Is There A September 2011 Chemo Group?

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  • Kimberly1961
    Kimberly1961 Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2011

    Hi Shawna - I'm glad you're doing okay.  Doable?  That is the kindest slant we can put on it.

    Suz - Thank you for the tip on chewing and wigs.

    Hope you all have a decent day.  My gizzards and I have just been through an epic battle with constipation that has been ongoing for a couple of days, like passing dried cement. 

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  • Dana25
    Dana25 Member Posts: 36
    edited September 2011

    Hi Chris,

    When I had problems with TAC, the sublingual Zofran was much easier to handle in my system.

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  • Dana25
    Dana25 Member Posts: 36
    edited September 2011

    Hi Chris,

    When I had problems with TAC, the sublingual Zofran was much easier to handle in my system.

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  • Kayrem
    Kayrem Member Posts: 164
    edited September 2011

    Hi



    I start my first FEC treatment tomorrow. I am drinking lots of water today and hoping that will help. I would be very grateful if I could hear how other people are doing (especially FEC er's). I hope everyone is doing as well as they can be (given the circumstances...).



    Thanks

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  • PinkShirtNow
    PinkShirtNow Member Posts: 134
    edited September 2011

    So, I'm "Sleeping in for the Cure" while my family and friends are doing the Walk for the Cure this morning. A year ago, I walked to support my friend as she celebrated her first year of survivorship.  Now I get a pink shirt too(hence my sign-on name). 

    I'm hoping that my family is being comforted by the big, pink, group hug of strong women surviving breast cancer. It's so hard to know how to support those who love you.

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  • rjbaby69
    rjbaby69 Member Posts: 349
    edited September 2011

    Hey ladies!  Hope everyone is doing well today.  Had a busy day yesterday with my grandson.  He's not been getting to spend much time with me lately because of all my surgeries and treatments and he was really starting to act out.  Now that all the surgeries and stuff are over, maybe we can resume the schedule we had!  I know he will like that.  I love having him around too.  He's four years old and 100% boy.  I sat on the patio yesterday afternoon and watched him ride his 4-wheeler.  Very beautiful day here and was so nice to just relax.

    I am feeling so much better the last two days.  Worked yesterday my nine hours at the convenience store with no problems at all.  I'm really trying to stay hydrated and trying to eat lots of protein.  I have to go for blood work on Tuesday so I really want my blood counts back up.  Next treatment for me will be September 29, followed by fluids and neulasta shot on September 30.  I finally feel like I am getting into a routine.  The breast surgeon doesn't want to see me again for 8 weeks.  He will check incision site and port at that time.  So far so good.

    Glad to know that you are all doing pretty good after your first rounds.  I'm sorry to those of you that are having a harder time, especially Chris' wife.

    I am still waiting for the hair fallout.  I don't think it's quite time yet.  I am only 10 days post treatment.  I think some of you have said day 15 was the day.

    I am sending warm wishes, lots of hugs and prayers to each of you.  We can do this!  It's difficult I know.  But I know we are strong ladies and we will make it through with the support here and at home.

    Hugs!

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

    Kayrem,

     Good luck with your treatment tomorrow. My wife was very nervous with the start. after it was done she was ok 1pm by 4:30 pm it hit her like a tone of bricks. make sure you take the meds for the nausea. we were late taking the ondansetron when she took it the nausea had set in already and she could not hold it down and I think that is what set it off for us.

    So today is day 3 she did take a shower and said ti felt great but it was very short and made her feel very queasy from the heat I think and the lack of liquids and food for the past 2 days. we had a good morning I gave the over the counter ginger gravol, it seems to not make her stomach upset, she drank some water and eat some fresh local peaches and watermelon.

    we are going to call the Onc. tomorrow to talk about the nausea.

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  • rjbaby69
    rjbaby69 Member Posts: 349
    edited September 2011

    That's good Chris.  I am glad to hear she is somewhat better today.  Definitely call the doctor about this tomorrow.  I am so glad she has you there to help her through all of this.  You are awesome!

    Hugs!

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  • lwarstler
    lwarstler Member Posts: 341
    edited September 2011

    Chris, so glad to hear your wife is doing a little better today. Hopefully the onc will be able to help some more. 

    rjbaby, so glad you got to spend time with your grandson...sounds like you are ding really well with the chemo. I see my breast surgeon on Tuesday and I'm hoping she'll tell me the same. I really want to stop taking that 1 and a half drive every week.

    Kayrem, good luck with your treatments tomorrow...I'm glad Chris could give some suggestions for that. 

