Chemo June 2010

Hi Isla,

I don't think anything is TMI here :-) I had my second found of AC yesterday, and got my period that afternoon (it's more or less when i was due to get it, and it seems like a regular period). I was also surprised, because I was told by my onc that my periods would stop and likely not return. But then I figrued that maybe my body isn't far enough into the chemo yet?

Latte

Hi All- I had my first dose of A/C June 9 and will be going for my 2nd dose 6/23. Day 5 was my most difficult day-extremely fatigued. Did what I could, and napped in between. I'm so greatful that my kids are at an age that they can just roll with this. Besides my shingles pain, I only had a few episodes of mild nausea-I feel so lucky. My appetite however is down-which is not a bad thing-if I lose some pounds over this, it will be a good thing. I do eat healthy. I haven't really noticed big changes in taste-just a little bit of smell aversions to some foods. I had my stitches taken out of my mouth (oral surgery on June 8) and the Dr. put me on another antibiotic, just in case (my wbc's were 1.7, and predicted to go lower). My shingles seem to be going away, my mouth has healed well (no mouth sores), and honestly, since Friday I have felt really good. It is so weird but I have had major mental clarity since Friday. It feels good, instead of being in a fog, like it seems I have been in since being diagnosed.I have become an avid gardener (4 years ago I despised even pulling weeds) and now I'm tending to a huge garden, doing some landscaping, and loving it. Maybe it's the physical exercise . that is making me feel good. I still take a rest time every afternoon, then get a second wind and do not know when to stop (much to my husbands irritation ) After I explained the joy I am feeling while gardening, and my concern that I may get sicker after this next round (hence the motivation to get as much done as possible), he was much more understanding.

kitty: I can relate to the "day 5" wall-I've also read that other people have experienced this on Day 5. It'll get better!

Isla: I started my period 4 days ago and was a bit concerned that the initial heavy bleeding would really drop my hemoglobin. My period is almost gone now, even with a low platelet count.

Latte: My port placement went well (June 2) and was done under "conscious sedation". I had a nice cocktail nurse and told her to take good care of me. My site was quite sore for at least 10 days, but just sore to the touch. I have a Rx for Emla cream, which is applied to the port site 45 minutes prior to blood draws or treatment. It really does numb the area and I could barely feel the needle. Anything that will keep apprehension and anxiety at bay is worth it, I say. I hope you have as good experience with your port placement. I can't imagine the anxiety you must have faced going in for your treatment, if you knew your veins were poor to begin with. Good luck with your port if that is what you choose to do. So, anyhoo......1 down and 3 more to go (of the first part anyway). I'm just so glad to be moving forward and not waiting!

Stay strong my friends-you can do this....

Laurie

PS Everyone has a cool user name-I'm going to come up with one myself!

   Okay, Every time I write in on this I very seldom get a reply from anyone. I am jealous. You guys are so great though,I just cant stay away. Maybe I am just not as interesting as some of you! Well, anyway,Next Chemo is 6/24 thursday. God Bless to everyone. We can get though this.

Latte- Ask what kind of port you're getting... I have a "power port" that can also be accessed with dyes for tests like MRI, etc. Some ports can not be used for nuclear tests, so check to see which you're getting.

Angelwoman-->hi and God Bless you too! Good advice on the port!

Latte-->I just want to add my 2 cents to the port thing.  I've had mine for over a year, and love it.  I don't even notice its there anymore.  I, too, use the Emla cream to numb it before its accessed.  Some people don't need it, but I prefer it numb!  Ask for the "power port", like RS711 said, so you can use it for ct scans and such.  Really saves the veins!  You'll need to carry a card with you to prove that it is a power port, if you get one. I had planned to have my port removed after my ct scans for my colon cancer follow-up, but am of course now using it for bc.  I will leave it in until I no longer need any tests/chemo for at least 6 months.  My doc said its up to me when I want it removed. Oh, and I was awake, also, when they put the port in--but there was no pain.  I was sore for about 5 days.

