Starting Chemo Feb 2010?

Today was an awesome day. I flew solo for my second treatment. I think my husband was more nervous than I was. My plane I'd delayed for thd bad weather up north...brrr. I met some great people today that ard all going through this mess. It's so cool how we all have this bond, we care about each other even though we're not friends yet or family but it's there that bond. Cancer knows no boundrys. We are all different and yet really thd same.

My whole experience today was almost spa like, except for the IV. I had me time, read a book, got to pig out w/o guilt (the steroids) watched a movie of MY choice, had sweet nurses wrapping me in warm blankets. Do not feel bad at all! Yes! Ok, so there were no massages and facials but it was not unpleasant at all. What a relief that is. So I'm thinking 2 down 32 more to go!

Mo: everything happens for a reason. Friday will be your awsome day!

My plane Is here.

Ha ha, lbreedl, I just got off the phone with my sisters and mother and was telling them all that I sort of felt like I was at the spa today!

Back from my first day of TCH+A (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin and Avastin). I was in a private room (I go to a doc's office near the hospital, only about 6 chemo chairs.) I spent more than 7 hours in the chair, with tons of quick bathroom breaks (yes, I am hydrating like a fiend!). I was nervous for the first, the Taxotere, because that's the one with the most immediate allergic reactions, and they were watching me closely, but I had no problem. No problem with any of them, and I have to say, it was pretty comfy in that big chair with my pillows and blankets. My husband brought me won ton soup for lunch, and I read and listened to music and dozed (got 4 hours sleep last night thanks to the steroids). Since I tolerated them all well, the next chemo day will go faster, hopefully about 5, 5 1/2 hours.

The whole thing was more stressful on my husband than me. He was a wreck-- didn't sleep either last night, and now he's crashed on the sofa.

Went for a short walk with the dog when I got home. Feel pretty good, some stomach weirdness but that started yesterday from the stress... it's normal for me. It's easy to keep up the water because I'm thirsty.

sgerrity, if you want my chemo shopping list, send me a private message and I'll send it to you. I'm kind of a compulsive planner, so got everything I thought I might need in advance, including bandanas, hats and a wig I probably won't wear (insurance paid). Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, ginger tea, Senokot, Colace, Benefiber, Immodium, medical marijuana... I'm ready for anything. Mostly now I'm loading up on the anti-constipation stuff, because that was a problem after both my lumpectomy and my port surgery, and I'm prone to it, so I have to go very aggressive with it now, because of the steroids and nausea drugs.

Anyway, after all these weeks of fear, it was a piece of cake. We'll see what the week brings. Good luck to all. Mo, bummer about the delay-- I'm sure you just want to get it over with!

Colleen 

sgerrity - here are links for chemo prep list & tips that were posted awhile back:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/478386?page=3#idx_61

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/706846?page=2#idx_31

Hi everyone!

Wow, just realized it's been days since I last posted on here. So sorry. I went for my weekly Herceptin drip today and it was pretty uneventful. I did have a slight metallic taste in my mouth, but no lightheadness, no headache, nothing. It was quick, too!

The weekend was pretty rough - the steroids wore off and it was a weekend of fatigue and no more Senekot (if you get my drift). I tried to get some walking in, but I was just too tired to do much of anything. I'm feeling better today, but the Senekot has to stay far away from me. Imodium is tasting too weird, so I've been trying to get some cheese, rice and all those other things (you usually feed your kids when they're sick) into my system. It seems to be helping. I've just realized today that my body is under attack and the best thing for it is for me to slow down and not run through each day in my frenetic pace. If I've got any strange side effects from the Herceptin, I'll be sure to post. Right now, all the other SEs I had (flushing face, hyperactivity, restless sleep) seem to be gone.

For those of you who've started this week, or will start this week (writer, teel, ennayttap44, roso88, mofend): good luck. Take a deep breath, bring an iPod, book, knitting or anything else that will keep your hands and mind occupied and enjoy the short break in your everyday life. It will be fine, and it will be over soon.

Someone had asked (CinD??) if my screen name is because I'm a fan of The Who ... yes! Behind the Beatles, The Who have been in my life for 40+ years. I love their music, their lyrics, and their determination. To see them during the SuperBowl was just FUN!

