January 2012 chemo

Whoops auto correct strikes again that was dexamethasone

Momof3boys - what does Claritan do before Neulesta? I start my treatment on 1/12 - dose dense - 4 AC and then 4 Taxol - treatments are every 2 weeks.

How long does a typical treatment last (I forgot to ask my MO). 1 hour, 3 hours??

Lumpynme - Welcome. I do like your screen name. Good luck on the move! That's quite a lot to handle. Before my dx, I had planned to move out of my apartment at the end of the year, but I got a six-month extension (and they waived the planned increase. Yes, I played the cancer card, but legitimately, I feel). But there's no way I could have packed and moved all my stuff 8 weeks after bmx during chemo.... Good luck, whenever your tx starts.

Janetanned - I'm at TJeff, which I really like. I go on Thursdays, once every three weeks. Let me know if you ever want to meet up. 

I think I experienced nightsweats last night...anyone else? From the chemo? (I'm 43, pre menopausal)

Catwhisperer...was wondering if you were able to gain that 5 lbs, if so how'd u do it?  Just curious as I am 123 vs.your 107 and am concerned with loosing the weight, I lost 2 lbs during recovery from surgary, but that was the second type of pain killer they gave me..generic junk that only made me loose my appetite, not the pain.

There are so many of us starting this week....Here's hoping we don't have much to say/post!!  Mine is at 2:pm today, my husband has more anxiety than I do..he hardley slept the last 2 nights.  I've been distracting him with shopping and I bought lot's of scarves and hats on clearance (woohoo)...now own a "Fargo" hat just incase we get snow like last year...was hoping if I bought it, I won't need it!

Here is the eyebrow link. Im very impressed and now I need to find all the right makeup. I havent heard of sealer before. Wonder if Walmart carries it.

This lady is so cute and fun!! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4lajZWeEyE&feature=related

Peggy checking in.  I had my first AC treatment today and so far so good.  I arrived around 10:30 AM (they had told me to come between 10 and 11).  Unfortunately they were short one nurse so everything was backed up.  At 12:30 PM they had me take my Emend.  I finally got my IV at 1:00PM.  The guy that did is was not much in the personality area but a genius at IV placement.  I just removed the bandage this evening and there is one tiny little spot of blood and no pain. First they gave  two small bags of anti nausea med's.  I forget what they were called.  When they were finished they hooked up the Cyclophosphamide. While that was dripping I ate my lunch. First I ate a Wasa healthy cracker.  When I saw that settled I ate a boiled potato and 2 hard boiled eggs.  I had no idea what I would feel like eating and those seemed to be what I thought I would tolerate.  As it turned out I had no stomach issues at all.  Not a touch of nausea.  The whole thing was easy peasy.  The Doxorubicn also didn't bother me. Pink pee was a trip but I expected that.  When the Dox. was finished they followed up with a bag of saline to clean me out. I think having to wait around for 2 hours was actually helpful as I relaxed quite a bit watching the other patients walking around and talking and not looking distressed at all.

The whole infusion lasted 2 hours.  The nurse then told me about what meds to take for the next 3 days.  My husband insisted we take a taxi home but I would have voted to walk to the bus as I felt I would like a short walk in the fresh air.  I think hubby was expecting a bomb to drop on the way home.  

I just finished fixing dinner (pasta).  I was feeling good and hubby had been fasting all day (minor Jewish fast day) so I took pity on him and didn't take advantage of my 'weakened' consition. LOL

A good friend of mine tells me that it is all the steroids they give for anti nausea that make you feel so good.  She said the day after her first treatment she had so much energy she didn't know where to start. Perhaps that is why so many say they 'crash' around the 4th day because by then you don't need the anti nausea meds.

Another thing that made the time fly is that Leah , who I met in another forum, stopped by so we could put names to a face.  We chatted away like old friends.

I guess that covers it for now.  Tomorrow afternoon I'll give myself my Neulesta shot.  

I'm sorry I havn't posted many replies to individuals here.  I've been really busy trying to get ready for all this and havn't had the time.  Now that Ive started I hope to have more online time and get to know you all a bit better.

Peggy 

PS I didn't get the reflexology because they go home at 11.  I'm planning to go early next time to take advantage . 

Hey everyone this is Jennyruth's daughter. She should be just starting her chemo now! She had an echocardiogram done at like 10:30 and I just called and dad said they were talking to her and should be starting soon.. I am probably just as nervous for her! I hate having her go through all this.. just breaks my heart. She is my best friend and such an amazing person.. I just pray that by summer all will be done and everything will be ok. Thank you all for you caring thoughts and support.. it truly helps!

PCBarbie66 - I have not gained any weight back.   I am too anxious to eat well but trying to force myself.  My hubby is gone to work so am alone and don't feel like cooking either.  I had my port placement yesterday and feel like a horse kicked me.  It hurts to breathe deeply and my heart seems to do flip-flops.    I am taking my hydrocodone and sleeping most of the day.   I hope the port settles down as I start chemo next Mon, 1/9.

