Starting Chemo in June 2005

I had chemo number 2 yesterday and I can't tell you what happened. Because I don't want to worry any body else.
I know that sounds cagy but lets just say things did not go well related to my chronic low blood pressure.
I am fine now and that is really all that matters. It didn't help to hear as I was leaving that both the nurse and Oncologist said I scared them.
I am guess from now on they will watch me carefully and administer the drugs much more slowly and maybe even include saline drips on and off.
Anyway it shook my confidence .
Now I am scared to go back.
Not as scared as before going the first time but scared just the same.
This morning my husband gave me the shot and that went fine. I don't seem to have any achyness with it.
I slept most of today.
I guess I am doing better than last time because look at me, I am posting to you gals.
I knew there would be some suprises along the way. Everything was going so well I guess I should not be suprised to have a bump in the road.
I am glad to hear everyone else is doing so well.
Oh...the next time I will be taking gatorade , crackers and some kind of candy.

Hi Ladies! I had AC #2 today and am tired, and maybe a little nauseated tonight, but other than that things went well. Popcicle worked well for me, also I noticed today that I was the only one who was drinking water the whole time....years ago I started drinking 64 oz a day-and now I am thinking it was a good habit to get into, I really don't like soda or gatoraide too much, most juice is great but since starting chemo juice doesn't really sound good. I do need to take my colace tonight (I forgot but actually think when I was taking iron that bothered me more). Since JoMac and I seem to be somewhat on the front end I will make sure and keep everyone posted. And JoMac-please at least let us know how you are doing....we are all thinking of you. Did get my prosthesis and bras ordered today, got a wig and a "bangs" kind of thing, some softies or whatever the hat kind of things for your head are all without a problem (which realize I probably shopped more today than I have in 10 years other than Christmas shopping). Better go-hubby called and will be home shortly-he has been in Missoula this week for hazardous material training (no, not for my bathroom counter-but I do have the "you won't recognize your medicine cabinet" syndrome. Take care, and will talk to you tomorrow.
KimB

Hey Junies,
I am an old timer. Been through the chemo and lived to tell about it.
I was just reading your thread here and I must say you sound like an awesome group!
If you want to bounce anything off of me I will be glad to help and you don't have to worry about me getting scared- there is a t-shirt I saw once that said "You can't scare me- I did chemo"
Just wanted to mention that it is vital you girls drink as much water as possible during the infusion and after for at least the next day. If you do then the chemicals don't sit in your bladder and kidneys and get flushed out. A lot of times girls get UTIs because their urinary tract gets irritated because the chemicals weren't flushed out. It also helps with the nausea by keeping it away and helps with any constipation you may have.
I always tell anyone starting chemo that the most important thing to do is DRINK DRINK DRINK!
Good luck to each of you- and if you want to get an old timer's tips I will be glad to help you out.
I'm keeping an eye out for the June Girls.
Hang in there- it isn't forever and once you get it they can NEVER give you that chemo again- ever!
(PS I am almost four years out so even though you may have rough days- it is worth it!)
Hugs to you,
Gianina

Hello June Warriors!
Like Gianina, I stopped in to read your thread. Seems like yesterday I was in one of those "just starting" thread. I am 1 month out of chemo (4 A/Cs, 4 Taxoteres), now in the middle of rads. There are tons of things I could and want to say, but the main thing is...the time DOES pass more quickly than you could ever imagine and it IS very DO-ABLE even tho you will have many moments you wonder if it will ever end or if you will survive.

I noticed someone mentioned the popsicles during the AC push...I was told to eat ice chips during that for the same reason mentioned: it constricts the vessels preventing all the meds from getting to the mucosa of the mouth. As I went thru chemo, I noticed that not all nurses told the new patients this (it was infusion nurse, not my onc, who told me to do this...she also coached me thru the entire push...telling me to chew, chew, chew that ice!) and I found many a person here who had not been told to do this. This almost made me wonder if it actually worked or was it just one of those "old wive's tales of chemo"!Tonight I finally stumbled upon a website that backs up this theory. It's called "cryotherapy. Here's the aricle: Cryotherapy (ice chips): Symptomatic relief from dry mouth can be achieved by sucking ice chips when the chemotherapy drug is most concentrated in the body. This technique, called cryotherapy, works by decreasing blood flow to the cells in the mouth, reducing exposure to the drug and decreasing the risk of developing mouth sores. Furthermore, according to a recent Cochran review, sucking ice is the only measure proven to prevent mouth sores.[
I must say, that was one of the few side effects I didn't have...no mouth sores. I'm just thankful I had the particular nurse my first day of A/C to share this w/ me.

Best of luck to you...and if y'all dont mind, I may be poking in here every now and then to see how you are all doing!!

Hugs and strength to you.

Kathy

We are all together for support and the latest scoop,
We’re the Junies of 05, a great and special group!

We’re the best, the Junies of o five,
With chemo’s help, we will survive

You can give us poison and make us weary,
Heck, sometimes we even may get teary!

We get scared and hate losing our hair,
But guess what cancer, we don’t care

Cause the Junies of 05 are a group with class,
And we are sure gonna kick cancer’s a**

Liz

JoMac-had to check this morning and work...Thank you for posting...if there is anything I can think to have you ask I will...thinking of you and good luck! Liz you are so good! And to everyone else have a good weekend. Convinced hubby to cut my hair tonight (I don't want to pay for a haircut that isn't going to be here long, and will need it cut before it's shaved) and at this rate thinking shave will be Sunday. Feel good the morning after #2
KimB

JoMac- I know you must be scared. You are so strong. You will get through this!

