Any May 2009 Chemo Starters?

Hi All,

Day 1 after chemo, (does that mean it's really Day 2?  Who knows?) and still doing well.  I believe it may be due to the steroids. I was cautioned to be careful not to do too much while on this day.  But I did do quite a lot today, as I figured I might as well get things done while I could.

BECKY:  Glad your treatment went well.  Good luck with the SE;s.

TEXASROSE:  Let me know how you're doing with the SE's also.

GMP:  Welcome and good luck.  What is a Penguin Cold Cap?

Oh, here's an interesting story....When I was getting my chemo yesterday, I asked the onc. nurse if there where any dietary limitations or concerns I should be aware of.  She told me that there weren't any.  Then our conversation about wine came up.  Then my DD asked me if I wanted a cup of tea, which also made me wonder about herbal teas.  So, today, while at the onc.'s office  getting my Neulasta shot, I asked about both things.  Well, good thing I did!  Green Tea is absolutely OUT!    I live on Diet Iced Green Tea during the summer months!!!  Regarding wine, the nurse said the Dr. would say none, but one on a non-chemo week should be fine!!  Don't you think both of these should have come up when I originally asked about dietary concerns?  Makes me wonder what other things they left out! 

DEB:  Check in when you feel like you can.  We want to know how work is going for you.

Good night all.

Janet

Kelly, last time when I had a PICC line I developed thrombosis - line was removed and I started getting shots of Fragmin each day. I have a port this time and initially the onc was going to give me the Coumadin as prevention. However, she checked with a cardiologist and came back with a change. Said that Fragmin is the way to go to dissolve those blood clots. Good luck.

Sukiann - We will all have our "Chemo Brains" at some stage during treatment.  I had a moment myself today and it made me  blush ........, a guy who comes into work regularly, who I talk to all the time.... today I asked him, how his baby was, - to be informed he has no baby........ I have no idea where the thought even came from that he had a baby........ to make matters worst I had the conversation in front of many of my colleagues.....

LRM - My thoughts are with ya gal, and hope it is nowhere as bad this time coming.  I know it is hard to think positive when you have had a hellish ride. 

Zuzee   Hey gal , All I can say is rest heaps.  Listen to your body and rest when you need too.  Try and have shorter sleeps rather than a long sleep. Last week I would fall asleep watching tv on the couch, then wake.... then go back to bed later.   Visualisations may also help (thinking of those tranquil places).  For me when I was awake.... my brain went into organising mode, thinking in depth about everything, this time round, I won't allow the brain to think........"sleepy thoughts" only for me......   (sorry to say) For me It did go on longer than the 3 days I was actually taking the dexametasone.  This last week has been normal sleeping and I am not so tired. In fact this week has been brilliant.  Not tired and I have my taste buds back to normal. But round 2 is next week, so the cycle happens again.

The bonus for me though..... I have had no nausea since being on chemo thanks to the 3 days of dexamethasone and ondansetron and I haven't had to take any of the Domperidone (Motilium) pills prescribed for when I feel ill.  I can work tired (take regular breaks at work and I will go and  sit out in the fresh air during the day cause the chill in the air wakes me up). I would not have been able to work if I was suffering from nausea. 

Another tip,  I read this on another thread in this site which had lots of tips about chemo and working thru the treatment. It said to see if you can have your treatments on a Thursday / Friday so you have the weekend to rest after your treatment.  I had my first treatment on a Tuesday.  My next is on the Thursday .   For me personally the day after treatment was fine, it was the next day I was shattered.

luvtheocean Big hugs to you also, I hope you have a good nite and get plenty of rest.

GMP - all the best gal for the 28th....being positive has definitely helped me..... I am also intrigued to know more about the Penguin Cold caps also (anyone).  I am not certain if we have that In NZ.

 It is really great to see those lurking adding to the thread.........  big huggles to you all.

Quote for the Day:

"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway" - John Wayne 

Hey all~~ Just checking in.

Yesterday went well. I had my pre-scheduled physical with my primary including pap smear. Great timing there! LOL Then I headed over to the main clinic and got my Neulasta shot. Went home about 5:30 and slept for three hours. I got up for awhile and then went to bed. They aren't kidding about the tired!! 

Today is chemo day 3 and I'm doing ok. Got up around 8:15. No nausea, no vomiting, no fever, no metallic taste. No appetite AT ALL. Took my last Emend, but I have compazine also. No bone pain from the Neulasta. Really the worst side effect so far for me is very, very tired.

I tried to read through and keep up, but it's hard.

Geri- good to see you here! Can't wait to hear about the cold caps!

LRM216- hope it goes better this time.

Becky- Hope this round goes well.

I know there is so much more I need to say to everybody, but I can't remember. I wish you could back pages without losing what you have written.

