April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Thank you ladies for posting so quickly.  I was so afraid the port hurt and now I am getting chemo and then my brain starts spinning into all sorts of scary scenarios.  I knew you all would have the answers and I feel better already.  I am so grateful I found you.

Ladies,

I read all your posts and am simply astounded at your bravery. Your fear was evident when you started this thread and now you're moving through chemo, gritting your teeth and getting it done.

Some say it doesn't take courage to save your life, but your ability to make jokes about this speaks volumes about your grace and power to take charge of your txs as best as you can.  I'm honored!

(BTW, I used peri-colace caps for occasional slow movement-you know--and it worked great. Tried milk of magnesia when things were really slow, and had to be careful although it worked when I was more needy as well).

Hugs

Claire

Welcome to the new people!

My port was sore for a good two weeks. Hurt more than the incision did for the lumpectomy.

day 2 was uneventful so far. Had toast this morning, then a few crackers a couple hrs later. Lunch was chick n rice soup, fries n a blt. Ate the soup, picked at the fries and the smell of the mayo scared me away from the sandwich. Haha that went in the fridge for tomorrow. Going to have some grapes then lay down til dinner. So far so good.

Went for my shot. Drank about 40 oz so far + the soup. My cheeks are really really red. Is that the chemo or the shot?

how are the rest of you making out?

Sade that sucks. Try some ice pops or gatorade. Keep getting fluids down. They told me if the pill doesnt work in 4 hrs to try the other one. See which one is better. How long have you been puking? Let the drs know if it continues!

I can totally take pain, like back pain, stitches, dentist stuff, but the nausea I can not do. That is the worst!

Ok thanks! I feel fine but its beet red like when I get mad! Haha

sandik - it might be the dex! 

sadesurvivor - Oh no!!!!  Perhaps call your onc and get something else called in.  The meds should work really quickly - my Zofran (kind that melts under the tongue) did.  Once the n/v starts they say it is harder to control - you may need a different med.  Don't suffer - call!   

Sade, definitely call, but I was wondering what meds they gave you? They told me to take emend and zofran whether I felt sick or not for the first 3 days and if that didn't work, they gave me compazine as a fallback to take as needed. The compazine is supposed to work pretty well.



I sure hope you feel better soon!

Welcome Chrissera.  Sorry you have to join us but you're in good hands here.  I totally understand this being scary as H#LL!

Good Morning everyone!!!!  Wishing for minimal SE's for all!!!!

Since there seems to be a laundry list of possible SE's and I couldn't figure out what the heck I should be feeling, I called my onco's office this morning to chat.  Started feeling a little funky and weird yeaterday afternoon (48 hours since 1st infusion) and by the evening, I was moving really slow.  Drinking water like crazy and also burping a lot.  I'm trying to keep up with the eating so I don't have an empty stomach.  Last night was a "white" meal-- everything was white in color---- fish, mashed potatos, mac n cheese, tampioca pudding.  Sounds lieka lot of food but when you have a only a few bites of each, it really isn't.  Thank goodness the anti nausea meds are working and no plumbing issues.  Still thinking that stupid period of mine is coming.... it's due anytime.  I can feel those ovaries tightening up and wondering what the heck is happening around here.  Have been a little weepy too.....hormones, chemo.... who knows why but absolutely necessary!!!

Rest everyone and drink, drink, drink!!!!

Good morning ladies. I'm feeling much better today. I couldn't keep water, ginger ale or the popsicle down. After puking and the big D for hours and after Decadron and Ativan didn't work my hubby (DH??) called the after hour hotline. I had two other prescriptions for Zofran and Emend but it was for day two and three after chemo and it said to take as directed. The nurse called my onc who said to take a Zofran and Imodium for diarrhea. She also said she would call back in two hours to see how I was doing because they would want me to go to the er if nothing had changed. But the Zofran (and prayer) did the trick. Before he could come back with the Imodium I was knocked out. I'm feeling good so far. My stomach is feeling a little funny...I'm not sure if it's from hunger or if the nausea is trying to creep but. I'm scared to eat or drink, fear of yesterdays episodes.



I wanted to thank you all for your advice. I really appreciated it. I pray that you all minimal to no side effects.

Thanks Dance. I'm going to call for another prescription because they only sent me home with 4 Zofran and 2 Emend...for two days after chemo. After my first treatment I was felt sick for 4 days straight which I made clear to him yesterday before chemo.

Wow!!! I feel cheated lol! I get Emend on chemo day as well along with two to take for two days afterwards. They have got to give me more Zofran! He was also talking about possibly giving me a marijuana type of prescription for nausea but I'm not too sure about that one lol. So far it's trial and error hopefully it stops at the Zofran.

Me either Dance! When the onc walked out my husband was like "did he just say marijuana"?!? I was just as shocked. If I end up needing it I'll let you know how it goes lol

Just woke up from a nap--- feel a little better but now it's time to drink drink drink and find some nibbles to eat. and just rest. 

I found out I was receiving the Herceptin after the clinical trial people randomized me.  It is one of those studies, either you receive ir or you don't---- no placebos.  My onco and her research coordinator are thrilled that I'm getting it since I'm the first patient to volunteer with them.  I can tell you I'm being very carefully monitered.

if you can get a Rx for maryjane i "highly" recommend it!!  take your mind off the fact its maryjane, it will help you eat, and calm you. if your luckiy enough to have a cool dr who will give it to you, take it for those of us who wish we could get  it, i am fighting a battle royal trying to get marinol to stimulate my appitite, the insurance keeps kicking it and wants to subsitute an anti nausea med. i dont have nausea, i have no appitite. i have nausea meds already and they work fine for that, but they dont help me eat when food tastes, smells and sounds gross!!