Starting Chemo Feb 2010?

Options
1…78101213…57

Comments

  • Grazie47
    Grazie47 Member Posts: 94
    edited February 2010

    Teel - How are you feeling?  Did you start chemo yet?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lbreedl
    lbreedl Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2010

    I thought it was DARN HUSBAND! HA! Actually mine has been a dear. I hope all our DH's really are.

    Teemee: how are you? I've been praying for you.

    Leah: Xanax...nice. I needed that yesterday. My chemo was not done on time so I had to change my flight and then shuttle forgot me so I had to call a cab and ran from security barefoot to the last gate at the end but made the flight, was the last one aboard.

    Ezscriiibe: I am so jealous of your port! I am still waiting for mine & I've had 3 treatments already. They said they have only one Dr in that whole place who does ports. Think of me when you're using it! Ha! I cant imagine keeping it though.

    Writer:I've been told to suck on a peppermint for that tast in your mouth and the heartburn too. Asked the DH to get some when he went to the store, he came back with a 5 lb. bag! Sure hope I dont need all those.

    Roso:Try that peppermint. I have been reading the board about TH some suggested acetyl-lcarnatine 1500mg 2 x day for neuropathy. I'm going to ask onc about it. Check that board. Sorry your feeling yukky.

    Grace: I decided not to do it.I've already had 3 treatments. I was afraid of brain mets plus I have to have so many treatments that it would be such a pain. You have to pack them on dry ice and haul an ice chest, its a big deal. I didn't find much current research on it, like clinical trials where they followed patients for more that 4 years. I didnt want to risk it.

    I had treatment 3 yesterday, feel great today. It was a terrible treatment day since everything was closed for holiday and they were short handed. They took me in 2 hours late and I had to change my flight and the shuttle forgot me but I made it home and all is well. Hair still hangin in. There is much to be thankful for : )

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mofend
    mofend Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2010

    Morning - mouth sore gone! Glad that was quick.  Today is first day out into the world - kids back in school, snow -well, we still have tons but it's not snowing.  Off to bloodwork, breakfast with a friend and food shopping - totally jonesing for fresh fruit, juice, avocado, and everything yummy.  Maintaining my weight - haven't lost or gained.  I, too, get the herceptin along with with taxotere and carboplatin all at the same time.  Didn't know they split it up like that.  Obviously, everyone's case is different.  I think the steroids defiinitely messed with my skin and hopefully that will pass soon since I only took them for three days total.  Nothing major, just a breakout that I don't usually get.  One interesting thing - I was due for my period by now and haven't gotten it so I am loving that.  It's really been quite a pain lately and was inhibiting activity.  lbreel - sorry you have to fly to treatment - that would put me over the edge, I think.  Hope everyone has something to smile about today!  Mo

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mebrown
    mebrown Member Posts: 74
    edited February 2010

    I was told to take Zyrtex (may not be spelled right) when I had the Neulasta shot. My onc told me to take on in the morning and one at night for 5 days. This helped me and my DH when he had to have the shots. I took it the day before just in case. Smile

    Grazie47 - when I had my MUGA scan they told me they couldn't use my port for it. I had to have an IV.

     I thought my running nose was from allergies. I can see now I was wrong. I was ask yesterday if I had a running nose. Has anyone found out what can be done for it besides lots of tissues?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    Heard this on the news yesterday about aspirin cutting breast cancer risk:

    (CBS)  Breast cancer patients who take aspirin regularly may be able to cut their risk of dying by 50 percent, according to a study by Harvard Medical School, which was published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

    The survey from 1976 to 2006 of more than 4,000 registered nurses showed that women who took aspirin regularly (two to five days a week) cut their risk of having the cancer spread by 60 percent and reduced their risk of dying from breast cancer by 71 percent.

    Most of the women were taking the aspirin to reduce their risk of stroke or cardiac problems.

    Researchers theorize that aspirin may help control cancer by fighting inflammation. Breast cancers produce more inflammatory chemicals than normal breast cells. Lab tests show that aspirin keeps breast tumor cells from growing and invading other tissue.

    A study in August also found that aspirin offered a potential benefit against colon cancer.

    Researchers warn however that more study is needed and they caution that aspirin therapy can thin blood, a problem for those undergoing chemotherapy or other cancer treatments and can cause gastric bleeding, even in otherwise healthy women.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ezscriiibe
    Ezscriiibe Member Posts: 598
    edited February 2010

    What an interesting study re: aspirin!

    I had been taking daily aspirin until this past summer when I ended up with a gawdawful ulcer. I was told NOT to take it any more, even the low dose.

