August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

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  • zumbagirl
    zumbagirl Member Posts: 308
    edited August 2011
    Hi, I just had my 4th chemo, and when I was having a mini melt down over the side affects, my one friend told me to look at chemo, as tough love, and that has really helped Smile
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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited August 2011

    I'm going for my 2nd dose of AC tomorrow. I'm ready!

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  • IslandGirl50
    IslandGirl50 Member Posts: 50
    edited August 2011

    I am going for my first treatment of AC tomorrow.  I am trying to make myself think of it as the 1st step to kicking cancer's a$$. After tomorrow 1 down and 7 more to go.  Who am I kidding?  I am scared.

    Good luck to all of you having treatments tomorrow and in the following weeks, I wish for each of you SE free treatments!

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  • rowersue
    rowersue Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2011

    Hello August 2011 gals....I just started TC last week. Feeling a bit flu like and the mouth stuff is kind of starting but manageable so far. heading to accupunture - anyone tried that and does it help? and bought some hats/scarfs today - not sure I am a wig gal. realizing it will be months before I feel normal again - whatever that will be. sigh.

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  • rowersue
    rowersue Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2011

    oh and forgot to ask a question about heartburn - I have tightness in my chest and doc says it could be heartburn and take a pepcid daily. wondering if that has worked for others?

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    I tried pepcid, but will switch to zantac next time. I had heartburn for 2-3 days, tightness in chest, but for me mostly it is between my shoulder blades lower down. Good luck to everyone on your treatments tomorrow. I have another week to go before 2nd tx, but have magazines ready to go in my "chemo bag" I like to act as though I am at the hairdressers - I read Oprah, People, junky Hollywood Us or the like. I find that I can't concentrate on anything too involved during treatment. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2011

    My kindergartener starts school and I have my first treatment tomorrow. I Had a total meltdown today, but the family survived. I'm ready to begin this fight. Here we go.

    Hope everyone has a great Monday. Drink lots of water!

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  • Taylor777
    Taylor777 Member Posts: 141
    edited August 2011

    Good luck to everyone starting their treatment tomorrow!! I start mine on the 30th and I'm scared but I'm even more scared getting my port put in on tues. My son's 9th bithday party is on the 3rd and after reading some of your SE's I probably won't be in any condition to have his party but I have to have his party he is so excited!!! I have been having so many meltdowns but I 'm trying to be positive..I'm ready to begin this fight too....

    Happy Birthday to you both!! Hope you get to enjoy your daySmile

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited August 2011

    Good lick to everyone with their treatments tomorrow!!! I'll be thinking of you all!!



    Jendon....kindergarten tomorrow huh? That's emotional all in itself, even without chemo too!!! Good luck to you on all the emotions!!! Hugs!



    Welcome aboard rowersue....glad you found our group! I was told to buy prilosec for heartburn. I think any will work so whichever seems to work best for you.



    VtEllen....YAY, that's a great idea....I have to remember to buy myself a gossip mag before my first treatment, which I'm almost positive won't be this week now.... :(



    Happy birthday tomorrow to dianamaps and my4pumpkins!!!!

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  • Robyn6463
    Robyn6463 Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2011

    Happy Birthday Dianamaos and my4pumpkins! Enjoy!

    Good luck to yaya, michelle, islandgirl and jendon today!

    Hey - regarding insurance coverage for wigs, my insurance co has a list of  participating providers that will bill them directly...so you might want to try to call them. Of course, there weren't any in Vermont...which is why I'm still procrastinating 10 days after my first treatment. I need to do something soon! Today! 

    Have a great day everybody! Feel good! 

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  • Grimbol
    Grimbol Member Posts: 326
    edited August 2011

    Happy Birthday Dianamaos and my 4pumpkins.

     Happy tx day to thos ehaving tx today

    Hapy first Kindergarten day Jednon

    Everyone else have a great non-tx day too!

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited August 2011

    Lol at my "good lick" above.... Darn tired eyes!!!



    Happy birthday Dianamaps and 4pumpkins! Hope you have wonderful days!



