Starting Chemo Feb 2010?

faithfulc and MomWhoFan - Great to hear all went well with your first rounds!!  Woo Hoo!!!  Make sure your day 3 or 4 is quiet, those days are most likely going to be when you feel the most tired, rent a movie, read a book, sleep:)  Also, drink lots and lots of water, even if it means getting up at night:)

CinD - I had been told to take Claritan at least an hour before the Nuelasta shot to min. pain of the shot, I was also told to let it get to room temp. too.  I have read others on here that take it every day for 3 - 5 days to minimize bone pain.  The bone pain happens when your bones are making the white cells and once they are released into your system the pain goes away.  For me the pain lasted a little less then 36 hours and I was told by the nurses and others on here the the 2nd+ time around, the pain is less to non-existant.

teeme - So sorry to hear of your experience, I hope you are on the mend!  It sounds like you have a great oncologist!!  Keep us posted:)

I have read that so many start to loose there hair at day 14, and I am no exception.  My scalp hurts and strands have been coming out.  I found a fab wig in NY and it didn't break the bank:)  lol!  I will be wearing it starting tomorrow and I will likely shave my head next week, the scalp hurts too much to do it today otherwise I would, my regular hair looks and feels terrible.  Also, loading my face up with acne medicine...I feel like a teenager again!

Have a good night and to those starting yet this week, it is a good week to begin!!

Leta

Good morning - hope everyone who is just starting had a restful night.  Six days and counting before first treatment - shopping today for all the accessories - Senokot, Pepcid, etc.  I have a question about the Claritin prior to the Neulasta shot.  Isn't Claritin an allergy product?  I've also seen it suggested that you take Aleve (pain med).  Does anyone have guidance on this?  Thanks for any help. 

Wow!  I am so thankful to all of you and your postings about your experiences.  I am starting my list of items I will need.  Just got my start date:  port on 2/25; first chemo on 3/3.  6 treatments mean I will be done mid-June, so hopefully I will have hair for my birthday in September!

Faithfulc - glad to hear you're feeling pretty good.  All this helps to put my mind at ease.  Writer - thanks for the advice on the Claritin/Advil/Tylenol.  I bought everything at CVS today - I had no idea there were so many products for constipation - no wonder so many people are grumpy!!!

Hi Ladies, My name is Christine and i live in Australia. Looking for some online friends to get through the next 12 weeks and beyond! I started Chemo yesterday. I am only having 2 drugs. Taxotere & Cyclophosphamide...every 3 weeks for 12 weeks and then Radiotherapy for 6 weeks. As my Lymph Nodes a hormone receptive positive, I will then take Tamoxifen tablets for the next 5 years. So far so good, really tired to day and that is it! Hopefully will stay like this until next treatment on 25th Feburary. Looking forward to getting to know you all. XX

hi, am too starting my chemo in feb, tenatively 17 or 18 Feb. Did my PET scan today and meeting my ONC tmr, so will know my cocktail soon.

very very happy to have found this forum

So grateful to be reading others experiences.

I found out yesterday that my start date is Feb 18. I'm looking forward to it with great dread! LOL

I am to go to the Chemo Boot Camp thing this coming week, and I'm to have a series of scans (bone scan, head,chest, abdomen, pelvic CT scan).

I'm supposed to get my port put in next week, too, but my surgeon is out of town til Tuesday, so I'm not sure when that will be scheduled yet.

I am SO grateful to whomever posted the link to the chemo side effects worksheet! I will add that to my BC binder. . . .

faithfulc: Hear hear!! When my NP was reviewing all the side effects from my four main drugs the other day, she would occasionally mention the percentage of people who actually get them, and that's important to remember. Some of the scarier ones show up only in 3-8% of people. While reading everything on these boards is ultimately helpful, we must read with a practiced and careful eye, to not get buried in fear with all the bad stuff. Many women come through it pretty well, if their bodies tolerate and they do what they should do (hydrate, exercise, etc.).

