April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

mb1024, I was told the same thing by my onc.  The reason is, some of us trend the other way - the big D.  I have found my pattern is big C for a day or so, then more towards big D.  What I do is wait and see if I have success (usually once a day person here).  If I don't, then I take Miralax, usually just 1/2 or 3/4 dose - it's gentle, and I don't get any effect from it until the next day.  I try not to, b/c the big D is bad, too.  I lost 6 # in 2 days b/c of it.  Not fun!  If I had taken a laxative prior to that, I would have been in big trouble.  You just don't know how you are going to trend until you go through it.  

I have a bad digestive system - has always been problematic - onc put me on a daily probiotic, and I feel it has done WONDERS for me this 2nd time around.  I'm much more regular.  Not perfect, but nothing like the first time.  I also am a huge fan of prunes and prune juice, oatmeal for extra fiber, etc.   

WILDFLOWER - call your doctor ASAP.  I don't want to frighten you...gosh I really don't...but you need to get checked out.  I had a partial lung collapse after my port placement.  It is very, very rare, so hopefully yours is nothing more than simple post port placement soreness.  However my symptoms were pain in my chest - under my breast, behind on my shoulder blade...and most telling...at the hollow of my throat.  Oh and also of course shortness of breath.  Mine resolved 100% with oxygen and observation the hospital - I am fine now.  Again, I really don't want to frighten you, but at the same time, I would feel awful if I didn't tell you to get it checked out to be sure all is ok.  

Wildflower: I am so sorry.  Your situation is UNACCEPTABLE.  Here is what I would do: 1) Call ACS 1-800-227-2345 and explain your childcare/chemo situation and ask for help.  2) Go to the school your child(ren) attend and explain what is going on and ask if there is a listserv, email group, or if someone on the PTA could help organize help or 3) do the same thing at your local church.  If your treatment is in a cancer center, ask them for social work/case management support.  If your treatment providers have breast cancer navigators, ask them to help you. See if you can get a housekeeper via local charity support -some areas offer it, some don't.  Your kids might be able to go to summer camp for a week or two for free to get a break from cancerland.

Spend the next 24 hours finding all the help you can find.  Thinking you need to bring your kids with you to your first chemo because you don't have a sitter is NOT OKAY.  This is not an "I can do this myself" situation.  The more help you have, the better it will be for you and your kids.  

I just finished the regimen you are starting.  Think of it like a marathon, but set yourself up so you only have to worry about the next 5 minutes.  Get your bills on autopay, load the kitchen with your kid's favorite meals, and plan for a summer with your kids going for lots of playtime at someone else's house.  With your youngest at age 5, yes, they can kind of get by while you are on the sofa, but it's sooo much easier and healthier for everyone with help.

 People want to help cancer patients.  Especially nice girly cancer patients with cute kids.  Let them help you, and help them find out what they can do for you.  The people who show up when you need them may not be the ones you expected, and that has been a wonderful experience for me -I have become closer to many friends.

One last thing:  I know when we start treatment, there is this giant push to get started -you want to get started and so do the doctors.  But if you don't have your ducks in a row, please don't be afraid to delay your first infusion date. 

Hang in there!  Time to put Momma first!

Kristy- I agree with Velutha and others. You should ask for help. Friends and neighbors will pitch in, and those who don't you know there werent your friends to begin with. I have a 3 year old and I am definitely not able to do much in e first week after AC. It definitely gets better after the first few days, but you will need help for the first few days.

Jcgibson- I have a 10 year old. I talk to him constantly assuring him I am doing everything I can to be around for him. Hence the chemo. He still needs to be reassured every few days. Initially he was very upset with my bald head, so I wore a cap at home and wig when I went to pick him up from school and that helped. Now that it is two weeks he seems to be fine with my bald head and i dont have to cover it. Things do settle down.

