March 2012 chemo

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  • Alicea
    Alicea Member Posts: 36
    edited March 2012

    Sissydi

    Good to hear no bone pain from the Neulasta I go to get mine at 5 today, praying that the headache will go away. Did you take the Claritin before the shot or after?



    Tc9876 - I brought my water because I do not like the taste of theirs but it was there if I needed it plus snack, take yours just in case you can always take it back home.



    I have been drinking so much water I pee more than I sleep... I am tired :)



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  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited March 2012

    Alicea, I took it before them shot.... I will take it until Friday or Saturday.



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  • Love74
    Love74 Member Posts: 175
    edited March 2012

    Day 14 today...I still have hair and its not shedding either. 

    This morning I woke up with a rash on my arms...looks like hives but its not itchy...yet.

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  • tellie_savalis
    tellie_savalis Member Posts: 121
    edited March 2012

    Hello Everyone,

    I get my port friday (tomorrow) and from all indications will start chemo next week.  Things seem to be moving very quickly. I was diagnosed last week.  Does the port hurt? It is confusing and all the Dr. meetings seem to be running together.  I had a second biopsy today for abnormal lymph nodes in my armpit.   

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  • Love74
    Love74 Member Posts: 175
    edited March 2012

    I had my port put in 3 weeks ago.  I had a some local freezing like the dentist would use and some conscious sedation.  I didn't feel anything until a few hours later.  It hurt to swallow for a few hours then only discomfort in the area where the port was placed for a few days.  It still hurts a little if I touch it...kind of like a fresh bruise would hurt.  I found the biopsy to be more painful.

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  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited March 2012

    Me too....biopsy was much more painful, love having a port! It's worth the hassle for sure!

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  • Msbelle
    Msbelle Member Posts: 235
    edited March 2012

    I went to doctor today for my first tissue expander infusion. I knew before I got there it was not a good idea since I am still so sore and tight. Doctor agreed and is sending me to physical therapy. Has anyone had to do this? They tell me I will feel like a new woman in a week. I sure hope they are right.

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  • shera
    shera Member Posts: 184
    edited March 2012
    Nuelasta shots --- when does the bone pain typically begin? Had my 1st shot around 2pm today.

    Alicea  For claritin, I'm following advice from over on the TC chemo thread -- which is to take 1 claritin after you get home from infusion. I took mine a few hours after the other drugs...to space them out. Take the next one after shot, then 1 a day for 6 days. 

    Tc9876,  Gabbi42,  Siops ---  Wishing  you all uneventful comfortable infusions today. I'm on day 2, and yesterday went by quickly with smoothly. I had some minor burning sensations at the port site, and weird twitching in pectoral muscle (port is on my TE side) --- other than that dealing with the stress of the unknown was by FAR the worse part. Deep slow breathing.  
     
    My main side effect is now dull mild - moderate persistent headache. Chemo-nurses told me this was from the steroids.  Also had mild metal-mouth after infusion -- its gone today. Very mild stomach issues -- haven't medicated it, just swigging aloe juice and it seems to sooth it enough for now.  Might be slightly constipated -- nurses told me to call them later if "no action."  They emphasized that eliminating is very important because we don't want "the toxins sitting in the bowels" -- to quote them. 
    Oh.. and DRY EYES...  when I woke up this morning I couldnt open my eyes right away. lol         Had to use hands to help open eyes and it was hard to blink at first. Visine did the trick. 

    All in all... I feel pretty great today and credit the HUGE relief of having yesterday over with and also credit the steroids --- I'm pretty wound-up and strangely energetic and bouncy today :/  

    Kadia -- Just a day behind you and our SE's seem to be similar. Feeling pretty good and waiting for the truck to hit. 

    Sissydi -- I've taken regular tylenol for persistent headache and it's not really knocking it out. Was told by nurses today, it's from the steroids. I haven't taken any nausea drugs so far. Like you, drinking water and hoping it'll go away. 

    cmcclean my port was uncomfortable for a few days after -- not painful. I think it's because the hospital used latex tape on me and I had bad allergic skin reaction --- so might be good to ask for paper tape. or even better is the clear tape -- it's thin and flexible with the skin. that worked best for me. (sensitive skin -- had to keep replacing adhesive covering in week after port placed.. got to try them all).

