Starting Chemo in July 2009

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2009

    Hi ladies,

    I start Chemo July 7th. I had my port put in yesterday. I wll have AC every 3 weeks for 4 treatments then 1 time week paclitaxel x12 weeks followed by radiation.

    Edie

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2009

    Good  luck to you nall. Had my neulasta shot, I did take claritn and aleve before. I take both of these medicines anyway. It eas a breeze. Had heartburn and called the doc abiut 10. He told me tp take 4 pepcid ac no anit-nausea. Big mistake, Take the stuff they give you and do not follow all the advice. Always take the nausea medicine. No matter what, its is great.  Got sick in the middle fo the night. Took the medicine felt better. Drink lots of water. rest andy you will feel good. I am tired today becaue of no sleep last night but feel good. You all will get through it Hugs Dianne

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  • josybee
    josybee Member Posts: 86
    edited July 2009

    Kathy,

    Couldyou cut and paster your list. I am starting chemo this afternoon,don't know what to bring except a list I have with questions for my doctor.

    Thanks

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  • josybee
    josybee Member Posts: 86
    edited July 2009

    Kathy,

    Yes, could you cut and paste your lists. I am starting chemo this afternoon. I don't know what to bring except a list of questions for my doctor.

    Thanks!! 

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  • White929
    White929 Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2009

    Hi PauldingMom!  Thanks for the post!  I did receive a booklet I had forgotten about so I read it...yeah...can't wait.  Anyway, about being bored....I have two girlfriends taking me the first time and I am going to take cards and dice.  Also, my laptop as they said they have WI-FI.  What about reading a book?  I haven't been to the library yet, but would like to pick up a book to read as well.  I have read several suggestions.  I went yesterday and got a wig from a salon that partners for ACS.  They only had a few to pick from but I got one that will have to do!  The stylist cut it a little and shaped it around my face.  I had my hair cut short about two weeks ago and everyone has said how much they like me with short hair...wonder how they will like me with no hair?  I keep telling myself it will grow back..no big deal.  My nerves are getting to me a little today as chemo starts tomorrow.  I have my list....puke bucket for the ride just in case, laptop, cards, dice, mints, kleenex (just in case there are tears).  My best girlfriend who is like my sister and I went to see "My Sister's Keeper".....so after two hours of crying, my eyes were soar!  Hope all goes well for you!  Keep in touch.

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  • White929
    White929 Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2009

    PauldingMom

     I too had high hopes of no chemo.  Since I'm stage 1 and the tumor was less than 1cm....even the surgeon thought no chemo....until it came back triple negative.....why couldn't I be the majority instead of the minority!!!!  Oh well...it is what it is and we have to stay positive and depend on God to give us the strength to get through this!!!  Good luck to you on your chemo.  It's nice to be able to talk to people going through the same thing as our friends and family don't really know what we are feeling, etc. unless they have experienced this journey themselves.

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  • backagain
    backagain Member Posts: 34
    edited July 2009

    Hi Girls - add me to Camp Chemo for July.  I will start on Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin on July 13th.  This is my 2nd BC diagnosis but will be my first (and hopefully only) chemo experience.  I am more nervous about getting the port right now. Did you all have them?  I was so glad to be told I didn't need chemo last time, but now I'm wondering if it would have kept me from this latest diagnosis.  So glad to have others who have been there to help us through this!

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited July 2009

    Backagain, sorry to hear your hear again. Wish you hugs and strength. Third day out of Chemo feel great spent the day at my grandkids rodeo. I am doing A/C found out that you need to watch the skin. They thought that I would tolerate the sun good, did not. Wore the long sleeves jeans and big sun hat. It worked and feel great and am doing a nap. No nausea and ate a Indian Taco. Did find another out that there is another person just diagnosed with this stuff. Only 37 and three boys. *8 and 7 yr old twins. She will be in my thoughts and prayers. Here twins are best friends with my grandson. Doing great all hang in there with strength of spirit andmind Hugs Dianne

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  • Kathy16
    Kathy16 Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2009

    Dianne,

     I called the nurse today with a couple of questions about my first chemo tomorrow and she told me to take some "Ambien" tonight (I have a 5 mg dose which surgeon prescribed to help me sleep) precisely because of the Decadron "hyper" feeling.  If you can't sleep, maybe they can prescribe that for you.  I'm not on Adramyacin, but Taxotere, so you'll have to ask them.  So happy you're doing pretty well and I'll say a prayer you continue to feel okay!!!

