April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Been a while since I posted, but trying to keep up with everyone.  Welcome to all the new ladies!  It's never too late to join in.  I go in for my last TC tomorrow so I will be done with chemo.  Guess I am one of the lucky ones to only have to do 4.  I can't wait to be done and just start healing.  I had a low moment yesterday thinking of the weight of all this, but this morning I'm doing better.  Round 3 for me was not bad (nothing requiring a call into the MO) so I was happy with that.  Because of mouth issues first two rounds (despite active attempts at prevention with baking soda/salt solution, biotene rinse, nystatin, magic mouthwash) my MO gave me a scrip for Chlorhexidine Rinse.  No mouth sores this round at all.  The only thing I find that is cummulative, like some of the others, is severe fatigue.  I get really achy just walking and even when I stretch in bed it hurts my muscles.  I don't feel ready for this next round, but am anxious to be done.  

VBallmom - I hope you get out the hospital soon!  Hang in there.

As for skin - yep, my facial skin looks a little better and feels softer.  I don't feel I look younger though, especially with tiny gray hairs sticking off the top of my hide (I barely had any gray before this).

Oh, just wanted to mention to those with the beginnings of a fever... in case you weren't told, avoid taking tylenol or advil until you know where that fever is headed (both drugs can mask a fever and if your temp goes above your MO's threshold, call and they'll let you know what to do). 

Dancetracer - thanks for the info on neutropenia.  It seems like that is one area where prevention is handled differently by different MOs.  Mine has always had me take the full Neulasta shot 24-48 hrs after chemo and I never get my blood checked until the day of my next chemo.  Watching for fever is the only way I'm monitored.  I'm lucky my insurance pays for the majority of the Neulasta, though.  I think they must have figured that a hospital visit due to infection can outpace the cost of the shot.  Needless to say, I did still get a nasty upper respiratory infection the second round, from someone at the chemo center (I'm pretty sure of this because the MOs office said that multiple people called in the same day I did with the same symptoms a couple days after getting chemo).  So you can't avoid everything (even with all the handwashing and sanitzer).  I'm just hoping its kept to a minimum for everyone!

 Well, off to enjoy the great weather before my final time in the chair (Woohoo!)

I hope everyone is hanging in there! 

mistym- Once you get that port in, you will glad you have it.  I have one and so glad I do!!!  My poor little veins just burrow deep when they hear those nurses/techs coming!!!  If you are getting your port in the upper chest, you may want to mark where your bra straps lay so perhaps the surgeon putting the port in can place it away from the strap.  As everyone will tell you, after the port is placed, it will be sore and hurt.  However, it will get better as you heal.  Also ask for a prescription for EMLA cream that you can put on after your port area has healed.  The EMLA cream is lidocaine cream that is applied an hour before you have an infusion.  You will probably need it for your third treatment.  At the second treatment, ask the infusion nurse to spray the port area with numbing spray.  Some quick tips for your first infusion-- it may last longer than the other ones since it is the first and you will be introduced to the infusion's centers procedures.  Make sure you eat and eat 5-6 small meals everyday.  A fed tummy is a happy tummy.  Be sure to drink lots of water the day before the infusion ( so your veins are good for tomorrow), during the infusion and the days following the infusion.  You want to flush that chemo outYou want to flush that chemo out.   If you are thinking, if I drink all of this fluid/water, I've got to use the restroom. Yes, you can get up and walk around during the infusions.  Just ask the nurse to unplug your IV from the electric socket.  You may want to take a sandwich/snacks in case you are there for a long time and you get hungry.   I ice my nails during the Taxotere infusion part-- I ice 15 minutes before the infusion, during the infusion and 15 minutes after the infusion.  I also have clear nail polish on the nails to help keep them strong.  The icing and nail polish was the suggestion of my onco--- so far so good.   Hope you will have someone with you at the infusion because having someone there for support is wonderful.  If you have questions, ask.  Someone is only a click away from answering you!!!  Good luck tomorrow--- You need to say "I can do this!" out loud and after tomorrow when you get home, you need to say "I am doing this!!!"

Starting my first Taxol tx tomorrow. Im really anxious... think I am just worried about an allergic reaction. Nurse said they will give me Dex by IV pre-chemo to reduce chance of reaction as well as Benadryl and Rinadene??(spell) by IV which also is supposed to reduce chance of allergic reaction. Have others had Benadryl by IV before hand as well on Taxol? Benadryl usually makes me so loopy and out of it. I think I may end up needing an Ativan for this round!! I just get so nervous before something new like this. Cant wait for all 4 rounds to be over!! By mid July I will be done if all goes smoothly and my blood counts are good! Fingers crossed I react well to the drug and my worst SEs are fatigue. 

Good luck with everyone else having treatment this week!  

Ishharvey:  I had bloodwork exactly a week after my first treatment.  She then determined I would need the Neulasta shot after my next three remaining treatments due to my WBC.  She also put me on antibiotics for 10 days and I have to use them 10 days post treatment for the remaining three treatments as well.

