May 2010 Chemo

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  • cleob
    cleob Member Posts: 20
    edited May 2010

    DIAGNOSED FOR STAGE 2 BREAST CANCER(WEAK ER+) IN EARLY APRIL.STARTED FIRST CHEMO MAY 21,2010. WILL BE ON WEEKLY TAXOL TREATMENT FOR TWELVE WEEKS AND AC(BI-MONTHLY) FOR TWO WEEKS. I NEED ADVISE ON HOW TO PULL THROUGH DURING CHEMO SESSIONS.

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  • nanaof2
    nanaof2 Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2010

    Redbard, were you still on the antinasuea meds?  I am afraid to not take mine.  My dr. said it is easier to take them and not start the nauseaousness than to have to fix it. 

    Sacphotomom and Jenny B - you are both about one week ahead of me and I so hear what you are saying about the hair.  I am deciding on when to do the buzz.  I have a principal's meeting this Thursday and hope I can make it.  Why, why, why,....I have decided that I am upset because everyone says how well I am handling this and once the hair is off , it is all out there in the open.

    golfergirl - you and I are only a couple of days apart - my nxt treatment is Tuesday.  Hope your treatment goes well. Really curious to hear about your cold caps.  Wish I had heard about them in time.

    Best to everyone getting the second treatment this week.  Keep us posted.  Hope it all goes well with you all! 

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  • nanaof2
    nanaof2 Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2010

    cleob - I don't know how I missed you.  Welcome to our group.  You will find tons of information. Most of us are a week to two weekds ahead of you.  My first treatment went very well. Do what the drs. tell you, for me that was taking meds the day before, the day of and the day after.  THe nurses doing the infusion will watch you carefully, but beaware of any changes your body feels and tell them immediately.

    Feel free to ask any questions, these women are brilliant have done a lot of research already.

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  • Irishtess
    Irishtess Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2010

    cleob: I started my chemo (ACT) on the same day as you ~ sorry you're here, but welcome!  Welcome also to cfb1957:  The gals here are great & very supportive.  I have no family hx of bc, but opted for a BMX (04/14) even though the R breast was clean. Path report confirmed the IDC & the DCIS, which we expected, but also located LCIS in the L breast so I'm glad I made that choice!

    JennyB & Summer: Thanks for good wishes.  The pre-treatment anxiety was worse than the treatment itself.  I had a great onc nurse, no problems with the IV (no port), and few SEs: queasy stomach, headache, heartburn, foggy-head the morning after the Ativan (although I did sleep from 10 til 6 ~ YAY!), some flushing after the afternoon Neulasta shot on Sat (still there today so I called the on-call doc who said it's no big deal).  I'm more tired today than yesterday, but I'm sure it's the lack of sleep.  All in all ~ not bad!  One down, 7 to go! 

    Hope you all have good weeks coming up, & for those starting, take a deep breath & relax!

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  • Ca1Ripken
    Ca1Ripken Member Posts: 1,254
    edited May 2010

    Hi buddies!!  Sorry, I have been staying away from the group (I have been reading up, just not posting)... I feel out of the loop because my regimen is 'backward' from most.. and I'm going thru the easier side first.  Cleob, hi - you'll be with me... as I'm on the taxol and herceptin (but herceptin produces very few SEs).  After the TH, I'll go to AC either every 2 or 3 weeks (still need to talk to onc to see why she changed my treatment plan from dose dense to every 3 weeks.....).  My SE have been minimal - mostly GI, nausea, taste changes and fatigue.  Hair thinning is suppose to start after treatment 3, which is Thursday.  Still working and trying to keep up for now!!  

    I'm sorry for those having so many SEs... and feel for everyone of you losing your hair already.  You can prepare and prepare, but I guess it still hits hard and hurts!  Hey, I heard turbans are going to be all the rage this summer because of the Sex & the City movie, so that's a plus!!  :)

    Still sending prayers and positive thoughts to everyone!! 

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  • nanaof2
    nanaof2 Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2010

    Photopet - my hair also needed a desperate trim along with color and hightlights too!  I finally went into a quick cut type place.  My hairdresser is on a cruise.  I will definately be buzzing it this week.  It seems to be coming out in handfuls tonight.  I am hoping to get through to Thursday, but not sure.....

