Starting Chemo in June 2005

Brenda,
I recieved Neulasta after each treatment and I was not doing dose dense (I did the every 3 weeks schedule). I had my first Neulasta shot after the 2nd treatment when my counts dropped to below 1. I also had Arespan (sp?), to boost rbc every 2 weeks after my 2nd treatment. I've talked to many who did the 3 week schedule that also received Neulasta after each treatment.
Glad you had a great Father's Day. We have no father's around here so we are just using the day to relax and get some sun.
Cheers,

Kathy

Michelle...I am working and planning to continue, but I don't start chemo until Thursday. Have a good nap while they put the port in! It goes fast..was surprised when I woke up and they were done.

So this week it's Michelle on Tuesday. Watson & me on Thursday...anyone else going this week?

Liz

JoMac, when you said "herding chickens" it reminded me of last year's back-to-school meeting where they showed us a video of cowboys herding cats. It was hilarious! It was to make us inspired to keep chasing after every student. Now we are the little chemo kitties!

It was interesting getting caught up on everyone's posts today, it sounds like everyone is doing pretty well, all things considered! Fantastic having the senior chemo babes of 2004 checking in on us!! And our own senior Junie '05 ladies that have gone out and paved the way...thanks so much for giving the rest of us some much needed insight. And I loved the poem, Liz! Really cute!

I like the idea of having a disclaimer if you want to talk about bad experiences. I really feel there is a need for good info (be prepared, I say!) and also I am in favor of not getting too much information all at one time, so the disclaimer would let you skip over and come back later.

I feel so much better today. I am going to tell the doctor I don't want the Neulasta the same day...you all have said you don't get yours the same day and I think it is why I felt so crummy Friday. I had a temp of 99 and very rapid hearbeat for 2 days. Feel really good today, though!

I wanted to ask those of you who have had 2 doses...is it cumulative in that you feel more effects, or is it about the same as the first time? Does anyone have a PICC? My doc has not mentioned me getting a port and the nurse also seemed to think it isn't necessary, but my veins are wee little on the arm they can use! I thought I heard the PICC was a good alternative to the port.

Surreal hair part 1: I actually had to get my pre-chemo hair cut AGAIN because it was in my eyes and sticking out on the sides. I knew if I tried to cut it myself I'd be sorry. I didn't tell the stylist it was going to fall out anyway, because I wanted her to do a good job on it (well, my ego is still at stake, ya know, and I don't have the guts to shave it yet...I've got about 10 days to go).

Surreal hair part 2: Since I didn't tell her about the chemo, I listened while she told me I need some volumizing stuff for my roots. The whole time I'm thinking "I can now count how long I'll have hair by the hours. But I didn't want her to feel sorry for me, so rather than admit the truth, I told her I'd get the stuff with my next cut. I will, though. For Christmas!

Great to hear from everyone. I am tired today, but went to an anniversary party 150 miles away yesterday. Had dose #2 on Thursday, and actually I feel better than I did after #1-keep ahead of the nausea was the trick for me. Did basically shear my head Saturday morning, wore my wig for the first time and did fine when I realized that it didn't look that bad. I have lucked out and have been able to work (have chemo on Thursday so that works out good). It has been beautiful here yesterday and today so have kept something on my head as I am in and out of the house-and have new neighbors with little ones...so erring on the safe side. Thanks for all the input from everyone. The info is so much help I think....
Take care
KimB

Wow, where to start?
Liz, you and I are still set to be chemo buddies on Thursday.
Michelle, I plan to work all the way through. I have a goal of not missing any full days due to chemo. Of course I will if necesssary, but it's just a little mind game I'm playing with myself.
JoMac, I plan to keep my head covered when I lose my hair as well. I've got teenagers as well as a 6yr old. I don't want them to feel uneasy.
Nancy, I sure hope you need that volumizer at Christmas time!
Sungem, sorry you are having such a rough time.
KimBe, I read the May thread last night from start to finish and I feel I know you! I literally had a bowl of popcorn and read every post. Some of it was very helpful!
Scout, I think most of us are scared. For me, once I realized I needed to do this, it was easier to handle. I've made lists for things to bring to chemo, shopped for wigs, scarves, etc. and just generally preparing myself has been a little calming. (the Xanax doesn't hurt either!)