    But I was also told not to take any blood thinners, including aspirin, as long as I have the port in for some reason. I don't remember (because honestly, I wasn't paying attention except to the woooshing sound that was in my ears as I was trying to digest all of this!), but I THINK it has something to do with potential leakage? 

    Maybe someone who knows more about ports and/or clotting and blood thinning can fill us in on that!

    I'm doing the best I can today to try to get in THREE LITERS of liquids!! UGH! Plus, I went and got my hair cut into a sort of long-ish Annie Lennox cut, in anticipation of the hair loss. That's kind of freaking me out a bit too. But I'm handling it. . . . Yell

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    Ezscriiibe, here's what I've learned.  Aspirin works as a blood thinner.  It works great for folks like my dad, who has been told that his blood is too "thick" and therefore clots more easily.  In his case, aspirin lowers his risk of having a blockage and a stroke. 

    For us who may be going through surgeries and chemo, we don't want aspirin to increase our chances of bleeding.  When we are on chemo when our blood counts are down and we may already be bruising more easily.  Same goes for surgery, during which we bleed!!

    My 2 cents.   Hope you are still doing great after the port surgery.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • makmak
    makmak Member Posts: 632
    edited February 2010

    Hi everyone.. Today was my first treatment.. Thanks to reading this thread each day I was able to get through it well.  I also asked about the cooling caps and was told that the way they work is by not letting chemo to wherever the cold is. .and that does put you at risk for mets there.. since I already have mets.. not an option... Aspirin story was on TV when I was there (6.5 hrs mind you!!) and the nurse said it's not just a thinner it also reduces your blood cell count and since chemo does that already it may increase infections even more.. so another NO NO...

    Going to rinse with salt and baking soda tonight and use the biotene.. Had a reaction to Benadryl so someone suggested Claritin.. not sure if any of you have had it.. Been warned to expect constipation, but not much nause..

    With my recent added diagnosis of liver mets, I will be doing this every week for 3 weeks, then a week break for 6 months.. then herceptin for at least a year... FUN Times... and my drugs are Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin if anyone else is on these...

    Marina

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leta17
    leta17 Member Posts: 120
    edited February 2010

    Neulasta #2 - only mild aches, nothing like I had the first time on this day #7!!  Yeah, the nurses were right, that it would be worst the first round.  I did not take Claritin.

    Aspirin - Good info for after chemo and rads!

    Wow, I can't believe how many are now in February, welcome, we can do this!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Grazie: After this first cycle, I'll be getting the Herceptin with the chemo drugs.

     I guess I didn't use enough Lidocaine on the port today, cuz that poke HUUUURT! Though, it was quick. But, yow!!  It was pretty easy to get the infusion. They left the tubing in place and told me not to get it wet. They said I could shower if I taped up the area...but unfortunately, it got wet. So, I'm hoping that tomorrow, when I get the TC part of the cocktail, they won't have to take this line out and re-do the poke. It's all taped up, and if I remove the tape to put on Lidicaine before my appointment, the whole thing well fall out. Ugh.

    Here come the side effects!  I hope I'm ready and prepared. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • writer
    writer Member Posts: 208
    edited February 2010

    Yikes, Beth, so sorry about the port pain. You have inspired me to really load up on lidocaine for the next one. (I was lucky and had no pain at all with the first.)

    Anyone else have a really raspy throat? I can barely talk. Doesn't hurt too badly.... I figured it's related to the runny nose, and I don't know that I can do much about it. Now that my intestinal issues are better, none of the other side effects are bothering me, so I'm not really complaining, just curious. I hope I can talk tomorrow because I have a conference call meeting!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mebrown
    mebrown Member Posts: 74
    edited February 2010

    I got a prosthetic today. Sure makes me feel a bit more normal when I go out in public. I also went to the ACS and was able to get a donated wig (just in case). I'm only 8 days out from my first treatment but am preparing for the possibility. My DH loves the wig. Smile May keep it even when my hair is normal.

    Has anyone here thought about reconstruction after chemo? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • roso88
    roso88 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2010

    hi writer,

    i got a sore throat on days 2-4 but it went away.  i just kept hydrating and avoided any fried/oily foods.  hoping yours is just temporary too.

    the runny nose is constant.  i find it gets worse the more active i am.  i asked my chemo nurse about it but she said she's never heard that complaint.  it's odd because i've seen so many comment about it on these boards.

    they gave me half the dose of benadryl through IV today so hopefully it'll help decrease the muscle pain in the hip and legs. 