Okay, well I should run now. I'd like to get some stuff done before we start to get our snow here: 10-18"?? Really? Can't wait!

Hi - Ennayttap44 - I hope you get some rest.  Not sleeping is the pits.  Hopefully you can get someone to drive you - if you're in the Philly area, I could help out.  Just let me know - make sure you don't lose too much weight - that's not good either.  MomWhoFan - don't know which we experience - diarrhea or constipation - on these meds.  Which are you dealing with - honestly, I've never had that issue so it's all a little confusing for me.  Would you suggest taking anything prior to first treatment?  I've always been regular (sorry for the details) so I don't want to mess with it if not needed.  Now they've moved my chemo back from Friday to Thursday of this week.  Any more changes and I'm going to lose my mind!  Had a nice massage today, got my nails done, took a nap and had a great me day.  Now, bring on the two feet of snow, make soup and get ready for Thursday - hopefully the snow will be done and I can make it downtown.  Mo

Hi all,

Just checking in quickly. As I said, yesterday was long but easy, and I was amazed how well I slept despite the steroid buzz last night. Not feeling great today, though, and unfortunately I have a big work deadline. It's not too bad, just intestinal stuff and kind of flu-y feeling-- what you'd expect. Can't eat much, which is fine with me. Having to work harder to stay hydrated, because I'm not thirsty like yesterday. Hubby just came by to help carry some heavy books (I'm a publisher) and bring me some ginger tea. Looking forward to some fetal-position time tonight.

Writer: I was reading about Avastin, looks really good! So glad you are getting it!

Hi all!  It's so good to see everyone's progress, and I hope everyone is feeling well tonight.  I am very thankful for each of you and really like reading all of your updates.  If you have to do something like this, it's nice to do it in such good company!

Today is the 4th day since my treatment, and I've had just a few side effects so far. Yesterday a sore throat appeared, and that was one symptom I was told to call the doctor about. After describing it, he said it sounded like it would be fine, just gargle with some salt water and call if it got worse. Fortunately, after several scoops of medicinal mint chocolate chip ice cream today, the sore throat finally went away.

I awoke again in the middle of the night, but this time had just a touch of nausea.  I hadn't tried the Phenergan yet which had been prescribed, but I knew that in addition to taking away any nausea, it would also make me sleep.  I took one pill around 5 this morning, and was out -- and I mean out -- practically slept all day!  I haven't slept this much since my surgery in the beginning of January.  I think I've finally caught up on that lost sleep, and I'm feeling a lot better.

The doctor told me to take Miralax if things didn't move as quickly as they should on the bathroom front. I waited one day too late and had a lot of uncomfortableness yesterday, but today was fine. I think a full dose might be too much now. I'm thinking of splitting one of the single dose packs into four doses, and taking the smaller dose each day just to keep things going. Sorry for such intimate information, but by now all modesty seems to be gone anyway!

The metallic taste I've had the past couple of days seems to be disappearing. I seem to be gravitating towards ice cream and enjoyed a milkshake today.  Also loving the whole grain goldfish, probably for the salt since I had that sore throat. It's strange, because I'm usually a healthy eater loading the plate with beans, fruits and veggies, but now I'm just going with whatever feels right.  I'm a big coffee drinker, but haven't wanted it the past couple of days. Tonight I had a big glass of Powerade with the electrolytes, and now I feel so much better, almost normal again.

Except for general tiredness and a light acne-like breakout on my face and neck, that's about it for side effects so far.

Mo, I'm sorry they keep changing your chemo start date.  You must feel like a ping pong ball. I hope this next snowstorm doesn't cause any more problems for those of you dealing with it. I'm in Florida, where we've been only dealing with cooler temps and rain. I'm hoping the sun comes out tomorrow so I can get back in the backyard with my dogs. My cocker spaniels have been throwing themselves all over me the past month, as if they know I'm sick and need them more than ever.  I call them my secret cancer fighting weapon.

Take care, all.

Cindy

CinD:

Where do I get the "medicinal" ice cream?