One thing I read about here somewhere was using the Emla cream over the port so you don't feel the stick. There's an over the counter version that I bought that's supposed to work just as well. Hold on, let me go get it so I can tell you what it's called......okay, it's called LMX. Has anyone used this? I"m tired of getting 'stuck' and thought maybe this would help.
Any thoughts?

Sungem your experience sounds a lot like mine. I have read of many others who seem to not get so knocked out by the chemo but for me I basically feel it right away and don't re-emerge from the effects until two or two and a half days later. I just head for bed and try to sleep or just be still .
It does seem better to have something in my tummy too.
Scout....it sounds like they are pushing you pretty hard. Gosh...how could anyone process all this so quickly.
Way too much ...Way too fast.
All I can say to try to help you with the fear is that I am considered a disabled person because of chronic Fatigue syndrome. I didn't bring it up before because face it "Cancer
trumps chronic fatigue syndrome by far" .
But I am saying it because I was struggling with my health before I even started this treatment and I am doing better than expected.
You will too.

Zeamer,
If you're sick, then so am I! I start on Thursday and wish it was sooner. I'm just ready to get this rolling.

Hey Girl - Hang in there. You can do this!! I made it 7 years without recurrence and now it's back. Started chemo two weeks ago, not really any vomiting, just nausea and the doc gave me compazine and that really helps. I guess I'm frustrated cuz I just don't feel good and low energy. I take a multi-vitamin twice a day, try to get rest and it just seems like nothing seems to help. I get it every 2 weeks and now I'm beginning to feel better and its almost time for chemo again. We will make it. My prayers go out to you. If you or anybody else want to email me, I'd love to hear from you. carolwells1953@yahoo.com.

Hi girls - I just got home from having my port put in. I had a nice little nap and it was over. My surgeon already placed the needle in for me so I won't have to be pricked tomorrow. I am very happy about that!

I am sore on my shoulder too both front and back. I have some Darvocet and I am feeling pretty good right now.

Tomorrow is day #1 for me. I have my goodie bag ready with Jolly Ranchers, DVD player, books, water bottles. Any other suggestions?

I have another question for those who have already had some chemo. Can you take Advil/Tylenol? I heard that you shouldn't take vitamins or supplements. I also heard that you should take iron tabs. Any suggestions?

Good luck to all of you this week. Stay strong and kick some cancer butt.

Hugs...

Another sickie here wanting to get started!

Went to the Look Good Feel Better class today and it was fun! They give you some makeup to play around with and some good tips. One of the ladies attending came just to find out what to do with her eyebrows. She had a very cute wig on (looked natural). We were told to use the side of the eybrow pencil with short strokes and then smudge it with a Qtip. It looked pretty good when finished. I ended up taking a wig home. They suggested a store that will style wigs for free and another place where the American Cancer Society has free wigs. There were only 4 of us and the volunteer. It was a nice break from all the doctor visits. They only have them in the day time, but I just took an extended lunch to go.

Sounds like everyone is moving along!

Liz

JoMac..I have chin length hair..so one wig is chin length, one a little longer and the newest one a bit longer than the other two. I guess I could pretend I keep getting haircuts The main reason I will wear wigs is because I work in a small municipality where the residents come in and out and I don't want to have to discuss my health issues with them. Outside of work I will probably do whatever is the most comfortable. I just ordered some fringe hair for under a hat. I will have more hair than I know what to do with by the time I'm done! I also ordered the water tattoo eyebrows (don't know what they'll be like...but they were inexpensive).