    Masserz -- thank you for sharing head cover sites. I have tons of winter hats, but nothing for spring yet...  Time to do some shopping. 
     
    Cool 

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  • Love74
    Love74 Member Posts: 175
    edited March 2012

    I had neulasta bone pain on day 3 and 4.  I had taken Claritan so it wan't very bad...like growing pains in my shin bones.  It was better if I moved around.

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  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited March 2012

    Thanks shera.....I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out which drug was causing the headache. If that went away , it wouldn't be all bad. For me, day 3/4 I've definitely hit the wall as far as fatigue.

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  • galena_79
    galena_79 Member Posts: 107
    edited March 2012

    Ugh. The constipation/nausea combo sucks. Makes me feel like a sick bloated whale. Day 3 was the worst, and then the end of Day 4 I started feeling better. Day 5 today, and I'm feeling okay. I managed a little BM this morning, and then ate a small breakfast, and I'm only feeling mildly nauseated.

    Siops- Welcome. How are you doing? I hope your first treatment went okay. Good luck with the SE's.

    Sissydi- I hope you're feeling better now. Sounds like we have been going through some similar stuff! I think Ativan = Lorazepam? I have some of that to help with my sleeping from time to time. Didn't know it was an anti-nausea drug too. I'll check it out.

    MaxineO- Thanks for your words of support. :D

    HannahsNana- I know what you mean about the cold pressure. My nurse said it was because the drugs were from the fridge. She helped me out by putting a little heat pad over my arm to warm it back up.

    Love74- I'm thinking of doing the Look Good Feel Better programme, but hadn't really decided yet. Did you think it was worth it? I had considered getting some fake eyelashes when they fall out.

    cmcclean- Welcome to the group, you seem very early on in this journey! I presume you will be getting chemo before surgery? I have a port but it was too swollen to use for my first chemo tx, and I'm really looking forward to using it next time instead of my arm veins! The port doesn't particularly hurt to have, unless I press on it. Make sure you take the time to think over the decisions you need to make. Wishing you good news from your lymph node test.

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  • Alicethecat
    Alicethecat Member Posts: 535
    edited March 2012

    Hello ladies

    I start 4 rounds of Fluoracil, Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide (FEC) on 12 March followed by 4 rounds of Taxol and Herceptin starting in round 6 as well.

    Absolutely terrified. Determined to give myself the best chance I can so...may I join your group?

    Best wishes

    Alice the Cat

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  • Love74
    Love74 Member Posts: 175
    edited March 2012

    Galena...look good feel better was awesome. We got a big box of makeup and skin care products...nuetrogena, MAC, elizabeth arden, cover girl, etc. that is based on your skin tone. We then did a class on how to care for your skin and scalp, how to apply concealer, etc to hide cancer issues. We learned how to pencil in eyebrows and do eyeliner to hide missing lashes. The makeup was probably worth over $300. My kit also included a cotton sleep cap. There were women there in all stages of treatment. Definitely a great class.

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  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited March 2012

    Welcome Alice!! Make yourself at home with the Marchers!



    Love74, I think I'll look into that!

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  • Cucho
    Cucho Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2012

    Hey Alice the Cat, I am starting the same Chemo treatment (FEC T/D) on almost the same day as you (March 13).  Message me if you like and we can share our experiences :)

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  • tc9876
    tc9876 Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2012

    Well, I made it through day 1 of chemo.  I didn't have any adverse reactions but it was a LONG day.  My appt was at 10am but they did not start with the premeds until about 12 and I finished that plus the chemo at 4pm.  After that, I wore my cold cap until almost 7pm.  I was quite tired.  Today, I go back for my Neulasta shot.  I've already taken my Claritin for the day.  I slept okay...not great but not terribly.  I don't yet feel any energu boost from the steroid.

