anyone starting Chemo mid november?

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  • patriciaS
    patriciaS Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2008

    Hi ladies hope everyone is doing well.   I went in for my 2nd tx yesterday.  It went well and I slept really good.  Today I go in for my Neulasta shot.  We'll see how that goes.. take care

    Patricia

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  • LolaHank
    LolaHank Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2008

    Hi Ladies, I hope everyone is resting well and feeling good today.  It has been 14 days since my first chemo.  Had bloodwork today and am much improved from last week.  I feel good today, my mouth sores are gone finally.  My hair has started to fall out.  I have my second chemo next Wednesday followed by the Neulasta injection Thursday.  I'm not sure that shot really does a body good???  Happy Thanksgiving to all of you fighters and hope you can enjoy your weekend.  Be Blessed, Sarah

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  • patriciaS
    patriciaS Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2008

    Just wanted to say 'Happy Thanksgiving to all. Sarah, glad you are feeling good today.  I had my Neulasta shot on Saturday and it went well.  Went in for bloodwork today and my counts were good. Not much pain this time. God Bless and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.   Patricia

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  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited November 2008

    Sarah,

    I am on the same schedule that you are, TAC every 3 weeks.  I am doing chemo # 2 tomorrow, so I am drinking lots today.  The first one was not much fun, but I guess the only saving grace is that we know that we will come out of it and it will not last for that long.  That is at least what I am saying now, however when I was going through day 4-8 after chemo I thought the world was coming to an end.  I am hopeful for you and for me that chemo # 2 will be better.  Keep in touch.

    Still wondering has anyone done chemo without taking any Decadron the day before?  Would love some answers!  Kristi

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  • swm63
    swm63 Member Posts: 32
    edited December 2008

    I take the decadron in my iv infusion the day of treatment before the bad stuff is put in.  Takes about an hour and a half for all 5 drugs to flow.  Hope this helps

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2008

    Hey Everyone....well I'm back from seeing my family over Thanksgiving and I'm going back to work for the first time in 2 months!  I'm a teacher, so I'm a little nervous about germs and such with the kids.  I had Chemo on 11/19 and mostly was just tired, but I did have a really bad reaction to my Compezine...it was almost like a seizure...has anyone else had this?  So scary.  Anyway, I'm off of that med and I hope that my next time around goes well.  I go in for my next chemo this Thursday, and my fiance is going to shave my head this week...a little nervous about that as well.  What are you all using for mouth gargle...I used Biotene, but it goes so fast and it's kind of expensive.  My oncologist gave me a recipe for a salt gargle, but I'm wondering if there is anything out there that works better?   Have a good week ladies!

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  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited December 2008

    I use the Biotene also, but only in the morning and the evening for about a week after chemo.  IT seems to help for that week.  Then I do not use it again because my mouth seems to get better.  I think it sheds the top layer of skin and a new one is there underneath it.  I do find that I cannot eat anything acid like during this time. I go for chemo every three weeks so I only use it for about a week.  It has been three weeks since my last chemo so I go in today for #2.  I have not shaved my head yet but probably tomorrow, it is coming out all over the place, starting to look like an old man.  Good luck Mela4409, I have a sister in Bayside WI, she said it was snowing yesterday! Kristi

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  • LolaHank
    LolaHank Member Posts: 28
    edited December 2008

    Hey Ladies!  Kristi, I take decadon the day before chemo and the day after chemo, in tablet form.  Mela, my oncologist told me to use baking soda, salt and warm water.  Didn't work.  My dentist gave me a mouthwash called Oxyfresh (flouride with oxygene) that seemed to give me comfort.  They also gave me a mouth spray and a gel.  All the same ingredients just more convenient than the rinse.  The dental assistants were telling me there is also a prescrip med called Pink Magic that is supposed to work real well.  I shaved my head on Saturday, wearing a ball cap today at work, but thinking of a wig.  I'm undecided on that however.  Its 62 and sunny here in South Texas.  You ladies take care and keep up the good work and great attitude!  Sarah

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2008

    First day back to work and I'm soooo tired!  Yes, it was snowing here is WI...alot!  I'm a teacher and my first day back we had a 2 hour delay...go figure on my first day back!  I'm thinking that I'll get some more biotene, because the salt gargle isn't seeming to help.  Thanks for the tips!

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2008

    Hey all...had my second treatment today and all went well!  I'm a "bald beauty" now after last night.  My fiance shaved my head and I'm getting used to my scarves and hats.  Hope you ladies are doing well!

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  • patriciaS
    patriciaS Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2008

    Hi everyone, it looks as though everyone had a good Thanksgiving.  Me as well. I must say I have been feeling really good.  My next tx is Friday the 12th.  I am planning on visiting my parents in Corpus Christi next week before Chemo.  I haven't seen them in 6 months.  3 hr drive if  I don't stop.  They haven't seen me bald. 

