Chemo June 2010
Comments
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Isla - I had my first chemo on June 7 and I was also told by the oncologist that my periods may stop (I'm 45) so I wasn't expecting it to come. A day before yesterday I did get my period and not only that it wasn't weaker that usual but the bleeding was so heavy that I was worried that I was hemorrhaging, I had one really heavy day and today it went back to normal but I do feel a little more weak than usual. Other than thatI haven't had almost any se's.
Today, a day before two weeks since treatment, my hear started falling
, have to glue some, my wig is coming only in a week,Sorry for all of you that have been having a hard time, hope that you all get less and less se's, with every day that passes we get closer to the finish line
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Trusting,
Thank you for the warm welcome. I will be thinking about you today and hoping that everything goes well for you. Hopefully you won't have any SE's and will be able to continue running. I walk a mile or two every evening and hopefully will be able to continue to do so after starting treatment. Let me know how things go.
Take Care,
Sherri K
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kittycat- yes I have had extreme fatigue as well... it seems to hit around day 5. very difficult to get anything done...
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Thinking about you Trusting as you are probaby having your chemo right now. You go girl! Keep running if you can. I found the chemo made me winded walking up the stairs and my muscles fatigue really easy while biking hills. That was worse the first week but improved the second week. Take is slow and easy until you begin to feel better. I admire your determination. Let's hope for little or no SE for you.
Blessings, Mimi
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Thinking of all of you--esp. those starting today!
Kittycat-->had my first ac last Monday, and fatigue has been my biggest problem. I was hoping it wouldn't be so bad for me this time around. When I went through chemo before I had 3-4 days where I was in a fog. I spent a lot of time in my room (with books, tv, and computer!), and just gave in to it. I made lists of things to help me because I wasn't able to think clearly on those days. We even put the bird feeders up on the deck so I could watch them during the day. Anyway, I've been fighting the fatigue this time, but then I get depressed, and I'm going to have to just give into it like I did last time. On your "good" days, figure out what will help pass the time, and get stuff ready. One thing for me--when I come out of the fog I'm usually really happy and have energy--its like the rainbow after the storm. I even have some trouble sleeping as my brain finally turns on and has some catching up to do! My husband jokes about me talking non stop. So, I hope you get those good-feeling days too!
Hang in there everyone--we'll get through this!!
T
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Today's the big day, yikes! I feel pretty unprepared, been out of town all weekend, but i guess that's good or I'd have spent all day yesterday obsessing about it :-). Any last minute advice?
Julia
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Chew ice or something cold if you're getting Adriamycin. It helped me not get mouth sores so far. Good luck Julia2!
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I woke up today feeling a bit better. But now I'm feeling fatigued again! ughhh....
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Thanks Kittycat! What a rollercoaster! As of last Thursday I was either starting chemo today, or having another biopsy this afternoon on something in the other breast, depending on MRI 2nd opinion!! Luckily 2nd opinion agreed with 1st so off to chemo I go!
I'm doing TCx4, anyone doing B6 and/or L-glutamine to prevent neuropathy? What dosage? Which days? Are the ice chips only applicabIe to Ariamycin, or will they help me too? What about ice packs for fingernails? Yes? No? I do not want to be the weirdo in the infusion room with a suitcase full of supplies :-) OTOH, I hate not to do something simple that might help. 3 hours to go!
Cheers Julia
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ok everyone: i've been on here for probably 3 weeks & continue to read how great/ or not so great sometimes that everyone is doing. i've been anxious to get my 1st treatment underway & now that the d-day is here I'm finding that it's more frightening than i care to admit!!!!
i keep seeing you say to eat make sure that we're well-hydrated before treatment begins; & that we're full of fiber/fruits & anything else that will keep the constipation away------can someone give me suggestions about the specific 'fiber & fruit' choices that might be most effective???-----dried prunes, nuts, ???? help! i thought i was retaining everything, even writing things down & now i think i have the chemo fog & i haven't even hit the 1st treatment yet----------
deb
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This morning I called and left a message with my onc regarding my nausea. I haven't been able to tolerate more than 2 sips of any liquid during the day. I've eaten maybe 2 or 3 bites of solid food each day. I had the Emend and took as directed. The only other nausea pill I had was Ativan, which I have been taking like clockwork to no avail. I have not heard from the onc office. I will call again before 3:00. I don't know what else to do. I wasn't prepared for this. I thought my week off would be a good week and I'd have time to gather strength before the next treatment. I've been sincerely touched by all the tips and well wishes from my new friends on here. Just knowing you're listening and you care is very reassuring. Love to all.. Sherry
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Sherry, you must just be feeling miserable. Call the onc again. Your hydration is really important and this has gone on too long. Perhaps a visit to the local emergency room for some IV antinausea meds and fluids would be in order. Please consider this.
