April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2012

    Gemmie my center has people on weekends and such but last round I flat out FORGOT to get my neulasta shot on Sat so went on Sunday 48° instead of 24 and everyone said I was fine. I asked the regular shot nurse and she said there was a desired window and a window and I was ok that day late.

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited June 2012

    I read that if you get a Neulasta shot, it has to be more than 14 days before your next infusion (it is long acting, and they want it out of your system before chemo).  This is in contrast to Neupogen, which has a 24 hour window of no shot before and after chemo, b/c it is shorter acting. 

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  • Tweetyb422
    Tweetyb422 Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2012

    Well I had accepted the fact that I get thrush with each treatment, now I have a cold sore too, ugh..apparently chemo gives me mouth issues lol.



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  • Fierro6
    Fierro6 Member Posts: 224
    edited June 2012

    That's weird, Dance.  I am on dose dense A/C, so I go every 2 weeks, and my Neulasta is the day after (day 2,) so that means I'm overlapping, right?  I wonder why so many MOs do things so differently?  

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  • spicedlife
    spicedlife Member Posts: 182
    edited June 2012

    Hi there my friends, I love the no woman left behind policy!!!!!  Did I tell you that you all are great! You are!!!  

    I wish minimum or even zero side effects to all havings their treatments.  When I went to get my treatment Thursday and told the nurse I was about to get in the BGC all the nurses and the doctors looked at me and said what?  I said the Big Girl Chair.  They really laughed and said that was a new one. 

    I have finished the book called I'd Rather Do Chemo than clean out the garage  the survivor who gave it to me said to pass it on so I would really like to send it to one of you if you would like?  Just let me know. 

    I am 2 days post chemo t/c and I am really feeling sick to my stomach still.  My MO has me on Zofran during the day.  Have y'all tried anything else that might work better?  It worked so well for my first treatment.  Very strange the different SE's of chemo.  Also, I have been riding the C train for a week now.  I have taken metamucil, senakot, I guess I will try Ex-lax. 

    Just Lovely!  Surprised

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  • RoulaG
    RoulaG Member Posts: 239
    edited June 2012

    Jenny - I had severe nausea after my 3rd infusion of TCH. I told the nurses and they gave me before my infusion Aloxi (sp?) and emend. The Aloxi lasts 24 hours and the emend is suppose to last up to five days. Today is day 2 after infusion which was Thursday, and do far so good. They also have me in dexamethasone until Monday - they are weening me off so as to not suffer a crash. Also I take prilosec to combat any acid in my stomach which can also cause nausea.



    Hope this helps!

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited June 2012

    Fierro -  You also have to give Neulasta no earlier than 24 hours after chemo.  I'm guessing the 14 days must include the day of the next chemo, b/c it is also standard to do the 2 week dose-dense regimen with the Neulasta.  All I know is I read about the 14 day thing when I was reading up on Neupogen and noted the difference in my head - not sure exactly how it is counted but from everything I've heard what your onc is doing is standard regimen.  

    jenny - hope the bigC improves for you soon!!!  I suffered from that, too.  Zofran worked fine for me, so I can't comment on how well the other meds work, but I know others have taken compazine.   

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited June 2012
    jennyrjd-Bummer about being on the "C" train.  I've been doing the prunes (eating/drinking) and trying to eat foods that help -- high fiber & bulky foods (whole grain breads/cereals (ie) wheat bran.... raw & cooked veggies.... fruit plus LOTS OF FLUIDS.  My onco told me to use Colace or Sennekot if I need it.  Yep.... the usuage of the term Big Girl Chair just grows, doesn't it? I started using that term since I'm so petite and can't reach the floor or move the raise the foot rest without help.  Always have to find a smile somewhere in no matter what we do!!!!  Hope you feel better!!!!  
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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited June 2012
    melrose makes an excellent point about the fluids.  You have to give the stool softeners some fluid to work with. 
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  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited June 2012

    It is my understanding from my mo that the neulasta needs to be given within 72 hrs after chemo.



    Chapter4 I had a bmx from the start for the same reason I do not want to deal w this again & less breast tissue the less of a chance. I do not regret my decision. How are u feeling? I get my 3rd taxol Tuesday due to the holiday. I am counting down the days - July 18th is my last one date.



    I know this past time I was extremely emotional more than when I was on AC. I saw my psychologist & he said that taxol/taxoere chemo drug affect the neurotransmitter that regualte our emotions hence depression. It made me feel better to know my depression due to the chemo but I should had figured that out myself. This is a lot to handle taking it one day at a time. Hang in there everyone, so this will be over.

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  • vickilind61
    vickilind61 Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2012

    Busy little bees you all have been.  Hello to all the newbies.  It's great to have you join us here for fun and frivolity.

    Hope all participants in the BGC's this week are having mild SE's and feeling good. 

    I am two weeks out from my first tx and the hair is going.  During the week, while tweezing my eyebrows and whiskers, (yes, I have them) there was NO tugging; they just practically fell out.  And every time I go to scratch my head, several hairs come out.  Ah, to be bald is a beautiful thing.  Wish the hair on my legs would go; it's almost time to shave again?!