Ladies- I am just stopping by from the April Chemo and TCH forums to add my strength, support and encouragement to you as you begin your chemo journey.  I had 6 TCH and the rest of the year of herceptin. Also had rads and am on Tamoxifen. It has been quite a year.

But I want to say that while it seems so daunting and frightening in the beginning, it IS doable. You don't do all of it every day, it is just one thing at a time. It seems overwhelming when you look at it all at once, but one step at a time, it all falls into place.  I always say the days go slow but the months fly by. I cannot BELIEVE I only have 3 more Herceptins to go.  

Sticking close together on this board will really help you. My April chemo ladies and October radiation group are talking about a meet-up in Vegas in May. That is how close we have become. I could not have made it without them - and you will feel that way about each other if you stick close, post your questions, share your fears, tears, and victories.

I worked f/t and exercised throughout chemo. I stayed active and lived life. I was so afraid my life would grind to a halt during chemo, but it really isn't like that. You will have better days and worse days, but EVERYTHING passes in time. 

Just a few things to share - one is something I haven't seen mentioned here.  Your head will get very cold when you lose your hair. At least mine did. I started chemo in April and it was getting warm, but I slept in a soft knitted beanie type cap for a long time.  That is something i would recommend you get. A scarf wouldn't work so well to sleep in.  And then, when the hot flashes come, you can whip it off but keep it nearby so that when you get cold, you can put it back on. Oh the joys of sleeping during chemo! 

Second, for you married ladies - this is HARD on the husbands too, whether they communicate it or not.  So when you have a friend or family member coming over, tell your husband to go OUT and do something he enjoys - visit a friend, do a hobby, whatever.  He will know you have someone there during that time and he can go out, relax, take a break from cancer without guilt. This was really good for my husband and we made it a routine - "Chris is coming over to see me on Saturday afternoon, why don't you go see Joe for a few hours and play guitars?"    it worked really well.

Third - for you TCH ladies - I would like to invite you over to the TCH board. It is a very active board and has women in all stages of treatment. It was an excellent complement to my April chemo board, because rather than everyone going through things together (like you ladies are), it gave the benefit of veterans who were further along. So please come over and see us, ask any questions you have.

Fourth - for those of you who have ports - if they hurt or are uncomfortable, you WILL get used to them.  I was horrified at the whole idea of one (it scared me more than the idea of cancer!) and it was painful for the first few weeks and uncomfortable for a while after that. But eventually I could forget it was there for long periods of time (days, weeks) and it is a HUGE advantage during treatment, especially if you get Herceptin for a whole year.  I am having mine taking out on 4/26 - just made the appointment. Again, I cannot believe how fast this year has gone! And yours will too!! I know you don't believe it, I wouldn't have either if someone said it to me - but it really is true.

Be strong, be brave, have courage. DO NOT be afraid to lean on those who love you. It is hard for us women to not be the ones doing the nurturning and giving - it was very hard for me. But it was a good thing for me to learn. Others love me and want to help me, and this was my turn to receive.

Winston Churchill said "When you are going through hell, keep going."  And I KNOW that you beautiful strong February ladies will keep going through the months ahead.

PM me if you have any questions.

In love, support and sisterhood - 

Amy

Thanks, Amy. Very strong post. I appreciate everything you said.

And Writer, your post is great, too!

Hmm... I hadn't thought about the medical marijuana. . . .

Thank you Amy, it is so helpful to hear your strong voice post-chemo. For me, things always seem harder before I actually start doing them, so your message really helped calm me down. And Writer, you just gave me a good laugh Thank you for that!

Good luck to those hitting days 3-4, sleep and drink water, a little walk and more water. That is the biggest thing I've learned from these threads.

Today is my first day really being up since the staph infection hit. More pain & longer recovery. My father was over yesterday and out of nowhere I just started crying. I'm not much for crying even when I want to, and I don't think he's seen me cry since I was about 10. He was very nervous but also really comforting. There's so much stress in all this, I don't think I realize it much of the time. I am just so tired, and so tired of being in pain. I am telling the onc I can't start chemo when she wants--I need another week. I don't think starting chemo exhausted and a bit defeated is the best. I still think I'll make February though.