Hugs and blessings, Mimi
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Hi all,
I just wanted to jump in and offer a few things. I hope it can help someone.
1) What about Zofran for the nausea (in addition to the Emend)?
2) B6 for sure to keep the neuropathy to a minimum. It takes six weeks to get into your system so ask your Onc if you can take it. I didn't learn about the L-Glutamine until the neuropathy was full blown and it was a HUGE help!
3) Someone told me to put clear nail polish on my fingers while doing Taxol and my nails were fine. Due to chemo brain, I didn't think to put it on my toes too and I lost both big toe nails so put the clear on hands and feet!
4) I did the ice chips and also took acidophilus. The acidophilus puts the good bacteria back into your system that the chemo is taking away. Make sure you ask your Onc that you can take it. Everyone is different.
Wishing you all a peaceful day.
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Sherry: you're one week ahead of me with AC T & I've been reading how you are struggling w/the se's from 1st treatment. how far away from the hospital are you? is there someone that could drive you there? mimi is right, hydration is key, altho i don't know anything about the nausea because i don't start treatment until wednesday. i've got prescriptions for zofran & emend, altho i have no idea whether they will work on me yet.
obviously, everyone is concerned about you----bug the heck out your dr's office---and/or try to get to the hospital. this texan is concerned about you, too!!
deb
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I am five days out from treatment number two and starting to feel a little normal again, the first treatment it took a week until I was somewhat normal. Tired, nauseau, etc. Just plain resting a lot which I am sure the body needs. However once you are over the hump, you feel normal again. Such a strange thing. Also hair is coming out in clumps now. I did buzz it short before my second treatment and it is ready to all go now. I hope everyone is hanging in there and getting through their se's if they have any. There is light at the end of the tunnel!! Just gotta keep reminding ourselves of it.
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Just got a call from the onc. He is calling in Zofran and phenergan for my nausea. I am to call tomorrow and let him know how I'm feeling and if I've been able to eat or drink anything. So I'm HOPING these drugs will do the trick. The is the one SE I dreaded the most. Can you just go to a hospital and ask for IV fluids? I didn't know you could do that?
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Hi Northern Girl,
Interesting that you should mention the chest pain as this was discussed during my chemo teaching. The chemo nurse told me that because the chemo affects the lining of the digestive tract in a more severe way ie the nausea. It is because the cells here would normally divide rapidly. She said that the mouth sores that some people develop can actually happen lower down in the esophagus and that they are not visible. She said people who develop these usually get chest pain that they may mistake for a heart attack. They last about a week. Maybe this is the case with you. I thought I would share what I was taught. She said to suck on TUMS if that happened.
Take care,
Trusting
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sherry- Do you have anyone who can call your Onc's office and get some action? I am worried that you are dehydrated by now and that could be dangerous. I bet you are so sick and exhausted that you are not able to INSIST on speaking to the Oncologist. Do you have family or a friend who can call and explain your side effects and insist that the Oncologist needs to know? Unfortunately, too often, front office staff don't realize the urgency of things.They need to be told you just had your first chemo and are not able to tolerate much liquid and may be getting dehydrated. Or as the other ladies said, just go to the ER. They will give you fluids and they will definitley be able to get to your Onc. Please don't let this go on another day.
dsa-outtahere- Just be sure to ask your Onc what things you are allowed to take for constipation. That way you will have options if you need. I would just eat lots of high fiber fruits, veggies, whole grains. Dried fruit is good, but only if you rehydrate it, or drink lots of water to plump it up again. My favorite"get it all right again" concotion is stewed prunes, served warm over plain yogurt sprinkled with Grape Nuts and honey.It has become my nightly treat and I am totally back to normal after last week's chemo. Good luck!
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sherry-I think you just posted before mine went up. Did your Onc ask you how much liquid you had been drinking? From your posts, it doesn't sound like a lot. I think the rule of thumb is that your are supposed to pee every hour the first few days after chemo to flush and get things out of your kidneys and liver. You might want to speak to him and ask if he thinks you should have some IV fluids. I'm glad he called you back. Hope you start to feel better soon!