CatWhispurrer.... Good luck on Monday. I am starting Monday as well and will be thinking of you that day. I too am an LVT in a critical care referral veterinary hospital. I took a leave after my dx since I would be having surgery and chemo. How have you dealt with work??? And I lived in Carrollton for about a year when I was very young 1977 or so....

Welcome Gayle56....You are in the right place for support and info..

Im so glad for Kitchenella.

I hope you get through this all the way easy.

I hope we all do, well I dont expect a walk in the park but you know what I mean.

Thinking and praying for all who go tomorrow including myself.

Dont forget to click on those you tube links and learn some great fashion tips and request your headwrap from the link someone provided on an earlier post.

I went out with my sister and mom (who is early stage alzhiemers) and shopped a little and had lunch. What a lift to my soul!! I bought new scarves at Claires big sale and lots of hoop earings and all the stuff to make my eyebrows. haha Sally Beauty Supply offers all you need except the sealer which Im gonna get online. It felt good to buy inexpensive but beautiful things to make me feel better about it all.

I have decided when I get through this I will voluteer my services and time to help other ladies pick out their new hair and scarves. Just help any way I can. I dont think I could go through all this and not be different. Im very scared yes, but excited to see what God is going to do in my life towards helping others with the gift of my 30 carreer. (Hairdressing) To God be the glory!!

rachelvk

Thanks for the update on your lastest treatment. I too hope to be eating burritos after my treament.  Hope it stays this way for you...HUGS

Jenn I also am more anxious than I ever thought I would be.  I have a strong faith in G-d and do believe that whatever happens is His will and ultimately for good even if on the surface it seems terrible.   In spite of this , inside, I'm nervous.  I just try to expect the worse and then am usually pleasanty surprised when I survive.

I find keeping busy helps me.  And planning ahead for every eventuality. I hate taking medicine so I am trying to keep away from anti anxiety drugs but if you really need them go for it.  

Good luck and take lots of deep calming breaths.  (And 'Calgon Moments' if you remember those old commercials).

Peggy 

Jennt28 - I hear you!  Typically, I am the most positive person.  However, these past few weeks have been getting darker and darker!  I cry at everything!  I made the big mistake of watching two movies with my  son on New Years that had sad parts.  I needed a box of tissues to get through them.  Poor guy had to sit with me!  I think I might need to 'see' someone.

Kitchenella - I know what you mean about having faith.  Without a strong belief or faith in a Higher Power I would be really lost!  I tried to explain that to my daughter who has been questioning her own beliefs right now.

Rachelvk - Glad to hear yesterday went ok!  Jeff is a great hospital!  Two of my three kids were born at Jeff.  The only reason I chose HUP was because I am now employed by HUP.  Before moving to the burbs, we live a few blocks from Jeff and could walk to all appointments.  It sounds like your bf lives in the neighborhood?  Also, thanks for the ice chip suggestion.  I forgot about that.  Let us know how the neulasta shot goes.  I might take mine to a walk in clinic and have a nurse do it.  I'm a little phobic when it comes to injections. I don't think I could give myself a shot.  DH is little nervous too.

I have chemo today............getting a little nervous!  Shellseeker, I think we are scheduled for the same day.  I'll be thinking about you.

JennT28...They asked if I was anxious and offered Ativan (since I was crushing the book I had with me)...I hesitated and they said go ahead take a little just to take the edge off of your first day...I took it..it helped.  The also called in a prescription of it and we picked it up on our way home.  MO said I may have issue sleeping as the steriod pills will make me buzz around (I do this w/o the drugs normolly).....and to take it at night to help sleep...I hadn't thought of that..

My first session was great...absolutely no effects at all....2:45 was my session, they put hot blankets on my legs and my covered my abdomen too...was nice...then after tubes in I got hot packs under my hand and on top, since the injection is so cold...nicer still..Fluids first, some nausea drip medicine I also didn't get the name of...and the Ativan drip...peeing Orange as you all are doing, took Amend and "DOX x3" before Sees ion and then this morning after food...drank cooler water than I should have and my temp came up low...waited 15 minutes re took, it was fine...duh.  No Nausea, just tired and I think that is from last nights night sweat!!

Kitchenella .....did you post about night sweats??  Mine were awful, 3AM had to change everything and then after fitful sleep gave up at 5:30am...gonna be tired from this all day today..didn't take any Ativanbefore bed as I was so tired from they had already given me by infusion.  Did'nt think I'd have a problem fell right to sleep and my husband said I was snoring away in there..gonna take that little pill tonight!!

I feel good enough to go to Therapy today at 10:00am we just passed the 60 days mark from sugary and can concentrate on tissue management and scar management, light weights...hope..hope...concentrate on that left arm....Basically I feel good, first day's anxiety was for nothing.  Let's hope this holds out for the shot at 4:30.