    I thought that once I shaved my head I wouldn't see any more hair come out. But when I washed my head last night I noticed all these little nubs of hair like if I shaved my legs, then I noticed it was my head. I guess I'm still shedding.  Have a good day all.  Only 2 tx left.   YEAH!

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  • trainergirlmick
    trainergirlmick Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2008

    Hey ladies.  I had my first TCH treatment on 11/21 and go back 12/12...The first week was not great.  Had major heartburn and nothing tasted good.  I was tired all the time.  This past week was awesome.  Felt great, was able to teach by classes (I am a group fitness instructor) with gusto.  Hoping this next week is just more of the same until I go back in.  I am supposed to go to 2 holiday parties the week after my 2nd treatment.  We'll see if that happens.  I have shaved my head, but not hair is coming out yet. Any clue as to when it will start to come out????

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  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited December 2008

    I am on TAC and my hair started to fall out after about 3 weeks, it really got going after 4 weeks.  I have not been brave enough to shave it because I have enough in the front and the back to look regular with a hat on.  So I am just wearing hats all the time.  Good luck  Kristi

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2008

    hey all, just checking in....3rd treatment tomorrow, we are supposed to get a huge snow storm, i'll have to shovel my way out for my neulasta on friday!

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  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited December 2008

    Mela4409,

    Sounds like it is you and me for the pre-Christmas chemo events.  I get it tomorrow.  I hope you will be feeling better for Christmas.  It usually takes me 4-5 days to semi recover.  How about you.  I am taking TAC.  My sister, in Bayside, said they had lots and lots of snow.  Get that cute guy in the picture next to you to shovel the driveway.  Stay warm.  It has even been cold here, down to the 40's at night.  Good luck   Kristi

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2008

    Hey Kristi,

    Yup I'm about a 3-4 recoverer...although (knock on wood) I've been doing ok so far today.  I just try to eat when I can and take my meds.  I was in luck...they gave me my neulasta the day of Chemo so I didn't have to come back yesterday...and yes we actually got a foot of snow!  More to come today, and below zero temps tomorrow...nothing like December in WI.  Hope you are feeling well!

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  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited December 2008

    Mela

    I am done with three also, but I have three more to go, I hope to be finished by the end of February.  You lucky dog you get to be finished soon!  Are you doing radiation?  They give me the Neulasta shot every time they give me chemo (TAC).  I don't know why they don't do this for everyone. So far I am feeling OK, it is only day number 2 so who knows what the next days will bring.  My sister said she had 2 feet of snow on her roof and was trying to rake it off.  It was a cold 38 when I woke up this morning...cold for San Diego.  Talk soon Kristi

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2008

    Kristi...I only have one AC left then I start Taxol in Jan.  I should be finished at the end of Feb like you, but no radiation for me.  I had a bilateral Mast. and my doctors tell me that I don't need it.  2 feet of snow!  So glad we only had one...although with the wind chill its almost 30 below this morning!  I was able to eat last night, chowed down on Culvers food...usually I have a hard time eating after Chemo, I hope today is a good day, I hate feeling sick.  Have a good day and stay warm in San Diego!

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  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited December 2008

    Mela4409,

    I am so happy that you do not have to do radiation.  I had 2 of 18 nodes and one was not encapsulated so I think that is why I have to do radiation. Sounds like you are handling the AC pretty good, I am happy for you.  It has rained all day today, so it feels like winter has arrived in San Diego. Yes, we actually had rain.  Tomorrow it is suppose to be clear but cold during the day (57 degrees), that is really cold for us, we might be in the 30's at night?  I know that is nothing for you guys but it is a good excuse to say inside.  I still feel crummy 6 days post chemo last Friday. When will this ever be over.  Merry Christmas  Kristi

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  • patriciaS
    patriciaS Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2008

    Hello all, I haven't been on in a while.  Hope everyone had a great Christmas.  It was 70 degrees here in Austin.  I have my last tx on Friday.   Yeah.  Then in about 3 weeks I will go in to have my tissue expanders removed and my implants put  in.  I can't  wait. Jan.  is going to be great I pray.

    Take care

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2008

    Congrats Patricia!  I'm so happy to hear that you are almost done...how exciting!  I am at my halfway point this Friday and in two weeks I start Taxol.  We will see how that goes...

    Kristi...I know how you feel about feeling crummy...although there are some good days, I don't feel like myself too often.  I'm actually fighting a cold right now, they gave me antibiotics.  So did you hit the 30s?  It's been about that here, but alot of our snow melted because we got so much snow.  I'm planning to go out to dinner for New Years!  I might even enjoy a glass of wine!

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  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited December 2008

    Mela,

    Yes, you are right there are some good days.  I am happy for those.  It is beautiful out today it is 65 outside, but it is only 10:00am, in the sun it feels much warmer. From your post it appears that you had 4 AC's is that correct? How many Tx are you getting?  We also might go out for dinner at about 7 and come home before it gets crazy. 