Originally I planned to miss as little work as possible. Now I have decided just not to worry about it..if I don't feel well enough to go in I won't...don't need the added stress. I do have a lot of sick time accumulated, so that helps. If I run out...my health is more important than anything else right now.

Looks like there are a lot of us Thursday girls!

Liz

Hi there Junesters,

Reading your posts is like deja vu all over again....

Here are some things to remember:

1. It is ok to feel like crap! If you have an easy time of it that is GREAT! But every BODY is different and every med will react to your own chemistry in its own way

2. It is ok to be cranky and bitchy - This isn't easy stuff-Once you have heard the words "You have Cancer" you can get away with a lot more!

3. Vitamins and chemo are a NO NO. Vitamins are antioxidants- they protect the cells from toxic substances...CHEMO is a Toxic Substance- You want it to be able to GET INTO THE CELL TO DO ITS THING.

4. You will find yourself feeling hungry all the time- especially on the days you are on the Decadron. Keep your stomachs FULL all the time. You may have breezed through chemo but if you take your decadron on an empty stomach you can get sick.

5. Ask your doc for permission to take Zantac, Pepsid- one of those. It will help cut down the acid in your stomach.

6. BEWARE of fake eyebrows.... a LIGHT TOUCH at least 2 shades lighter than your hair- tiny strokes- or you will look like Groucho Marx.

7.Your Doctor works FOR YOU. If you had a rough time the last time demand a change in meds. They have a ton to chose from- you just need the right combo and you need it NOW

8. Fresh lemon in your water not only helps kill the taste of the water but if you get queezy bite into a lemon wedge and it stops it instantly

9. Now is NOT the time to worry about a diet. Eat whatever turns you on. Stay away from your favorite foods the first few days because you may hate them after.

10. Beware of stinky foods. If someone is cooking for you make sure they have the fan on and the windows open.

This sucks BUT you actually DO MAKE IT THROUGH all in one piece! It is never as bad as you imagine it will be. And for the majority of women who have no bad effects- that does not mean your chemo didn't work. Some people think if they don't get violently ill then it isn't working. Not true. They just got the right mix of drugs to counteract the chemo.

Before you know it this will be over and you will be complaining about having to go to radiation EVERY DAY- I know! I did! ( that was over three years ago!)

Hugs to you girls!
g

No surrender-you are such a sweet heart! I just hope that I can be 1/100th of the help to some else that you have been to us....popped into the humor site and at least I am tolerable! Thanks again for letting us vent.
KimB

Bev, I'm glad you're back, I was wondering where you went and how you were doing. I haven't heard of an "every week" trial, hopefully it works well for you.

I have been feeling better than expected, but I got pretty tired yesterday. You remember I had family all weekend, then mowed a little Sunday evening after they left (riding mower, of course). Then yesterday I went to jazzercise in the morning, then grocery shopping. After lunch I suddenly felt like I had been hit by a truck! Silly me, I figured if I made it through week one ok, then I was out of the woods. Not true! I lay down for an hour before I could get up and glaze pots and load the kiln. I was still dragging while I was doing it. I'm resenting having to slow down, but I guess I've got to give in. DH reminds me that it's the first treatment, and if I get run down it will just be worse for the next one. I know he's right, but I just don't want to show any signs of weakness, you know?

For all you with constipation, Metamucil is my new best friend. Big dose at bedtime makes good results in the morning. And it's not habit-forming, just psyllium fiber.

I have a three day art show this weekend and it's supposed to be back up around 90! At least it's the three days before the next tx on Monday. DH is going along to help. I've told him that I'll get so used to him going along that next year he'll have to go too. He usually takes work and sits there with it open while he watches people- LOL - just like a kid with his homework open in front of the tv!

Nancy, you're a couple of days after me. Are you doing dose-dense or 3 weeks? Has anyone heard from Sally (Sungem77) Her first tx was the 14th. I don't remember seeing a post from her since then - hope she's doing ok.