Anyway, I'm thinking about all of you and praying for you. We will get through this!!

Hugs to all. I'm headed back to bed.  

Well, the deed is done. Today  I had my hair cut really really short and had my wig styled and wore it. Then I went to the grocery store wondering if "everybody knew". As it turned out, no one stopped, pointed and shouted, "That woman is wearing a wig!" Not a one. And the one person I knew who saw me just acted like the world hadn't changed a bit - he isn't the noticing sort, but still it was good, For those of you who are about to meet this challenge, the hardest part for me was deciding which day was the day. About Day 13 (starting with chemo day as Day 1), a few strands of my usually thick hair started to come out. By Day 16 more and more strands were coming out, so I called the wig place and made an appointment for today, Day 18, not really sure what I would want at the appointment. By yesterday, great clouds of silver hair were released to the wind each time I ran my hand through my hair. It didn't hurt at all, but the signs were pretty clear. Last night I knew that I would ask to have my remaining hair cut short to let the rest of it go as it chooses. The wig is ready. And no one noticed. I think it looks just like me with a hair cut and this timing works out well. The wig lady only works Tues to Thurs. On Monday I will go for chemo #2 and know that I won't feel much like dealing with hair issues and also know there would have been quite a mess of silver strands around the house by then with not much left on my head. The cat and I have been competing for who leaves the most hair around. She wins again and I'm content with it all.

lassie11-That is hilarious and just what I needed as I am at day 8 after first chemo and will be doing exactly what you just did about a week or so from now. I have a couple wigs ready actually and think I will be okay. I keep asking myself if I go out on a windy day will it fly off and will I then be so embarrassed??? Love it about who is losing more hair you or the cats, I have 2 dogs but they are little and don't shed too much so I will win that contest in this house!

CatKC-Aren't little kids wonderful with their ideas, if only they could run the world sometimes!

luvtheocean:  I've had my potassium levels come back high twice and I was retested the first time.  First during my pre-surgical testing and again before my third chemo.  There are usually two reasons for it.  First, if you held your hand tight rather than relaxing when the blood was drawn, it can cause false high because blood is forced into the collection container.  Secondly, if the blood was left out for even a little longer than it should have been, the potassium level is the first to hemolize and "stick together" causing a false high.  That's probably the most likely reason.  I wouldn't worry about it.  I'm sure your Onc will tell you the same thing. 

I just had my 4th Chemo and my second Carboplatin treatment (I'm taking Taxol and Herceptin weekly for 12 weeks and Carbo every third week) so I'm 1/3 of the way thru treatment and halfway thru the Carbo/Taxol treatments.  So far so good.  I'm tired but not totally worn out.  Days 2 and 3 seem to be the worst for me in terms of fatigue from the Taxol and Days 12-14 for the Carbo.  My blood is actually still within "normal" range so I haven't started my Neupogen shots yet, which I will be doing at home.  I'm hanging by a thread in terms of being "normal" but I'll take it!!  I'm taking Zofran to prevent nausea and vomiting and I'm given Anzemet during infusion and that seems to keep any stomach issues at bay.  I do have heartburn when I eat anything even mildly flavorful, but I can deal with that.  I have the most intense craving!  It's pretty funny actually.  Chocolate (I'm a Chocoholic) tastes horrendous to me, but I can't get enough Cheerios, Saltine Crackers or Jello!!  I crave Cheerios!!  It's so strange.  I could eat them 3 times a day!

Thus far, my worst side effect has been sores in my throat caused by a bacterial infection.  I expected mouth sores which I DON'T have.  Apparently, mine are farther down.  We tried tablets that melted in my mouth and that hasn't helped so now we're up to a liquid that I swish and swallow.  I'm hopeful. 

I also have sleep issues especially the two nights after Chemo.  Those darn steroids will get ya everytime!!  I'm also constantly thirsty and have occasional abdominal discomfort after the Carbo.

I feel pretty lucky to be honest.  It could be worse.  Alot of this is about attitude and attempting to remain as positive as possible.  I think the next good cry I'll have is when my hair goes.  I can't believe it hasn't fallen out yet, but I'm told this last treatment with the Carboplatin added in will probably do it. 

I'm sending HUGS to all the May gals!!

Hi all  !!!  Like gram of 3, I'm a February Furie, and finished chemo last week.  I've read the posts in this group and you all are a group of strong beautiful women who are going to beat this damn disease!!!  My diagnosis was 1 week before this past Christmas.  I was put out a week from 1st chemo by an improperly inserted port, but managed to maintain a strong, positive attitude.  That's half the battle!!! If you ladies can get through this with a good attitude, hopefully your side effects will be minimal.  Mine were hair loss, fatigue, slight queasiness, slight anemia,-low iron and nose bleeds, and slight arthritic feeling in legs.  Rest when your body tells you!! I overdid it at times and boy did I pay the price!!  Keep in mind that your chemo effect will be cumulative, so the more you progress-- the more you will feel it.  Everyone is different, but I felt the last 4 chemos of paclitaxel more than the first 4 of adriamyacin/cytoxen.