    I have my next tx on Friday.  Hoping this stupid UTI will be cleared by then.  Still taking my Levaquin but after four doses was still feeling horrible.  I just showed up at my cancer center yesterday and they took a sample and gave me phenazopurdine for the pain and heaviness in my pelvis.  If I have to delay my tx because of this I will be SO upset. 

    The chemo brain showed itself yesterday when I went to take my first dose of (see above).  Grabbed the rx bottle by my chair and took the pill, only it was not my (see above).  It was my husbands cholestorol med!  I have NEVER done that before.  I ALWAYS look at the bottle first, but, hey.  Well, I paniced a little and called the pharmacy to make sure nothing bad was going to happen.  Mike told me I would grow hair on my palms (he knows I'm going through chemo) and that made me laugh.  Nothing to worry about, thank goodness. 

    I've bored you all enough, so I will go harass a different thread for a bit.

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  • Husker123
    Husker123 Member Posts: 101
    edited June 2012

    My MO & nurse navigator had never heard of chemopause before either! They thought it was pretty appropriate.

    My last chemo is on Thursday. I'm so ready for it!

    Wishing little to no SE's for everyone!

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  • vickilind61
    vickilind61 Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2012

    Husker123, so jealous!  Last chemo this week?  That is awesome!

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  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited June 2012

    So who's going ahead to check and see if the light at the end of the tunnel is "the light" or the gorilla with the flashlight, Fierro!? haha!  Hope everyone is doing well!  We need a pin board where we can pin each person's name as we finish!  I can't wait to pin my name on that sucker!

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  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited June 2012

    I'm catching up on posts, tearing up at how amazing you all are. Marcia, you're right; I'm so used to trying to hold tears back, partly my personality and partly that I live with guys. (They don't hide all their emotions but tears are hard for them). My NP offered me a prescription to deal with it, and I didn't yet because I didn't want to take yet another pill. If that's true, though, that Taxotere can make depression worse, I may end up getting that prescription.



    About nausea - Emend is good. For my A/C txs, I was prescribed Zofran, Emend and Decadron for tx day and two days after.



    Did a little yard work (well, mostly tried not to feel guilty while my friend did in an hour what it would have taken me all morning to do) before the heat set in. I'm making a run to Walmart and then a nap sounds awesome.



    Love and purple healing to all - wishing away stys and shingles and SEs. Thanks for being there!!!!!!

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  • FightingLikeAGirl
    FightingLikeAGirl Member Posts: 69
    edited June 2012

    Jenny...I was also having big C issues and ended up with a hemi...not nice! My Dr. recommended 2 Colase in the morning and another 2 @night plus Miralax...it comes in a powder form and you mix it with juice or what ever drink you want and you hardly taste it. I was worried it would put me over the edge for the big D but it didn't! I do that now for the first week after chemo then just stay on the 4 Colase a day until next chemo...I highly recommend the combo! I also drink tons of fluids a day...which is important during chemo for so many reasons. Good luck...hope you get relief soon.

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  • lisa2012
    lisa2012 Member Posts: 652
    edited June 2012

    Fightinglike, that is what I did to head it off. A colace every night, lots of water , and miralax the night of chemo and one more night if I havent been productive. Watching my sis battle the big C, and multiple hemis, was a big incentive to stay ahead of it. And my stomach was so sensitive, and twice at least I was neutropenia, so often no raw veggies or fruit. The miralax speeded up my visits but no D.

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  • lamyrasp
    lamyrasp Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2012

    I am six months past chemo and my biggest problem is neuropathy. I had 20 weeks of chemo. They never found my primary tumor, so I was "carpet bombed". 

    Is there anyone else out there who has experienced neuropathy this long after chemo? It is mostly in my feet, but also in the last joint in my fingers. The fingers don't bother me so much...they are kind of numb, but not painful. The feet can be painful at times and cause me to have some difficulty with balance. Although, after I first get up and start moving, it becomes easier.

    Would appreciate any input from someone who has experienced this. 

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  • lamyrasp
    lamyrasp Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2012

    This seems to be the same chemo routine that I had. What effects have you experienced from the chemo? I finished chemo Jan 19, 2012. Am interested in knowing what other folks with this same regime have experienced.

    Hope you are doing well. 

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  • FightingLikeAGirl
    FightingLikeAGirl Member Posts: 69
    edited June 2012

    Lisa...i had the big C for my first 2 tx but only took a senna a couple times cause I was so afraid of the big D. When I had such a bad time w big C after #3 I finally listened to the Doc and took the Colase & Miralax and it worked like a charm. So now I am going to start #4 off right. I will stay on the 4 Colase everyday while on chemo and do the Miralax for the first week starting the day of Chemo. I've been meaning to ask you but w my chemo brain I forget everything...do you live in CA? I'm in Los Angeles.



    Lamy...so sorry you are still suffering with Neuropathy...i haven't experienced it and keeping my fingers crossed that I won't. Have you talked to your Onc about it?