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Arggghh....HIVES! I am on day 15 and woke up in the middle of the night with my hands itching. I attributed it to cleaning the skin with Soft Scrub and not wearing gloves. I have used Soft Scrub many times before, but thought maybe my skin is more sensitve now. Took some Chlor-trimeton this morning and went to work. Took more at 1:00, and by 2:15, my bottom lip was starting to swell. I left the office and went to my onc. My chemo nurse said it is not likely a reaction the chemo this far out. Told me take Benadryl every 4-6 hour and call them if it doesn't get better. Have taken benadryl once; so far no better.
Sheri9316: I agree with DesignerMom.You have been without fluids for awhile and a bag of IV fluids will make you feel tons better. The Zofran and Pheneragan are good. My onc. sent me home with them with instructions to take them the first 24 hours whether I felt like I needed them or not. The pheneragan will make you sleepy though.
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Had my first Chemo today, so far I am doing well, Thank each of you for your post's I have read so much that you have shared with us newbie's, This has made the whole process easier. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the side effects will be mild. I go Thursday for a power port, sentinel node biopsy, and core biopsy. I will keep you posted.
Thanks Again
Sandy
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Hi All,
I went for my first chemo today too at 0900. I drank lots of fluids and ate. I had Dexamethasone and Ondansetron before chemo. I felt ok. Kept drinking..... after about 4 hrs was getting tired but the Dexamethasone makes it harder to sleep I found it kind of gives you a steroid rush. I lied down for a bit. Got up and then boom the nausea hit me. I vomited and now I feel better. I hope I keep feeling way I do now.I think I will keep up with the water as it made being sick easier. I will keep eating but smaller quantities. I know I can do this and so can you all too.
Take care,
Trusting
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Hives update: I called my allergist/internist, who is also a good friend, when my lips continued to swell. He said take 50mg bendryl, then 50 more in 4 hours. My lip swelling is going down, and the itching is improving. I hope I can sleep better tonight, andI I hope this is better by tomorrow!
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Trusting
I hope your side effect are minimal. I too think the steroids are pumping me up, it may hit me later. Did they give you Zofran for the nausea? They told me to take one tonight and for the next fews days, I guess maybe to try and offset before the nausea occurs. They gave me Cisplatin today, then I start on a pill tomorrow of RAD001 ( everolimus ), then next week they will add the Taxol With Cisplatin. My son is getting married on July 3rd, I just hope and pray I am okay for the wedding. Please keep us posted and take care.
Sandy
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Hi All.
I start my first chemo treatment tomorrow. Am starting to worry more and more. I went for my cat scans today and had an allergic reaction to the dye. I broke out in hives and my face was so swollen. I was taken to the ER by ambulance and was given so much Benadryl that I can barely keep my eyes open so I should have no problem sleeping tonight. Hopefully there won't be any unexpected reactions to any of the chemo drugs tomorrow.
Sherri K
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Well, I guess I avoided the 'sudden death' side effect :-) So far so good. I did the ice packs, chewed ice chips and shopped for glutamine and B-complex on the way home. Now i'm slugging down water as fast as I can. Nurse said 'call if there's blood in your urine', gee, my period started today, so I guess I hope thats a rare issue as I wouldn't be able to tell anyway!
Julia
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Sherri K, Good grief! Do you have a shellfish allergy? I think that's what I was asked about when i had the dye for my MRI.
Julia
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Sherry, Yes you can go to the ER and ask for IV fluids. I did this once when I got really sick. They put 2 bags of fluid in me and gave me some anti-nausea meds through the IV. Good luck!!!
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By the way, I got my period today - like I needed something else to make me fatigued!!! Anyone on Vitamin B? I keep hearing that it's good for energy, but i was told to just take a multi-vitamin that doesn't have Vitamin B in it.
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Meliss
I was on the same treatment as you and towards the end I was doing a lot of cleaning and baking and ended up with swollen red itchy palms!! Onc said neuropathy and to rest my hands and ice them. In a couple days I felt better. I know its hard but you really need to rest your hands and try not to do too much cleaning. That was the best thing the doctors told me...I didn't feel the least bit guilty about asking friends to clean for me as I "supervised" One plus to chemo!
Feel better!
Di
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