Starting Chemo May 2015

StefLove

Jenga, welcome to the May group! We're a fun little group over here Feel free to ask any questions you have. There's a ton of information and experience with everyone here.

Jenga60

thanks Steflove! I'm sure once I dive into the information all be asking lots of questions!

rosesrx

Thanks Lynn,  I will have to get some eyedrops.  

Welcome Jenga,  I am triple positive as well, scans on Monday and start TCH on 5-20. Read on and stop when you feel overwhelmed with info. Ask questions great group and moderators rock as well.

Stef..impressive !!! Glad it is going well.

Gina4h

Feeling a little better today. Claritin worked for me for the bone pain at first, but not the peripheral nerve pain. I'm on lots of painkillers now, but I have a very aggressive form of BC and it is already causing a lot of pain. I'll do anything I can to continue the chemo even if I'm out of it on painkillers all day. I need my tumours to shrink before surgery.

Got a brush cut this morning. My oncologists suggested either a brush cut or shaved head before Wednesdays chemo. They said I would be completely bald in less than a week after this round and the shorter the hair the less uncomfortable it will be when it starts coming out in big clumps. I think it looks kind of cool. Thought I would look boyish, but a couple of girlfriends and my daughter say I look very feminine:)

Plan on enjoying this weekend - the lull before the next storm. My 3 year old granddaughter will be visiting and that always raises my spirits!

Jackbirdie

Hello ladies! I am visiting from the March chemo group to give you a rally cry and some gentle hugs.

What you have just begun will test your patience and your bravery. But. It is definitely doable.

But- as someone mentioned above, everyone has a different experience. Not everyone gets all the SEs. Or gets them as bad. Just try to be aware, be prepared, and support each other with love and your tricks of the trade as you negotiate through this dark territory.

I am 2/3 the way done, and for me it was so manageable the first two, I wondered if I was getting enough? Hah! After the 3rd round it got tougher. After the 4th, I got pneumonia. My immune system has nothing to fight with.

But after reading through your sensitive and intelligent posts, I know you ladies will do very well. I wish you smooth sailing.

Katy

Jackbirdie

Hello ladies! I am visiting from the March chemo group to give you a rally cry and some gentle hugs.

What you have just begun will test your patience and your bravery. But. It is definitely doable.

But- as someone mentioned above, everyone has a different experience. Not everyone gets all the SEs. Or gets them as bad. Just try to be aware, be prepared, and support each other with love and your tricks of the trade as you negotiate through this dark territory.

I am 2/3 the way done, and for me it was so manageable the first two, I wondered if I was getting enough? Hah! After the 3rd round it got tougher. After the 4th, I got pneumonia. My immune system has nothing to fight with.

But after reading through your sensitive and intelligent posts, I know you ladies will do very well. I wish you smooth sailing.

Katy

dunesleeper

tjh, I really understand your fear. I've had some nasty flares, the first one being the worst. It was especially bad not knowing why it was doing this. I wonder if Claritin would have helped. I had t take sooooo much prescription pain medicine. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I do not feel like that every day. I do get flare days, approximately once a month. The pain is not as bad as the first time, and the pain meds make it manageable. I have confidence that you will be fine.

Gina, stay ahead of the pain. In the beginning I tried to avoid taking the oxy, but I just ended up needing more later. I have oxycontin that I am supposed t take twice a day every day and oxycodone that I am supposed to use for break through pain. So, if I didn't take my morning oxycontin, I ended up taking it later, plus 3 oxycodone. Staying ahead of the pain really works.

MarlanaB

I start chemo May 28th. The whole weight of it hit me last night as I was blow-drying my hair and contemplating losing said hair...meanwhile, still dealing with a large post-op seroma in my armpit.

I contemplated the cold caps but decided that I'd rather lose my hair than have to go through all the hassle. On the bright side, I'll at least be bald in the summer time so I can save energy/$ on air conditioning!

dunesleeper

That is true Marlana. I wonder how much cooler it will keep us.

I, too, had one day where I was hit with the full weight of it all, I cried a lot. The next day, though, and every day since, my attitude has been quite good.

For me, it has not been too bad. Best wishes to you!

ksusan

Parts of this book are somewhat out of date (2009), but a lot is still accurate and relevant: The Chemotherapy Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Get Through Treatment by Judith McKay & Tammy Schacher RN OCN MSN. The preview sections on Amazon and Google Books are pretty extensive, too. I'd have found it helpful before starting. It doesn't go into the specific medications much, but does talk about the vocabulary, lab tests, equipment, and processes in general. It's a little light and approximate on the negatives, but you can find those ad nauseum (literally!) online if you want them.

StefLove

woke up with a heavy feeling on my chest whenever I take a deep breath. Assuming it's from nuelasta. And my nose is a little stuffy. Anyone else have this side effect? I know chest pain is one of the s

lman

A beautiful sunny day here in Nova Scotia is a great pick me up after this winter and this week. I was lucky to not have the bone pain after the neulasta on Wednesday so didn't need the reactine. Yesterday morning I did take a pill for nausea and then felt better the whole day. Last night I went for a Reiki session and it was very relaxing. I'm lucky to have a friend who does Reiki so we are going to do it weekly. Hope you all have a pleasant weekend.

Scarlett152

StefLove, yes to stuffy (even on Claratin) and slight shortness of breath. Anyone have weird shimmering archs of light in vision? Last about 15 minutes. I thought something was wrong with contacts, but took them out and it was still there.

Scarlett152

MaralanaB, I worried cold caps would be too difficult, but after one session down, I'm glad I stuck it out. It makes for a very long chemo day, which is the biggest downside. You still have time to have them sent if u live in SoCal. They ship from Corona. I live in the Bay Area and got them in two days with ground shipping. It's too early to tell if they worked (in day 10 post first TC), but I should know by next weekend. There were two other gals doing it with me in the infusion center so I had good company!

