January 2012 chemo

There are a lot of good post on dec 2011 TC site about receiving the chemo in the vein.

Deb267 - I'll have you in my thoughts and prayers this morning.  I'm sorry about the NP's attitude!  Isn't it enough that we have to deal with C? 

Initially, I wanted to avoid using a port.  However, during my 'chemo education', the NP took me on a tour of the infusion suite.  We stopped to chat with the nurses who will be doing the infusions.  I asked them about the condition of my available veins.  After a thorough examination, they couldn't say with reasonable certainty that my veins would hold up for 4tx of AC followed by 4tx of taxol.  I decided to just skip the whole problem and get a port.  My decision was also based on the fact that I would have only one arm to use (AND on left side). I hope I don't regret this decision.  Two coworkers relayed stories of close family members who developed infections at the port site.

Deb267, I finished 6 rounds chemo through IV drip, and will be getting Herceptin for a year. It has worked out well so far, aside from bruising. I did not want a port.

Good luck to the ladies having their ports placed today!!

OK -- I have found that dark hole!!! I have been so good at staying strong and positive -- I had only cried a couple of times -- Day of Diagnosis and maybe once or twice thereafter. However, today is an entirely different story. I have my first Chemo Session tomorrow and nothing seems to be going right today. The Oncology Center had called my RX's in to Caremark on 12/23 for Odansetron and Dexamethasone and the Port Cream. They have not arrived- so I will have to get another RX for each for enough to hold me over when I go tomorrow. Should have used local Pharmacy which I am doing for the Neulesta. Anyway, I really did not need this hassle on top of being so apprehensive about tomorrow. Even if I had not had to deal with the RX mixup, I suppose that something else would have set me off -- I am usually a very strong person and it is really out of character for me to be so weepy!! I have an appointment for Echocardiogram at 10:45 AM with Chemo Session following. Hopefully, once I experience the "unknown", I will regain that strong positive attitude. 

I referred to the Forum on this Site regarding supplies and I followed her suggestions in setting up a little Chemo Bag with all the aids that I may need to help calm various side effects -- so let the battle begin!!!!!!

Thanks to all for letting me vent. I will let you know how it goes.

I meant to add I have had my port almost two weeks and Im still healing from axillary lymph node surgery. My port is still sore but tolorable and I cant imagine getting treatments without it. I have nightmare veins. Im not even sure which chemo is first. I cant remember but its something like 4 rounds of AC and 4 rounds of TC and 6 weeks radiation and one year Herceptin. I guess I will figure it out Friday. I will try to give you all an update of how each day went, that is if Im able. Im sure hoping for the best!!

So sorry you are having trouble today Jennyruth. No one needs the hassle before their first day. It will get better and I have no doubt you will sail through treatment tomorrow. You have a lot of support here. Good luck and let those of us who are starting next week know how it goes for you.

Hi All,

I'm new to this site but have already found some very helpful information.  I am starting chemo (T/C)tomorrow morning (Jan. 5) and have been very anxious.  Will be doing 4 cycles (one every 3 weeks).  Just looking for support and someone to "hold my hand".  I'll be following the drink lots of water advice, rinse my mouth often and am thinking of icing my fingernails and toenails.  I'm going in for my labs tonight after work.  I get teary when I walk into that waiting room, as the reality really sets in that "gee, I'm really going through this".  Thanks for all of your posts. 

Kathy

Kathy - I'll be your buddy - we're having tx's on the same day (though I'll have one extra one after your last one). Welcome to the site. I'm glad you've found some good tips. I iced my fingers and toes; it's not bad, especially if you have company to talk with. I read through some of my treatment, but it was hard doing that and holding the bag of ice... 

Shell - Welcome. I'll be thinking of you Friday. It's doable - and the more proactive you are about heading off SEs, the better off you'll be. Not everyone gets neuropathy, but definitely let your onc know if you feel anything weird.