My skin also looks pretty good (microdermabrasion soft). Probably too because my peach fuzz and chin hairs (LOL)are gone--for now! 

I am having chest pain (can't tell if it's heartburn as I have never had it), or a SE from the Neulasta, which was received on 5.18.   

Vballmom hope u feel better soon, sorry u had to end up in the hospital.



Ashleyb make sure u.post what side effects u encounter I have my first taxol a week from weds. I too will be using Ativan. I had it for this last infusion & it has made all the difference.



Thank u everyone for yur support, tips & information. This is one of the best sites & welcome all newbies.

lsharvey - my onc checked my bloodwork 1 week post my first TCH.  ANC was I think around 500 something then, but since it was my first round, he wanted to confirm my nadir dates (exactly when I was lowest) so he waited on Neupogen and had my bloodwork retested day 9.  It had dropped further into the 200's.  So then we knew I definitely drop lowest days 7-9.  We started Neupogen and antibiotics preventatively at that time since I was so low.

I felt like crap and had a low grade fever and heartburn and all of my other issues.  I don't know how much of that is related to the low whites or just my SE from chemo. ?

We rechecked right before 2nd round, and I had climbed to just above what was safe for chemo, so we went ahead.  2nd round dropped below 500 by day 7...since I started out lower it got hit harder earlier (cumulative effect on my whites).  That is why this time (3rd round) he had me start the Neupogen even earlier (day 1 post chemo) - so that I'll be higher starting out my 4th round than I was on my 2nd round.  (We delayed 3rd round 1 day b/c my counts were just barely above what is ok for chemo - whites jumped up great with just one extra day of recovery).

If you are recovering nicely by your 2nd chemo (and not just barely above the level ok for chemo), then you may not be dropping that low/need Neupogen.  I would think?  

Hi all, gosh, after only a few hours I'm so far behind! Hugs to everyone.



Vballmom, hope you get better and go home soon! Purple healing energy to you.



Positivity, you've been on my mind since you first posted. So glad you and Ethan are tolerating A/C okay! Are they having you on bedrest or can you do normal activity? Are you due in June?

Best wishes for you 2nd infusion tomorrow Positivity!!!

Good luck tomrorow, Positivity!

Thanks dancetrance and kjiberty.



Felling very stressed....I took a very low haircut the day beforemy 1st infusion .....tonight my hair is coming out a lot! Didn't expect it to so much at once. My 3 year of daughter is concerned by the amount of hair on the pillow. I'm gonna have to shave it off tomorrow after infusion #2. Never thought I'd be so emotional about hair.



My cousins wedding is on Saturday. Guess I'm gonna have to get a wig.....and my foob hasn't arrived as yet either. The fitter imports them from the US....I'm a bit grumpy about that.

I have been surprised by the outpouring of support I've experienced since my surgery, mainly due to a website called www.takethemameal.com. A friend of mine started it by sending a few emails and it grew until a month's worth of meals were provided.  Now they are talking about starting it again when I begin chemo.  I was so surprised by some of the people who signed up.  Many of them are people I barely know.  It has meant so much to me knowing that people have taken time out of their busy lives to plan, shop, prepare, cook, and deliver meals to me.  I hope those of you are feeling alone find just one person to be the administrator of the website for you.  You might be surprised by who signs up.  I felt awkward at first, but it was truly a Godsend.

Marcia:  I hear you!  I have meals twice a week delivered to me through July 1.  My last chemo is on June 28th (God-willing!)

Positivity:  a few strands fell out day 14, day 15--clumps.  Day 16, I had it shaved in a private room in a hair salon.  My breakdown came on the 15th day when clumps came.  Shaving it was liberating--I did't have to worry about it anymore.  I am on day 11 after my second treatment, and even though it was shaved, it grew a little bit, and there are little bits on my pillow.  Per the recommendations here, I have used a lint brush the keep the shedding at bay.  It does help.  My scalp is pretty sore right now because I am sure I will be a total, shiny bald person within the next few days.  I hate my wig.  I only wear it to work.  It hurts my head like a tight headband.  

Renae:  Thanks for your input on your treatments.  My brows and lashes are getting more scarse, and I have heard you do lose a good majority of them after the 4th treatment.  I guess the slowest to grow is the slowest you lose.  At least you are done with chemo.   

Ashleyb interesting about the Ativan. I only take a half of one & it takes care of my nausea & emotions. I also found out it is addictive. Good luck this week!

A group of coworkers started up with takethemameal.com for me, and it was amazing.  Everything has been brought by small groups, so I got to see folks that I missed, and they would bring several dishes (casseroles, etc) that just needed warmed or baked, and all came with instructions.  They brought things with my daughters in mind (Poptarts! ha ha) and things that could be prepared with minimal effort.  It has been one of the biggest blessings so far.  I work with some amazing people, and that is an amazing program.