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  • sacphotomom
    sacphotomom Member Posts: 366
    edited May 2010

    About the hair   OK so I have been wearing the scarf more then the wig ..it actually hurts to wear the wig, my head is being so sensitive...I have a little beanie to wear to bed it helps since it has been so cold here..my neck gets so cold too..an then in the shower...that is so weird ..my head gets so cold, I'm taking faster showers to get my head warmed up again...and I tried the lint roller on my head.... it really took off a lot...it looked hairy....any way still tired from Tuesday's chemo..the last time I felt better on the Monday...

    .My taste buds are shot ...craving a grilled burger.and it just tasted like a bit log...so disappointing...

    Wishing everyone a really nice sunday!

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  • sunflower87
    sunflower87 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2010

    Hi everyone,

    Well, this week was good for me...week 3.. no SE's other than continuous hair loss. Starting to get anxious again as tomorrow is TC#2.  My worse thing so far has been my allergic reaction to Taxtorere when I couldn't breathe...just hoping that this time they can get the pre-meds and drip rate working so I don't have that experience.

    So sorry to hear about those that have had to go to the hospital...I am sending lots of positive thoughts your way in hope that you have lots of better days ahead.

    Now back to HAIR...so I just had this hope that I would not lose all my hair as I have medium to long thick hair.  I was use to shedding hair...but I definitely have to say that my hair really hurts and I need to face reality that yes I am going to lose all my hair.  Washed my hair and my part has now doubled in width, with a huge bald spot on the back.  I think I am just afraid to get it shaved and see what I look like in the mirror!  For all of those that have already gone through the hair experience...thanks for posting...I am feeling your anxiety and pain...you are all so brave!

    For all of you starting this week...good luck...keep posting...the May Group is great!

    Remember.......P(positive) M(mental) A(attitude)!  Wishing a good week to all! Smile

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  • Summer38
    Summer38 Member Posts: 253
    edited May 2010

    Hi all, just checking in. It's day 5 after 1st AC and it has been really uneventfull! Beside being tired all the time anything else was completely bearable. I know it sounds crazy but I am now wishing I had more SE's so I would know it was working LOL - never happy right!Wink

    Good thoughts for all getting treatment this week, I hope it all goes smoothly!

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  • fotopet
    fotopet Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2010

    Just a quick check-in.  I will try to update and comment later.  I have been reading on my Itouch but can't write anyting on this site on that thing.

     I was all set to write about how I think I skated by pretty well all in all.  Then, last night, I got hit by diarhea.  THought I got that out of my system, but then had massive lower back pain.  I (probably stupidly) suffered with it all night - meaning no sleep - then called to on-call onco this morning.  She has me on dilaudid and am now waiting for a call from my onco office.   The dilaudid is taking the edge off enough that I can tell this pain is coming from massive muscle spasms.  Hopefull, they will get back to me soon.

     This really blows.

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  • JennyB100104
    JennyB100104 Member Posts: 237
    edited May 2010

    Ahhh, fotopet! That's exactly what happened to me on my first TC (and exactly on the same day you're having your pain). The pain was horrible--I couldn't even stand or walk. The good news was that it did go away after about 24 hours. They said it was from the Neulasta shot--is your onco telling you what they think yours is caused by?

    Tonight's the night I'm going to get it if it happens again. Sigh.

    Please check in later & let us know how you're doing.

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  • Irishtess
    Irishtess Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2010

    Fotopet: So sorry to hear about your experience.  Know that we'er all sending good thoughts your way.

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  • sacphotomom
    sacphotomom Member Posts: 366
    edited May 2010

    fotopet  My nurse told me to go home and immediately start taking 2 Tylenol  for 48 hours to help with the Neulasta shot pain...I did get back pain just not bad, then I started to get neck pain..very bad...so I ended up on the Norco from surgery...after about 24 hours it went away...

    This time for the 2nd shot I started taking the Norco right away and no pain.. was so much better...anyway ask if you can start on the pain stoppers right away to not even start he pain...

    Summer38  You should be feeling better and better each day now til the next treatment!

    Anyone have a solution for the taste buds?   I have been rinsing and rinsing but still not tasting anything!