    woohoo, #2 done!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    14 days after TC #1, just like clockwork, strands of hair coming off. Sigh.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    14 days after TC #1, just like clockwork, strands of hair coming off. Sigh.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • roso88
    roso88 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2010

    faithful - hi.  sorry to hear that time has come.  we're all right behind you.  are you going to shave it off or wait and see?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mofend
    mofend Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2010

    faithfulc - I'm sorry about your hair, too.  I know I'm right behind you in that situation so I really feel for everyone who's at that point.  Funny how our hairs defines us so much.  There's a couple things I'm looking forward to without the hair, so maybe these can help - no hair dryer time - in my life I've probably wasted fives years in front of the mirror with the hair dryer.  No hair appointments - time to enjoy the coming spring!  Just think how quick we'll be able to get ready!  No dark roots - no hair - no roots!  No ponytail headache at the gym.  Our faces - we get to appreciate just how beautiful we all are - our great cheeks, eyes (even without lashes - great fake ones out there), and smiles.  So, in a strange way, there's some freedom that will come with all this.  I say all this to pump myself up and hope it helps someone else, too.  Mo 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • makmak
    makmak Member Posts: 632
    edited February 2010

    Don't we also not have to worry about Shaving?  I too like you all keep trying to come up with the 'benefits'...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • writer
    writer Member Posts: 208
    edited February 2010

    Faithful is the first of us to go, right? It's a sobering moment.

    But as for the good things, mofend and makmak, you forgot that we will at least be spared those inappropriate facial hairs. Or maybe you all are too young and/or fair to get them. But when my dark-Irish sisters and cousins get together (we're all mid-40s to mid-50s) we spend a ridiculous amount of time describing and laughing about our inappropriate hairs, from the "Fu Manchu" to that one super-wiry black one that sticks straight out of a chin.

    I am terribly sad about losing my eyebrows and eyelashes (much more than my hair), but at least I'll also lose the inappropriate facial hairs! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leta17
    leta17 Member Posts: 120
    edited February 2010

    My DH buzzed me on day 27 right before my 2nd tx (I'm a carry over from the January posts:) and now it takes me all of 15 minutes to get showered and dressed in the morning!!!  No shaving anywhere!!  It is nice not to have to spend as much time in the bathroom, I just throw on the wig, brush it and go:)  Still have eyebrows and lashes though...

    Day 14 was the day that I really noticed it and even though I didn't loose all of it, it is much easier with the buzz.  The stubble helps keep the scarves in place and I wear a nice soft cap to bed to stay warm...It is cold without something on a bear head.

    I went to my favorite exercise class last night and it was the first one that I took since I shaved and had to wear a scarf...and it was really good, the men who teach the class know what I am going through and are SO supportive!  I did get a couple of unsure looks from some other women, but oh, well, I wasn't going to let that stop me being there:)

    I bought workout scarves and other nice scarves from www.4women.com .  I figure that I will still be wearing these scarves well into the summer (I finish 5/6) and so get good use out of them.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CinD
    CinD Member Posts: 163
    edited February 2010

    Faithfulc, I'm sorry to hear the strands are coming off. I love reading all of the positives posted! When I saw my onco two weeks ago before my first treatment, he gave me the general once over. Well, he grabbed my ankle, and I hadn't shaved my legs since my surgery, one month earlier! I got all embarrassed and told him that I hadn't shaved my legs, and he said not to worry, he hadn't shaved his legs that morning either.

    I'm glad to hear many are doing better. Writer, I felt so badly for you with those stomach issues. Hopefully now that your team knows this is a reaction for you, they'll be able to head it off at the pass in the future.

    Except for a little fatigue, probably caused by the 6 day period I just came off of, I've been feeling really well. I feel kind of guilty, almost as if I should be having all of these side effects happening. But, I'll take a little good guilt over feeling crappy any day. And, I may have just gotten lucky with this first treatment and who knows what the future will bring.

    Hope everyone is well and stays that way!

    Cindy 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    Ladies, you are all so wonderful.

    This hair business is quite interesting.  Yesterday morning I combed through my hair with my hand - nothing came off. (My hair is slightly longer than chin length.)  By the time I got off work, one "hand comb" would consistently yield about 5-6 pieces of hair - all from the bottom half.  Nothing from the top or side of my head yet.  All through yesterday evening, it's about up to a dozen pieces every time.

    So far they are not falling off like the rain so I'm still at work.  Good thing we are approaching the weekend as I think by then the main act would definitely have started (if not finished).  Roso, I haven't decided whether I will shave it or not.

    I've been blessed with very little SE except for this and have not changed my work routine at all, so I'm not losing sleep over hair.  Still full of energy especially this is my 3rd week.  Guess I'll have a visual reminder of what my body is going through on a daily basis soon, but I already know it and, more importantly, why I'm going through this.  For my wonderful family and all of you loving sisters...and this, too, shall pass.

