Chemo May 2011

Marybe, thank you for the insurance suggestion for the wig.  I do have the prescription.  I'm also visiting my local wig bank after chemo tomorrow to see what's there, assuming I have the wherewithall to walk over to the wig bank.  It's not far from where I'm having chemo.

Cyborg:  you were doing so well for so long and here you are with one thing after another.  So sorry to hear about your unusual SEs, we're all sympathizing--and empathizing--with you.

I'm doing my last laundry and cleaning before Chemo #1 tomorrow, 5/17, cytoxan & taxotere.  I had no instructions beforehand but have an appointment with Onc first.  They said allow 4 hours, bring blankie, water, lunch, and whatever I want to read or play with.  I am taking just about everything I hear from onc's and surgeons with a grain of salt as they seem to minimize SEs and gloss over details I ask about, and they are just the most optimistic sounding people I've ever talked to.  After spending the weekend totally stressed out, today I seem to be in a state of suspended animation--to my surprise.  Mixed feelings:  dread combined with relief that the wait is finally over.

I'm going to got to bed early and take a newly prescribed Ativan.  As I'm still having pain if I wear a bra I'm going to take a pain pill and an Ativan before heading off to chemo--got approval beforehand, to my surprise.  It's a 120-mile round trip.  Poor DH--he's going to be driving me to and fro.  Hope I at least make it back home before any SEs start.  The Onc says normally they start about the 2nd or 3rd day.  Hair loss and black nails guaranteed.  Will report back

Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences and feelings.  They really mean a lot, and I have come to depend upon this board for support.  Sharing it all makes it so much more bearable.

Hi Beaglesgirl,

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well lately.  It sounds like you have a lot going on your plate in such close time intervals.  Having pains from your surgeries and upcoming chemo treatment can be overwhleming.  I imgaine myself feeling the same way or even worse if I am in your shoes.

I was given 3 weeks to recover from my mastectomy and ALND before starting chemo.  Is it possible for you to request a longer recovery time if you so feel you need it?

Goodluck and I hope things pick up for you soon.  WE are all here for you!

Take care,

Laureen

I would like to walk with you all through my chemo.  Tomorrow, May 17 is my first day. 

T/C (Taxotere/Cytoxan) every 3 weeks x 4 for me. 

Checklist: 

Lots of water: check!

Dexamethasone: check!

Plenty of medications available for various side effects: check!

 Am I ready?  Maybe.  Am I scared?  yes!

Beaglesgirl, don't feel bad.  Sometimes right in the middle of feeling fine, someone says something a little offputting, or maybe I pull out a blouse that I just can't wear right now, or maybe it's nothing, but whamo, the tears just start coming. Is it self pity?  I don't think so.  Personally, I think it's a form of grieving--for our lost flesh, for our lost looks (or at least our familiar body), for our prior lives, for a life without fear--a dozen and one things.  This is all just a tremendous adjustment trying to accept a new way of being.  Coming to grips with the knowledge that we will be tested and examined for the rest of our lives.  And then pile on the fear of the unknown and the waiting--the delayed lab tests.  How can we not be upset?  The good thing is not everyone is upset at the same time, so we at least have friends here to help prop us up on our bad days.  When all else fails, have a rip-roaring bawling session and see if you don't feel better.  Works for me

 Hey, SunshinyDay, you and I are having the same drugs, both starting tomorrow, except I'm getting them x6.  The surgeon told me x4, but the oncologist said he would only do 4 if I was having severe side effects--otherwise he preferred 6.

Good luck to us all.

Welcome sunshinyday! I think it is part and parcel to be scared of the unknown! Chemo is Not fun but rarely as bad as you imagine it will be! getting prepared is a great coping mechanism, I lived at my local pharmacy before my first treatment !

Day 14 for me and my hair is hanging on for a little bit longer- I am doing scarves n hats as it is winter and doesn't look out of place now!

I am seeing the MO for checkup after 1st chemo and will run the pre chemo fasting idea past him for next chemo next week. I have a few extra pounds so dont think that weight loss will be a drama and would like to reduce dependency on drugs for control of post infusion SEs- the nausea, constipation and gastro shock was my main gripe! I PMed windlass who had posted that she was fasting pre 1st chemo ( with MO approval). she reported that fasting for 48 hours pre/ 24 post dramatically reduced SEs- she had 2 rounds of fasting pre treatment first and 1 round chemo without fasting for comparison.

