More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo

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  • dakotasue
    dakotasue Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2009

    4/27/09  B/L

    chemo to start next week and not sure what to expect....can i drive myself home after?  Anything special i should take with me?  All info welcome.

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  • dakotasue
    dakotasue Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2009

    thanks for the info,lots to think about

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited July 2009

    Bumping for dakotasue and all July '09 newbies.

    Nico

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  • geemomma
    geemomma Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2009

    Hi! I started TCH 2 weeks ago, and found this forum today.  I really appreciate all the information, and encouragement.  Unfortunately, I've had pretty bad SE during the last 10 days - predominantly body and bone aches and pain, with occasional nausea and diarrhea.  My WBC dropped to 900, and I became dehydrated.  After all this, I'm pretty anxious regarding my treatment next week.  Have any of you found something to ward off the aches and pain - it's like a super case of the flu.  Thanks in advance

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited July 2009

    geemomma ~ Many of the gals on these boards have used either Tylenol and Claritin or Aleve and Claritin (plain, NOT Claritin D) for the aches and pains. Hydration is also paramount. The more you drink the faster you flush out the chemo and the sooner you feel better. There are numerous meds for nausea and Zofran seems to be one of the favorites. Diarrhea can be controlled with Immodium and a bland low fiber diet. Be sure to let your onc know what you are experiencing, they can adjust your pre-meds to help with many of your symptoms.

    Nico

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited July 2009

    Bumping for the July 2009 chemo starters.

    Thinking of you Rock. Always thinking of you.

    Nico

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited July 2009

    Bump again.

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  • faithandprayers
    faithandprayers Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2009

    For those that have the terrible taste in your mouth:  I eat Lemon Drops, that help alot!!

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited July 2009

    Bumping for the August 2009 chemo starters.

    Nico

    Hey Rock, Hey Otter!

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited July 2009

    Hi Rock, thank you so much!  This list is amazing!  I have had two rounds of AC and my cabinets are stocked with most of the tips above.  I can't thank you enough for the tips on the claritin, I live by it and I know it's helping.

    I  hope you don't mind if I add to this list???  My surgeons mother, who was an avid BC research scientist, unfortunately was dx with BC some time ago.  She put together a list of tips and my surgeon gave it to me today during a  port follow-up.  There are some overlaps so I won't re-add any.  I hope its ok with you that I add her thots and suggestions...

    Hands/Feet/Nails - Garlic Nail Developer Hardener by Nutrine Ltd, White Plains, NY (helps with nail peeling).  Harmon Udder Cream or Udderly Smooth Udder Cream (Redex Industires, Salem OH  1800-345-7339, Heel Rescue Superior Moisturizing Foot Cream by Profoot www.profootcare.com and if they peel use vaseline.

    Eyes - Inability to focus and to see clearly bc of constant tearing.  Dexamethasone drops, also optical ointment for skin around the eyes.  The drug irritates the skin, along w/ constant wiping of the eyes. 

    Skin Care- Rosemary Oil for scalp - to use with grape oil, Baby Magic/Baby Lotion, Baby Shampoo.  Face - Exuiance Day Creme - spf 15 Ulta

    Mouth - Sensodyne Proenamel Toothpaste, alcohol free mouthwash, Magic Mouthwas - Rx MMW ONC DIPH/Mlox/Bicarb/Lido - tastes terrible but works very well!  (this is verbatim, I have no idea if it's a mixture or a complete rx).  Triamcinolone Acetonide Dental Paste (for mouth sores). 

    anti nausea meds:

    emend - 1 hr b4 chemo, next two days in arm

    kytril - three days every 12 hrs

    adivan - sleep aid

    compazine - every 4-6 hrs for first 3  days after chemo, make you drowsy and constipated

    zofram - by day 3 to 4 switch from compazine.

