April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Hi rgina! I just got my port two days ago. The soreness is already almost gone but they did tell me not to lift anything 10 pounds or heavier for 2 days after port insertion and not to shower without covering the port site with plastic for 3 days. Good luck with everything - I had my first treatment without the port, and my second one yesterday was SO much better.

Thanks Melrose - I came back pretty fast after the lumpectomy, etc., and was out doing heavy lifting, barn, yard, work etc., 2 weeks later - (although my daughter was fussing at me when she caught me doing stuff) so hopefully the port is just going to be a short inconvenience:)  My goal through all this is to keep my life as normal as possible and kick cancer's butt.

@rgina - they told me not to go bowling for 48 hours and then resume normal activities.  Of course I was in a mad dash to get done as many yard, barn, house projects as possible so I had my port put in Wed and was back at it full swing by Saturday (literally swing - we're also gutting a house!).  I think I had a little more bruising then I would have if I took it easier but other then that I was fine.

@lsharvey - Thank you, that's what I wanted to hear!

Happy Mother's Day to you to and everyone. I plan on having a serious movie day and just being a slug!

Hi, vballmom. I got my port about 2 months after having my BMX. I was a little nervous because while I've healed well from the BMX, no complications, my upper chest is still a little sensitive. The actual procedure went very smoothly just this past Thursday, and by today it hardly hurts at all. I am, however, taking pain relievers to stave off headaches that I get from one of the antinausea meds I'm taking, but I really can tell it is much better. All in all, after having one chemo tx without the port and experiencing a few blown veins before they could get the IV in, I'm very glad to have the port.



It will show a little with certain scoop neck tops/dresses. Also, I haven't worn a bra since my BMX, and this week when I go bra/prosthetic shopping, I'll be looking for bras with straps that won't rub on it. The surgeon who placed the port put it a little bit to the inside so it should be out of the way of most bras.



Good luck to you!

I am so glad I found this thread..getting my port on Monday, and first chemo on Tuesday (FEC). Any other Triple Negatives on this thread? Really getting nervous about it now. Forgot to ask about watching movies on a laptop/w headphones, to distract me. Read previous posts about taking Claritin before Neulasta, but now cant find it.  Should I take the Claritin on Tuesday, after chemo,and before the Neulasta injection?  Think I have stocked up on foods that may be easy on the tummy...I am prone to motion sickness if the road curves too much. Praying the nausea meds work for me. will keep posting. Thanks everyone for sharing.  I went yesterday with my DH, DD and DS to get a wig, went for one close my own (gray & all), and another dark auburn. Decided something fun should help with the shock.  MO says 14-17 days should be as long as my hair will last. It's short already, but planning to have a buzz cut party with my Mom, and sisters over Memorial weekend.  Had outdoor photo session at the park today, with 2 of my grandchildren, son, daughter, son-in-law, and dear, sweet husband, who is holding my hand and keeping me on track through this. Stoking up on positive loving to get us through this. Thanks, again, for sharing. 

@vballmom - I'm scared every time I step foot near anything to do with this!  But for me the port was a piece of cake.  I was extremely concerned about the anesthesia since I swear I had an anesthesia hangover for a week after my lumpectomy.  But I talked to the anesthesia people before hand and they agreed to do me with no narcotics (twilight) so I was wide awake by the time I left the operating room.  For me there was just slight muscle soreness for a few days.  Nothing that would stop me from doing anything I wanted to do.  I hope yours goes really well.  We'll all be thinking of you.

@luv,

Im triple neg. There are a few of us in this thread. Your biggest way to fight is a low fat, low sugar diet and exercise. The exercise being #1.

As for Clairitin, I take 1 the day of infusion then the next 3 days. I have not had any bone pain.

As far as hair. I shaved mine at day 15. Scalp started getting really sore. I did not want it all falling out on my crash day when Id be too wiped out to do anything about it. I am day 18 from firdt chemo and there are patches missing.

Good luck with your port. They put mine in when I went for my re-excision, so I was totally knocked out. Im such a baby about that stuff. Im already dreading them taking mine out although she already told me it will stay in for a year after Im done.

One thing I'd like to share with you guys starting chemo, is to take the anti nauseals the second you start feeling sick. You will figure out how often to take them to stay ahead of the symptoms. I think my doc started me at every 6 hours and by the end I was taking it closer to every 3. One phone call and he will change the script to make it more frequent. You should not be throwing up ever these days. So take those pills. If you start feeling eeby take another!



Also, use the day of chemo and the few days after while you are feeling good to hydrate yourself!!

Wig question?  Any of you decided not to go that route?  I'm fortunate I work from home except for one day a week and I've been at my job 27 years and it's a small office 30 some co-workers so not a problem there, but I'm just thinking - at this point (may change my mind the female option:) that scarves/baseball caps are just more me.  What are you all doing? Your thoughts?

Hello,



Sounds like everyone is doing fairly well. I'm going for treatment #3 of 8 AC/T tomorrow and am dreading it as usual. The worst part so far is the steroid crash on day 5. Both previous treatments I spent most of that day crying which is completely unlike me. And I keep anticipating what it's going to mean for me when they say that the side effects are cumulative. My other side effects so far have been horrible insomnia (nothing works) and constipation. The nausea is manageable and very similar to how I felt pregnant, as long as I eat often I'm ok.



It's interesting how nearly everyone on here has a port. One wasn't even discussed with me. I'm glad I don't have one so far as I was really dreading it and so far it has been fine not having one. I am hoping that continues.



For those asking about hair, mine starting coming out at Day 15 (day of my second treatment) and I shaved it on Day 18. I haven't worn my wig yet (I HATE it despite having paid a fortune for it) and so far am wearing hats with a sort of wig that goes under the hats beneath them.



Here's to hoping I sleep more than2 hours tonight!



Good luck to everyone this week!



Rose

@rgina about the wig...I have one. I wore it once for a work function. I felt like everyone could tell, although I know its probably in my head. I've been doing the scarf or bald thing since shaving my head the other day.