lightheaded and my throat has been dry, but not bad. Neulasta tomorrow, then hopefully I'm done with the hospital for a couple of weeks. Wishing you all well, and no SEs or at least manageable ones.

Thanks for all your support.

Yeah, one down, three to go!