2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS
Options
Comments
-
I get pretty much what you get, no steroids except what's in the drip. I also get Aloxi in the drip. I have Emend, Compazine and Ativan at home, but I have never used the Ativan.
Anna -
I take emend the day of and two days after chemo,I also take zofran and decadron(steroid)for 3 days after chemo...........Now I am wondering if I need the steroid since you don't take it. Have you had any nausea? I really hate the side-effects from decadron especially when you get off of it.....
-
Hi Brenda, The only steroids that I get is the one in the drip.
Hi Graycie, I'm feeling pretty good - just in time to get zapped again - round 3 is Wednesday. Congrats - just one more A/C for you! My fingers are crossed that the last 4 for all of us will be a piece of cake! -
hmmmmmmmmmm...I'm getting my 3rd dose dense AC tomorrow (Wednesday)and while I'm in the midst of reading all this and drinking my water and running to the bathroom, I am interested in side effects of this dexamethasone. I have had few side effects from the AC but I am fatigued to the extreme after I stop taking that steroid. Wonder if I really need it! On the other hand...no nausea is pretty nice and maybe THAT is what is helping me through the first few days. So hard to know!
ravdeb -
Amy,
I just saw that video of you! That was terrific and you look beautiful!
And I agree...you are very brave and continue to be!
ravdeb -
Hi, everyone!
I take Emend one hour before chemo and then get Kytril and Decadron pills just before the infusion. I take Emend the next 2 days and Kytril and Decadron for 3 days. I do have a bottle of compazine but have not used it so far. My treatments are on Thursdays. I feel fine on Friday and can go to work. Saturday and Sunday, some side effects begin. Mostly it is a tender tummy and fatigue. I sleep alot. So far, no nausea, but decreased appetite and some taste and smell sensitivity. Have been able to come back to work the following Monday and continue as usual. I do drink lots of fluids, eat popsicles, and mild, mild food for the first week. I don't know if I have experienced side effects of the Decadron. My first 2 treatments have been complicated by a lingering cold and the discomforts of runny nose, sore throat, and coughing. I have experience that if I get coughing too heavily a gag relflex starts that makes me feel like I will vomit. I have never had that much sensitivity in the past, but I read that coughing can start a vomiting session, so I am working on calming myself with even, deep breathing and if I get to coughing. I would have been having a treatment this week, but seeing that Thursday is Turkey Day here in the USA, my doctor postponed for a week. I will have A/C #3 on Dec 1. I am so relieved because it will give me another week to beat this cold into submission and get it out of my system. I am thankful for the anti-nausea meds and the Decadron. To me, they are miracle drugs.
And, I am thankful for all of you . . . your sharing, encouragement, good companionship, and total understanding of this experience we all have in common. I hope all who are having treatments this week will sail through and have a happy, stress-free holiday, if you are celebrating.
mary melodi -
Had round 3 of A/C and the round 4 is in December. Feeling ok except depressed. I met 2 ladies who were both HER2+ and both have metastis. Both were Stage 2. One of them is now Stage 4 with mets in her brain, liver and lungs. She had only been cancer free for 8 months. The other was NED for 4 years and now its in her liver.
I have Compazine and Ativan. Haven't used either one this time. Last time I didn't use them either. First round, I used the Compazine for a day after I was off the Anzemet. I use the Anzemet for 3 days in a row. -
Hi Laura, glad to hear you are feeling good.....Good luck tomorrow with #3..I will be thinking of you and anyone else having treatments tomorrow..I'm with you I will also be keeping my fingers crossed.... Graycie
-
Mary, I hope you feel better.....I think it is a good thing that you will be getting the week off to re-cooperate.
Terynsmom...That certainly made me feel depressed too....I guess you just have to hope that we will be one of the lucky ones that doesn't have a reoccurance .....I am really scared of that happening and when you hear stories like that you start to wonder if all we are going through is really helping us. Just remember that there are still alot of people out there that haven't had the cancer come back. I am more nervous because I am triple neg..so I can't take any of the new drugs but I guess there is no guarantee with that either. Graycie -
i don't know if anyone has done this....did you know you can request to have a certain chemo nurse? i just clicked with my first chemo nurse and requested her for all the other ones. it just makes a world of difference when you feel you know the person
i hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving. thank you for everything you do for me!