Deb and hotlyn - Good luck dealing with the fibro. The SEs are bad enough on their own without other things that may excerbate them!

Janetanned - Glad the port placement went well. It is amazing what we're learning about our bodies through all of this. When I went to explore fertility options (didn't go for it in the end... another long story) the doctor found a possible fibroid or polyp in my uterus, which might explain all the heavy bleeding. So.... had an ultrasound, and yesterday an endometrial biopsy. Stop snipping things off of me, please...!  I'm glad to hear that issue won't pose a problem with the chemo at least!

Jennyruth - Hang in there. Those dark days come, and sometimes you just have to ride it through, tears and all. Hitting a pillow sometimes helps. Plus, doing little things like the chemo bag is a great way to challenge your strength and positive attitude. If we're going to have to go through this, at least we can look cool and organized! That pharma hassle is lousy. 12/23, and they couldn't get it here faster? They can be so slow to get things authorized and ready, but that's crazy. I hope you can get everything you need ASAP. UPS miraculously delivered my Neulasta today, but I was on both UPS' and Medco's case about "I don't care if I'm not home - you HAVE to leave it outside my apartment door." Good luck - I'll be in 'the chair' tomorrow, too, but closer to 2 in the afternoon. My tx #2.

My hairdresser came over today but didn't want to shave my head just yet, so she gave me a really short buzz/pixie cut - and it's not bad. It's pretty silky, and looks okay. The important thing is, I can deal with it. So I'll give that a shot, but I really do expect the hair to be gone mostly in a few days. Other than that, I start tomorrow off with physical therapy and then proceed over to the infusion center. I've had a stuffy nose, but no temp, so hopefully I'm good to go. I'll stay over with my boyfriend (he lives in Philly where I'm having my treatment) and bring me home Friday before he goes to work.

For all the ladies starting tomorrow or Friday.... you can do it! 

Well the decision about a port or pic line was taken out of my hands today after 3 nurses and 5 sticks they finally got one in the side of my wrist. The chemo nurses told the Nurse pract. It would be best for a port or a pic line, we opted for the pic line the chemo nurses can remove that after the tx, and will use the single lumen that only requires flushing once a week. The nurse pract came to me in the chemo room and said I hear you want a port,you are only getting 3 more tx. What is her problem!? The nurses told her I have no veins suitable for this tx and to have veins later for blood draws or iv it would be best to save what little I have. It seems I questioned her decision and she got her fur ruffled. I don't want to see her again my next appt is with her, I will have to change that, I don't need her attitude right now. Other than that everything is good. Can't seem to hold my urine if I feel the urge I have to try to make it to the bathroom before it makes it to the exit door. It's a mad race some I win,some it wins. I think we are bout 50-50 now. I have never had this problem before. They told me to drink plenty water to flush it out, they did not say it would be on auto flush. LOL it has got to be a game, I run my husband bets whether I am gonna make it or not. I think we should throw some money in a pot if he wins he gets dinner,(he says run you can make it,) I say ain't gonna make it)If I win I get poise pads.

Diane - Hang in there. Write whatever you want. We'll listen to anything, and there's no 'right' or 'wrong' thing to write here, anyway. I hope they get your pathology results soon. It is so hard to wait. But they should be able to turn you around in a week or two, depending on labwork and whether you need a port. Just follow along and join the ride.

PCBarbie66;   yea you!!!!! you need to feel comfortable (if that is possible!) with your decisions-this is YOUR body and YOUR life!!!!!!!

and if you need to talk pep to yourself or any of us-go for it!!!!!!!

Thank you Rachelvk! I will be thinking of you and will probably post during. Thx :-)

MNGirlyGirl;

a hug for you as well for your 1st day tomorrow!

Ok have a question had my first TC today. about 3 hours ago my face started burning, stinging turned red across cheeks nose chin anyone have this reaction.I took my decahedron about 2 hours before it started