MarlanaB

Thanks for the info, Scarlett152. Other than the hassle of switching, there's pretty much no physical discomfort that I despise more than being cold (knock on wood!) so I'll probably still pass--I'm acoastal Southern California kid so I start to whine when the temperature goes above or below 75* F (or 24* C for the Canadians 😜).

tjh

Woke up today feeling better than yesterday. The Vicodin worked for good nights sleep. 13 yr old DD has softball tournament, 3 games today, 2 tomorrow....I am going to the 3rd game today, I didn't want to get sick, and don't want to eat junk food for my small meals,45 miles from home. We do have hotel for the night, so if tired, sick I can rest at hotel. So working in garden...temperature is supposed to be in the 80s...refreshing.

tjh

Also looking on line for dress styles for 20 th anniversary vow renewal next summer. One day at a time

mysunshine48

Happy Saturday! Two days out from treatment #1. I am drinking a lot and taking the Claritin and Zofran. Also swishing several times day. I hope this continues to work, because I feel really good. Just got back from a 5 mile bike ride and a 1/2 mile walk. I am 66 years old.......this is doable! I just hope it continues.......when I look at the calendar, there are many days ahead. I am so trying to be positive!

CatsRus

Wholly camoli, MySunshine, I'm 61 and don't think I'd try a 5 mile bike ride...hahaha. I'm doing good too. A little tired but I haven't been sleeping well. I'm drinking lots. Went out for breakfast with friends this morning. It's stopped raining so think I will go for a walk, you have motivated me! No effects yet from Neulasta but still waiting to see how it goes without the Claritin. I feel weird but not bad at all - can't really explain the weird...just weird.

labhusky

wow my sunshine!!!! Dang I'm 59, and just don't want to do a thing! My 1st treatment was the 6th & my next the 27th so I should be rounding the corner. I think it's psychological.

Tjh u have the weather we should have in San Diego Ca. We had rain yesterday so it's kind of cool but I do prefer it this way. I hate the dry Santa Ana's in the summer! What a wonderful event to be planning for next year! Hopefully you will focus more on that to get you thru this

debiann

I started chemo last May, and bald was a benefit over the long hot summer. I felt like crap anyway so at least my bald head said "I'm sick, leave me alone" lol.

I was pleasantly surprised to see how fast and how nice my hair is growing back. Before bc I always colored it, but now I kind of like my natural gray, so I'm keeping it this way. Not sure yet how long I want it, but these crazy hot flashes may make me keep it short. I like how soft and healthy it feels!

Good luck and prayers for each and every one of you! 

Mrsgrass

I had night sweats the last two nights too. I didn't connect it with the chemo. Bone pain is better today; last night I gave in and took Oxycodone for it at bed time

MarlanaB

For all those that I have been through a few rounds, I've been reading your posts about Neulasta and Claritin. My MO has not mentioned Neulasta to me, not sure if this is because I've been fighting chronic esophagitis for the last year and only recently been diagnosed with celiac disease so my white counts are pretty high (15K). If I understand correctly, the Claritin is for bone pain after Neulasta shots, right? I already take Claritin daily for allergies so I have a large supply if it comes to that.

mysunshine48

Yes, Claritin is for bone pain after the shot. I am taking it, but not sure how long we are to take it.

Anybody know?

ksusan

I'm told to take Claritin and Benedryl for the 4 nights after the infusion. Other people get different instructions, based on their medical providers' preferences and their treatment particulars. Best to ask.

debiann

Something to keep in mind is that not everyone gets bone pain from the neulasta shot. My MO asked me to not take claritin the first round to see if I had any pain and I didn't. I did fine all 6 rounds with no claritin. I was happy I didn't have to add one more drug.

CatsRus

Just FYI - had Neulasta on 15th, as of right now still no bone pain (no Claritin). I do have mild heartburn but I've figured out that it must be the Decradon as it's the only thing I'm still taking. Emend and Zofran ended yesterday. No nausea but I still have Stemetil on hand to take as needed if it's starts up.

Be well, ladies!

Long weekend here in Canada so I get tomorrow off... oh wait.... I'm retired I get every Monday off ;-) My apologies to anyone who has to go to work tomorrow (nearly said 'to you working girls', but thought better of it ;-) ) It's been a rainy weekend so far and rain forecast for tomorrow too...ah well.... at least it's warm.

rosesrx

Well good grief, I started sloshing this morning.  Came home after church and wrapped tighter. With scans from 11-4 tomorrow I won't be able to get to BS. I actually went for a walk albeit slow through our Iris festival.  I survived :-) 

I will hold off on the Claratin as well,  I had to get a fresh supply since I couldn't take it while on Tamoxifen for the past few years. My WBC is chronically low 3.7-4.8 . So Neulasta will be in my future. 

Some one told me the chemo room (spa) is cold and to bring a blanket tho they have some available.  

Magnolia83

Well, after feeling good at 10 days post first AC, I came down with a bout of food poisoning last night Horrible, and scary! But I seem to be fine today. Guess I will have to be extra careful about what and where I eat

rosesrx

Magnolia,  Sorry. To hear about the food poisoning, I hope you get to feeling better soon. I have been enjoying eating out fresh salads and fruits this past week knowing it's coming to and end Wednesday. Oh the irony that PCP told me to start making better choices due to increased cholesterol and triglycerides. Well my container garden will be put to good use. 

Has anyone appreciated other ironies? I had purchased a hair removal system (NoNo) in January and subscribed to autodelivery of shampoo/conditioner in February.  I just laugh.