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  • packjen
    packjen Member Posts: 281
    edited May 2010

    I don't think it's quite fair that I am losing all the hair on my head but I still have whiskers!  I am using the lint roller a few times per day and a LOT of little hairs come out.  I can now see a few little bald spots so I probably won't be going bare headed for much longer.  I guess I could change my nickname from Buzzy to Spot.Undecided

    Jen (day 19, T/C#1)

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited May 2010

    JennyB,

    I had much better results when I let them do the neulasta in my stomach rather than my arm- had a horrible time the first one in my arm and then made the switch and it was much better.

    Kristy

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  • nanaof2
    nanaof2 Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2010

    fotopet - hope you are feeling better. I am beginning to wornder if I had caught a bug or it was just what to expect on day 6.  That was the day I had the severe stomach pains and diarhea.  Just hope you are feeling better. 

     JennyB - stay well.....

    Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers.

    Judy

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  • fotopet
    fotopet Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2010

    Hi ladies,

     THanks for all your support, yet again. 

    JennyB - The doc agreed that this is probably Neulasta pain. High doses of ibuprofen along with dilaudid seem to be doing the trick,  I was actually glad to find out it was neulasta.  I had myself in a downward spiral of fear of the unknown!! And the diarhea has passed with one day of BRAT diet.

     nanaof2 - my doc said it is not unusual to get the bad tummy 6 - 10 days after tx.  so yours might have been that, although my doc also suggested that alot of cramping is usually a bug (I had minimal cramping).  Hpoing for you to have an easier next time.

    As for the hair - I might have to get a quick, cheap trim before it all falls out.  No wayward hairs as of yet, but I am only on day7.  

    packjen- thoroughly not fair about the hair - i have a friend who went trough this last year and complained all the time that she had no hair anywhere except her legs! 

    sacphotomom - I am seeing the onco tomorrow and will ask about starting the pain meds earlier, now that we know neulasta pain is in my future.  Thanks for the suggestion.  

    As for the taste buds, DH is cooking from the Cancer Fighting Kitchen, which has lots of suggestions with fresh herbs and sweetners.  I am drinking lemon water constantly - seems to help the fuzzy mouth feel and cardboard/metallic taste.

    sunflower87 - my thoughts will be with you on your second tx.  That reaction is SCARY and I , like you, hope for no repeats! 

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  • JennyB100104
    JennyB100104 Member Posts: 237
    edited May 2010

    Good news for me today, at this point in TC #1 I was curled up on the ground crying with spine pain, but right now I feel pretty good! I think it's got to be the Claritin, because I have only been taking the painkillers sporadically. Yay!

    Fotopet, that  was me, too. I was panicking, because they had told me the Neulasta would feel "achy, like the flu," and that pain was nothing like the flu! I felt like something really bad was happening.

    Kristy, I'll ask about them moving the shot (but the stomach--that sounds frightening...eek!)

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  • Drim
    Drim Member Posts: 302
    edited May 2010
    Congratulations  JennyB - I'm  so happy for you that TC#2 is working out so much better for you. I had absolutely nothing happen to me with the neulasta shot and I take Claritin everyday for allergies so it sounds like it is the Claritin. YAY from me too!! You're half way done!!!
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  • paxton
    paxton Member Posts: 577
    edited May 2010

    Hope you don't mind if I pop in.  I started chemo last Tuesday.  I went thru Abraxane chemo in Feb/Mar, then bilat surgery and now 4 cycles of Carbo/taxol/avastin.  I have a 10 month old and I'm feeling rough.  I've got mouth sores and yeast infection.  The bone pain from the taxol has gone.  But I'm feeling like I don't know how I'm going to do this. 

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  • Redbarb804
    Redbarb804 Member Posts: 299
    edited May 2010

    Fotopet: Sorry to hear you had such pain.  I had a brief bout of pain and then it was fine.  my ono prescribed a steriod taper to help with the pain, but I never filled it because the pain stopped.  I have it on hand just in case.

    Jenny B: Congratulatons on having less SE the second time around.  I am ready to start #2, but have to wait about 2 weeks. 

    Well I guess my days are numbered before I lose my hair.  I have noticed that strands are starting to fall out.  I am on day 12.  I'm wondering how much longer I will have hair.  I have my wig but I don't have any scarves or turbins yet.  I guess I'll have to go shopping this weekend. 