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  • Jerseylicious
    Jerseylicious Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2011

    Does anyone else feel like they have lead in their veins? Got my shot this morning and I feel soooo weak and like my arms and legs are made of cement...anyone else?

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited September 2011

    Thanks to all of you posting for those of us waiting for the first round.  I am getting more and more nervous as it approaches but your posts help me to know what to expect.  nausea is the scariest part to me as I really hate vomiting.  I will take all the meds my MO gave me and be sure to have the claritin ready for the day after neulasta shot she ordered.  Going to order 2 wigs...for a little variety.  Glad it will be cooler soon--I hope anyway so they may be more tolerable to wear.  Starting taxol first DD and DD ac after done with that.  Made dinner tonight for first time in a while.  The kitchen is my refuge from life in general and I have missed it so much!

    Maggie

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  • olgah34
    olgah34 Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2011

    Maggie, when do you start? I start tomorrow...

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  • Kimberly1961
    Kimberly1961 Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2011

    Welcome Maggie!  I remember being anxious to get surgery, anxious to start chemo, just not wanting to allow cancer any more time to multiply in my body.  As crappy as I feel with this chemo, I am glad it has started. 

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  • rjbaby69
    rjbaby69 Member Posts: 349
    edited September 2011

    Iwarstler I can relate to that.  It is about an hour drive for me.  I was so glad he told me I didn't have to come back for two months.  I try to schedule both doctors on the same day so I don't have to make so many trips.  On chemo weeks, I have to make 2 trips back to back.  That part is so exhausting for me not to mention time lost from work and the expense with gas and all.

    All in all I feel like I am doing very well.  I am worried about this next time.  I don't know if the more I get into me the worse I will feel or if I can expect about the same as this time. 

     Mags - That's what I did!  I have two wigs.  One is slightly lighter than the other.  I planned on wearing the lighter one until about Thanksgiving and then switching over to the darker one for the winter. I was so scared to start all this chemo too just like the rest of you that are waiting to start.  But all in all, it wasn't too bad. It was just the not knowing what to expect. Once you get past that first treatment, then I think the fear will be gone and you will know exactly what to expect the next time.  Of course, my stepbrother called me a few days before I started and told me a little about what to expect. He was spot on. He has a blood disorder and takes some chemo pills for his disease. I'm not even sure what it is. But we both have the same oncologist.  That helped me tremendously.

    I will have to make another trip to the city on Tuesday just for labs. Probably will take all of 10 minutes if I don't have to wait long. Ugh! But at least I have two errands I'm going to roll into this trip. Got to drop off my home audio system for repair. Grandson and I were listening to it the other night while washing dishes and it just decided to turn itself off. Now you can turn it on and it will turn itself off about 10-20 seconds later. And my favorite errand....I have to buy a baby gift for a friend of mine's daughter. She is having a little girl next month. I love to shop especially for baby stuff.

    Jersey- I don't feel like that now, but day 7 got me. Was very tired and run down and achy. Kinda like you described - cement in the legs/arms type thing. Continued to hydrate and the next day felt much better.

    Kimberly - I am so glad it's started too. One down 5 to go! I feel like I moved pretty fast on everything once I got a diagnosis.  Just wasn't gonna drag my feet. Wanted this cancer out like yesterday once I knew for sure.

    Maggie and Kayrem and anyone else starting tomorrow - wishing you the best.

    Hugs!

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

    Thanks for everyone who has replied to my messages you have all been great!

    My wife Sarah age 32 is doing great today. I am so happy! no issue with food and drinks. She has only taken the ginger gravol 2 times today and the dexamathone as directed.

    I went out today a got the biotene rinse and paste for dry mouth also a ultra soft toothbrush. she used it a few times today so thanks to who suggested it.

    Tomorrow morning is the first of 5 neulasta shots she will be taking this week, one every day. So is there any side effects from this shot to watch for? or product to help us out this week.

    Tuesday is meet and greet at our children's school it would be nice if she could make it. My son started JK this year he's 4 and my daughter is 6 she is in grade 1.  

    They both know their Mommy is taking medicine to make her better and they know she is going to loose her hair.

    Thanks again for the support.

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  • ccjj
    ccjj Member Posts: 128
    edited September 2011

    Chris.... maybe ask her onc about Emend. It might be similar to the Ondansetron you mentioned. Im not sure. But it really worked for me and I have had seen other posts in the chemo section raving about it. I take it the 1st 2 days after the infusion. You might also want to ask for Lorazepam. It will make her sleep, but is for moderate to severe symptoms. Good luck. Hope it helps. 

