Starting Chemo October 2009

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

    Mary,  I wasn't expecting to have to take both, but yes I am.  I have prescheduled appointments for the blood work, so I will  go in each week for the test and if my blood count is low after I have had the Neulasta, then they will also give me the Nuepogen.  They did tell me that it takes about 10 days for the Neulasta to start the bone pain.  The Neupogen shot works really fast and I would say 5 hours after I had it I really had some severe lower back pain.

    I really want to go back to work next week, but she said if my count wasn't up on Monday, then she would suggest that I stay out until it is higher.  I am working my way into short term disibility and I may not have another choice, but to take it.  I don't know why I am so hesitant, I have paid the premiums for years and now is my opportunity, I should go for it.  But oh no, not me.

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  • jeanl151
    jeanl151 Member Posts: 146
    edited October 2009

    Okay soo, 24 hours after chemo. No nausea and not too tired but...ooh the heartburn. I ate lots of small meals today, sipped water and juice,  Is pepcid AC the answer?

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited October 2009

    Dear 1L,

    Unusual to hear that you are getting both but heck ... whatever works...

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited October 2009

    Day #4 post 2nd TX and I'm feeling pretty good.  Gave my own Neupogen injection today and no bleeding or bruise - YAY ME!

    I too am suffering a bit of heartburn nothing too unbearable but will look for some relief tomorrow if it doesn't go away.  Not wearing the foob today to see if that helps with easing of the chest pressure.

    Happy healing everyone!

    Marie

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

    Jean, yes Pepcid is the answer.  Works fast for me anyway.  It didn't matter what I ate or drank, the acid reflux was bad.  Of course, I have a hernia and have acid reflux when not doing chemo.  I am glad you are doing well.  Keep up with what everyones says to do and you will do fine.  Do prepare for the constipation, it  is  a bummer when it sets in.

    Onty, she may have contributed it to the delay in getting my Neulasta shot.  She said Friday to Monday was too long to wait.  So she is doing what she can to alleviate that situation.  I saw the NP today and I really did like her.  She is also a BC survivor and knows  what we are going through.  She wants to make me as comfortable  as possible and keep the SEs at bay before they are causing permanent problems.

    Juannelle

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

    Hi Jean, I'm 24 hours post chemo too. No nausea but some quesiness though not enough to start into the Zofran yet. Haven't had heartburn, but I'm a bit burpy, something the other ladies commented on a few days ago. Strong smells are getting to me. I walked by a house tonight and there was a strong smell of steak grilling, something that would usually make me hungry but tonight I just wanted to get by as fast as I could.

    I don't know about remedies for hearburn, maybe someone else can suggest something for that.

    Juanelle, I don't think you should go back to work either until your blood count is up. You don't want to risk getting some infection at this stage. But with three shots of Neupogen on top of the Neulasta, hopefully things will have righted themselves by Monday.

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

    Mary, I will not go to work, until it is safe.  I do work in an isolated office and can close the door to keep people out.  When I leave at the end of the day, the door is locked and the cleaning people do not even go in.  She said to just wipe it down good each day with Lysol and put a note on the door.  But I really don't want to take a chance of getting a bug.

    Juannelle

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  • puffins
    puffins Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2009

    I began having serious heartburn after day 3 of chemo.  My onc recommended Prilosec (over the counter) and I needed it for about a week to keep my stomach on an even keel. It worked great!

    Shoshanna 

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

    Shoshanna: how are you doing? Did you start your hormonal therapy yet or have you to do radiation first?

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited October 2009

    Dear 1L,

    My philosophy is ....trust your doctor but verify...

    You will do fine.

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited October 2009

    For heartburn TUMS is another option....

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  • puffins
    puffins Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2009

    MaryNY: Thanks for asking. I will not be having radiation. I meet with  my onc. next week to decide which hormonal therapy to try-will probably go with one of the AI's, since I'm post-menopausal. I got my port out last week, and sure feel a lot better! It will come soon for all of you as well!

    So far, I still have about 30% of my short hair (after my 1 TAC treatment) and am now on day 28. It may or may not stay with me much longer.

