January 2016 Chemo!

songbird72

Hello all. I got my first treatment on Tuesday. The treatment went well. They gave me IV Aloxi, Decadron, Heparin, and Emend before starting. Since I only got my port installed Monday (my veins are horrible so the port was the way to go for me) she left the tubing in so no stick. Adria and Cytoxan went in without a hitch. I ate crackers and sucked on ice chips during the treatment. However, about an hour after leaving the doctors office I got nauseous. We went to eat directly afterward and I'm wondering if I should've waited. We had a 1 1/2 hours drive home and that didn't help. I took the Zofran and Compazine they gave me but they didn't cut it to much. Called the oncologist on my way home and they had Ativan waiting for me at the pharmacy. Got home and into my chair. Ate a small supper. I was hoping to go to work yesterday but the nausea meds made me so sleepy--I was afraid to drive to work (about 15 miles one way). Still nauseous today and again having to force myself to eat. Didn't make work again today--I'm hoping for next week. My stools are also completely messed up but that is normal for me when I take meds.

My Neulasta was given with the OnBody Injector---that went fine but as soon as I got it I was out like a light! Forced myself to get up and eat/take meds and then went back to bed.

I was hoping the first treatment would go a little easier on me since I know they are cumulative.

I am so thankful for this group---just having a way to write it out and talk about it is very therapuetic! And I am thankful because I have very supportive family/friends/coworkers. Trying to keep some positive in each post!

Cancerpickedthewrongone

Hi Gals!

First day of chemo so far so good!

Most of the day has been informative and giving me information that all of you already shared with me :-) Funny thing when going over hair loss etc my MO recommended a company called Thrive Causemetics they are a company that makes false eyelashes designed for women going through cancer treatments. Thought I would share since it was a recent topic of discussion.

Also she told me that I can't eat any salads? Or raw fruits or basically anything that doesn't have a skin to peel,without a peel to reduce infections etc. I felt that was extreme has anyone else been advised against eating any specific food during treatment?

Allie

LovesToFly

I was advised to wash fruit and veggies and not eat raw eggs, sushi, etc...and no grapefruit. I'm vegan and hate grapefruit so all I'm doing is washing my fruit (which is nothing new).

Char1110

Hi Songbird.I love that you are trying to stay positive. I hope it gets better soon!

Allie, I haven't heard of no raw vegetables or salad. I won't start until Monday, but I am going to ask my MO. Glad your first day has gone so well:-)

Rockstarteach

As far as work for me I decided to take off. Being a first grade teacher I knew there was NO way to stay away from germs! Not being able to run to the restroom when needed also worried me! I do think going to work or working from home would help you stay active mentally and physically. I have asked my teammates to give me jobs I can do at home so I don't lose my mind! I also wanted to be able to go to my boys hockey games and not be worn out for them.

jensgotthis

I was told no salads that I didn't myself prepare - and if I make one to really wash everything extremely well. And no sushi

jensgotthis

I went to a BCsupport group today where I'm being treated and it was so fantastic to be with people like me who are at the very beginning of this and people who were much farther along. Many of you probably already have this figured out, but these ladies reminded me that my life is not stopped or paused because of this. I can learn to really enjoy my good days and be very present. It was a good reminder because I've been feeling like everything was derailed and over

LovesToFly

thank you for the reminder Je! My parents offered to babysit next weekend so my husband and I could have a date night, it seems so weird to think of having a date night, but I'm taking them up on it!

DoxieMomof3

Hello Ladies! I am joining the group. Today I have my port put in and Thursday the 21st I start 4 dense doses of AC followed by 4 dense doses of T. This is my second time to the rodeo, I did 4 TC chemo treats just over 2 years ago with my first DX. I didn't have a port last time but this time they said I must so off I go 😃

So I just wanted to introduce myself and I hope everyone has a great day with minimal SE's!

Toni

gardengypsy

Traveling 3.5 hours one way for treatment, staying with family for extended periods. A long haul, but worth it for the care

gardengypsy

I admire your positive attitudes, ladies. I just finished my first round of AC; it really knocked me down. So far, 4days in bed.

gardengypsy

Great advice

gardengypsy

songbird72

Our experience is very similar. Too many meds? Sleepy all the time...

