Any May 2009 Chemo Starters?

Hi May group!

I just had my first round.  I posted on the taxotre and cytoxin thread but I thought I would let you all how it went. I wish I could say it all went smoothly!  I got some premeds before the taxotere was to start.  The doc told me the last time I met with him that he was going to put in benedryl but for some reason it wasn't ordered.  Anyway, I don't know if the amount that he was going to add to the premeds would have worked anyway.  After a minute or so of the taxotore going in I started to feel a very tight chest.  Then I was sweating and my heart was racing (I have a defibrillator and I was so scared that it was going to fire on top of all the other stuff that was happening to me), my throat started to swell and I was told that I was beet red.  They were right there so they quickly turned off the drip and administered the benedryl.  I couldn't have taken much more of it and I was so anxious for the benedryl to stop this reaction.  It did very quickly but it felt so much longer.  Wow, what an experience.  Once I was stable and pumped up with the maximum dose of benedryl they started the drip back very slowly.  My doc really wanted the taxotere to work because it has the least side effects for the heart and seeing that I have a big problem with my heart  - not structurally but with an arrhythmia he said it would be worth a try.  It worked.  I had no other problems with it.  So of course next time I will have a massive benedryl dose before I get the tax.  No problems with the cytoxin.  I was very tired when I got home - basically useless!  Of course I couldn't sleep even with being tired.  The benedryl cause my restless leg syndrome to act up horribly so I couldn't stay still to sleep.  Good 'ole ambien to the rescue!  Just wanted to report out.  Going into Boston today with my parents to get an evaluation on my Dad.  He has some kind of dementia - Alzheimers or whatever.  It is horrible to watch a brillant man not be able to do simple things.  I hope they can help - even if it is just a little.  Love, to all

Sukianne - My Gosh, I am so sorry you had to go through that.  Must have been so terribly frightening for you.  Glad it turned out well in the end.  At least you know not to let them near you without the benedryl first.  Also sorry to hear about your Dad, that is so sad.  Stay strong and God bless.

Linda

Hi HY66's husband,

My Emend was set up in pill form--I took 1 pill (120mg) one hour before chemo.  Then at home on Days 2 and 3, I took another pill (80mg ea.). 

They also prescribed Dexamethasone (sp) and I took 3 of those tablets 30 minutes before treatment, then on Days 2 and 3 I took 2 tablets each day.

The Emend really took care of the nausea for me...I suggest checking with the onco or his nurse.  Your wife needs the full effect of the medication and if it proves to be more than what is required to deal with the nausea, the dr. could reduce the dosage for the next treatment.

Hope this helps...good luck and please give my regards to your wife.

Sukiann- Hugs to you! I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. My best wishes to your dad also.

Mimi50- Glad your port placement went well.

Hoolianama0508- I hope the anti-nausea meds work for you without making you drowsy.

I meet with the oncologist tomorrow. I'm nervous, scared and depressed. We were up at the hospital today for my husband when I saw a lady coming out of the cancer center with her scarf on. I couldn't help it. I started to cry. Very soon that will be me and the reality is hitting me pretty hard. My husband was very supportive, but it brought it all home to me. I'll be okay tomorrow, but tonight this just sucks.

Hugs to everybody.

It is good to hear that getting the port is doable.   I'm getting mine Thursday and nervous.   I am so busy at work and in sales,  that I am wondering how all this will work with my work.    It is great to hear from everyone as they start and their experiences.   At least we are doing this together.  

Hi everyone, I will be starting my chemo on Friday May 8th - TC 4 cycles.  I'm just relieved to have found the right dr. for me (3rd opinion), he also has the most comfortable infusion suite - it will allow me to have a companion at all times.  Luckily, I will not need a port.

I'm glad and grateful for this discussion group - it helps me find the answers to my questions and get first hand insights as to what to expect. 

I'm scared of the hair loss.  I am very picky with my hairstyles and now I'm about to lose them all.  I'm going to try out wigs this weekend, maybe that will help feel at ease.  It'll be my chance to sport a hairdo I've always wanted but not able because of my hairtype.  My hairdresser will miss seeing me every 3 weeks hair falls out.

It's nice to be able to share here.  Take Care.

Hi all - - I too will start chemo in May. Tomorrow morning I am going to the wig place and in the afternoon I have a PICC line installed, the next day the MUGA heart test of some sort.   Monday, May 4th chemo starts - unless this sore throat I have had gets me out of it for a while.  I will have 6 cycles of FEC-T each 21 days apart. No one told me to go to a class, but I did leave the first oncologist appointment with a ton of reading to do. In addition to getting a wig, I am going to have a cotton cap of some sort (whatever sort I want) knit for me by my ever so clever daughter. She already knit me two choices of new boobs so I can look sort of balanced when I go out. It is great to find you all here. 

Good Morning All!