    Shoshanna 

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  • lieberman1
    lieberman1 Member Posts: 42
    edited October 2009

    My Mom had her second TCH treatment yesterday.  I'm a little worried about how the next couple of weeks will go.  She didn't want to take her Decadron so I am really worried about nausea and swelling.  She says she just doesn't feel like she needs it and she doesn't want to take any medicine she doesn't have to take.  It looks like she has also decided to keep her acrylic nails as well.  I think she's just feeling like she is going to be in control of some part of her life because so much of it is out of control right now. 

    On a brighter note, I was so happy to hear her white blood cells were back to 10,000.  She hasn't had the shots I have read so many people are taking so I was worried about whether she would be able to bounce back before the next treatment.  I am hopeful all will continue to go well and her blood counts continue to be where we need them to be.

    I am so grateful for everyone here and for being able to read your posts.  The older I get the more I realize how wonderful and loving we women truly are.    

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited October 2009

    Lieberman I am so glad your mom is doing well.  I little concerned that she doesnt want to take the decadron.  Only reason is if the naseau sets in and she then takes it afterwards not sure how fast it would kick in.  But hey, if it makes her feel better and more in control then that is important too.  I agree that the support we receive from these lovely ladies is invaluable.

    MaryNY- Had my 4th and last AC treatment yesterday so can you please update my smilies.  Not sure yet which T I am getting yet.  I think taxatore but not confirmed. 

    1L-  that is really unusual to get both Neulasta and Neupogen.  Neupogen is not as powerful as Neulasta, which is why those of us on Neupogen generally have to take it for 6-7 days.  Maybe they are moving you off Neulasta and will just keep you on Neupogen?   

    Jean- I am taking prilosec AC and it works pretty good.  Except after this last tx yesterday, my heartburn is worse than ever even after I took prilosec.  I might have to give pepcid ac a try. 

    As you ladies can see it is 5am and I have been up since 2am.  I can not go to sleep thanks to the steroids.  I cried a little yesterday before starting my AC tx.  I am such a big baby.  I was just so tired of going through the SEs it just got a little overwhelming.  Thank goodness my husband showed up minutes after that episode and was there with me the whole time.  He has been such a rock and help mate through this entire ordeal.  I am so glad that was my last AC!!!!  I hated the cytoxan more than anything.  This time I took sudafed PE and one additional tylenol and that made a huge difference with the sinus pressure.  My RN Onco said that most people say the taxatore is better than the AC in terms of SEs.  I will let you ladies know if that is true.

    Okay so during my T I will be icing my hands and feet to try to combat neuropathy..I will let you know if that works and I will painting my nails black to stop nails from falling off.  My mom is coming for my first T tx in case I have an allergic reaction. 

    Oh and it is funny when I go for tx because one of the onco RNs ( a guy) talks to my hubby about sports the entire time we are there.  It like he can not wait until we get there every other Thursday.  It is so funny.  He lights up when we arrive.  Ugh 3 hours of hearing about Redskins and Washington Wizards.  It does make the time fly by.

    My Onco Dr. has upped my neupogen shots back to 6 since my WBC count dropped so low after she reduced it to 5.  Bummer.

    Glad to hear everyone had a pretty uneventful txs yesterday.  Awesome.  So far other than heartburn and fatigue in my arms I am doing okay.

    Anita

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  • nancy724
    nancy724 Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2009

    anita, congrats on your last ac dx.  sorry about not being able to sleep, have the same problem and so frustrating.

    ladies, was wondering if any of you were having a hard time finding things to drink? Plain water is just not possible (the thought alone makes me want to gag), anything carbonated seems to bother me, and the juices I've tried just don't taste or smell the same anymore.  any suggestions?  

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  • Enjoyful
    Enjoyful Member Posts: 3,591
    edited October 2009

    Nancy724 -

    Have you tried tea?  That worked for me after my first treatment when nothing else did.  I drank Salada's White Tea with asian plum flavor. 

    I tried sucking on ice chips while receiving my second treatment yesterday.  So far, everything still tastes the same and no mouth sores but I can't remember when the side effects usually kick in.  