-amy -
Hi everyone,
just a quick update - 2 weeks post chemo #1, feeling generally well.
Had my girlfriend's husband shave my hair last night, wow, what a shock. Still can't bring myself to walk around the house bareheaded, mirror is not my best friend now.
Oh, my pic is on the Baldies forum now.
I think I'd be VERY depressed with all of that if it wasnt for the Lexapro. -
Paula, bald for 3 weeks now. You will get used to it and it sure beats finding hair eveywhere.Where is the Baldies forum?My third FAC is Tuesday.. I do well until 24 hours after decadron is stopped then I have to rest rest rest for 2 days.I guess that is better than puking so I am pretty thankful.
I have a sore arm that started about one week after last chemo. The veins in my hand and running up my arm look red and are tender. Anyone else experiencing that? I had A red flare with both chemos so far so am wondering wether it was fom that.
Ternysmom remember for every bad stastic there is a good one, it could be you! -
Quote:
The veins in my hand and running up my arm look red and are tender
The veins running up my arm are still pinkish, but they don't seem to hurt.
My left leg hurts a bit when I have been standing for a while. It feels like joint pain. Has anyone experienced this? Should I be worried?
Thank you, ladies. -
Mary anne - the bald forum has a password to get in. Private message Timtam and she will send it through for you.
I have number 3 of my FEC chemo tomorrow - cant believe how fast they are coming round! Feeling ok about it - havent felt sick so far so touch wood!
Happy thoughts to everyone of us battlers out there,
Debbie -
Happy Thanksgioving to all out there. One week out from 3rd AC pretty tired and have experienced the bone pain this go around, Have blood tests today Thoughts are with you all
-
Brenda - I'm not on steroids either. Round 2 of chemo was better than the first with nausea but I did experience the fatigue on day 4 - couldn't work and actually threw up even though I haven't really been nauseated this time.
I must agree with Amy - I have one chemo nurse and she's great. It truly does make me feel a lot better knowing I'll always have her and can call if I have any questions at all.
Good luck to all of you having chemo this week! Round 3 of chemo for me will be on Monday due to the holiday. I'm a bit nervous as I won't have the weekend to rest up. I'm actually feeling less and less guilty about the amount of time off I've been taking and actually get a little restless if I do end up working 5 days straight!
The thought of mets is pretty scary...I can pretty much terrify myself if I dwell on all the bad things that could happen. I've got to believe that all this crap I'm going through will produce the best possible outcome...we ALL have so much to live for!!! -
Sherry, we must be on the same schedule......I am also one week out from #3 AC and I am also experiencing a little bone pain this time...not bad though..Actually I slept good last night and I don't feel too bad today but it may be too early to tell.... Makes you wonder what #4 will be like. #4 is next Tuesday for me, I can't wait to be done with AC. As they call it the red devil, maybe we should call it the red savior. Grayce
-
Round 3 FAC next Tuesday, cant wait to finish this chemo, so look forward to each treatment as one more done. Taxotere doesn't sound like much fun though so am glad it starts after Xmas. No bone pain yet. How bad is the pain? Does Tylenol work?How are your eyebrows holding up? Mine are still great. I really worry about how I will look without them. It's hard to be expressive without them.
I don't know how you guys are working through this.I am much too bagged to even think about it.My husband is away until May and have 3 kids and dog to care for so made choice to stay home.I plan to go back after taxotere. I'll be getting rads but it looks only SE is fatigue so hope I can manage.
I have CT this week to follow up 4mm lesion in lung.It was too small to be susp for met in Sept so this repeat will tell the tale...I'm very worried as have a dry cough. -
Day three of round #2 of A/C. I don't feel sick, but still very weepy. What's this all about? That thing about the two HER2+ women with mets absolutely annihilated me. I'm HER2+.
Anna -
Anna, I am still devastated by it.
