April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Great write up Melrose!

mb, glad you made it through the infusion and that the reaction did not get any worse.  I'm sure the benadryl will prevent it next time.  Hope you got some rest last night!  I, too, stay away from all uncooked veggies and fruits.  I do drink prune juice and eat prunes - I just assumed that since they are processed and in a sealed container that they are safe, but now I'm wondering.  Please let me know what you find out! 

sandik, glad you made it through as well.  You sure did have a long day!  I can't imagine doing anything after my chemo...but mine always lasts from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30/5:00 p.m. (they are slow...LOTS of waiting to get started, plus 3 meds to infuse)...and then I have to come home and do my cold cap changes every 30 minutes for 4 hours after my last infusion.  It is not an easy process, for sure.

Here's a little heads up for everyone - something to watch for.  Last night I noticed my L heel looked red in comparison to my R.  I remembered in my paperwork on side effects for TCH from my onc that it mentioned something called hand-foot syndrome as a possible issue.  So I looked it up.  I don't know that I actually have it, BUT, I'm taking precautions now to prevent it/treat it.  I had been taking nice daily baths ...but I'm pretty sure the baths have been too hot (who doesn't like a nice hot relaxing bath?).  This is one of the things you are supposed to avoid.  Duh.  I started applying thick lotion (but NOT rubbing the soles of my feet - this makes it worse) and socks and sleeping in them last night.  It already looks back to normal this morning.  I just wanted to pass this along to help others prevent themselves from developing it.  Ounce of prevention = pound of cure.  Oh, and they don't even mention my regimen (TCH) in this link as something that can cause it, but my onc's handout says it is indeed a possible side effect of TCH.  

Here is a link that describes it, precautions, treatment:  Hand-Foot Syndrome

And here's what they list for prevention:

How can I prevent HFS?
Unfortunately, there is nothing that is guaranteed to prevent HFS. The key is to catch it early and adjust the chemotherapy dose to prevent it from getting worse or happening again. It is important to understand that several studies have shown that reducing the dose of chemotherapy to relieve HFS does not reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Some tips to help prevent HFS include:

• Avoid tight fitting clothing (socks, stockings) or tight shoes. Wear loose, comfy shoes when going out and slippers around the house. Do not go barefoot.
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• Avoid activities that rub the skin or put pressure on the palms or soles for one week after treatment (or as often as possible if you are on a daily medication). Any activity that puts pressure on the palms or soles should be avoided, but some examples include: washing vigorously, running, jumping, aerobics, long periods of walking, working with garden or repair tools (i.e. shovel, screwdriver, hammer) or chopping food.
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• Apply a moisturizer to your hands and feet liberally and often, but gently to avoid rubbing the skin too harshly. Try applying a generous amount of moisturizer at bedtime and wear a loose pair of cotton gloves or socks to bed to promote absorption of the lotion. Some recommended moisturizers are Bag Balm, Udderly Smooth Cream, Eucerin, and Aveeno. Avoid any lotions or creams that contain perfumes, alcohol or glycerin.
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• Avoid hot water such as a hot tub, steam room, hot bath or shower, or when washing dishes. Use warm water to shower or bathe and keep showers/baths short. Use tepid water when washing dishes. Do not use rubber gloves to wash dishes as they can cause further irritation by holding heat against your palms.
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• Avoid sun exposure as your skin is very sensitive to the sun while on treatment. Remember, you get sun exposure just sitting in a sunny window! Wear SPF 30 or higher daily or wear long sleeved shirts and pants.

Hi CarlalnNC, welcome to our group!  Sorry your twilight sleep didn't work....uggh, I would not have liked that experience either!  I hope your neck starts feeling better soon! 