    The rest is pretty similar to the above tips but she goes into detail about bone pain bc it appears that she had a terrible go with it.  Here are her notes for the bone pain: Take a claritin one hour before neulasta.  Take pain pills to deal with the bone pain.  I took 2 vicodin (hydrocordone/apap 5/325) every four hrs and also a half of a lorazepam 1mg).  The 1 mg was too strong, but a quarter or a half helped with the twitchyness that the dexamathasone causes (taken the first two days after chemo).  I took the lorazepam (no more than half) both on the days that I took dex and also when I was having bone pain from neulasta.  That was generally days 3-6. Her third tx the bone pain lasted the entire three weeks.  Bless her heart.  Her daughter is an AMAZING surgeon.  My first biopsy was negative but she refused to settle with the information and requested another biopsy.  She caught my cancer at an early stage yet very aggressive.  I can't say enough about these two extraordinary women and I hope you find the information useful. 

    peace.

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  • dogsaver
    dogsaver Member Posts: 201
    edited August 2009

    Have a friend or family member drive you and sit with you. Also if you have questions for the onc or nurse, write them down so you dont forget to ask, and be sure to ask how to immediately get in contact with the on call oncologist. become really familiar with your primary physicians office referral specialist, and be open at work with supervisors and coworkers, and protect yourself by filling out FMLA (family medical leave act) paperwork before you start the process in case you have to miss days due to treatment.

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  • rdrake0
    rdrake0 Member Posts: 180
    edited August 2009

    In the list of things to get for chemo, it is mentioned that AC is processed through the liver and Taxol is processed through the kidneys.  Where is Ixempra processed?

    Thanks.

    Ruth

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited August 2009

    Bump!

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  • activern
    activern Member Posts: 409
    edited August 2009

    Thanks for your survival list.  I recently started chemo - a/c - and what a mess.  I call the combo "IV Poison" but I know it will keep me alive - but ugh!

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited August 2009

    Hang in there activern, I called chemo a lot worse names but a year later I'm still here!

    Many of the tips here will help a lot with the se's and although it can get rough, it is doable.

    You WILL get through it! YES you will!





    Nico

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited August 2009

    ps73 ~

    Thank you for the great additions! I'm bumping this up for the newbies.

    Nico

    Missin' ya Rock!

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited September 2009

    A bump for the Sept. chemo starters.

    Nico

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited September 2009

    BUMP!

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited September 2009

    Bumping for Sharon.

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited September 2009

    Bump again.

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited September 2009

    For those of you stocking up on Biotene, I notice it's on sale at CVS this month (9/1-9/30) there is a $2 clipfree coupon on the 16oz size. The 16oz mouthwash normally $7.99 is now $5.99.

    EDIT: 16oz Biotene mouthwash is $4.99 at Target, so that's $1 less than CVS sale price.

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited September 2009

    THANKS MaryNY!

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited September 2009

    Bump for the October 2009 chemo starters!

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited October 2009

    Bumping!

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  • meggybb
    meggybb Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2009

    A million thanks to all you brave women who have been helping us newbies.  I just had my 2nd round of the "red devil" (AC) last week.  Every day a new irritant develops while another slowly fades away.

    The best pre-chemo advice that I got was to make sure to take a brisk one hour walk every day for bone pain.  I have done so and have not had any pain whatsoever.  I was also prescribed Emend and Dexamethasone for vomiting and nausea.  So far I have not been the least bit queasy.

    However, constipation, heartburn, hot flashes, a raw mouth and tongue with a nasty taste, afternoon fatigue and sleeplessness have been my constant companions.  My hair started falling out a day after my second treatment.  I had my head shaved so I could donate my hair (it was waist length).  But yea! No more shaving pits and legs!!

    I will be shopping today for many of the items on this list for the above conditions.  My most upsetting problem now is that I have developed blisters and hot spots on my feet from my walks.  These walks have helped my body and spirit so much.  I am very upset that I will have to stop to let my feet heal.  I have also developed tender skin on my hands - like a slight sunburn.  Has anyone else had tender skin and (non Taxol related) foot issues?  Any suggestions?

     meggybb

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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited October 2009

    I also want to thank you for the list of items to get and all the useful information you have provided.  I have my chemo bag packed with so much stuff I had to finally put it in a rolling bag, so I wont have to lift it.

    I also gave my list of suggested items to a niece of another woman that is also going through chemo for bc.  She didn't think her aunt was chatting anywhere, so I also gave her all  the information she would need to come on line with us.