I am panicked about the bone pain I have been having even though I have no node involvement. I wonder if it's possible to already have mets without node involvement??? -
Anna,
Luckily for you and all HER2/NEU+ women there is the wonder drug Herceptin. Is this in your treatment plan?
Before the antidepressants I was weeping every day. It did not matter how many times I've told my story. Every time someone called I would cry. My son offered to record one of these weeping conversations and to replay them to all the callers, sobbing and all.
One gloomy afternoon there was a huge downpour in San Diego. That did it. I was so overwhelmed with sadness I had to call my doctor. He wasn't available, but his secretary kept me on the phone until I settled down. Doctor called later and talked me into going back on antidepressants.
I think there are times when we really need a good cry because there is something to cry about, but if you start to cry for no apparent reason, or you find that it hurts you more than it relieves you, maybe antidepressants could help you while you are undergoing treatment. I changed from Lexapro to Paxil because Lexapro gave me LBM (loose bowel movements).
Take care of yourself and keep posting! -
Hang in there through chemo this week, ladies. I'm finished with AC!!! My #4 AC was no big deal at all...I'm tired, that's it. I took picture of the nurse giving me the red devil...I hope I never see it in real life again. I start Taxol in 2 weeks...eek!
Happy Thanksgiving -
Paula...I saw your bald head on baldies...I think you look beautiful!!!!
-
Thanks Amy.. well, beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder!
congrats on finishing AC, it must feel great to have that part over and done with. I am counting the days to my next treatment, because that means the last one is getting closer. -
AnnaM, I too got very weepy after round 2! At the drop of a hat, I was sobbing. It went away after a couple of days and hasn't been a prob. since. I still have sad days, but the weepy ones were definately something different.
AnnaM, Terynsmom & Adnerb, I too am HER2+ (although w/very small traces) and also cannot get over the fear of the mets issue. I too, have the bone aches. Just had round 3 today. So far so good, but days 2, 3, 4 possibly 5 and more will not be so good. WBC is 14! Neulasta has kicked in. Hang in there - have a good Thanksgiving!
Laura (GTO) -
I got very emotional about day 11 after round 1. I think it is getting off the decadron that may start it off--not sure. The Dr. decided to wean me off the decadron slower and so far that seems to be helping....
-
Hi ravdeb,
Seems we are on the same schedule - I too had my 3rd dose dense A/C on Wednesday. My Onc. prescribed the Dexamethasone(steroid) only if I feel nausea coming on. I have only taken it a few times, but did exp. the fatigue. However, it did help stop the nausea. The trade off is worth it for me. I can't handle the nausea!
Laura (GTO) -
Ive had naseua pretty bad today for the first time... Meds don't seem to be helping that much. Let's hope for a better day tomorrow!!! Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.
-
Well, thired FEC over and done with yesterday. Feeling as if i could sleep if i lay down so nowi have taken kids to school thats where i am going.
Mentioned to my onc that i had felt a little nauseous last time ( nothing to write home about and only for 3 days off and on)
He said " theres no need to feel like that sweetie " ( i am the youngest patient they have at moment!) and prescribed me his rolls royce anti sickness drug to take as well. i am now taking dexamethasone for 3 days, domperidone as and when i feel the need and his new one, granisetron for 5 days. Anyone else on any of these?
My friend has volunteered to pick my kids up from school and sort out cub scouts for one and entertain the other one and bring them home at 8 tonight . She does this every friday after i have chemo on the Thurs - just hope she realises how much i appreciate her!
Going to get a rest now - taking kids to Christmas parade at the castle tomorrow and light turn on on Sunday. Dont want them missing out!!!!!
Take care everyone, Big hugs to all who are needing one right now,
Debbie -
Here's what works for my symptoms (I'm approaching 4th AC dose-dense, t x 4).
Mouth ulcers - Ulcerease, available at your drugstore. Dab on at first irritation. About $9 for 1 oz. Gets rid of pimples, too.
Low white count - Neulasta with percocet for the bone pain.
Constipation - milk of magnesia and NEVER put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
Nausea - Emend and compazine
What I haven't solved yet:
headaches and sore soles of feet
Good luck all!
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team