I, too, am pretty much wiped out for about days 3 to 8 after my treatments.  I will say my 2nd one, although it still knocked me pretty hard, was not nearly as bad as my first one in terms of fatigue.  I was surprised by that (pleasantly).  Even so, b/c my job is VERY physical (I'm a PT that does heavy lifting in nursing homes and runs nonstop on my feet all day), it would be just impossible for me to work during that time (not to mention being around the nasty germ environment while immunocomprimised).  I am extremely fortunate that we are able to get by on DH's salary during this time.  I know not everyone has that option.    I hope your subsequent chemos are better like my 2nd one was.  If I had a desk job I could probably push through it (albeit, uncomfortably) except for days 4 - 6.   The key for me was learning my side effects and what meds worked for me and getting on top of them ASAP the 2nd time around.  FYI, if you were taking Zofran, for some women, that causes a headache.  You could ask to try a different antinausea med, if that is the case for you. 

Sgtgee. 69



That last post from me was for you as you start your treatment....best of luck!

Great news Sara! Triple negative usually responds very well to chemo from what I've read. I've got a 1cm node, well I did before I started chemo. I'll have a pet scan next month to let me know how it did, but MO said she thought it would be gone after just 1 treatment. Every time I get a pain in my breast, I know its probably the incision healing, but I like to think that its the chemo killing cancer cells! haha

Well, I cut it. Then shaved it. I was in a hurry, so it's a hatchet job. I'll fix it tonight. Brought my wig to the studio. I'll wash it and shake it out so it's dry for tonight's event. Gotta go for my shot today.  

Melrose, 

I had to do it. I was just running my hand through it and pulling out strands. I think it was depressing me. My only mistake was not coloring it one more time before I cut it. Now all that's left on the temples is grey. I look old! Blah! Oh! Period is here now to stay. yahoo.

Carla,

Sorry you had so much port trouble! That would have freaked me out! I made them put mine in when I went in for my re-excision so I would not be awake.

Dancetrancer,

My infusion is 3 hours total from walking in to leaving. That includes seeing the dr.  

Hope every one has a great day!  

jjames76

I am pretty close to you in diagnosis!  I have a desk job and think that it is doable, especially if you have the ability to close your door and rest if you feel the need to.  I currently work from home so I am able to do that as my job told me the same thing that they will work with me however they need to. 

I am taking 6 TCH treatments and then will finish the year out on Herceptin once a month.  They herceptin is because we are HER2 positive and it is specifically for this type of cancer.  I am not looking forward to having to do that but if it keeps cancer from coming back bring it on!! 

Check out the sticky about going to your first chemo.  It is pretty spot on.  Just bring something to read or do, my sister got me a neck pillow so I could doze if needed, and really just about everything you could need is there.  My infusion center has a little kitchen with free snacks, water, sodas, etc.  The first round was a long day though so that is the only thing I would prepare for.  You will do fine! The unknown is so scary but it is doable!!  

PS:  They did not give me antibiotics after my port placement either. 

We are cheering for you! You can do this!

~Karen   

SaraT - that is FANTASTIC news!  Congratulations!  Keep on kicking cancer's *ss!!! 

Sandik - wish mine could be done that fast.  I've heard the typical time for TCH infusion is 6 to 7 hours.  Mine is longer b/c my center is slow to get started.   Uggh.  I sit there and wait and wait!  The onc nurse told me to get there even earlier next time and tell the front desk person that I am priority b/c my infusion takes so long.  He did not like having to stay til 5 p.m. last time.  So I guess that will put a little fire under their butts.  LOL

klepine, as melrose said, it is totally your choice to ice or not.  It depends on whether you want to take the risk of losing your nails, getting mouth sores, etc. vs put up with icing discomfort for an hour and half. 