    I have come to the conclusion that i can not eat steak anymore. Friday and Sunday I had steak and baked potatoes for dinner.  In the middle of the night both nights I started with the stomach grumbles.  By the end of the day I was running to the bathroom.  then i was fine.  This happened both days after eating steak and baked potatoes, so I guess there's one food I can't eat anymore.  I ove steak.  Anyone else had one food that made them sick? 

    Hair update:  I was beginning to think that maybe I would be spared for a little while with out losing my hair, but tonight I started seeing a few strands come out if I tuck on my hair.  My head is also getting itchy.  How long after this starts are you bald?  I need to get a few scarves, turbins or hats.  Can anyone recommend the best things to go with?   I hope I am ready for this.  I have had such an easy go round with my first treatment and want to handle the hair loss with grace.  The emotions are starting to hit me, especially at night when I am by myself.  I thank all you for your posts so that i know what to expect.  I feel blessed to have found such a wonderful sight that I can go to to get answers. 

    Thanks to all of you!!!!

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  • CTherese
    CTherese Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2010

    Hi Gals,

    Like RedBar, I'm on day 12 post TC #1. I don't think my hair is showing any signs of falling yet, but can't be sure as I have long curly hair that sheds on a good day.  In any case, I am well armed with a super cool wig which makes baldness less awful to contemplate at the moment. This whole last week has been very uneventful. No pain at all.  Friends phone or stop by and sometimes seem both relieved and disappointed that I don't look the part. (Is she lying? maybe she has cancer lite). I figure a bit of baldness will help my cause.  Of course, I am joking, but there's nothing that screams cancer quite like a bald head.

     Hi Paxton - welcome!  I'm so sorry about your situation - I hope you're taking meds for your yeast infection and mouth sores. Having a very small child must make this so much more trying. I hope you have friends and family you are reaching out to?

    fotopet - glad to hear you are doing better! 

     re: neulasta - I too had the shot in my tummy - didn't hurt at all. In fact, unlike what most of you describe, my neulasta shots take place immediately after the chemo - ie on the same day. I asked my doc why I didn't have to return the following day and she said waiting 24 hrs didn't make a difference.

     Good night and sleep well ladies!

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  • marcy4
    marcy4 Member Posts: 162
    edited May 2010

    I am from the April Board, but I take my Neulasta shots in my thigh and had no pain the first time and some minimal pain in my upper back and neck this time.  I don't know if the location of the shot makes a difference or not.

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  • packjen
    packjen Member Posts: 281
    edited May 2010

    Paxton,

    Just get through one day at a time.  Having a little one is very tough while you go through this.  Do you have help?  Can you ask for help?  People can't help if they don't know.

    I have found some relief from mouth sores by rinsing with Biotene mouthwash for dry mouth.  You can get that over the counter.  Also, my onc told me to ask if I needed an Rx for something stronger, she called it Magic Mouthwash.  As for the yeast infection, take what the dr. gives you and drink lots of cranberry juice.  I also like to take acidopholous when my system is out of whack or when I am taking antibiotics. 

    Feel free to ask questions here or vent if you need to.  We are here to help.

    Jen

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  • Ca1Ripken
    Ca1Ripken Member Posts: 1,254
    edited May 2010

    Paxton (((HUGS))) my littlest one is 3, so I know this must be so hard for you on so many levels!!  Can you have friends help?  I know I am guilty of not asking for help, and not letting people help - so I'm trying to let go, and really believe that people do feel better if you let them help you!  Have your friends watch your little one for a bit - even just a few hours every now and then.  Can they bring dinner?  Just thinking aloud!! 

    Packjen - damn, I was looking forward to losing the whiskers......  ;)

    CTherese - I know what you mean.  I think sometimes I have to show people the port in my arm to make them believe that I reallly do have cancer.... and it helps that they bruise the heck out of it anytime they touch it! 

    RedBarb - yes, I think enough steak for you... and enough spaghetti for me!  Nothing else with tomatoes... it just does me wrong.  I ordered from the cancer topsy turban... I think they had free shipping with x amount... I am opposite you and still need to get a nice wig (meant to ask my onc for that prescription last week) - and also eBay has some scarves pretty cheap. 

    :)  P&PT to everyone getting through the week as SE free as possible!!!!!!   (((((HUGS)))))

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  • marmalade_skies
    marmalade_skies Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2010

    Hello everyone! Hope everyone's having a good day...