Frill

Just a quick FYI - Zulilly has post surgery bras today. They have a really good selection at great prices. I got an Ameona pocket bra for $18 that's way prettier than what was in the hospital store. If you haven't ordered from them before, stuff does take a while to arrive, but the savings is whoa! They've had Coobie bras before, too, which I bought because they looked comfy, then I saw them at the hospital store for a jawdropping price.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in shopping today: http://www.zulily.com/e/post-surgery-solutions-167...

The sale may last for longer than today - I think they're usually a couple of days, they just don't last very long. Hopefully this is helpful for someone else.

ladyhumps

Day 2 after treatment #1, not feeling as good as yesterday. Cleaned around the house yesterday and caught up laundry. Had a facial flush yesterday but nothing else. Got up with a slight headache and less energy today. Just feeling blah today. Had a couple hot flashes during the night. I am 5 years post-meno so it's not unusual but the hot flashes had lessened a lot. I forgot to add that I am getting Herceptin with my chemo. I am taking it easy today, it is raining and yesterday was a beautiful day. I feel bad for you ladies who are getting that stronger stuff.

I was told to avoid sushi and rare meat.

fightergirl711

Haven't heard anything about salads, I guess preparing them yourself makes sense.

Anyway infusion 2/12 Taxol yesterday, last night I felt like i could run a 5k and clean my house at the same time, didn't get a lot of sleep last night. Still buzzing today, still working. Overall no complaints, I'll likely crash tomorrow. Last week that's when it hit me - 2 days after. But no nausea, some tingling in the toes which concerns me, that threw me off guard last night.

I shared this already, but where I am getting treated now was my second opinion. As a result, yesterday after the Taxol they wanted to do an ultrasound because they really weren't liking all the imaging they got from the first place. Unfortunately the ultrasound was inconclusive, so now I need another MRI. To be clear, this is ANOTHER area in the same breast that the first breast surgeon had dismissed during the first MRI about a month ago. Today I'm feeling angry that the first surgeon wasn't more thorough, and wondering if my mammograms have been underdiagnosed these last four years. (You can read the story on this post - I initially was staged at Stage I after 2 mammograms, three ultrasounds and an MRI, then restaged to Stage III after surgery - https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/67/topics...)

So I feel like I am basically starting all over, although I already started treatment. I hope it's not more cancer. I'm angry and considering a lawyer. It mystifies me that with so much imaging there was such a drastic change in size, and that they didn't do a second biopsy when something lit up in the first MRI. Granted I still need a second surgery because of bad margins, and I am already being treated, but I'm still totally irritated at the first place.

Thanks for letting me vent!

MissBee123

Hi all. Quick question. Due to the fun legal loopholes with insurance, I was unable to get my Neulasta shot this week. My infusion was this Monday and at the earliest now I will be able to get next Monday (if they, in fact, get their act together).

Aside from avoiding crowds and people who are sick, can you think of any extra precautions I can take to avoid becoming ill? We do shoes off at the door.

Oh, for the salad peeps, my oncologist told me no food is off limits. Basically some doctors will say to avoid certain things because they haven't been washed or present a higher chance of infection due to being undercooked (like sushi) but this varies by doctor. For me, I think it's too important to have greens and fruit and the benefit outweighs the cost. If you are nervous, though, you can always eat cooked veggies and fruit with peels/skins (oranges, bananas, apples, kiwi, etc). For sushi, one of my absolute favorite dishes is sweet potato tempura rolls: no raw fish and delicious! Also, your run of the mill California rolls are fake crab so they are safe to eat, too.

Fun random chemo side effect of today: ENDLESS BURPING. What the hell?

Happy weekend!

jensgotthis

Does anyone have a recommendation for a nose soother? Mine is so dry (maybe I'm losing my nose hairs? lol) and it bled today a couple of times. Before I freak out that this is actual bleeding, I thought it might make sense to lubricate my nose first to see if it helps or not. I know that vaseline is a no no becuase it's petroleum based. Thanks in advance for any recommendations?

Also, I am on the T/C chemo therapy, 9 days after first treatment. Does it make sense that I'd be a little more tired now than I was a few days ago? I had thought I'd have SEs maybe the first week and then my system would start rebuilding and I'd be feeling better and better.