jjames76 - Welcome to another TCH'r!!! I know you are scared and especially if you are reading my reactions (I'm sorry!!!!), but not everyone gets as ill as me, not at all! And my 2nd TCH was much less intense than my 1st.  Oh, and by the way, I am day 9 post my 2nd TCH today, and I feel GREAT!  I could definitely be working a desk job the way I feel today.  There is also a thread just for TCH'rs; I post there as well - (especially in the beginning and during my first TCH when I was having major anxiety about chemo).  There are many women there who have been through the whole deal and can give you excellent advice from the other side.  They stick around as "seasoned" TCH'rs and are so wonderful.  This group is incredibly supportive and wonderful as well.  Between the two, I have felt so much better going forward.  You are not in this alone, we are here to help each other through!  mt4ever has already given you excellent advice.  I will add that I did not have antibiotics after my port placement either.  I'm sure they use sterile technique in the OR and have figured out which procedures need antibiotics, and which ones don't.  Regarding the frequency of Herceptin, I am the one who prefers to do it weekly.  It is standard to either do it weekly or every 3 weeks during chemo, then go to every 3 weeks after chemo.  I have decided I just feel like it will be easier for my body (and heart) to process it if I go weekly.  There is not evidence behind this, just anectodally talking to other women who had fewer side effects when the infusion was done over a longer time or when they went weekly.  It's definitely not convenient to do it weekly, but it is what I am choosing to do.  

I deal with the anxiety by deciding this is what I need to do to beat cancer and give myself the best chance of living a long, long life.    You don't have to be brave.  You just have to keep showing up.   You can do this. 

dancetrancer - dont be sorry for sharing your experience. I'm mentally prepared for the worst, my fear is having a heart attack and then when the nurse told my mom, if she starts talking and not making any sense call us. I was like what? I can lose my mental capaticity too. It just seems like soooooo much, we were both horrified (mom and me) after going through our little 'chemo class'. thanks for the TCH thread link, i will definately jump over there as well.

mt4ever - thanks for the encouragement and adivce! They don't allow laptops or phones (not sure why?) it would be nice to watch a movie or something but I guess books and magazines will have to do.

Thanks for calming my fears about no anti-biotics after the port placement. lost 1/2 night sleep over it last night...ugh 

Going to enjoy the weenked as much as I can before Monday. Talk to you all very soon!

Hi all, power port placement is done and wasn't bad. IV was about the worst part (again). They did run antibiotics through the IV, but didn't prescribe anything else. We'll see how tomorrow goes, because while we were driving to the clinic this morning, the MO's nurse called to say my white counts were low enough from yesterday that if they aren't better tomorrow, my second tx will have to be rescheduled. But luckily the labs they drew today were much better. I guess I shouldn't really be eager about getting chemo, but I just want this process to keep moving!

jjames76- Glad you are getting ready for Monday.  FYI- Just wanted to let you know that the 1st Herceptin infusion is typically run over a 90 minute period so you can be monitered for any side effects.  The next ones after that will be run faster (over a 30-60 minutes period).  My onco ordered Activan on an if needed to given with my 1st treatment in my IV.  When asked if I wanted it, I said sure!!!  I've never had any before but said I might as well take something to keep my anxiety level down.  I will probably take it again next Tuesday with the 2nd treatment. 

IndigoMont11- Yay for the port!!!!!  Good thing your count came up so you can have your chemo tomorrow!!!  Make sure they spray that port tomorrow morning before the treatment. 

Hi Fierro6! Omg, I'm sorry you've had Jaxson so long. I like the name - if onlybit weren't a drain! The day I had my surgical consult I was okay until the nurse showed me a drain and started talking about how to "milk" it, and I just about lost it then. I was sooo glad to get mine out, and I'll hope you can get yours out soon!



About the hair -I have never had flowing thick supermodel hair myself and always wished it was better, but having said that, I've always been vain of my hair. I thought I was prepared - had bought two wigs that I really like, had caps and head wraps, etc. But when the shedding started last week, I was still upset. In my case, I didn't want to wait for it to be obviously thin or patchy, and I didn't want to blow dry it only to have chunks come out in the process (that didn't happen, btw, but the thought of it bothered me. So Ds#1 and DH buzzed it for me.



If you are planning to wear a wig, I know you can get a free one from American Cancer Society or Look Good Feel Better. For me, theirs weren't really what I had in mind, so I bought mine at a shop that works with people who have had medical hair loss. My stylist gave me a blowout the day I went shopping because shopping on a "bad hair day" was a big deal to me. I also decided to cut it short before starting my chemo and was glad I did. It helped me to feel in control of things a little more.



I like your sense of humor - it really does help get you through this.