    I'm sorry to hear about the pain from the Neulasta, fotopet. I have my Neulasta shot in the tummy and I have muscle pains for about a day before it goes away. I hope your pain will ease away soon too.

    I'm on Day 21, after #2 of AC on 20th May. Most of my hair is falling off, maybe about 20% is left. They don't fall out in clumps, just generally fall out in the shower. No overwhelming side-effects, but fatigue and a fullness in the stomach that doesn't do much for the appetite.

    Redbarb - your post on steak is hilarious! I tried having spaghetti bolognese last night and it turned out too oily although I really miss the taste! I hope to have some joy in food which will bring life to sort of a normalcy. I don't enjoy the hair loss but that's one sign that the chemo is going through the body!

    Lots of love and hugs to everyone. May everyday be better than the one before :)

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  • suzie56
    suzie56 Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2010

    start in june any one to help during that time would be much appreciated

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  • fotopet
    fotopet Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2010

    JennyB - So glad you are feeling better this time around.  I usually take Zyrtec for my allergies but will ask my onco today about taking Claritin instead.  Maybe that will help!

    Redbard - At the Look Good Feel Better class, they suggested using wide headbands (I opicked up the Goody brand) for under scarves to help keep them in place.  Then they did a bunch of layering things with scarves and headbands and bandanas - called it "accessorizing your baldness" - almost seemed fun:) 

    CTherese - I love it, "cancer lite" - sometimes I get those looks too.  People love to tell me how healthy I look.  Those people should see us in the middle of the night in tears from the fear. 

    to all - Overall, I am feeling better today.  The ibuprofen seems to be doing the trick for the most part.  I am back in my office this morning, though not getting much done here.  Then off to the onco at noon for my one-week check up. 

    (btw - to Summer38 - my onco says they can actually tell if the chemo is working by checking the blood counts - apparently they look for a certain drop to know that the chemo is killing rapidly growing cells)

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  • TriciaB
    TriciaB Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2010

    Morning Ladies.  I'm ACII-Day8 and still feeling fine.  To all you ladies losing your hair, you have to do what works for you.  For me, it started coming out in strands on Sunday, more on Monday and lots more on Tuesday (ACII-Day2).  I was emotional on Sunday and Monday, but somehow zen on Tuesday when I had it buzzed (I'm sure I was repressing, but hey, you gotta do what works, particularly if it is subconscious Wink).  I have a wig that I wear to work and nice scarves that I purchased on www.4women.com  (the Beau Beau scarf (or something like that)).  It really helps to have pretty scarves.  These are self tied in the back with elastic and come with a scrunchy so you can put the ends into a little bun. It makes you look like you know what you are dong in the scarf tying department.

    FWIW, what's working for me physically (so far no nausea and no fatigue) is (along with getting Emend, Aloxi and Dexamethasone in my infusion and Dexa and Emend to take by mouth on Days 2, 3 and 4), is 1 tool softener on Days 1-4; two Pepcid a day on days 1-5.  I do take the Atavan (generic: Lorazapam sp?) at night and I sleep very well.  I also try to eat dried fruit; yogurt, lots of protein in the am including smoothies and a generally lo carb diet. I also have accupuncture twice a week.  I have only been walking my dog and to and from work for exercise and I probably could do more but been taking it easy.

    To all of you losing your hair this week, I am so pulling for you to adjust as easily as I did.  You all are going to look so pretty, strong and, yes, even sexy, in your scarves and, when you feel like wearing it, your wig.  Best to all of you for a good week.

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  • SGJ05
    SGJ05 Member Posts: 73
    edited May 2010

    Hi everyone,

     Just stopping by from April chemo. start:) Just wanted to offer something to those that are having the Neulasta shots and having bone pain. I also get the Neulasta shot and have had it 3 times, but with no bone pain. I take Claritin OTC the day before chemo. and 3 days after the shot--Now I am not 100% sure if it is just the Neulasta or my particular body, but it is worth a try if you haven't:) Just check with your Onc. first and make sure you can take it with the current meds. you are on. My onc. nurses swear by Claritin and have had patients who had the shot without it and experienced major bone pain, but then took it subsequent times and had little to no bone pain.

     Just thought I would offer a suggestion! Good Luck with your treatments, may your side effects being minimal:)

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