I was just talking to a friend who started chemo in March and she suggested coconut water to help with fatigue. Has anyone else heard of this? I'm going to start taking B6 and B12 as one of my nurses made that suggestion.

I am sad to read that not everyone has lost their periods. I was kind of hoping that there might be some bright spots to chemo: no periods, no leg shaving and maybe even some weight loss. Now I find that I may still have a period and thanks to the steroids one of my onc. nurses told me that many women gain weight. I swear since this breast cancer adventure began it is a new indignity everyday. Did I mention that I had a curious line down my forearm that started where they put my IV in my hand? I called the nurse and she said it was no biggie the Taxotere can stain the inside of the vein and that it would go away on its own. See what I mean, a new indignity each day. It's all so crazy.

Yesterday I got a call from a Reach to Recovery volunteer through the American Cancer Society. It was nice. She's in my area and was able to give me information about local activities and best of all she shared her own experience with me and gave me her cell number if I ever need to talk.  It was super helpful. I would highly recommend it.

Well last evening was a bit scarey.  I was slamming down water after my chemo and not peeing at all.  Figured I drank at least 4 litres of water and peed half a cup from 6pm to midnight.  Read all about the bladder related Cytoxan side effects, got really scared.  Had two conversations with the on call onc. nearly went to the emergency room, but the idea of getting a catheter in the middle of the night didn't really appeal.  Weighed before bed, definitely retaining water, my weight was up about 10 pounds!  Peeing normally this morning and weight coming down, so hopefully disaster averted, I hope we can avoid this next time.

Julia   

melliss and momo2kidz-  Dang!  What fresh hell is this???  I hope your allergic reactions are settling down.  Maybe our systems are just stressed and can't handle things like they normally do??  You motivated me to go buy some disposable gloves for cleaning.  I hate rubber gloves, but I would hate hives more.

I hope all you first timers are continuing to have minimal side effects!

Beanius-  Yeah!!!  You are on your way!  You are doing the exact same chemo that I am.  Come on in, the water's great!  You are going to be fine, fine, fine!  I had my first on June 11, the anticipation was so much worse than the actual chemo.  I'm going to PM you.

Kaycee, thanks for the glutamine info, we got some last evening at the local health food grocery store.  I started taking it today.  The nurse who gave my chemo had a handout for me. 

Julia 

angelwoman - I would love to be non-interesting, if it meant no SE's!  LOL!!! 

So today I have a massive headache! Ughh.. Energy is better, but my head hurts and all I want to do is lay down!!!

Just wanted to post re:Neulasta.  Had my shot last Tues. (1 week ago), and didn't have any pain from it then, though I did take ibuprofen and claritin the first 2 days.   Today my spine has been hurting just like when I used to get the shorter acting neupogen shots.  It starts at my tailbone and works its way up to the base of my skull.  When I stand up or sit down, or any large movement, the pain radiates up like electrical waves.  I took 3 ibuprofen and a claritin (just in case it really helps), and I feel better.  I will take Tylenol in a few hours too.  So, I guess the bone pain can happen anytime during the 2 weeks the shot lasts.  Before when I had lot of bone pain my onc said it was because my counts were low and there was a lot of activity going on in my bone marrow.  I'm guessing my counts are low now and that's why it hurts all of a sudden.  The good news is that probably means its working!

T

NorthernGirl-  I has similar side effect of not chest pain, but short of breath like it was hard to deep breath and catch my breath.  I am a nurse and my oxygen levels were fine it was like I could feel my lungs-burning when I took deep breaths.  I would go for walks and just try to slow my breathing down and each day it was less now back to normal.  I even played soccer and was fine.  I have to go back for round two of six TCH on Friday- I am dreading it.  

yes yes to the scalp tenderness - it was driving me bonkers yesterday and as I was 14 days post 1st AC (the one that has inevitable hair loss) and my hair was starting to fall out I went this morning and had it all shaved off.  A bit traumatic while she was actually doing it but hey, guess what, I've got a really nice shaped head (gotta be some pluses) and the dreadful tenderness and itching has totally stopped.  Sorry you still have it kickazz - feels like a head of creepy crawlies (not that I've had that!!)