    Patrica, wow being done, it is so great, I am happy for you.

    Kristi 

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2008

    Yes I will have my fourth AC treatment on Friday and then 4 treatments of Taxol....what about you?  We are getting dinner around 8 at a place called Carrabas....yum Italian!  All the steak houses were already booked!  So glad to hear that it is nice in CA, it is nice and sunny here in the 30s (thats a nice winter day for us!)

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  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited January 2009

    Mela, We ended up going to the fancy steak and fish place, but opted for the oyster bar instead of the big sit down dinner.  We shared appetizers with another couple and watch some guy in Las Vegas do a big jump off of one of the building on a motorcycle.  We were in bed by 10:30pm and that was OK with me.  My 19 year old stayed up and made sure my 17 year old got home OK from a neighbors New Years Eve party.  It is amazing how much control you give up when things get tough.

    I am usually always the first person up in the morning, I love it when it is quiet and I go get the paper and not a sole is around.  Thank goodness know one sees me because I am quite a sight grabbing the paper in my nightgown, Uggs, sweatshirt and sleeping cap.  I would scare most people.  The sky was especially beautiful this morning.  The fog was down low and we were above it so you could see that mountain tops clearly but the valley was covered in fog.  Out of a Normal Rockwell picture.  Everyone in my house slept through it but it was a wonderful sight for me. 

    I am glad to feel better this week and next.  I still get tired and depressed but physically I am better.  I go in for TAC on the 12th.  It is my 4th time and I will have a total of 6.  My last treatment is February 23rd if all goes as planned.  For some reason I get all 3 drugs together and thus far am sick for about 11 days after each time.  It is terrible and I feel like the drugs are killing the cancer but sometime I feel like they are killing me also.  My oncologist says I am doing "OK".  It is just all sad.  But today I am OK so I am going to dwell on it. 

    Happy New Year!  My sister (from Bayside WI) is coming to visit and see my bald head, and get out of the cold for 3 days in mid January--need anything from California? 

    Kristi

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited January 2009

    Kristi,

     Send back some warmth with your sister!  It's always cold here!  Today actually looks like a beautiful day, I'm planning to get out soon to try to enjoy it.  I had to take off work again today because I wasn't feeling so well and the flu is going around like crazy at the school.  Hopefully I can go back tomorrow. 

    I feel like Christmas and New Years came and went so quickly.  I still have my tree up because it makes me so happy...I'm sad that I have to take it down today. My last treatment went ok...I'm done with AC now, but just ready to be done with all of it.  I'm to the point where I feel nauseous when I even think about going to get chemo.

    My wedding is coming up in 3 months!  There is so much to do...I'm glad I have some good helpers.  I still have to but a wig though...I never thought that I would have to wear a wig to my own wedding, but I'll deal.

    Sorry to hear that you are sick for so long after chemo.  Mine lasts about 5 days and then I'm so so for the next few days.  I start Taxol on Jan 15th and my last treatment in on Feb 25.  I just worry about after the chemo, if my tests will come back clear, hormone therapy, having children.  SO much to think about.

    Enjoy the time with your sister, I'm sure she will love your bald head!  I have a website if you are interested, you can click on it in my profile.

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  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2009

     Hi  I have been reading your  of the stories.  You all are  amazing. I start my chemo ( t& c) Jan 13th.  I am scared.  I hope the best for everyone who's lives have been touched by cancer.  I'm lucky, my cancer was early but i still have to have chemo.  I am only 45yrs old.  From what i have been told i will have a mild dose of chemo 4 treatments  one every 3 weeks.... so i pray i will  have little s/e.  Thank you all for sharing your stories.  As i read them i realize i am not alone.. !

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited January 2009

    Mar666,

    You will make it through just fine!  Although I'm younger than you (24) I know what it is like to be told that you have a disease you didn't think was possible till much further down the road....let alone possible at all!  I'm happy to hear that your cancer was caught early...and you will be done with your treatments in no time.  The best chemo advice I can give you is to listen to your nurses, take your meds, and rest when your body tells you too...oh and drink tons of liquids!

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  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2009

    Kristi

    God bless you. Thanks for the advice.  Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  You will make a beautiful bride.

    By talking to other people , one sure feels better. Thank You  again.

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  • carlajane
    carlajane Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2009

    i'm new to these boards and trying to get all the info i can...i start 4xAC on january 14 and am wondering about the side effects...i know about the hair loss...does this cause eyebrows and eyelashes to go also?...i'm 56 and told i will be treated with femara after the AC...am wondering why my doctor is not following up with taxotere or taxol before the five year pill...

    it sounds like mar666 is just ahead of me!...keep me posted...more questions to follow i'm sure!

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  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited January 2009

    I just finished with my 4 x of AC last week and I lost the hair on my head and a few other places, but my eyebrows and lashes are still intact!  I don't know if it is the same for everyone though!  Good luck to you!

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