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited March 2012

    Sissydi- got Ativan too for chemo nausea yet one pharmacist (at a Target) went huh on the nausea. My chemo nurses assured me it works and is the "emergency first choice" for nausea coming on strongly...( I'm buried under a cat on my lap or I'd look for the other anti-nausea med to take right after the Ativan). On the other hand, my PS didn't want me to take Hydrocodone with Ativan...one pharma told me combined they depress breathing, but my MO doesn't seem concerned.



    Changed my first chemo date from 2/29 to 3/1 (AC) due to big snow storm, but I will go back to every other Wednesday schedule next time. Night of chemo, dry mouth, some offness hard to describe, but otherwise good. This morning I feel normal.




    Been traveling all week to the big city to get wigs, see PS (366 miles away) and to chemo on the way home (85 miles away), so I haven't had a chance to read all the posts here. I hope all are feeling well, thus far!


    TC- I didn't feel the energy boost from that steroid iv either. Maybe we should be asking what we would have felt like without it? How long was your infusion timeframes? Mine was 2:15 hours. Yours seems very long!

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  • Amymomto5
    Amymomto5 Member Posts: 73
    edited March 2012

    Hi Ladies, 

    Mind if I join you? I will be doing 4 rounds of TC starting March 13.  My oncologist routinely does Neulasta shots, and I was wondering... Is Claritin the best for the pain? My oncologist offerred narcotics, but it seems like most people prefer Claritin? Also, I wasn't given any meds to take beforehand. Is that normal? Or is it all in the IV, then I go home with meds to take after?

    Thanks ladies!

    Blessings, Amy 

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited March 2012

    Amymom- My MO gave me medical Rxs before chemo started, but I don't take any of them until the day after the first chemo (steroids, anti-nausea if needed, Neulesta, and non prescript Claritan for the Neulesta bone pain). Also, steroids and anti-nausea meds are delivered in first iv before chemo drugs...atleast in my case. It's nice to get prepared ahead of time and also avoid large groups of people as much as possible.

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  • Masserz
    Masserz Member Posts: 92
    edited March 2012

    Welcome Alicethecat and amymomto5! I think you'll find this group very helpful and comforting. I know I do.



    Tc9876, i'm very glad to hear all is going well for you so far! That does sound like a long day! Hope you get some rest today and that nothing new hits you. Keep us posted...we're pulling for you.



    Siops and gabbi42 I'm sending you best wishes that all went well and you are feeling okay.



    Love74, the look good feel good program seems cool, especially for someone like me who never wears makeup and has no idea what to do when I need to! : ). Unfortunately, there isn't a session in my area until toward the end of my chemo treatment so I'm not sure if I'll bother. I know my hair won't magically be back as soon as I get my last dose though, so it may still be worth it?



    Cmcclean, let me just say wow. Things are moving fast for you! Make sure you take the time to make decisions for yourself and ask all the questions you can think of. Do some research if you can. You should have time to be comfortable with what you are being told. That being said, I'm somewhat jealous of how quickly you are getting care! It took three months for me to just get a diagnosis (my case is special- just like me!) and then almost two more before my BMX and then another month and a half before my ALND so a decision could finally be made about what chemo I needed to do. It's been the most frustrating and LONG 7 months of my life! Anyway, hang in there and take care of yourself. We'll be here for you too!



    I'm curious whether anyone has heard anything about the effectiveness of Claritan on Neulasta bone pain if you already take it daily. I take it daily for allergies and it occured to me this morning as I popped it in my mouth that it may not have the same effect on thhe bone pain if I have a full therapeutic dose built up in my system at all times. I will ask my nurse (when they finally call to schedule my chemo times! More waiting!) but if anyone knows anything about that, please let me know. Thanks ladies!



    Happy Friday everyone!

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  • Love74
    Love74 Member Posts: 175
    edited March 2012

    Masserz - I think its still worth it.  I have heard some people say that their eyebrows and lashes don't fall out till their treatment has finished.  The kit also comes with sunscreen, lip balm, cuticle cream, facial cleanser...lots of non-make-up products.  And it was nice to feel pampered for a couple of hours!