    E

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  • MeNeverMind
    MeNeverMind Member Posts: 42
    edited October 2009

    Good Morning all.  My name is Kimberly and I am a stage 2a, grade 3, triple negative breast cancer winner.  I had zero margins and no node involvment.  I have 3 aunts with more than 1 round each of breast cancer.  I have had a lump removed and my port installed and will be going to my pre chemo lesson today.  I will start the chemo on Wed.  I will be getting AC 4 x's 2 weeks apart and then something else 1 week apart for 12 weeks.  I have a great husband who is feeling total left out and left in the dark, I know he is scared.  We don't have any kids but we do have 1 cat.  I have a wonderful support system of friends and family.  My mother in law had been the biggest blessing for me.  I bought a GREAT little bob wig and am trying it out at work today since tomorrow is halloween (costume - breat cancer winner).  I will be donating my hair to Locks of Love and my husband has agreed to be the one to shave my head when the time comes.  I was talking to a friend yesterday about maybe just wearing the wig full time a work and the doctors so there will be no time for the pitty face when I do lose my hair because no one will know.  Does that sound silly?  I have been a work for almost an hour now, trying to get as much done as I can now so I don't have to worrie about it next week.  Oh and if you can't tell I tend to ramble when I am scared.  And I am scared.  I had everything planed about when I wanted to do the chemo but the doctors schedual stoped that.  I am just affraid the I will not feel up to working and eventhough I have the worlds greatest office, I don't want to have to miss work alot.  I am mostly scared about how I am going to feel after the chemo.  Like an hour later, 5 hours later, a day, 2 days, 3 days...Well you understand.  I know everyone is different and there is no way to know how anyone is going to handle it.  I have heard that anywhere from day 1 to day 5 I might get sick.  But sick could be so many different things that there is no way to know.  I seem to have turned into a bit of a perfectionist and over planer since I was told about this "lovely gift" on Aug 28.   Everyone here seems great.  I am looking forward to all the support and wonderful info that I know I will be getting.  OK so I am going to go breath now and get back to work.  I feel better now.  Thanks

    Kimberly in Mchnery, IL

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited October 2009

    Hi Kimberly and welcome to this great group of ladies on this BC and chemo journey.  Sorry that you have to be a part of any BC group though.  We are really alike in our DX.  I am also triple negative, stage IIa, no node involvement  and grade 3.  I just finished my AC tx and now moving into taxatore for 4 tx every 2 weeks. 

    Yes the worst part is the unknown, but as you will soon see the SEs are manageable if you have the right drug combination and other items that you can read about hear and other posts.

    We are here to help you through this!  We will be your second family.  Its okay to be scared, cry or any other emotion you might feel as we have all done this along this journey.

    Anita 

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  • MeNeverMind
    MeNeverMind Member Posts: 42
    edited October 2009

    Thanks.  Just knowing that there is someone around who compleatly understands make sit better.  Any advise or info is all wanted.  Now back to work...yuck

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited October 2009

    Anita - last AC. Hoooorray! Yea, the Taxanes (Taxotere or Taxol or Abraxane) are easier for side effects.

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

    Anita: Good for you completing the last AC. I read what you wrote on the November thread about doing the Cytoxan infusion more slowly. I didn't notice how long mine took, but it went very quickly. It certainly wasn't anything like an hour. I was in the chemo room for less than two hours. The first half hour or so was spent on settling me in, hydration and educating me on side effects. Then the nurse pushed three vials of Adriamycin manually. Then she rinsed out the port with saline and Heparin so I think the Cytoxan was probably given in half an hour or less. I did feel sinus pressure while I was getting that. That eased once I left. I did get a headache but not until much later in the day. So next time I'll ask them to give me the Cytoxan more slowly.

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited October 2009

    Yay, Anita!  So glad the AC is over for you.  You're halfway through, right?  

    Welcome, Kimberly!  Nice to meet you, although the circumstances could be better.  You're right, there's no way to know how you will react.  Some people breeze right through, just missing a day or two of work here and there.  Others have terrible reactions, feel exhausted and sick.  I think the trick is being prepared, and reading the posts here will help a lot.  There are lots of tips that people have that could come in handy.