    My first chemo is Friday, I had my port  installed  today and I am feeling great.  Tomorrow will be another day, so we will  see how I feel. 

    I have started my laxative, drinking lots  of water, start my steroid tomorrow, have quite taking my antioxidants, is there anything else that I can do before hand to make my chemo days better?

    Juannelle

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited October 2009

    One-L:  You don't necessarily have to start a laxative... just eat some fiber.

     I think the best thing you can do is try to be as relaxed and happy as possible.  That sounds crazy, I know.  But looking at your photo, you strike me as someone who tends toward good humour. That is going to carry you through this, sister!!!!  Chemo really plays to a person's strengths (and weaknesses), in my opinion.   Be as relaxed as you can and leave yourself open to the possibility of even finding some stuff to laugh about.  (They used to put me and my friends down the hall so that our laughter wouldn't disrupt other people.  Though, admittedly, it wasn't all fun and freaking games. I shed my share of tears.)  The first one is hard.  It just is. 

    Meggy -- Over a year later and my feet are STILL sensitive (I'm sporting huge blisters on the TOPS of my feet even as I type).  Somewhere... let me see... I did start to develop foot problems on AC.  (I was jumping rope and the toxic chemo drugs smashed through the capillaries). The saga cound be found at: www.rockthebald.blogspot.com  Yeah, sounds like your feet need a break.  Maybe a stationery bike or swimming or something that isn't so hard on the feet?

    Neuropathy and Hand Foot Syndrome (associated with the taxane drugs)

    • Avoid going barefoot. Wear slippers or "crocs" always.
    • Gently massage feet and hands with lotion to keep them soft and improve circulation. (I like Udderly SMOOth with Urea for hand foot syndrome. Reasonably priced and available at www.drugstore.com)
    • Wash hands (and dishes) in lukewarm water, not hot.

    * Ask onco about taking 50 mg of B6 if neuropathy is a concern

    NICO. NICO. NICO. Lots of love to you.  Loads.

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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited October 2009

    Rock,

    The reason I have started the laxative is that I have been having a problem with constipation anyway, so I didn't want to start chemo plugged.  I have never had much of a problem with this, but lately I have.

    What do you do while you are getting your chemo?  Three hours is a long time.  Do you sleep, read, watch movies, or talk?  I am taking my computer, with earphones, and several movies, a book, music and a puzzle book.  I just don't know what to expect.

    Juannelle 

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited October 2009

    Ahhhh, that makes sense. (didn't mean to second guess you! I am sorry about that!)

    I loved my music! I practically wore out my little iPod shuffle! l found that my eyes burned during chemo so reading wasn't comfortable.  (my eyes, a year post-rads are really really dry.  keep them moisturized with artificial tears. i carry a small jug everywhere)

    i would bring a pair of friends with me to each AC.  that way they could amuse themselves while i had blood drawn or wahtever.  Plus, it was funner.  (I rotated so that it didn't drain anyone.  And the novelty of their experience was a good distraction for me! but that is just me.  Gosh.  I am tearing up.  There were some very very good times, to be honest.)  During Taxol, I would go on my own and just sleep and maybe a friend would come at the end to keep me company on the way home. (I really struggled with concentration -- not a good thing for a pedestrian trying to navigate NYC traffic lights!)

    And Juannelle, depending on your centre, there can be delays of hours.  So sometimes my 3 hour trip would wind up being 6-8.  

    Access to the internet is good. I sent email. wrote blog entries.  

    Another thing you can do is at some point close your eyes and imagine that there is someone on the other side of the world (I'm in South Africa) thinking of you and squeezing your hand.  

    You can do this. xoxoxo rock

    PS if you haven't already, consider joining an "October 2009" or "November 2009" chemo group on one of these threads! For me, it was fantastic to go through this with 25 or so other women, and compare notes on our experiences.  Most of us are still in touch.  A real gift.

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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited October 2009

    Rock, I didn't think you were second guessing me.  It never hurts to question someone.  I am in the October 2009 group and they are wonderful.  I really am depending on their previous experience to get me through mine.

    I am on several threads and you get such different prospectives from everyone.  I don't know what I would do without this site.

    Thanks for all  your wonderful  advise, it will make my journey so much better.

    Juannelle

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