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  • Kathy16
    Kathy16 Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2009

    Josybee:

     SOOOO SORRY - I'm back to work and tired at night so I didn't check list until tonight.  My list for chemo might be too late for you since you already started, but since you asked for it, here's my list (which I need to give credit to others who posted threads on this web site):

    Pre-Chemo List:

    Purell

    Biotene Toothpaste & Mouthwash

    multiple soft toothbrushes

    personal wipes

    personal rinse bottle

    Clorox wipes

    animal crackers

    Gatorade

    ginger ale

    boxed juices

    popsicles

    stool softener

    prunes

    prune juice

    trash cans

    Tylenol

    advil

    sunscreen

    lotion

    clean shower curtain or disinfect old one in clorox

    thermometer

    small packets of tissues

    gloves

    chapstick

    Neosporin

    sweater

    dvd player

    books

    ipod

    lifesavers

    caps

    scarves

    wigs

    hats

    makeup.

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    Just a quick note here for cleaning your shower curtain, I'm not Martha Stewart I just play her on the internet. Anyway, did you know you can wash it in your washing machine? Just be sure to use warm water not hot or cold and throw in an old towel too. It will be wrinkled when you take it out but they will fall out after the first warm shower. 

    Off to get my port thingy!!!  

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  • backagain
    backagain Member Posts: 34
    edited July 2009

    Good luck, PauldingMom! - Let me know how it goes.  I don't know why I am having so much trouble with the whole port idea.  

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  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited July 2009

    Ladies - I am visiting from the April 2009 thread. I am on TCH and have finished my 4th tx out of 6. I just wanted to encourage everyone that while it SEEMS almost insurmountable and very scary, you do get into a routine and it does go really fast.  For me, the first week after treatment, I can feel the effects of it, but then the next 2 weeks are pretty much ok. And then you get to do it all over again! Once you know how your body reacts, you can plan your calendar/schedule accordingly and leave the days open that you will just want to stay home and take it easy. While I would NEVER say this is fun or enjoyable, it IS manageable and you all are going to be just fine!

    One note re the anti nausea meds - and this is just my experience - the nurses told me to wait and see if I needed them. Now, normally  I am the WORLD'S BIGGEST PUKER - I get sick under any and every circumstance- trains, planes, automobiles, the merry go round, IMAX movies, 3 beers, etc.. But in this case, I have never had ANY nausea at all and have never had to take them. I know they contribute to fatigue and can make you drowsy, so I am glad to have skipped them. So it could be worth waiting to see if the nausea comes.  I do have other stomach issues, but surprisingly, no nausea. I do get terrible heartburn though (never had it before - and it HURTS). So I take Zantac starting the night before chemo and stay on it for the first week.  So you sort of get to know your specific challenges and then refine as you go along. By the end of our cycles, we will be experts!

    Things I bring to chemo:

    Blanket (I brought a lightweight one to put over my legs, but then they gave me one  (similar to an airline blanket) to use for the duration and I bring it back and forth each time. 

    Water bottle (to fill and refill and continually drink to help flush your system)

    Book

    Blackberry (to keep up with work emails - I have seen other people bring those small DVD players)

    IPOD (I usually put this on to something relaxing and doze through most of the treatment. The Benedryl they put in the drip makes me sleepy.)

    Snack or light lunch (I bring small sandwich and a cut up apple)

    Wear comfortable clothes and something with an open neckline if you have a port.

    Other than that, they take good care of you. The chemo nurses are wonderful; very caring, patient, reassuring.

    Also, my hair fell out around day 18 after the first tx. I buzzed it down close to my scalp (not shaved) and it was very sore and tender for a week or so, with some bumps and rash. This is totally normal but can be surprising.  The hair that did not fall out is growing back, but it is patchy and thin and actually looks WORSE than being bald, if that's possible. Surprised  I'm not a big hair person, so I'm not too freaked about the hair loss. At home I don't wear anything on my head, and when I go out, I wear scarves or a b-ball cap except for some business meetings, to which I wear my wig.  I also got the franceluxe free wrap and it is beautiful.  When I first lost my hair, it was still chilly out and I slept in a little knit cap to keep my head warm. But it is warm enough now, you will not need it.  

    Good luck everyone! You CAN do this!!!

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited July 2009

    Backagain~ Sorry you are going through this again. I will be having a port  put in on Mon Jul 6 then see ONC on Jul 15. Should have a start date for chemo after that.