@jc:  My son is only 8, but I was a teen when my mom was diagnosed.  I think you should handle it the way you think the two of you should handle it.  Also, I would try to get her to see a counselor at your cancer center at some point, so she can talk to an adult without worrying about what they'll think, and meet someone who she can check in with later if she needs it.  The most important thing is to help her know that you'll be ok, and you want her to be ok.  My son says sometimes other kids make fun of him b/c his mom is bald.  I try to wear a scarf when I walk him to school.  Me with no hair was a little shocking for him at first, but within a week it was old news.  With a girl, and you getting an Mx, I think that would be harder than the hair.  Preteen girls and boobs, sigh.  It was hard to not be able to hug my kiddo after my bmx, and he really wasn't able to be careful enough to even sit next to me for a couple of weeks.  Your girl is probably old enough to keep her elbows tucked in.  But you heal, and then you can give real hugs again : )

Good wishes to you!

Kristy,

   I had no shortness of breath with my port placement, but I did have some neck pain. I figured it was due to the position I was in or how it was threaded through my collarbone or something. It did go away. There were smaller children in the infusion room when I went. Two girls. They looked to be about 8 and 10 maybe.

SaraT, what's hydration treatment? I go the following day for the shot. But I get no fluids or anything.

Duze,

    I am on the AC DD x4 then weekly Tx12. I was given an option and went for the more agressive choice. Not sure what biofeedback is.

I've got 2 days until my sencond treatment. No hair loss yet.  

I'm also sending purple energy to everyone getting treatments today!  I go for my port on Thursday and tx #2 on Friday.  Trying to make the most of the earlier part of the week while I'm feeling pretty good. 

It is interesting how different MOs (and maybe pharmacists?) have different ideas about the nausea meds.  Mine gave me emend and zofran (as well as the decadron) during my tx and also take for the next 2 days, and said to take them all, on schedule, regardless of how I felt.  I've seen it posted by Velutha and others that Emend and Zofran are in the same drug family and so taking both of them might not work for everyone if you are still having nausea.  I was lucky enough this time that they did work for me, although I also got a scrip for compazine as a "fall back", but didn't need to take it.  I've also heard that compazine works well for most people, but does tend to cause drowsiness, and the pharmacist who counseled me at my tx said not to take a sleep aid with it, if I decided that I did need the compazine.

I ran into my stylist's this a.m. for her to trim the bangs on one of my wigs and to just clean up a few more little spots that our clipper didn't get to on my head.  I have made peace with all of my new looks.  Got one head buff at Dick's Sporting Goods yesterday (because there is a store within walking distance of my house), but still want to go to REI because they have a much larger selection of pretty colors (like purple - I have to have that one - lol!).  

I read with great interest all of the supportive comments and info today.  Makes me feel so much better that we're all here for each other.  

Trying not to be nervous about the port.... it has to be done....

Oh, yes, one of my coworkers set up a takethemameal site for us!  I have had a hard time asking for help with that, but it's true that most people want to help - just don't know what to do.  I'd suggest that too, for you, Kristy.  

All the best to everyone.  

Hi. I just started Adriamycin and Cytoxan last Friday. This is the fourth day in my cycle and I'm still really nauseous. When does the nausea subside for most people? Thanks.

Thanks hopeful 123 - I sure hope so!  I know what you mean about tx#3 - it looks like a lot of people said that one was the worst.  I guess we just get through the bad days and ride the wave on the good ones. 

Thanks, Hopeful.

Hi ladies,



So far doing ok after second DD AC, the emend is working much better than what they gave me last time



Hope it continues

A briefcase?  I'm thinking a big-a$$ suitcase.

Indigo: are you going to be asleep? Hope so, I was, it was no big deal. But I hate my port, it's a nuisance.

Vball and sandik: that's crazy. I mean, you don't really need anything, but it's nice to at least pretend to prepare, mentally and physically. Vball, just have a useful person with you.

MrsJ, call your onco if you still have sig nausea. That's not ok, esp. For your first round. Something needs to change for your next round and maybe now. SEs are easier to head off early than to chase late. Hope you feel better soon!

Lynnbea: so sorry. Hope you're holding up ok. Praying for you.



I'm done with chemo!!!!!!!!! Port out in 7 days!

@ velutha - congrats?  Stay with us tho? we need you!

@ Tweety - can I ask what they gave you on the first round that didn't work so well?

Hi lsharvey! That's interesting; I'm wondering if it depends in part on the particular chemo cocktail you are getting? I hope you do well no matter what.