I even folded some laundry today...big things happening here!

As always, reading your posts gives me energy I can't find anywhere else. I hope everyone who has started chemo has minimal SE's and a wonderful weekend.

Good evening everyone!  I have enjoyed reading through your posts tonight and appreciate all of the updates and upbeat messages. I would really like to post to each and every one of you personally, but I'm a little tired from a long day of my first chemo treatment.  Please know that as I read each message, I'm there with you and sending out good, positive thoughts.

My session went fine today. I was surprised to meet with my oncologist first, but it gave us another chance to go over a few things. He really is a great guy!  Even my husband likes him, which is saying a lot!  We are both very impressed with how he actually listens and encourages give-and-take conversations.  I got lucky! 

It took about an hour after I saw my oncologist to finally be called in for the chemo treatment. For some reason, the nurse had a problem getting a good stick. That was strange, because I have a great center vein just crying out for a good phlebotomist. She had to call over an RN who quickly found another vein because she had already messed up my good vein. Once near the end, I felt a drip down my arm, which turned out to be the needle loosening. It had been 4 hours at that point, and even though I was fairly still the whole time, I guess I jiggled it a little more than I thought.

Because it was my first treatment, they ran it much slower just to make sure I did not have any reactions. I had the Dex first, followed by the Taxotere (this was where they really ran it slowly), finally followed by the Cytoxan (this just flew in). No reactions (Yippee!), but it did take 4-1/4 hours. Next time should be maybe a little more than half of that.

The treatment really was a piece of cake. In fact, my husband went to the hospital cafeteria next door and brought me back a piece of chocolate cake. I figured since they say I'll most likely get a metallic taste in my mouth that I should enjoy a piece of decadent cake before it hits.

The only odd thing I have is a flushed face from the Dex, but it is lessening. Of course I have to take the pill form tonight and all of tomorrow, so it will be back somewhat.

Tomorrow I get my first Neulasta shot. My oncologist recommends I only take 3 mg, enough to give my white count a boost. It is our hope that taking a little less than normal will lessen probable associated bone pain. His concern is making sure my white count doesn't drop to the point of hospitalization, and we're hoping that a little Neulasta will keep that from happening. I'm very cool with that.

Tonight I'm drinking water until it comes out of my ears trying to flush my system. I'm trying to be a good girl and do what they tell me.  Tomorrow I'm going to order a couple of caps and hats from the "tlc" (American Cancer Society).  I got my prescription for my wig, which I am thankful my insurance covers, but the lady who deals with wigs at the Cancer Center was out today. So I have to go back for that, hopefully when I have my next treatment in 3 weeks. I have a scarf and expect any hat(s) I order tomorrow will be here before then.

One treatment done, three more to go!

My best to all, and I'll be back to check on everyone's progress tomorrow.

Cindy

I had a very sobering consult with the medical onc yesterday and realized I hadn't had the whole picture.  I asked questions of both the surgeon and the rad onc, but this doc brought it all into view.  The cancer that jumped the ductal barrier was grade 3.  Very small, but still, grade 3.  That, plus being triple negative, made chemo worth considering.  He didn't push; I decided to do it.  I am paying a boatload for my son's Princeton education, and I'm determined to be at his graduation!  After going home for an hour, we met the nurse at the infusion room and started the IV infusion.  Taxotere & cytoxan.  We didn't install a port.  I've always been told I have great veins.  Four treatments.  One down, three to go.  Queasy today, but still able to go to work for several hours.  Had the neulasta shot this morning.  Thanks for the input about claritin.  The nurses told me that, too, but things are still sinking in.  I have a total hip replacement and have hip pain anyway.  I'll try the claritin/aleve and see if that will ward it off.  No pain there yet.  Made an appointment for a haircut and canceled my weave for next month.  Bummer.

Hi Christine66

If you want some more online friends to help you through there is on online Australian Forum. PM me if you can't find it. I am in Melbourne.

Have you talked to your Dr about something to help you sleep? You really need your rest right now!

Hugs

jezza