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  • shera
    shera Member Posts: 184
    edited March 2012

    TC - I had the exact same infusion schedule as you. 10am arrival, 4pm departure. I was grateful for the slow approach -- as I have environmental allergies and asthma. Do you also? I wonder if they go slower for those who do.  

    Although I was very "wired" yesterday and feel a little bit of coming down today. Attributed this to the steroids, but I think much of my energy was from the massive weight off shoulder, of emotional/stress relief of having the 1st experience over with! 

     

    Amymomto5 - Welcome -- and wow, you're a mom to 5? More power to you and hope they are not all little ones unless you have lots of help/support right now!

     

    I am also TCx4 and did not need to bring or take anything prior to first infusion. They called in my prescriptions and I had to get them after I left -- that was not convenient as I was tired and it was a long after-work line to wait in. It would be great if you can get them ahead of time.  I brought all kinds of stuff... but really only appreciated my warm slippers and cosy throw, hooded sweater, all-cotton attire, crackers, hard-candies and flavored water (helped with chemical taste) and my kindle fire. Could've used a head pillow... next time. 

     

    I am on day 3 of infusion-cycle, taking Claritin for Nuelasta side-effects. Today and tomorrow are when bone pain side-effects are forecasted to set in, but I started getting restless legs from what felt like growing pains late last night and still now. Knees and hips mainly. Nothing that needs pain meds so far.... but moving and stretching sure helps.  I don't know if the claritin is helping or not, because I don't know what this would be like without it --- but I'll keep you posted. 

     

    sending love and light to you all 

    ~Shera

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  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited March 2012

    Day 5 after 1st tx: nausea gone, but really tired. Was able to do a few errands, but stayed away from crowds. Trying to muster up energy for a short walk!

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  • Kadia
    Kadia Member Posts: 314
    edited March 2012

    Sissydi, I'm starting to feel the fatigue, too. I'm also zitty and constipated and bored. Could be much worse, though. Just walked the dog and need a nap now.



    Welcome, Amy and Alice!



    For ladies getting neulasta, are you getting them automatically each cycle as a preventative? I am hoping to get one after next cycle because I am traveling by air (trip planned prior to dx). But I understand it's really expensive and insurance will have to preapprove. Hope they give the ok.

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  • Love74
    Love74 Member Posts: 175
    edited March 2012

    Hey everyone!  Just wanted to mention hot flashes.  I had one on day 6 and one on day 10.  Pretty weird if you have never had one!  My hair started shedding today (day 15).  Also...while brushing out a knot a whole clump came out...made me kind of sick to my stomach.  Head shave in 4 hours.  My head really hurts so I'm actually looking forward to it!

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  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited March 2012

    Aww((((((((((love74)))))))))........were right behind ya sweetie.



    ((((kadia))))).......I don't know what zitty is, but I'm sure I'm that! Yes to the constipation and boredom :(

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  • Kadia
    Kadia Member Posts: 314
    edited March 2012

    Good luck, love74!



    Sissydi, I just meant that I suddenly have a tons of zits. Blech!

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  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited March 2012

    Lol, hahaha! Ok, not yet, but maybe! I'm on the lookout!

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  • galena_79
    galena_79 Member Posts: 107
    edited March 2012

    Wow, this group has gotten busy recently. I wish it wasn't so, it's not a club we really wanted to join. But it's nice to share this experience with others. Welcome to the newbies, feel free to share your stories.

    I'm on day 6 after treatment #1. My energy has perked up a bit, yay! After nearly a week of letting the house fall apart around me, I got up this morning and did some cleaning and tidying. :D Feels nice to do something productive.

    Physically, my mouth and eyes feel dry, and my gastric issues seem to have switched from constipation to diarrhoea. o_O Le sigh. At least - no nausea!

    Love74- I like makeup/skin care, and I like freebies, so I think I will sign up for the LGFB course!  I'm a bit scared of pulling out clumps of hair, but I'm not sure what day would be best to see my hairdresser to do the big shave.

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  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited March 2012

    My hubby is doing my big shave! I don't want to lose it in front of a whole salon!

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