To All- you are giving me such great advice. I get my port on Monday and will start chemo on Tuesday. I will definitely try the ice chips and water, water, water!

Brenda, what is Neulasta for?

Liz- I LOVED THE POEM!!

I will have chemo every once every three weeks. Any idea when I'll loose my hair?

Have a great weekend everyone!

JoMac...so glad I helped make you smile. Are you having 4 A/C and then 4 Taxotere? If you are having 4 A/C...you are already half way through that! Sounds like you had a very frightening experience...but the good thing is that one is over. I am sure the onc and nurse will watch so that you do better with the next one.

Give yourself a big pat on the back for making it through # 2! If you need to up your dose on the Ativan...that's what it's for.

Feel better...and you're not alone in being scared...we are all here for you!

Liz

Rene..my anger comes and goes..and sometimes I feel like I don't want to hear about cancer any more or even think about it. The great thing about this forum is that you can skim over things that upset you or make you feel down, and concentrate on reading posts that make you feel better. I find it very helpful to hear what others are experiencing. We are all different and chemo is going to affect us differently. It makes it less scary for me to hear from all of you...the good and the bad. There are going to be good days and rotten days, but I just feel in my heart that we are all going to get through this.

Hugs,
Liz

That really was a great poem!

OK- here is some of my experience...

Jo-Mac, you mentioned something about your low blood pressure and something happening at your last infusion. I too have very low BP. It is not uncommon to feel faint during chemo. There are a lot of drugs being pumped into you- some have sedative effects which lower the blood pressure more. One way to help this if you are feeling like you will faint is to bear down like you are going to have a BM. The pressure of doing that makes your BP jump up! Try it- you will see. I have avoided many a fainting spell on line at the store or in church by doing that- but you DO LOOK a little funny when doing it!
I also developed something strange from the cytoxan. It is rare- but some girls get it and you should know about it so it doesn't freak you out.
Sometimes the cytoxan messes with the pressure of your inner ear fluid and can cause vertigo- not regular dizziness but the kind where the room starts to spin and you have to lie on the floor until it stops. It stops in like 30 seconds but it feels like 2 years. If this happens tell your onc. You would need to go to a low sodium diet- that helps. Also, if you are having vertigo don't close your eyes- that only makes it worse. Stare really hard at a fixed object like a doorknob and it will stop much faster and you wont get as woozy from it.
Hopefully this won't apply to any of you- but if you have had it or have ringing in the ears- it is fromt the cytoxan and not to worry.

Renee, I am sorry you are having a rough time. First, make sure your cytoxan is RUN SLOW- REALLY SLOW! It should be in a full-size bag and the drip should take at least an hour. If they run it too fast you will get a killer headache and your sinuses are effected too. What I did was they gave me benadryl in my infusion for the sinuses and two tylenol right before they started the cytoxan. I never had a problem again.

As for Nausea sometimes it takes a while for the docs to get the right recipe for your anti-nausea meds. If Aloxi isn't working for you then ask for Emmend next time. If Zofran isn't cutting it ask to switch to Kytril. Sometimes it is just a small change in chemicals.

You must also always have something in your stomach and never let it get empty. Eat before you go to chemo and have crackers and breads etc. to nibble on all day for the next couple of days.

Make sure you are eating whole wheat foods- not plain flour food- because whole wheat stays in your stomach longer protecting it. So if you had 12 Grain Bread that would be better than Wonder. But it really is KEY to feeling better.

And keep a schedule of your anti nausea meds. If they say take every 4 hours set your alarm so even in the middle of the night you are taking it. You can PREVENT nausea but it is really really hard to stop. I feel for you because I had a rough time too. I know how you feel. But I finally figured this was the way to get through it and it works and I recommend it to all girls about to start chemo.

I also strongly recommend you get on a schedule where you take your Zofran or Kytril at alternating times with the compazine. What I mean is- If your next Kytril is for six o'clock start the compazine so you will be ready to take that at eight o'clock. That way you are always covered.

I know CHEMO SUCKS. But you can get through it. They didn't even have Emmend or Aloxi when I was doing it! But each infusion brings you closer to the end.

And you should see what those drugs are doing to your cancer cells! Whoooheee! You have A LOT going on. It is OK to feel like crap.

But thank God they have figured out a way to make this all bearable! And once you get the right combo going of anti nausea meds you are good to go!

And for all of you who have just lost your hair? It is already growing back in... you'll see!

Courage my sisters! Remember- No Surrender!
Love,
g

No Surrender has been my cancer "coach" since diagnosis...her experience, help and humor are a tremendous part of what is getting me through this.

Thanks for helping out us Junies!

Liz

JoMac..so happy to hear you are feeling better and that your sleeping hat is cozy and warm!

I think Watson and I are up next...we both go on Thursday...anyone else this week? Hard to keep track of everyone.

Did anyone have any stiffness or soreness in the neck, shoulder or gland area after having their port put in? My incision isn't puffy or red or anything (doctor has a neat little stitch...wonder if he does any sewing on the side).
I just feel real achy in those areas. Took a long nap this afternoon. Starting to get a bit nervous about chemo, but glad to know all you ladies are getting through it. Gives me confidence that I'll make it too. I feel pretty tired now...after chemo I will probably be a zombie.

Liz

Oh saleboat I hope to go on my regular walk tomorrow. Then I will know I am really on the mend.
Liz, I do have some discomfort from the port. It has been in for about a month. I can't sleep on that side. There is a constant kind of pricking.
I try not to think about it. Sometimes the achyness gets to me at night and I take some tylenol.