Also handling a minor case of thrush. Fun times over here but I won't complain because I expected all of this to be worse.

Last thing, excited to go wig shopping on monday! I cut my hair short a week ago and I really don't like it. I wish I wouldn't have cut it although I bet next week when I'm expecting it all to come out that I'll be singing a different tune.

Have a great weekend friends. I plan to do a day out with my son since I'm feeling pretty ok, just tired out....

Kimmer33

Hi MissBee, that seems awfully late to start Neulasta. I am not an expert with Neulasta, but sure am with Neupogen - I self-inject at home on days 3-10 after chemo. Sucks though, to have insurance be the issue. As far as avoiding crowds and sick people, I would just hole up in my house, and not go out until I can get my shot. I also would avoid not-sick people too, as they could easily be carrying something and not know it. You feel a bit like a hermit but for me it was worth it, always. Keep well, and keep eating those salads!

Kimmer33

Jenscott, what's wrong with petroleum based Vaseline???? I always used it, and it worked like a charm in my nose. I even took a Q-tip, put some Vaseline on the end and put it way up my nose to relieve the dryness.

jensgotthis

Kimmer33,

My doc (not my oncologist) told me it is problematic if the petroleum gets into your lungs. Maybe it's an old wives tale? Or maybe one would have to be using a lot of it, for a long time to be unsafe? A water-based option seems safer to me and I'm trying some saline but since it's going to be dry for a long time, I wanted to see if there is a lube that's recommended

keepsake

jenscott, Try Ayr nose gel to soothe your nose. I read about it on another chemo thread and bought some myself but haven't had to use it yet. So far I have a runny nose probably from Herceptin.

I am hesitant to join this group as I have an unusual regimen for early stagers, a "lighter" chemo along with herceptin, too. Had my first chemo with herceptin on Jan 7 and a second chemo treatment on the 14th.

Wishing you all the best

robyn31024

So been pretty lucky with minimal side effects so far but i do have this extreme sore throat that is worse at night. My onc had me drop by but says is prob just the taxtotere. Anyone else had this problem and any tips ? Thanks and hope everyone is doing well with there regimen!

LovesToFly

day 10 here. Pretty much myself now except some dry patches in my mouth, not thrush and not painful. Gargling a lot of baking soda and water to relieve. I was most tired (so far) days 6-7 when I was withdrawing from the steroids. In bed by 8 those nights but now back to my usual bedtime. I'm drinking loads of water and taking a good walk (sometimes with nodding intervals if I'm at home not work) daily.

Kdettwiller

Considering applying for std through employer versus trying to work full time through chemo ...then surgery. Thoughts?

montanalivin

Getting my port Monday the 18th, and an echo that afternoon. First chemo Tuesday, Neulasta Wednesday.  

MB12

Hi Friends,

Im still staying in this thread even though my chemo will start in February, now. (Hope you don't mind.😀) To much great info to pass up on!

I wanted to share with you this blood test that is fairly new, but growing. My doctor in StL was actually 1 of 3 centers that uses it. (Yes, he scored some points as I don't meet w him until the 27th and was going to tell him to order this for me.😉) It's monitoring cancer in real time through blood and genomics to identify treatment options. I came across them in one of my tech articles as they are a health startup from SF Bay. It's covered through private and Medicare insurance. I called directly. You can also order yourself. This is a HUGE step in the right direction about treating and managing cancer to detect changes for reoccurrence in real time!

http://www.guardanthealth.com/

http://www.vbprofiles.com/tb/company/5307941b0888e...

Thinking of you all and sending positive vibes!! Xox

Cheers,

Shiningstars

Hi, I'm not new but new to posting. I'm starting chemotherapy (TC) on 1/22. Very anxious about it. Has anyone tried taking any anxiety medicine prior to the infusion?

Thanks.

DFWFLYGIRL

Forgot to ask how long you take the Claritan after Neulesta shot? Any feedback welcome:))

DFWFLYGIRL

ShiningStar...I took low dose XANAX the week prior and Ativan the day of..really helped curb the nerves. Also made sure I kept with gym or walking daily.