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  • Shawna77
    Shawna77 Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2011

    Chris...so glad to hear your wife is doing better. :)



    Now that it's almost day 8 & I'm feeling much better, I'm going to b#tch and moan a little. As I said before, it was "doable"...but I'd rather not have to do it at all. ;)

    I have broken out like crazy...even though my skin is as dry as the sahara. I've been slathering on lotion, so that's probably part of the problem. My back & shoulders have been killing me for the last 3 days. It still hurts after 90mg of codeine. Not sure if it's tense muscles from stress or just another se. I'm going to try & get into the chiropractor tomorrow...we'll see what he says. My mouth is finally getting better, it was pretty gross for a few days...food tasted horrible, but that sure didn't stop me from stuffing my face lol. Can you say emotional eater? The only other se I had were stomach cramps & headaches. All in all not too bad at all when I look back on it, but when it was going on I was pretty irritable. Thank God I'm single, I'm sure if I had a significant other he would've packed up & left. ;). Still have all my hair, but I guess it's pretty early yet. Sorry ladies, just needed to grumble a bit. Good luck to you all this week!

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

    I need to make a chang on my post the shot today is NOT neulasta is it NEUPOGEN.

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  • lwarstler
    lwarstler Member Posts: 341
    edited September 2011

    Chris: So glad your wife is doing better. I'm hoping she will have nothing but goodness coe out of her shot today.

    Shawna: grumble away, sounds like it was a bit of a rough go. Sure hope the chiropractor can help with that back and neck pain. Had that for 2 1/2 years and it can really ruin your whole day :(

    I'm really excited ladies about this wig I found at our little, in the middle of nowhere beauty shop. I got this exact silhouette human hair wig: http://www.silhouettehairs.com/goods_detail.php?goodsIdx=261 for $60 and it looks amazinginly real and doesn't scratch like the synthetic they gave me. She is ordering it in my color and should be here in time for the big fallout.

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  • Kimberly1961
    Kimberly1961 Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2011

    RJ - Glad you passed the "hump" or at least I hope that's what happened. 

    Shawna - I live alone too and glad no one was around to see this except the dogs.  I would have been emotionally eating too, but everything tasted and smelled like mud.  Glad you're feeling somewhat better too.  I hope the chiropractor is able to help.

    Olga, Kayrem, and Maggie - Hope it goes smoothly for you with no complications or glitches.

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  • daintyBamf
    daintyBamf Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2011

    Hi everyone!

    I am starting my chemo tomorrow (4x DD AC and then 4x  DD T followed by radiation) I am so glad to have found this board since we live overseas and I don't have a lot of access to people who are experiencing the same things I will be. Luckily, my mom (a survivor herself, 8 years this October!) is staying here for all of my chemo and I have a great group of gal pals who are hosting a Head Shaving Party for me next week (though I am nervous about SE's and if I will feel good enough to make it by then!). For now, I am really happy that I have my port in, (I'm a HORRIBLE stick..small veins, lots of valves, they roll, etc) and I really like all of the medical staff at the hospital. There isn't space for my hubbie to sit with me, though, so I guess I'll take a book and something to sew while I wait. I am pretty freaked about the WBC boost shot Wednesday, too. Needle in my stomach plus possible extreme bone pain = not very reassuring. I have been okay this far, so I will just keep praying for strength and take each thing as it comes!  I'll be thinking of all of you when I go in tomorrow!!! :)

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  • findingsolace
    findingsolace Member Posts: 17
    edited September 2011

    Shawna- I hear you. Although at day 3 post chemo #1, it's doable, I still feel achy, nauseous, etc. I have upper back and neck pain, I think from the Neulasta shot I took yesterday.  Jersaylicious, no big weakness though. Kimberly196, I am prone to constipation so I took stool softeners the day of my chemo #1 and some Mirlax, I think the day after. I had one bout of diarrhea but now everything has settled down but haven't gone again. It's hard to know how to treat as my stomach is still upset. Chirs- did they tell you about Claritin for the day of the shot? I will be thinking of those who first day is coming up, we have been there and it will be past you before you know it.

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  • Kimberly1961
    Kimberly1961 Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2011

    Welcome Dainty - I had to laugh when I looked up what BAMF meant.  For me, the Neulasta shot itself did not hurt at all, it was the days after.  How nice that you have your mother there with you. 

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  • Sheypres
    Sheypres Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2011

    So day 5 and I am doing pretty good. Took Emend and Zophran then had to do one compazine in the middle but it kept the nausea at bay.  I had to deal with the stomach issues but the hardest was eating small all day.  And that I will really want a certain food and then when I get it the taste is gone. Took the claritan before the Nuelasta shot and did pretty well.  Had some minor aches and my hair hurt.....Like when you have your hair in a ponytail all day then take it out only it was never in a ponytail. Am I  the only one that is annoyed at the all the BC awareness stuff?The pink everywhere is okay but maybe it is just too new for me but I don't want to see movies about it.  I'm going through it now. Do not have the time or energy to  feel bad or sad at the moment. I need only happy thoughts. Hope you are all doing as well as can be!!!