    And good LUCK to the treatment girls....seems like quite a few today. I'm going to be the very last one I think? Hopefully it gets figured out soon or it could end up not in August. :(



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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    What the heck is the hold up on your treatment, Madismommy?

    Happy happy birthday to Dianamaps and 4pumpkins!

    No SEs to the new treatment gang!

    Ah, kindergarten! After much drama and running around, my daughter is on her way back to college today! 

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  • zumbagirl
    zumbagirl Member Posts: 308
    edited August 2011

    After suffering with intense heart burn for 5 days after my first chemo, I got a prescription heart burn med, called in from the oncologist, and I take it for at least 5-7 days after each chemo, first thing in the morning, and it really helps.

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited August 2011

    VtEllen... I'm not really sure??? The scheduling nurse hasn't called to get me on the official schedule???? I was pushing for tomorrow as my first date and she didn't get back to me last week.... And now tomorrow is full (except for 8:00 and I can't do that time w/ my daughters schedule) and than the other day of the week that me and DH can do is Thursday's and the nurse doesn't work Thursday's.....kind of a joke. SO....I'm hoping next Tuesday now? My treatment center is in downtown Chicago (about 40 miles one way) and traffic is brutal so we need to plan my treatment days around my 3rd graders after school daycare program, she's in it Tuesday and Thursday..... That will allow us a time frame of 7:30am to 6:00pm for getting downtown and treatment and getting back to the burbs to pick her up.

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  • zumbagirl
    zumbagirl Member Posts: 308
    edited August 2011

    Taylor777,

    I was super scared to have my port put in , so I know what you are going through. I had mine put in May 27, and the procedure was not bad. For me, it just creeped me out for a few days, when I was home, that this foreign thing was sticking up from my bra line, It all passes, and you do get use to it, so much better than having them mess with your veins all the time. Drink tons of water for the first several days after your chemo to flush that junk out. I will be thinking of you, My number 5 is next week.

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  • Taylor777
    Taylor777 Member Posts: 141
    edited August 2011
    Thanks zumbagirl Smile
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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited August 2011

    Morning everyone -- best wishes to those starting chemo today or this week and Happy Birthday wishes to Dianamaps and my4pumpkins!

    I went back to work today -- I've been out since June 9th (due to 2 surgeries and my 1st chemo infusion) and I think I've been at work only 3-4 days since then.  I will work this week and next Monday/Tuesday until my next infusion on August 31st. You other gals are brave that are working -- with the side effects I had last week, I'm not taking any chances, so I'll be taking disability for one week at each infusion.

    It actually stresses me out to be at work. Many people don't know I have cancer, so for me to be in and out so much; I'm sure is causing people to talk and that makes me anxious. Thankfully, I work at an Ivy League College, so most of students and faculty are gone -- but in two weeks, that won't be the case and my workload will be piling up.  A lot of ladies says work takes their mind off of their diagnosis, for me it's the opposite. At times not feeling well and with people don't knowing what I'm going thru; and having a very important academic job, puts a strain on me emotionally.

    Ok sorry for the debbie-downer routine, perhaps I'm looking too much in to it.

    Have a great day everyone!

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  • Grimbol
    Grimbol Member Posts: 326
    edited August 2011

    Hi Chrys,

    hope work goes well.  I work as a church secretary in a very small office, very flexible etc. so really no comparison, but I will be tkaing a whole week off at least, for each tx if the SE's from the last one are anything to go by.  How's your hair doing?  I still have mine, but I sort of wish it would happen now and be done with, instead of stressing about when it will?? silly I know, just one more stress.

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited August 2011

    Hey Grimbol - Happy Monday!

    Would you believe I still have my hair and NO shedding. Weird...I wonder if it's going to start next week and be like..BAM; with fistfull's coming out. Thankfully I cut it really short; so I hope it's not too traumatic.  Surprised

    I see, like you -- I'll be taking those tx weeks off...Like you said, if those last SE's are anything to go by, I'll need to be off!! Yow~!