Update- discussed the pre chemo fasting the oncology fellow and she was very open to it given that in my situation there are no other health issues! I will post with the outcome - next treatment is 24/5/11 and I will want my birthday cake 5 days later!

Good luck to sunshinyday and Ruthii for tomorrow!

Cyborg- hope you are turning a corner for the better! What day post chemo did you start losing hair?

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Had my first chemo yesterday and turns out it was no where near as bad as I had imagined.  I also had packed a bag of stuff and didn't use a bit of it except the Ipad to entertain myself.  They even brought us lunch.  I go back for my neulasta shot today so I took a claritin last night and again this morning and will take another this evening and one tomorrow.  When I asked the oncologist nurse about it she just shrugged and kinda rolled her eyes but said it wouldn't hurt anything.  Since all the other suggestions I've read here have helped me I decided to try it too.

When I went to my chemo class before starting the chemo, the tech suggested starting L-Lysine a week before treatment to prevent the mouth sores.  He said if we still get the mouth sores to up the dose to get rid of them.  I've been taking one 500mg pill everyday since I have problems with sores off and on normally. I haven't seen this suggestion so wonder if any one else has tried it.  I read it is very effective for cold and canker sores.  I had also read it helps to suck on ice chips during the time the T/C is given so I did that too.

So far my only SEs has been a mild headache and mild vision problems for a few hours after taking the dexamethasone.  Ok maybe add mild brain fog after going back and correcting the bad grammar and typos here before posting.

For those having heartburn it was suggested to take Nexium or Prilosec which is otc now.  I already take a prescription med for acid reflux so didn't need to do this.

Had my long hair cut to a pixie last week.  Had always wondered what it would be like to have short hair so now I know.  Sure is easier to take care of but then my hubby said it made me look older which was definitely the wrong thing to say.  Not looking forward to the loss and have been procrastinating on ordering some turbans.  They gave me a tie scarf yesterday at the cancer center so at least I will have something but guess I should get my order in today.

Will see my oncologist the 26th and ask about getting some anti anxiety med which I sure could have used before my first chemo and after my surgery.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Susie

Hope all goes well for the women starting chemo today.  Hang in there everyone.  I'm still in waiting and scheduled to start next Tuesday.  Did my blood work this morning.

Unfortunately I have developed a cough with a little phlegm.  I am prone to bronchitis so I am praying that it doesnt develop or I will have to put off chemo.  This rollercoaster of emotions is just too much.

Ive been doubling up on vitamins and unfortunately took too many this morning so I feel nauseous and sick to my stomach.  Didn't have to wait for chemo to feel that way.

Question about neulasta shots.  My onc does not do them unless absolutely necessary as according to her chemo nurse (spoke with her yesterday), my insurance does not cover unless my WBC counts are below 1000.  I have Blue Cross PPO in CA.  Anyone else encounter this with Blue Cross PPO?

I hope today went better than you originally thought.  I feel blessed that I had the extra week to heal.  I had my first fill today and im on muscle relaxers today and maybe for a few more days.  I hope you feel well enough to fill us all in.  IK everyone is worried for you.  

Thank you for the welcomes.  Just got back from my first chemo and I don't understand why I feel so good!  Just waiting for the part where you feel bad.  I know it is coming...  The experience at the cancer center was great...  Compassionate nurses, hubby by my side and fresh baked cookies from the volunteer!  Came home to a yard planted with flowers, mulched and mowed by dear friends. We ate some soup then I took my beagle for a long walk.  I tried the ice thing on my nails and toenails to see if that will prevent the nail problems.  The nurses knew nothing about this so I felt kind of freaky.  I'm thinking of taking it easy with a good book and naps today,so as not to overdo it. What books are you all reading?

Hi everybody - I am here in the Eisenhower infusion room hooked up getting my last bag dripped in. They do lots of premeds to prevent se's beforehand: water for dehydration, some steroids, something for nausea, and benadryl. Had a nice long nap, drank two green smoothies, & will be done in about 16 min. 2+1/2 hrs total.

Chemo #1 is fine so far - no negatives at all.

We will see how it goes day by day.

Hi all!  Mind if I join in?  I will begin my chemotherapy this Monday.  CTx4.  Glad to have others to take the journey with!

Thanks MamaV!

Well Deb, let's do this together!