Yes, this too will pass and make us all stronger women than we ever knew we could be. (That is what everyone is telling me anyway )  I have an appointment this afternoon with a wig shop and am not looking forward to it at all!  But, my tx start one week from today so better buckle up and get ready for the ride!  I found another website that sends free hats to chemo patients it is, heavenlyhats.com.  Just thought I would pass it along to anyone that is interested.  I am thinking about stopping by the ACS today to see what kind of programs they have.  Anyone been there yet?  I didn't realize until I connected with someone already through her chemo that we may need specialized makeup??  Has anyone considered fake eyebrows?  I am feeling silly now, this whole post is about vanity.........

DebinCA57-  I know exactly what you mean about being out of control.  I am a control freak and this is making me nuts.  Mostly the waiting to see what SE's I am going to have I think.

lassie11- let me know how it went this morning......I'm going late afternoon and am DREADING IT

luv4my5girls- I am so sorry to hear about your terrible pain with the port.  It is making me feel lucky that I don't have to have one.  Of course, I will probably be whining about how many sticks it takes them to get a good vein!  Don't feel like a baby!!

Hugs to ALL!

Becky

Becky - is the wig you are dreading? that was what I went for this morning.  It was great! No one asked me to take off my clothes, they didn't weigh me, poke me or any of that. Instead, a lovely young woman measured my head (I'm what my grandfather called a fathead), showed me possible colours and shapes and we selected the closest to what I have. She told me that the price includes shampoo and whatever else is necessary and it will be ready next week  before I go to my nephew's wedding. I expect to still have my own hair then, but just in case . . . When I asked if she wanted any money she cheerfully said "nope - not until you walk out of here happy." Now, the PICC line is this afternoon. I expect that to be not much of a problem either although I did a bit of slightly heavy garden stuff this morning just in case. A friend's sister in the town where I have to get the PICC line called and offered to stay with me, keep me afterwards if necessary and all that good stuff. There are very kind people out there! One step at a time - I keep learning that worrying beforehand is worse than most of whatever it is that happens.

Well tomorrow is the day for the port and then Friday chemo starts.   It's hard to start because I'm so busy and feel very good.  I have recovered from surgery and many times just forget about all this going on until I remember oh yeah tomorrow.   Tomorrow has to come so that I can walk through this and get to the other side.  

Becky, I see what you meant about the wig thing - how did it go?  The way I understand it, the PICC line and the ports are each a pipeline for getting the chemo in. Mine is also good for taking blood as necessary (and the port may be as well) so that's it for needles! It's interesting that most of you are getting ports - I think that is a more elaborate thing than the PICC line which is just in my right elbow.  Except for the fact that I can't shower til a nurse looks at it, it doesn't seem to be too much trouble. I'm not looking too closely.    I don't know most of the drug initials either. At some point, all I can do is trust that the doctor has chosen the most appropriate course of action for my situation. I was most pleased that my friend surprised me and just turned up at the hospital to be with me.  I met a woman who got her line in just before me and who starts chemo a couple of days before me. We exchanged phone numbers. Tomorrow the heart test. Friday the pub.

I am very worried about it!  My husband is on a business trip in Dallas and will be coming home on friday night.  I told him not to bring it home with him jokingly but really, it would be a disaster. For us - who are immune compromised - it would be so serious.  I can't even imagine.  Should we wear masks? Stay home?  I don't know.  I don't want to be paronoid but it is a concern.  Anyone else?

Good Morning May Ladies,

 I had my Chemo class on Tuesday morning.  There was really was no new information.  I was relieved that at least for now I am up to speed regarding the side effects and what will be happening.  I have my first infusion next Wednesday the 6th.  I have to be to the Breast center at 8:45am.  I was able to see the room where the infusion will take, it a large room with 16 blue recliner's and 16 steel IV poles. Not exactly a spa like atmosphere, but there are windows on two sides so it was bright and sunny.

 I have asked both my Onc and his nurse about getting a port.  Both have told me to wait to see how the first infusion goes:>(  I am wondering if any of you who are getting TC are scheduled for blood work sometime in the days between infusions to check your white blood cells.  At the chemo class the nurse talked about frequent blood draws to check the white blood cell count.  Again I talked with my Onc's nurse and was told that my Onc had not order any draws to be taken between infusions.  I know that every Doc does things different, just trying to get an idea on what others are doing.

Sukiann, I have also thought about the Swine Flue issue.  I agree with you about not wanting to seem paranoid.  But then when your body is already taking you down a road you never wanted to travel it's hard to have other "What if"  thoughts.

I so appreciate this site.  As much as my family and friends are supporting and loving me, it's nice to go to a spot where I can "talk" and not get immediate feedback or sugggestions.

Thanks for all the postings, ladies of May.

Becky - it's great you got the wig, I'm going for mine this weekend and I have mixed feelings.  I've heard that they are expensive but thankfully my insurance will pay for it.  I too am not taking Neulasta, my Onc said we will monitor wc count first then see if Neulasta is needed.  Hopefully I won't need it but we'll see.

Thanks for all the helpful info here. 

Hi Everyone,

Well tomorrow I will receive my first treatment A/C.  I have drank tons of water and prepared a bag of goodies, and things to keep me entertained.  To all of you shopping for wigs, this is the time to try that hairstyle you wanted, but were afraid to.  Have fun with it.  I now look like Tina Turner (minus the gorgeous legs)