    Well, I've got the (almost) bald look now.  Went to have my head shaved last night.  I look like an army recruit, with some patchy bald spots.  It is definitely cooler with no hair!  I went to the school for my language lab this morning, and wore my scarf with the sequins.  Didn't get too many looks, but I think most people there knew what was going on so were probably conscious of NOT looking at me weird.  Now, I'm actually anxious for this stubble to fall out.  It was uncomfortable when my head was rubbing on the pillow last night, and wearing my little "nightcap" wasn't much better.  My kids were rubbing my head last night, and I had to remind them not to rub it the wrong way - I told them I'm like cat, it's okay to pet my head as long as you don't push the hair the wrong way!  They laughed, and so did I.  My poor fiance, I think he took it harder than I did.  He had a hard time with the bald head, mostly because of what it meant to him (cancer).  He's getting used to it, though.

    Hope everyone has a terrific weekend!  My fiance and I are going to see the Notre Dame/Washington game at the Alamodome tomorrow.  Should be a lot of fun; we'll be tailgating with some friends beforehand.

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  • Hopbird
    Hopbird Member Posts: 387
    edited October 2009

    Hi all!

    I didn't get by here yesterday, and feel like I missed so much!

    Congrats to the girls who have just gotten through their first and now know that while it isn't fun, that they will make it through.   Heartburn?  I have some of that, worse the first week or so.  A nurse told me shortbread or vanilla wafer goes down well when having one of those days.   If you're looking for something salty I dug into some Ritz crackers last time...they tasted OK.  Not a lot of food value, but settles the stomach.  I think most OTC heartburn meds will help.  My doc recommended Pepcid, which I will also try next time.  As far as drinks, I drink water..also flavored (not sweetened) iced tea.  I broke down and had a Ginger Ale last time.  I actually think the carbonation helped with some of the stomach distress...could be all in my mind, it was the comfort food of choice when I was growing up.  Smile

    Anita, congrats on finishing up your last AC!  I have to think those milestones feel pretty good, like you will get to the end of this!  I hope to have the last of my Abraxane this coming Monday, although I'm a little worried that my climbing liver enzymes might convince the doc to put me off.  Mine were near normal the first week, twice normal the second week, and three times normal the third week!  They did reduce the dosage, but I think they were close to not giving it.  I'm hoping it has leveled off...but don't like the trend.

    And I prefer the Cottonelles to the bottles also.  I'm sure it is just personal preference, but I feel in better control.  The important thing is that we definitely need to use something to remove those chemicals from that poor skin down there.....

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

    Welcome Kimberly! You seem to be getting everything under control—port, chemo lesson, wig. I only had my port installed on Monday and started chemo on Wednesday. It would have been nicer to have more healing time between the two. Accessing the port on Wednesday was painful. I'm on AC x 4 and felt fine the day of chemo except for feeling headachy that evening. Felt a little queasy yesterday and didn't sleep through the night last night, probably because of the steroids. But it's definitely going much better than I expected so far though I've been warned that my low point is yet to come. It will be relief for you and your husband once you have the first Tx over.

    BrendaSharon has started a Nov thread, you might want to join in there also - November 2009-Starting Chemo. But since you are starting so early in November it will be useful for you to check this Oct thread and Starting chemo September 2009 for advice from others who've already had some or all of their treatments.

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  • MeNeverMind
    MeNeverMind Member Posts: 42
    edited October 2009

    Thanks.  I had to put off the chemo for 3 weeks so I could go see a cardiologist and ended up having a angiogram, then had to wait to see the doctor.  Good news, my heart is perfict just beats on the low side of normal.  I am sure I will feel better once I have my lesson today.  I have been reading EVERYTHING I can get my eyes on.  Sometimes I make myself sick because I know to much.  But I feel so much better knowing what is going to happen.  I don't know what I would do without the internet.  You guys are so wonderful.  I feel so much better.  Thanks

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

    Kimberly: I had to see a cardiologist too because I had a low score on the MUGA scan (51). Cardiologist did an echo and said I was fine to go ahead with the Adriamycin. She did suggest using ACE inhibitors but said their usefulness in reducing cardiac toxicity was not proven so left the decision to me. The onc didn't encourage it and I'm not anxious to take yet another drug.