Good luck and keep us posted 

Got my port this morning. No complications. Was able to then shop for a 5th grade graduation dress, groceries (easy prep meals for kids, 1 w/leftovers for husband), and cook. Got my chemobag together. Now can't go to sleep. Had a really hard time at work this week-really challenging cases with less than optimal ability to concentrate. Had to take the kids back to work with me yesterday evening so I could close out everything before taking these next few days off. So sad to hear about potential cumulative effects as I'll run out of  paid sick/annual leave days (yea for FMLA but I want an income).... Wish I had visited South Dakota to get that Power Ball ticket.

So, chemo, Here I come. Joining  the Marvelous May 2009 Chemo Starters. 9 full weeks since my mastectomies. Complications overcome.

Do we have an official name-like Bethie's February Furie group?

Thanks guys for all the additional pointers and Heads Up! God's continued blessings as I continue to pray for all of us in this journey to healing/cure/NED.

Congrats to all you brave souls already in this journey-with such courage ( & I must qualify as I do have saddlebags.) 

I know the plans I have for you-plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11

Some people also refer to me as ABRose, since AbuelaBoricua is so long. Thank you! 

How are you?

Stay positive even through the darkest hours!

Blondie45

You asked Zuzee a question on the 28th May 2009 in regards to steroids.  We (Susie and I) have just found out that we have the same oncologist treating us, and I have also been on 3 days of steroids initially at the treatment.  I am not sure if Zuzee is on the same regime, but I thought I would answer the question also.

I had the steroid and sedative prior to starting my chemo, via IV.  I then had a prescription for 3 days for Dexamthasone and Ondanestron.  The oncologist explained that it gives your stomach a lining to alleviate the nausea for the 3 weeks till the next treatment session.  She also prescribes Domperidone (motilium) for nausea (when needed for sicknes).  I haven't had to take any since being on Chemo though. I have had absolutely no nausea either.  Did have some sleepless nights for about a week, hot flushes in the face as a SE from the steroids.

I have not had the Neulasta shot.  I was also told about the blood cells coming down in my second week.  . I had a blood test on Day 7 and I was fine.  I had the port surgery on Day 11 and they could not believe my general health, blood count was normal, blood pressure etc, perfect..... 

It is quite amazing the different info and treatments that the oncologists do.  I am just thankful, I am doing so well with minimal SE.  I just hope that the chemo is stopping my cancer growing and shrinking it.  I should find that out on the 4th June 2009.  Fingers xed.

P.S NZ is a wonderful country is so different to anywhere in the world, as it is not over populated, and we have the most wonderful scenery and a relatively safe country, we are very lucky and it is worthy of the flight (wink).  Watch a few movies, listen to the radio, sleep, eat, relax, and you there.......  I have been to LA before, hubby and I  have plans to go back to US and see more of it. 

Wow deb6563, $250 is very impressive 

I have done the relay for life in NZ for the last 2 years.  It is a very emotional positive experience.  I love the whole atmosphere of doing it.  This year was extremely emotional for me, personally as I was undergoing diagnosis for my breast lump, and whilst I suspected it was cancer, I wasn't diagnosed with it. 

Next year (held in March here) I will be wearing my survivor T-shirt, and starting my survivor life chain.

Hello Everyone and thanks for the welcome!-----Well everything went great my first chemo.  My veins were good so I won't need a port.  I had a reaction to the Taxatere for 10 minutes.  I had lower back pain (like spasms, it really hurt I flew out of the chair)  but the nurses took care of it and it only happened once.  They said my body has to get use to this new drug because it didn't want ti!  Now that it reconizes it It should be ok.)  I was so busy changing my cold caps every 1/2 hr..  My DH and friend had to do it and they were busy.  I just sat their and had to pee every 10 minutes because I had to drink a quart in a half of water per hourand I chewed on ice.  I was pretty frosty.  My new name thanks to my DH.    My urine never got dark.  Time flew by and the caps were tolerable.  Only brain freeze for the first 10 minutes.  I came home and feel fine, and drank water and had some ginger ale (heard ginger is good for nausea)  ate yogurt and then my husband made nachos and boy did they look good!   Ate them and still feel fine!  I slept good and woke up felling normal.  I have my taste and no constipation yet.  Iam only day 2 so we'll see.  So far so good.  Just wanted to check in and let everyone know how it went and thanks for all the encouraging words and ditto to everyone--Geri

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