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  • NancyJill
    NancyJill Member Posts: 218
    edited September 2011
    lwarstler: I had that borderline HER2 which on final FISH testing turned out +. Thanks for your note about possible protocols because I'll have to have Herceptin. Good luck with yours!
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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited September 2011

    packed my chemo bag today.  My DD took me to the store so I could get what i wanted for it.  I am still waiting on the insurance to stop dragging their feet.  If they do not I will have to pay over $2500 for the neulasta shot each time but do not see any other choice as my MO says that it is necessary and will not start chemo without knowing that I will get the shot.  What a racket!!  Port still sore :( but not taking ibuprophen anymore for it.  Just wanna get those nasty drugs in me to kill any strays!

    Maggie

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  • ecopam
    ecopam Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2011

    Hi Maggie,

     After my first round (TCH, Her2+) I got the neulasta shot. I had a horrible migraine for a week and was ready to tell my doctor no more!! She took me off the neulasta and cut the steroids in half and the 2nd thru 6th rounds (all done as of last week!!!) gave me no headache at all! She said sometimes the neulasta can have that affect and the steroids can also make some people crazy, which they did me. I did take Cipro days 5-9 to ward off infection in place of neulasta however and they watched my blood counts very carefully. Racket indeed with these meds, although I still thank God that I didn't have this Her2+ tumor 15 years ago before the miracle of Herceptin.

    Good luck and God bless you,

    Pam

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  • hyacinth71
    hyacinth71 Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2011

    Hi everyone,

    I am new to this group, and am happy to find a community to share information and support!  I started ACTH on Sept 15.  Today is Day 5 and I'm doing okay.  I am doing the cold caps, and they affected me more than I expected.  On the way home from the hospital I vomited and then had terrible nausea at home, and I think it was more from the cold caps than the treatment itself.  The next time, if I can handle it, I will take an Ativan and Ibuprofen to manage the pain of the caps, and maybe an extra Zofran for nausea.  The Neulasta shot (3 mg) the next day was fine, and I just had mild leg pain at night.  Each day, I have been able to exercise (40 min. walking and light yoga), but still have constipation and low appetite.  Feeling of fatigue or "slowness" was greatest yesterday (day 4) and today (day 5) but I was still able to take my kids and sister to Coney Island for the afternoon on Sunday, and take my daughters shopping for soccer shoes today.  We will see how the rest of the week shakes out.  Next Monday I have a tissue expansion (4th of 6) followed by PT massage.  Since treatment, my tissue expanders have become more uncomfortable for some reason.  Next Wednesday, I will have a port installed the day before treatment 2 -- I think the fact that I will be on Herceptin for a year after chemo make it a good choice for me.  Still, I am nervous about another procedure!

    I hope all of you are well and doing as well as possible!

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  • RaeBob
    RaeBob Member Posts: 79
    edited September 2011

    I was dx in July ER PR- HER 2+ and started chemo Taxotere, Cytoxan and Herceptin Sept 1st. The first one I was really sick and fatigued. I teach school and am on medical leave right now. My hat is off to anyone who can work through this I normally have a lot of energy but this knocked it out of me. My WBC were low and I caught my daughters cold with fever. I finally fought through it all and feel almost back to my old self the past few days and now I have my second chemo tomorrow I am dreading it. Worked to build myself up only to have it torn back down tomorrow. Whew what a ride! So glad to be able to be on here with others who can relate. Rae

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  • Jerseylicious
    Jerseylicious Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2011

    Oh boy what a tough day!  Today is day 3 for me and the day after my Neulasta shot...I felt pretty weak and tired yesterday, but today was even worse.  I went to work, which was probably a mistake because teaching Kdg. is not something that can be done tired! haha  Today I feel sooooo tired, and weak again.  Woke up with horrible feeling on my tongue and taste in my mouth, and my heart has been pounding all day. 

     The other weird thing is, has anyone been feeling REAL full lately, even if not eating a lot?  My stomach has been feeling so full and distended...then again, I am pretty constipated.

     Nurse told me to take Senna, but not working..any other ideas? And what is that magic mouthwash recipe again?  Oh, I also feel like I'm on drugs...oh yeah, ......I am.

    Sorry to bitc* so much, but feeling so crappyCry

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