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  • summergirl1
    summergirl1 Member Posts: 182
    edited August 2011

    Day 5 post TX Had a bad night last night, terrible bone pain and just not feeling right woke up today a bit iffy but decided to get up and go to work for a few hours ( bad mistake) only lasted 2 hours and had to leave,

    I cannot pinpoint exactly how I feel but just feeling really weird ,spacey shakey and sore all over , wondering if this is the effect from coming down from the steroids , anyone else have this ? thankfully I havent been nauseus or had any other SE's , hoping this will pass . 

    Hope everyone is doing well , and Good Luck to those starting TX this week .  

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    Carol- yes, I felt fine as long as I was on the steroids, but the SEs kicked in as soon as they wore off.It will pass,hang in there. We all seem to start feeling better from the taxotere at about 6-8 days out, so you don't have long to go. Rest, drink lots and lots, and keep the advil ,or whatever you have for pain, going. I felt exactly the same way.

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited August 2011
    Summergirl -- as vtEllen said; it's definitely the crash from the steriods. When I was having such horrible body aches and pains last week (during days 6-8), my chemo nurse said it was because I stopped the steroids the previous Thursday and the body crashes and goes in to shock mode. I believe Ellen also mentioned that her Onc let her take the steriods a few days longer to help circumvent this crash. For myself, I'm going to ask about it because the body aches and pains were absolutely horrifying and I don't want to go thru it again and worse for my second tx.
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  • Grimbol
    Grimbol Member Posts: 326
    edited August 2011

    Do you guys take more steroids than just what they put in the infusion then?  The only 'extra' meds I have are the nausea pills.  I thought the HORRIBLE body aches etc were from the chemo and Neulasta.

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited August 2011

    Home after my 2nd AC infusion. Today went really well. The nurse got the IV in first try (YAY) and I was done in less than 2 hours.I feel pretty good right now...hope it continues.

    Grimbol, the pharmacist told me that some of the anti-nausea meds also contain steroids. That would explain why I didn't sleep well on days 2 & 3 and then crashed on day 4 once I wasn't taking them any more. I didn't have any aches or pains, just terrible tiredness.

    Carol, hope this passes quickly for you!

    My hair is shedding quickly now. Every time I sit down and get up, there's hair left behind. Yuck.

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

     I didn't know that it was a "crash" from the stopping of the steroids. More that the steroids help control some of the SEs. We aren't on the steroids long enough or taking a strong enough dose to cause a crash effect. At least I'm not- I have 4mg of dexamethasone 2xday. Last time ( 1st dose ) I was on them for 2 days after tx. This time I will try 4 days after tx. The steroids in our Iv, and after, help prevent reactions to the chemo ( along w/ the benedryl ) At least that is how I understand it. Steroids can keep some people awake, is anyone else using a sleep aide?

    Glad that your 2nd dose went well, Michelle! You AC girls are in and out of there pretty quickly! My hair is chopped off and very thin, but I still have some!

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  • mrfiedler
    mrfiedler Member Posts: 14
    edited August 2011

    Hi ladies,

    Having my 2nd TC treatment tomorrow. Hoping that I do well; no nausea the first time around. Fingers crossed that I get by as easily with #2. Are there others here with experience on TC? I'm curious about cumulating side effects with the 2nd treatment.

    Hair is gone - had it shaved off last week. Have decided to embrace hats and scarves instead of wearing a wig everyday. The wig(s) will be saved for "special occasions."

    Grimbol: I had a Neulasta shot after my first treatment and had some of the bone pain for about 3 days. My oncologist recommended Claritin; take one the morning of the shot, then each morning for a couple days after.

    Has anyojne gone to the ACS program, "feel good, look better?" 

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    Grimbol - The aches and pains are a SE from the taxotere. It isn't a good time....

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  • summergirl1
    summergirl1 Member Posts: 182
    edited August 2011

    Michello 13, VTellen  and Chrys23  

    Thanks guys , I just cant beleive how awful I feel as compared to the first few days , but feel more releived now knowing this is what to expect, and I guess if I still feel this bad tommorrow I am gonna have to give in and rest up. .

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    mrfielder, I'm curious about the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th doses as well. My onco was quite clear that the fatigue will increase significantly. I have my 2nd dose ( i hope ) next monday. Please post how you are feeling and good luck tomorrow! Your hat looks quite chic, BTW. Beats my baseball cap, that's for sure!

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