Welcome, Sally. I just started, with Taxotere (same as Taxol, I believe) in my mix, and my oncologist doesn't really give a choice. They follow the UCLA standard, which is Taxotere and Carboplatin every three weeks for six cycles (sometimes four, but rarely). Herceptin gets added in for us Her2-positive gals. I had been hoping for four cycles, but he felt strongly that six was optimum, and I couldn't argue. In for a penny, in for a pound, I guess.

I've now officially had enough of the steroids. Been up since 3:30 a.m., but took AmyIsStrong's advice and didn't fight it. Have a headache, too, which I'm guessing is steroids. But feeling fine otherwise, better than yesterday.

Colleen 

mofend: The last time I went through chemo (7 yrs. ago, FEC), I was told to take Senekot-S the day before, day of, and day after chemo. This time around, I didn't take it because my onc wasn't sure if I'd need it and I'm one of those that doesn't take Tylenol unless it's absolutely necessary. I just don't like having drugs in my body. How ironic now to have serious drugs coursing through my veins. I realized the day after the 1st cycle that I did need to take it. I am also "regular" and don't have issues with this, unless I'm away from home. I now carry Senekot-S in my travel kit and take it the day before I travel and alternate days to help things along. You may want to try taking one pill at night with lots of water, if you start to have any problems. 

The issue with diarrhea comes from the SE of Taxotere and Carboplatin. My onc warned me that I may have this SE 4-7 days after each cycle. He was right on target. It didn't help that I wasn't careful with my meals and ate some spicy foods. I thought my intestines were going to explode. I'd forgotten to be wary of spicy foods, extreme hot/cold food and beverages.

Hope the snow piling up in PA isn't too bad. Good luck tomorrow! We've got a few inches here, with (hopefully) many more to come.

writer:  Glad to hear all is going as expected. CinD: I echo Magister's question ... where can I purchase the "medicinal" ice cream? Funny, but I still have the metallic taste in my mouth. I guess it could be from yesterday's Herceptin. I didn't ask about the taste. My mouth definitely feels weird, though. It's like I ate something that was too hot, and now the skin at the roof of my mouth is "rough". I've been alternating between the Biotene toothpaste and regular toothpaste. Maybe I should stick with the Biotene?

Welcome, Sally. With the choice between Taxotere and Taxol, my onc said the Taxol was easier to tolerate than the Taxotere, but wanted me to try the Taxotere first. He feels you should try and aim with both guns blazing to get maximum "bang for the buck." Not his words, but definitely his intent. You're right, once you start, it's one week closer to the end of your treatment. The waiting is the hardest part! 

Hi Mo,

The standard here appears to be oral steroids taken at home the day before chemo and the day after. On the day of they put some in the morning Benadryl drip, and I took an oral dose that night. Last night was my last dose, so I'm done with it. I'm sure that's why I was up from 3-5:30 a.m., and possibly why I've had a headache that Advil/Tylenol won't address since then. Although that's probably from one of the other big drugs. Did they prescribe steroids for you for your day before?

You might try going to a local class of "Look good, Feel better", where they not only show makeup and skin care, but they will show you scarf wraps that look great and are not hard to learn.  I had trouble with the wig getting my head too warm, so could not use it.  You can also try for a free wig from your local American Cancer Society thrift store, where they have donations from past cancer patients and you could try one for free, then get a better one if you like.  Just some options from one who's been there!  Good luck!

Hi - it's still snowing here!  I'm freaking out because they've closed the major highways into the city and I'm just hoping they get them cleared before I have to leave in the moring for my 12:30 appointment.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  Writer - thanks for the info on the steroids.  They had told me to start them the day before, so I took them this morning and another dose before bed.  Right now I feel kind of wired from them.  Probably won't be a good night's sleep.  I should be a real gem in the car tomorrow on the way into town!  I'm sure my husband will be glad when this is all over - just like me.   Faithfulc - I'm really hoping that tomorrow is the day and I really appreciate you keeping it updated.  I just can't help but laugh at the irony of this - I feel like I must have tortured cats in a former life or something in order to have all this happening - especially the record setting snows.  By the way, I love cats - I have two and they're the best for quiet downtime