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited June 2012

    lamyrasp, so sorry to hear you are experiencing neuropathy.  This thread has people who started chemo in April/May, so none of us are 6 months out yet.  I recommend you check out this thread:  

    Vent about Permanent Neuropathy 

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  • spicedlife
    spicedlife Member Posts: 182
    edited June 2012

    Thanks for the responses ladies.  I have a huge bottle of prescription miralax and colace so I will try that.  I have not had quite as much fluid but I will up that too.  I do have a high fiber breakfast and try to eat healthy but I can always improve!

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  • FightingLikeAGirl
    FightingLikeAGirl Member Posts: 69
    edited June 2012

    Dance...are you feeling any better?  How is the Thrush?

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited June 2012
    Fighting - thanks for asking!  My energy level is much improved and the heartburn is steadily improving.  The thrush is looking a bit better today.  So overall definitely on the mend, but not 100% yet.  I'm not sure why but my ear ringing is really bad today and is quite irritating!  And I had a lentil salad for lunch...I think too much of it...now I'm quite bloated and uncomfortable!  Need to be more careful when I introduce fiber into my diet. 
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  • FightingLikeAGirl
    FightingLikeAGirl Member Posts: 69
    edited June 2012

    So glad to hear you are on the mend.  What is the ringing about...I have heard a few people talk about it on this forum?   Thankfully I don't have that SE...don't want to jinx myself.

    You are such a healthy eater...I just had an egg and cheese omelet for lunch...and a nectarine.  Now I'm chomping on some crackers.  I can't seem to stop eating lately!!!  I kinda wish I had the problem other people are having where they always feel full.  I was actually thinking about going on weight watchers even tho they say not to diet during chemo...I have gained 10 lbs and am only 1/2 way thru this crazy shit.  I was already over my normal weight when this whole journey started and I'm having my BMX sometime in Sept and want to be a normal weight so we get the sizing right for the implants!!!  So many things to stress about!!!

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited July 2012

    I developed the ear ringing around midnight after my very first TCH.  I had loud popping in my ear and then ear ringing started...in the opposite ear...strange!  It is always really loud for the first oh maybe 5 days after each treatment and then it diminishes (or I learn to tune it out) - but it is always there.  What's weird is that today is day 17 for me, and all of a sudden it is loud again.  They say stress and poor sleep can aggravate it...maybe it's b/c I didn't sleep well last night (2nd night trying no sleeping pill).  Unfortunately, it's a permanent side effect of chemo that I will have to learn to live with. Frown  I'm guessing if you don't develop it early on, you probably won't have that SE (trying not to jinx you or anyone else either!).  

     Well, I'm not a healthy eater all the time...I had my share of carb cravings and mac and cheese after chemo!  Now that I am a couple weeks PFC, I'm trying to get back to my healthier eating habits.  And by the way, an omelet isn't bad - good protein and calcium!  And you had fruit!  Doesn't sound bad to me at all!

    I had a good appetite at times too - really polished off a bunch of food some days.  I chalked it up to my body was regenerating all those cells the chemo called off, and I needed the extra calories for the repair work.  Made me feel better about chowing down.  LOL  Yeah, I wouldn't worry too much about the weight - you have enough pressure on you right now just getting through the SE's.   Although I see your point about the weight being a stressor in and of itself!  Just can't win sometimes, it seems!  

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  • TriChick
    TriChick Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2012

    Jenny - - During my A/C treatments I was given a patch called Sancuso.  I heard it was "the latest and greatest".  I have to believe that as I never got real, real nauseous.  I do know it was pricey, fortunately my insurance covered all but $40 and there is an online coupon for $10 off.  I suggest you ask your onco about it.  My nurses swore by it.  It went on the day of tx and stayed on for one week.  I took only one zofran pill through all my A/C treatments, I think the Sancuso patch was my saviour.

    I breezed through the last few posts and noticed food talk...I am craving ice cream!  Is it the heat?  Doubtful, I am in SoCal and most of you are a full 20 degrees warmer than here!  I really could do without the "bad food" cravings as I am in the same boat as fighting (putting on lbs!).  The cravings are killing me and my scale!

    I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.

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  • spicedlife
    spicedlife Member Posts: 182
    edited July 2012

    TriChick-  thanks and I will definately ask about the patch. 

    I am eating a lot too.  I really thought I had gained weight but when I weighed in for 2nd treatment I am the same, (except for after treatment I have blown up like a balloon.  lol

    Weight has always been a huge issue for me and before I was diagnosed I had started training for my first 5k.  Wanted to do that before I turned 50.  Exercise really helps my state of mind too.  I haven't done much of anything besides work since treatment.  It has been so hot I am just not motivated although I know it would help me feel better.  Tommorrow is another day!Cool

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  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited July 2012

    I'm not sure if it was the same patch, but the anesthesiologist gave me one before my surgery, and told me to leave it on for three or four days. It worked like a charm - I wasn't sick after the surgery at all.

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  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited July 2012

    I am envious of all of u that have gained weight. I keep losing weight Becuz of my stomach issues. I have lost 25lbs since my diagnoses & probably 10 lbs since starting chemo. I would love the extra lbs during the chemo.

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