April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

day 9 after #2 tch day 3 of neupogen shots, 1 more tomorrow.

I had a slight fever in dr.s office. came home took a nap. got up took temp and called in, just picked up some cipro and some tylenol.

Lisa...so sorry to hear that!  I went on Cipro and developed severe tendon issues...BE CAREFUL and monitor yourself.  Many times we don't have a choice and must take broad spectrum antibiotics, but it is good to be aware of significant side effects to watch for.  I ended up on crutches after only 2 doses.  Crazy, I had taken it before without incident.  How high did your temp get?  Thinking of you! 

vballmom- check your calendar now to see when the graduation is and when you are supposed to start chemo.  You may be able to talk to your onco now to see if you can delay the start of chemo. Never hurts to ask.  

I wanted to get done with my chemo in early August in hopes of feeling well enough to travel with my family in the fall when my son starts college in Boston.  That's one of the reasons, I went forward with the start of my chemo rather than delay it for his high school graduation. 

my temp was at the highest was 100.3, i just didnt want to wait and call after hours. so i set my self up for success. i am just going to hydrate and rest. sorry you had such an awful time with the cipro. i have taken it before, its been years though. everyones reaction to all medication will different. i am hoping for the best

Indigo and Rose:  My hair starting coming out in strands on day 14 (yesterday) and huge amounts this am when I washed my hair.  I have a bald spot on my scalp.  I cried.  I am getting it shaved tomorrow and have purchased my wig;  The hairdresser is going to cut it as well after she shears my scalp.  A good place to get scarves is chemobeanies.com  I got three in the mail today and they are so cute and easy to put on.  I have to keep telling myself, in the big scheme of things, it's only temporary, but it's still hard.  

Can they call in something else for you to try?  Zofran?  Phenergan?  Sancuso patch?  

Thanks, Leeza. I know it was hard seeing your hair go.



Ladybug, I've just gotten over a UTI. I never had one so I ended up calling an advice nurse in a panic lol.

How about some ginger ale?  I drank that when my SE's hit--- water just wasn't enough.

C squared - I would not take the zofran if you can help it b/c of the headache. If you don't mind the headache and would rather use another drug, you can use zofran, but it works the same way as emend, so may not help much. Some MOs use them together anyhow, from what I've seen on these message boards. Emend pills gave me a nasty headache, but IV didn't. If you have Ativan, I would take that, may help the headache and nausea.

Read through this thread and elsewhere for chemo and nausea. Tips include never letting your stomach get empty, using ginger or lemon or mint. I found just the smell of a mint tea bag or lemon wedge helped, and so did eating McDonald's French fries, oddly enough. Drink small amounts of whatever you can tolerate every few minutes to stay hydrated and keep the bad taste away.

If you feel like you've tried everything and still feel yucky, don't suffer all night, call your mo now, it's still early, and ask for advice, especially if you have someone who can run to the pharmacy for you.

Wow, Stacie, kayaking! I sure hope you have fun.

Isharvey- I am assuming you will be receiving the same chemo as me--- Taxotere/Cytoxan.  Hopefully you will have minimal SE's.  By the way, is your blood pressure always that high?

Looks like it Melrose!  total surprise to me!  my normal bp tends to be on the high side of normal but since my diagnosis I haven't had a reading in the normal range.  This was the worst.  I have a family history of high bp but I'm so reluctant to take drugs.  that sounds strange coming from a person getting ready to start chemo I guess.

FYI- I am taking a high blood pressure medication and started taking it right before my mid March UMX.   There is a history of high blood pressure in my family ( mom and brother).   However, I decided that this journey is so stressful and the blood pressure issue is so easily resolved with a pill and diet so I asked to be put on a blood pressure medication.   I understand your hesistancy to take blood pressure meds since I, like you, haven't been one for taking medications unless I absolutely needed to.  It is one of those times that it is important for me to take the med so that is one less thing that I have to contend with. 

Haha. My son is awesome! He cooks probably 90% of our meals. My daughter on the other hand....

Melrose, I can taste some things but not others. My salad at lunch tasted great. Maybe thats my body's way of telling me to eat more salads! Haha