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  • valeriekd
    valeriekd Member Posts: 287
    edited October 2009

    Hi everyone and welcome Kimberly- Once the first one is over and you realize u r going to feel like yourself again the fear subsides ALOT! I know every infusion is different even in the same individual but if the end result is that you return to your old self -you can get thru just about anything.

    I find drinking a one hundred calorie coke (small can) once a day, chamomile tea w/ lemon and loads of water works great. If the water gets gross then sucking on a peppermint w/ it til you get used to it works or even putting a peppermint in the water and letting it dissolve. It settles the stomach and doesn't taste bad.

    Be well ladies! Valerie 

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

    Hi October Girls!

    Treatment 3 of ddAC - DONE!!!. 

    Only one more AC to go before on to the 12 weekly Taxol and then on to 7 weeks rads.  But, to have three of the four "big guns" under my belt is awesome.  Again, infusion was uneventful as were the other two AC tx.  With tx -1 I had terrible migraines and projectile vomiting that commenced about 6-7 hours after completition of infusion.  So, I got meds for migraines (I have a history of them) to take for tx-2 and they helped ALOT - yet a small migraine and minor vomiting.  I should now have more of the tegretol (migraine med) in my system so we will see how tonight fares.  I have my Nuelasta shot Sunday morn at 8am and taking the claritan and aleve before has warded off almost all pain from it.  As for the "bottom cleansing" - I am one of the squirt bottle gals - I use a little misting bottle I had bought previously from the garden dept.  It sprays a nice wide and lite spray and so far has done the job - no sores, bumps, burning or rashes. I hope that I have not now jinxed myself!

    My head looks a bit like it is suffering from "the mange" as the bald spots and little patches of stuble are intertwined to form a mangy pattern.  Oh well, at least my head is not to terrible a shape and I actually rock the bald look more than using either of my two wigs.  Living in FL I also use women's bucket hats (Gilligan like) with beachy type patterns in bright colors.  They are cotton and because the tops are kinda square the air can also circulate.  I highly recommend them to warm/hot climate girls as they are cute, fun, and really I find cooler and less obvious then scarves.

    Kimberly - welcome.  I (and many others on this thread) have given step by step descriptions of our tx of ddAC back in early October.  My description is on page 4 of this thread and I think you will find that once you have had your first tx, you will then no what to expect and it is NOT the time in the chair but rather the immediate days thereafter that can be not so pleasant.  However, we do all react differently.  I find that although I cannot exercise for days 1-3, I thereafter do speed walk 3+ miles daily on days 4-14 and the exercise seems to physically and I know psychologically give me a boost.  Oh yeah, speaking of Boost, if you are losing weight while on chemo or have lost weight due to the surgeries, I find drinking the nutritional supplement Boost or Ensure helps for taking in good calories.

    So, ladies, I will update again early next week to tell ya'll my experiences over days 1-3 of this battle in the war - and whether the migraine meds warded off ALL migraines this cycle.

    Happy Halloween and wishes for a fun-filled weekend without se's.

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited October 2009

    Jaclyn, hope the migraine meds do the trick!  I had an almost constant headache while in the hospital...Narco was the only thing that helped.  They even did an MRI to make sure nothing was going on up there, which was blessedly negative.  Those migraines can really take you down for the count.  And I know about the "mangy" look now, LOL!

    Hopbird...I practically lived on ginger ale for the first three days after chemo.  I don't know if it's a psychological thing or the ginger in it, but it was practically all I could keep down.  I'm going to try some ginger tea next week to see if that's a good fit for me.

    It really surprises me how cold my head gets, even living in the warm climate of San Antonio! 

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

    Anita, congrats on finishing up some treatment.

    Kimberly,  welcome to the group, we are glad to help you in any way that we can.

    I finally broke down and went wig shopping today.  My hair hasn't started falling out yet, but it will in about a week and I want to be ready.  I go a human hair and a synthetic one.  I will pick up the human hair one next week and have it styled.

    I felt much better today, but still had to come home and take a nap.  Will wait and see how it goes when I try to go back to work next week.

    I hope everyone has a great weekend.

    Juannelle

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