    By the way, looks like there are quite a few of us starting treatment between yesterday and today, and I hope all go smoothly.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lbreedl
    lbreedl Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2010

    One morning a beautiful girl looked into the mirror. She noticed that she had only 3 strands of hair on her head. She let out a small sigh and decided to wear her hair in a braid.

    The following morning this same sweet girl looked in her mirror noticing only 2 hairs on her head. "I'm going to wear pig tails today" she remarked.

    Looking in the mirror the next morning this lovely gal found just one hair on her head. " today I'm going in a ponytail" she said.

    When she looked in her mirror the next day she noticed all her hair was gone! With a big sigh of relief she said " Thank goodness I don't have to do my hair today!"

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ezscriiibe
    Ezscriiibe Member Posts: 598
    edited February 2010

    lbreedl, that was cute!

    Faithful, so sorry you're the first, but hang in there. I had shoulder length hair and was sure that I'd freak if long pieces (or clumps) of hair started coming out, plus I was worried about what it would do to our plumbing pipes, so I went and got a "pre-chemo" cut yesterday. It's not great, but it's about as short as I got it cut when I joined the army at 18. (pay no attention to the bandage on my neck -- that was from my port placement on Tuesday)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • teemee
    teemee Member Posts: 122
    edited February 2010

    lbreedl -- thank you so much for the kind thoughts! I am finally feeling better. I still need a nap in the day, but overall it's a different world for me.Today the infectious disease dr. said 7 more days on the IV antibiotics, then she will try to switch me to oral and see how it goes...

    I think it's very ironic that I'm "missing out" on chemo because of this staph infection, and that my SEs seem worse than almost anyone's here! Oh well, maybe this will make chemo easier on me. I'm terrified of those nasty drugs.

    It's great, wonderful, heartwarming to see how well almost everyone is. Hugs to all and a second and third helping to anyone not feeling so good.

    Looks like, with the latest infection update, that I won't be in the February group. Is it OK if I stay here as a 'late bloomer?' I'm attached to you women now!

    Have a great weekend.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    I had my first TC today. So far, piece of cake. I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune by this weekend tho!  I'm not really sure what to expect and when.

    Sorry to everyone that is to the point of the hair loss. It is amazing how much easier this would be if only our hair didn't fall out. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CAL30
    CAL30 Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2010

    Hi all, I had my 2nd TC treatment yesterday, went okay, just feeling tired.. My hair started falling out some about a week ago- then got a bit worse over the weekend so I had my hubby shave it, theres still a little bit but its very short. I went to the 'look good feel better' class and it was fun, they gave us a bag full of goodies, make-up, cleanser, lotion. And I also got a wig which I actually like!

    So if you haven't heard about that or signed up for it, I recommend going :)

    Anyway hope you are all hanging in there! & I hope you feel better soon teemee!

    ((hugs)) to you all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mofend
    mofend Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2010
    Okay, now for something completely different - thrush!  I have been religious about using the Biotene, the salt water rinse, drinking tons of fluids, etc., and I still have ended up with thrush in my mouth - gross!  At first I thought it was just a mouth sore, but that seemed to go away some and then yesterday my mouth felt like someone had taken an emery board and used it on my tongue and gums.  So, I went to my trusty chemo side effect book and figured out that this is thrush, which is basically a yeast infection in your mouth - ugh, just saying that makes me gag.  I will call the onc in a little bit to see what they do about it - looks like it should be a dose of Diflucan, which is the same thing you get when you have a yeast infection in the normal places!  The funny thing about it is that other than that, I feel perfectly fine.  So, all in all, if these are the bumps along this road, I'll take my Diflucan and move on.  I know it could be so much worse.  Just having a small pity party here - won't last long.  Beth - how are you feeling???
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ezscriiibe
    Ezscriiibe Member Posts: 598
    edited February 2010

    Oh mofend, how yucky! But keep in mind that "thrush" is a fungus and the mouthwash, etc, might not really do much to stop the fungus, but it should take care of the other mouth sores.

    The medication should clear it up pretty good. Remember that a lot of our little ones got thrush when they were babies, and if I recall, it cleared up pretty quickly after treatment.

    And pity party all you want! We deserve it! If we can't bitch to each other, who can we bitch to!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    teemee, please keep us posted on how you are doing.  It sounds like those of us who have gone through the first chemo treatment have been doing relatively well.  Hope this will be true for you once you can get this infection behind you.  We are here for you!!

    Mo, sorry to hear about your thrush - the medication should take care of it and may it NEVER come back!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories