August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

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  • summergirl1
    summergirl1 Member Posts: 182
    edited September 2011

    My TX's (TC) have been taking approx 8 hours each time mainly because they always have trouble trying to find a vein and they give me the taxatore very slowly in case of  a reaction, Im hoping TX3 will be a little quicker as I havent had reaction the first 2 times.  

     and PUPPIES, my husband and son were planning on getting me a little bichon frese to cheer me up , but my motherinlaw told me what they were planning and I had to said no as I will be away for 5 weeks having radiation and wont be able to look after a puppy then , I do hope to get one when all this is over , would love a little companion with me when I go for my walks on the beach ,  

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  • Robyn6463
    Robyn6463 Member Posts: 167
    edited September 2011

    I really think puppies are a great way to celebrate the end of all this!

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited September 2011

    Just back from AC # 4 - Halfway done! Felling okay so far. Did the Look Good Feel Better class this afternoon. It was great. 

    Jenn & Grimbol, I have my first Taxol on Oct 4. They've booked 5 hours! Wow...not sure I can sit that long. For my AC infusions, I'm done in about 2 hours.

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited September 2011

    Taylor, hang in there! You'll be back to your old self soon!

    Sadly, I think many of the drugs are now manufactured offshore where standards aren't quite the same as they are in USA, Canada and Europe. These are our lives we're dealing with people!

    My daughter woke up with a tummy ache this morning. I had to call DH to come home from work as my ride to chemo was coming in a half hour. Then, I called my Mum to come and stay with her so DH could go back to work. YIKES. It couldn't have happened on a worse day. And, all the while I'm worrying that she has something that she'll pass along to me.

    Istreet, good for you. I'm actually getting used to having no hair now. Most days it doesn't bother me. I throw on a scarf and I'm good to go. I don't wear my wig much.

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited September 2011

    Hi Ladies --

    The coming and going rashing and itching is just horrid.  I actually called the Onc again today because my hands will flare up (or any other part of my body), get real red-hot and itch and then subside. Even my tongue itches/burns.   I've been taking photos of these rashing episodes on my iPhone so I can show the Onc tomorrow for tx #3. Today they prescribed something called "Hydroxyzine" for the itching, but it's also an anxiety med, but used to control allergic reactions to medicines. I'm scared to take it. All these meds!! Ahhh!

    I'm going to be adamant tomorrow that I am scared to take the Taxotere and suffer through this again for this treatment and my last one on Oct. 12th.

    Also, hot flashes are kicking my big fat ass! They come and go on a whim and in a freezing cold room, I'm sweating and feel like my insides are going to combust.  Can't wait for this sh*t to be over with!

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2011

    Hey Chrys- Hope they reduce your dose. My onc was willing to, if it meant my continuing w/ treatment. In the end, I think he kept it at the same dose, since I managed to once again get my poor wbc count up to sorta normal levels. But, now tonight, one day after 3rd dose, my left cheek is red and hot and itchy. Soooo, hope I'm not getting the dumb rash too, but I bet I am. I do not blame you for being scared!

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  • dianamaps
    dianamaps Member Posts: 50
    edited September 2011

    I'm gearing up for tx #4, the last of my 4 A/C rounds on Thursday. I'm having that feeling again that I've had before, that starts about 2 days before, that I don't want to go. That I don't want to be a grown up and have to do grown up things, like willingly subject myself to this experience. I feel like a kid who wants to run away cry at the doctors, who doesn't want to get a shot and take her medicine that the doctor says is supposed to make her all better.

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  • NWArtLady
    NWArtLady Member Posts: 360
    edited September 2011

    I hear you, dianamaps, and I'm right there with you!

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited September 2011
    diana, i completely understand what you're saying.  i feel the same way before my treatments. really?  i'm voluntarily doing this to myself?  it's almost a surreal and out-of-body feeling.  but, we'll do it and we'll get through this.  i have faith.  i'll keep you in my thoughts on thursday.  please let us know how it goes.  sending you hugs.
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  • Grimbol
    Grimbol Member Posts: 326
    edited September 2011

    oh me too, I so do not want to go tomorrow!  But, I want to kick this so I guess in the morning I will get up shower and go in and willingly give my arm for poison to be injected straight in, ugh!!  The last week has been almost 'normal', I don't want to go back to feeling really crummy again.

    My kids left today, tough day. My two grandkids, ages 3 yrs and 4 months, ok, can't cry again, time for bed.  Goodnight everyone, hope today/tomorrow goes well for you Chrys, I'll be thinking of you.

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  • Doodlebug12
    Doodlebug12 Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2011

    Hi everyone, long time no hear from me (apologies) I feel like I was hit by a train and it took two weeks to recover. Definitely #3 has been my worst with me gettin every side effect imaginable. Have been really down in the dumps and if it wasn't for SUMMERGIRL constantly testing me a cheering me up I would have cracked up (thank you Carol)

    I very unwillingly went in to hops yesterday for treatment no 4 - have finally reached the half way point thank God. They doc took one look at my appearance yesterday and upped al my drugs. I left that treatment room walking on air. Felt like I had had 5 pints of lovely beer and was the happy old me that everyone loves... Can't remember much about last night tbqh but apparently I was in flying form haha...

    I just wanted to let you all know that even if I don't post frequently here I read every post religiously twice a day. My heart goes out to all of you that are suffering, I am so proud of the girls that are coping well and I feel like I have a new lovely set of girlfriends that I can call on any time.



    Such a wonderful group of people we have here.



    Well I have taken all my silly pills for the morning and am heading to bed for a peaceful sleep (all kids back in school / college) so no interruptions until at least 4.30pm bliss



    Talk soon to you all -keep up the good fight xxxxxx

    Michaela

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited September 2011

    Hi michaela!!! Sorry you've such a rough go with it....and now you're 1/2 way there!!! Yay to that!!!!



    Good luck today Chrys and Grimbol!!!! One step closer!!!! And Diana....I know exactly how you're feeling, especially after the way I feel after my tx2 yesterday....I'm hoping my nausea subsides quickly. And here I am, been wide awake since 2am....I haven't been able to sleep for $@i! The past week or so....and now I think it's the steroids and nausea.....ugh!!!!



    Vt...I hope your cheek starts to look and feel better and doesn't turn into anything crazy!!!! Ugh....



    Michelle...glad you enjoyed the Look Good Feel Better class, my local one was really good!!! :)



    Summergirl....I say get a cute doggy but after treatment and you can really enjoy it!!!! :)



    Hi Robyn!!!



    I suppose I'll try to sleep, I have to get up with my daughter in 2 hours..... This insomnia is crap! My onc said there's nothing more I can take to try to sleep, she isn't a fan of supplements with chemo and I have my teas and sleeping pills and Ativan and Xanax and none seem to work. :(

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  • MaryjRN
    MaryjRN Member Posts: 130
    edited September 2011

    Istreet...I am doing the exact treatment as you.  I am scheduled to start Taxol on Monday, 9/26.  Congrats on geting the big shave over with.

    Good morning to everyone.  Being treated for a kidney infection, but I think the pain is from shingles w/o a rash.  Will be calling onc soon. Feeling very sh*tty right now.

    hugs to all....

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2011

    Oh boy, Mary! You take the cake with that! I thought shingles was something that we get after chemo is over? I feel so sorry for you, you should be having your "good" week! ((hugs))

    My rash spread to both cheeks and neck, but doesn't itch, so not bad. Was awake till 1:00, last night. First time that the steroids have upped me so much! But, I have to say (knocking on wood) that #3 T/C seems better so far. To the point where I am wondering if he did lower my dose, but seems that he would have said so if he had.

    Chrys, Grimbol, Diana - I think that you all are going in today. So hangin there! I am finding that my healing/relaxing cd is pretty helpful. My blood pressure was down to 142 /90 this treatment, It was 170/100 last time!! So, yea, I get myself I bit worked up!

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited September 2011

    Dianamaps, good luck with # 4 tomorrow. Hang in there, you will get through!

    Michaela, so good to hear from you again! Sorry you're having a tough time. Hopefully the increase in your meds will do the trick. It feels really good to be half way done!

    Madismommy, for me the insomnia is the WORST side effect. I get so tired but can't get a decent sleep. I've been taking my PM meds earlier in the evening which helps a bit but I long for the time when I can get a good night's sleep. I've always been a bit of an insomniac but this is crazy!

    MaryJRN, hope you feel better soon!

    Ellen, I have the opposite problem...low blood pressure. Last week it was 95/60. It's always been a little on the low side but the chemo seems to have made it worse!

    Now I have to do the Neulasta shot and then head over to the University of Waterloo for my first Well-Fit workout.

    Good luck to all having treatment today.

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited September 2011

    Mary...I hope you feel better ASAP...a kidney infection AND shingles? UGH.... I didn't know we could get shingles too....joy... :(



    Vt....I'm glad the rash isn't really itchy and bothersome and that this tx seems to be easier s/e wise.... My steroids make me so alert and have insomnia something horrible for 3 days after.... The only good thing is you wouldn't believe all the stuff I get done around my house!!! :) plus, my onc doesn't want me at work the rest of tx week....



    Michelle....neulasta for me today too....my shot giver comes at 3:00.... I can't do it myself, I'm a chicken!!!!

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited September 2011

    Morning ladies- UPDATE: I'm at the treatment center and just saw the Onc and my nurse practioner. I am NOT receiving anymore Taxotere. The Onc feels it s an allergic reaction and having another treatment could be "problematic". He also felt I possibly could be having a reaction to Neulasta but doesn't think that's it.



    So here is the skinny - I can either stop chemo altogether or try another regimine which would be Adrymiyacin (sp?). I opted to try the "Red Devil". I'd rather have chemo than none at all since I'm node positive. I have to have an Echocardiogram first, he's not doing a MUGA. I had a heart stress test in May and Radioactive Gamma testing back in April. I'm in Philly and they might not be able to schedule the test today. :(. I cant reschedule chemo until the test is done, so my days are all out of whack!



    Good thing is once start, I can do my final chemo in two weeks, not 3.



    Ok -- anyone on Adryimycin and can you tell me what to expect?? The Onc said the biggest issue is nausea, but I can deal with that over the itching/burning. I hope I don't develop worse see effects!!



    Any insight would be great! Thanks for listening ! Sorry if there are typos, I'm on my iPhone.

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  • Robyn6463
    Robyn6463 Member Posts: 167
    edited September 2011

    Chrys, I'm glad you've got a plan in place. Hard to change in the middle, but at least it'll be over sooner!

    VtEllen, Sorry about the rash. I hope it goes away soon. You make me optimistic that my #3 will be easier also. I'm up Friday, and I'm dreading it. I feel pretty good this week, except for the stupid headache that won't end. 

    Oh no Mary! I hope it isn't shingles! I knew we were susceptible to shingles, and I've been petrified! My grandfather had them really bad when I was little, and my young, healthy 24 yo daughter had them summer 2010. Not fun. So far, so good for me. 

    Does anyone know about flu shots? Should we get them? Or not until after we're done? 

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2011

    I heard that we can get the vaccine as long as it isn't the live one. No one has spoken to me about it, and i don't usually get one, but this year, maybe?

    So wait - Chrys, will you be doing two treatments of adriamycin? You had 2 more T/Cs to go, right? And it seems that everyone else on here except Grimbol, Summergirl,Robyn and me are on adriamycin just about.

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  • thereseA
    thereseA Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2011

    thank you for something positive. I need to know I will have a life worth living when this is done.

    ThereseA

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited September 2011

    Chrys, I'm on adryiamicin....just had it yesterday and just ate a leftover filet mignon for lunch!!! What anti nausea meds do you get??? I've done very well so far with nausea? Adryiamicin goes in through a couple huge syringes, right into your IV line during your other infusion....slowly pushed in by chemo nurse....I feel nothing as it goes. I drink my water and start flushing out the "red devil" before I leave my hospital....your pee will be orange..... My nausea meds are emend, compazine and Ativan....

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited September 2011

    Ellen - yup, I'll be doing my last two treatments with Adrimycin instead of Taxotere.

    I'm still in Philly - they are trying their darndest to get me the heart test while I'm here.

    I hope if I get the test today and it's ok that I can come back for chemo on Friday or next Monday at the latest. My 3rd Taxotere was to be today and my last treatment on October 12th.

    I'll probably finish up around the same time if I do Adrimycin in another 2weeks instead of 3.

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited September 2011

    Madismommy: Thanks for the info! I have Ativan and Zofran for nausea, but I've really not had to use it much for he Taxotere. I'm so VERY sensitive to any meds that I pray I don't get any weird side effects with the Adrimycin. I'm very allergic to everything and I knew I may end up with some type of reaction. Just weird that it started well in to day 16 of my 2nd treatment.

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  • Kasi
    Kasi Member Posts: 216
    edited September 2011

    Chrys - Your doc saying the next dose of taxotere might be "problematic" is, like, the understatement of the year, LOL.

    In my experience, the red devil has done this to me: MAJOR FATIGUE, sore throat, flu/achy like feeling, nose running 24/7 non-stop (that could be the Cytoxan though), mouth feels "tight", most things taste like crap, especially water which I can't even stomach right now, headaches, nausea (Zofran takes care of this for me)... 

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  • jbagley
    jbagley Member Posts: 102
    edited September 2011

    Hello everyone. I just had my first taxol on Monday. Luckily I did not have any reaction. I have had body aches and my toes are tingling a little. But you know, I can deal with the aches and pains vs the fatigue.



    Yesterday morning my husband was rushed to the ER with heart palpitations. Once at the ER he had changes on his heart tracing. All blood tests came back negative, stress test on heart was negative. Doctor said SVT and Stress from what we are going through. He is home now. Tired, didn't get a lot of sleep last night on the nursing floor he was on. He needs to follow up with primary doc.



    Hugs to all. Se free weekend!! For all

    jennifer

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited September 2011

    Chrys, glad to hear you have a plan! I've just had my 4th (and last) dose of Adriamycin yesterday. For me, it hasn't been too bad. The nausea has been manageable with the drugs they've given me and it only lasts two or three days.

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited September 2011

    Wow - just leaving Philly now! They fit me in for the heart test (Yay! Only waited 4hrs after having to get a referral from my stupid primary Drs office in jersey) and my first Adrimycin dose is this Friday (if the heart test is ok!). I just called from the car to ask if I need to take my steroids before treatment and they said no. Can Anyone on this regimine confirm what they get and if this is so??

    And would getting my last dose in two weeks sound right? Do any of you get it every 3 weeks or two?? I'm so confused with this change up in treatment! lol

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  • MaryjRN
    MaryjRN Member Posts: 130
    edited September 2011

    Back from onc...good news is: it's not shingles, but a cellulitis that has started about midway down my back.  On antibiotics and a steroid cream.  Its bothering all the nerve endings. 

    Chrys...glad you are moving in the right direction.

    jbagley...glad to here you survived Taxol.  I'm due next Monday. Hope your dh is ok.

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  • Kasi
    Kasi Member Posts: 216
    edited September 2011

    Jennifer - So sorry to hear about your hubby! I hope that he gets some rest and that he's ok! Glad to hear minimal stuff so far with the Taxol.

    Chrys - I did not have to take steroids before the Adriamycin. When I went to "the chair" they gave me Emend and then Decadron (steroid) in the IV. Then the Adriamycin, then the Cytoxan, and then Ativan last as a push through my port,. I had a scrip for steroids at home that I was to take once every 12 hours starting the night of chemo just just 5 times. My infusions are on Thursdays so the last time I would take a steroid at home was Saturday night. On my 4th AC last week, I didn't even take the final steroid on Sat night, didn't need it. I got my AC every two weeks 4 times and I just finished my 4th last Thursday. On to Taxol, wahoooo! Halfway done. November 10th is going to be one of the best days of my life!!!

    Mary - TG it's not shingles!!!!! Sorry that it's still uncomfortable though. :-( 

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited September 2011

    Chrys, I get decadron also.... 2 pills the night before, 2 the morning of and 2 the night of.



    Jennifer, I hope your hubby is okay!!! Scary!! :(

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