    Dianne~ I am doing 4 rounds of AC, then 12 weeks of Taxol so looks like we'll be traveling the same path. So glad to know I'm surrounded by so many wonderful ladies in the trenches!!

    I'm more anxious about the upcoming PET/CT scan on Jul 9 than anything. Did you all do these before chemo? Not worried about the tests, but of course...the results!!  Another thing that is totally out of my hands though, right??

    Happy 4th to all of you....we DO have so much to be thankful for, in spite of this horrible disease!!!

    Joni

           

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  • PAP
    PAP Member Posts: 142
    edited July 2009
    PAULDINGMOM...I will have my second TC tx on the 6th.  With the Emend anti nausea meds I did not have any problems.  Biggest side effects for me were headaches, fatigue and a general feeling of not feeling great.  Be sure to replenish your electrolytes as that contributed to my headaches.  I also am convinced that by embracing the TC as "magic juice" my body accepted it more easily.  Hair began falling out on day 14 just like the women had been saying.  Scalp was so tender so hubby gave me a buzz haircut.....now we look alike Embarassed Patti
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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited July 2009

    Hi everyone

    I started my chemo on 1st July. I am doing FEC-T, 3 rounds of FEC followed by 3 rounds of Taxotere, all 3 weeks apart. I don't have a port but my veins are good so they used a vein in my hand. I didn't really have time to get bored because I was talking to the nurse about all sorts of things and she explained the various side effects and sensations I may get with the different drugs.

    I have felt pretty good so far and today I went to my work team-building day. I had a really good time, saw lots of my colleagues, enjoyed the warm sunshine and got some gentle exercise. We don't do anything too strenuous on these occasions and you are free to opt in or out of activities.

    At the hospital they gave me steroid tablets to take for 3 days, so I am aware that it could hit me harder once they wear off. They also gave me anti nausea tablets to take for 3 days and they are working so far. If I still experience any nausea I have other tablets to take as and when I need them. If that doesn't work I have some ampoules for injections that I can call a district nurse to come to my house and administer. I have never had so many different drugs to take.

    AmylsStrong thanks for dropping in to see us. Just 2 more tx to go for you!

    Joni I had a CT scan before my surgery but did not have another before starting chemo. Hope it all goes well for you.

    Hope everyone is doing well  (((((Hugs to all)))))

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  • ssimmons66
    ssimmons66 Member Posts: 51
    edited July 2009

    HEY EVERYONE,

    I guess I wil be in the JULY chemo club, I start Chemo TCH on July 15. I am nervous but I am ready to get this show on the road and be over it! I just wanted to let you all know I will be praying for all us to go thru our tx as smooth as possible.  God has choosen this path for us to take but he is always with us!  Remember do everything for his glory!!! GOD BLESS MY JULY CHEMO BUDDIES!!!

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited July 2009

    Does anyone know of a anti nausea drug that does not make you sleepy. The one I am taking kicks my butt. I do not know if it that or the effects of chemo or neulasta. No energy today. Have a picnic for a good friend who is moving. Will miss her. Have great fourth to all chemo buddies and enjoy the time with family and friends. I know I will. Hugs and Hooray for the Fourth of July Dianne

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  • elisheva
    elisheva Member Posts: 80
    edited July 2009

    Hi,

    I had my first treatment this morning too. Have no real effects from it, maybe some dizziness, but probably from all the medications they give you before and during the IV. It wasn't bad at all. I hope it will not get worse as time goes by. Everyone at the Center is extremely nice and efficient. Good luck to all. Elisheva.

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  • Kathy16
    Kathy16 Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2009

    Hi to everyone and hope that Pauldingmom your port insertion went well today and to everyone else who has had the chemo past couple of days that you're doing okay.  Also, add a cup of bleach to the shower curtain if there's mold and a white towel just as Pauldingmom said.

    After all of my research, lists, packed chemo bag which I didn't use a lot of it but glad it was there, I have a great big DUH on my part to confess.  I had my left hand in an IV and a 4 hour treatment where I did drink a lot of fluids, so of course I needed 2 bathroom trips pulling my IV pole along and once I got to bathroom had ONE HAND to take care of everything, and I wore JEANS.  How stupid to overlook that.  If you go for your first chemo and have it in your arm, make sure you wear pull on shorts, capris, sweats, elastics - just nothing with a zipper.

    I was exhaused with all the benadryl and anti-nauseas, but they also gave me such a load of steroids the scale is already saying 5 more pounds and I ate almost nothing today.  But now the steroids have me all pumped up and I'm not tired at all.  Nurse said this would happen.  So far a little indigestion and I had a sinus headache which they said could happen with my TC regimen.    Josybee, hope you're doing okay - you're a day ahead of me and thanks all for the timeline on hair - I'll be on lookout b/c nurse and hairdresser said not until second treatment, but I'll keep my eyes open. God bless and good luck to everyone.

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  • TCGGal
    TCGGal Member Posts: 137
    edited July 2009

    I gained 7 lbs on treatment day...drink a gal or more of water a day & it will be gone before you know it. Hope you all feel good today.

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  • josybee
    josybee Member Posts: 86
    edited July 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    Had my first treatment, AC on July 1st, neulasta shot yesterday.So far so good.Couldn't sleep the first night from all the steroids,and had headaches yesterday and some heartburn, took tylenol and pepcid and also an Ambien 5mg to get some sleep last night. The chemo nurse said I would probably hit a wall by the weekend, hope it's not to bad. Said by second treatment would lose hair, has anyone lost their eyelashes or eyebrows with this treatment??? Don't mind the hair but would hate to lose eyelashes too. I have also emailed Laurie Erickson @ Franceluxe.com regarding the free wrap but have not received a response. Is it better to call??? Thanks!!!! 

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  • LeapFrog39
    LeapFrog39 Member Posts: 101
    edited July 2009

    Hi,

    I had my first treatment july 1st.  I felt a slightly flu-ish yesterday and the steroids made me a little hyper, but today I am pretty good, so I'm wondering when I'm going to start feeling really sick.  I am having some bone pain from the nuelasta, but I am suprised I don't feel worse.  Perhaps the effect is accumalative.

    The doctor told me my hair would fall out in two weeks and from what I've read and heard that is fairly accurate.  I'll guess I'll see.  

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited July 2009

    Hoping everyone is hope survive their days after chemo. Yesterday was just one for the big chair, feel good today. Have some soreness in the mouth and do the baking soda thing. Thought I was doing a good job with the mouth, guess not. Sounds like alot of us are on A/C. Anybody doing the DD thing. Go for the blood on Tuesday. Hope it looks good. I think had a tornado in the sky last night really erie. Going to spend the fourth with the grandkids, age 1 and 5. They make fighting really easy. Have a great weekend. Dianne

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  • lorijo1993
    lorijo1993 Member Posts: 40
    edited July 2009

    Hi everyone, I will begin Cytoxan and Taxotere on the 15th, every 3 weeks for 4 doses,I am a RN and I actually gave chemo over 20 years ago for a couple of years, every thing is much more complicated now, and I don't remember all the patient teaching I gave, but the pre-chemo teaching I was given Wednesday was very good. I am still having a lot of pain from my bilat-mastectomy with tissue expanders, so, I am not looking forward to any side effect, i am preparing for hair loss, I have curly hair and get ingrown hairs under my chin, so kinda looking forward to losing that hair!

    Happy 4th and God Bless

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited July 2009

    lorijo...had a friend tell me recently she lost all her hair.....everywhere, EXCEPT those pesky chin hairs!!!  Isn't that  the pits??

    Joni

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  • Hopeful-1
    Hopeful-1 Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2009

    Hi,

     I'm also starting chemo (Dose Dense - Adriamycin and Cytoxin every 2 weeks for 4 cycles followed by taxol every 2 weeks for 4 cycles) on July 6th. I was given an option of TAC or Dose Dense so I chose Dose Dense.  I plan to suck on ice chips and drink a lot of water.  My mom said that helped her 12 yrs ago to reduce the side effects.

    I hope we both get through this as best we can!

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    Hi All!! Port "installation" went well. Have a bad headache from the pain medication. Go figure!

    BackAgain: I was kinda freaked by the whole port under the skin thingy too. But when they explained how difficult it can sometimes be to find a good vein, I was all for it. It's not painful, just a little sore the first night, and the medication made me ill. Going to go and try and enjoy the rest of this holiday weekend. Ya'all do the same!

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  • Kathy16
    Kathy16 Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2009

    For everyone having the mouth sores - did you try to biotene mouthwash?  I saw some little sores appear the night of my chemo (T/C), but I have been rinsing with the biotene and have already seen an improvement.  You can buy it at drug store, target, etc. and toothpaste biotene also.  K

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    Off to go find Biotene Mouthwash!! 

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