Starting Chemo July 2012

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  • emilybrooke
    emilybrooke Member Posts: 98
    edited July 2012

    Questions about products to buy:

    Is one type of Biotene toothpaste better than the other? Mint Gel or PFB Plaque dissolving?

    Should I purchase any other Biotene products besides the toothpaste and mouth rinse?

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  • winter_flower
    winter_flower Member Posts: 31
    edited July 2012

    Qn about face cream:

    which one you use for chemo? I know we'd have very dry skin...grrr 

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited July 2012

    I use Cetaphil cream and soap.  I lather the cream on my feet before I put socks on in the morning and put it on my hands for the dryness.  You can get Cetaphil lotion but the cream stays on longer. Aquaphor is also a good cream to use--- it feels like Vaseline. Make sure you have some lip balm/chapstick too.  Lips get really dry and chapped.  

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  • roadwarrior28
    roadwarrior28 Member Posts: 301
    edited July 2012

    Emilybrooke - I love this body lotion: http://www.amazon.com/Alba-Botanica-Emollient-Unscented-32-Ounce/dp/B001441QCW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342633510&sr=8-1&keywords=alba+lotion

    Since being diagnozed, I've been on the no bad chemicals/no parabens kick, and this lotion fits the bill. It's also fragrance free.

    As far as face lotion, I use one from Eminence which is also chemical free and certified organic, and Shiseido at night. 

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  • Madelyn
    Madelyn Member Posts: 93
    edited July 2012

    Hey all..

    I use facial cleanser/moisturizer by a company called WELEDA, I bought them at an organic wellness store.  Also, you're right you will need lip balm and eye drops.   

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  • Madelyn
    Madelyn Member Posts: 93
    edited July 2012

    Also, before I got the prescription tootpaste, Privident, I bought Sensodyne foaming gel.

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  • emilybrooke
    emilybrooke Member Posts: 98
    edited July 2012

    Thanks for the recommendations Road and Madelyn!

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  • planetbananas
    planetbananas Member Posts: 206
    edited July 2012

    Starated FEC 100 yesterday - 8 treatements total. 4 FEC then 4 Taxotere. Going for a Neulasta shot today.

    I am taking all the meds religiously, like clockwork. At first I felt like I would only take certain ones but in doing all of them I must say that while I am extremely tired, I am only a little naseous.

    I have a Champion juicer and juiced a pint of straight ginger juice. I have been drinking it 1/4 cup at at time, mixed in a liter of water. If any of you has a juicer that can juice ginger, I highly recommend it. It gives me a little energy as well as helping my stomach.

    So far, so good. I don't know if it will change and I was told the hair would be going around day 14 so we will see.

    Sending good thoughts to all. 

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  • Lifeonitsside
    Lifeonitsside Member Posts: 250
    edited July 2012

    Picked up all my supplies yesterday and today. Had to pick up enough or supplies in blister packs so I can leave some at my place and leave a chemo pack at my boyfriend's, since I'm there about half the time. For some reason, this makes me feel prepared.



    Going this afternoon to chop off my hair. I just finished my vintage pin-up shoot this morning and it was so much fun! I felt beautiful and sexy and amazing and I know those pics will be a nice reminder of what I looked like before this journey and what I can return to. My BF doesn't know I did it so he'll get a big surprise when I get the photos in a few days. I never thought I would do something like this but I'm so glad I did.



    I am starting chemo tomorrow. Nervous but all of your posts have been a huge help and have taken a lot of the concern away.



    Good luck to everyone starting this week!

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  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited July 2012

    I had my first CMF treatment today. Actually I should say I only got the methotraxate and 5-FU by infusion and picked up the Cytoxan in tablet form at the pharmacy. That is supposed to be taken with food so I'm waiting until dinner time. I was nervous but had no bad reaction to the infusion, and because my appointment was just before noon, I got lunch in the chair. It was pretty good, too. Is anyone else in this thread doing CMF? My regimen will be 26 weekly infusions plus the cytoxan tablets daily at home. I will go look at the CMF threads too, but I was wondering if anyone can tell me about how soon side effects may start, if I'm going to get them. I have an errand to run across town tomorrow and don't want to run into any problems while doing that.

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  • mamabr
    mamabr Member Posts: 83
    edited July 2012

    Hi - new here, but started 1st A/C treatment on July 11, #2 on July 25.  Today is the first day I woke up without feeling I was knawing on a bag of cottonballs.  I also haven't had to take a nap, which should mean that I can get a nice sleep tonight......hopefully!  Reading through the posts has helped me get through the past few days and weeks.  So far, the biggest side effect has been lack of energy, falling asleep at drop of a hat, and loss of appetite.  But I have also renewed my love of watermelon, keeping a big bowl ready to go.  I pretty much have to force myself to eat because I know it is a spiral down if I don't eat properly.  Thanks 

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  • Madelyn
    Madelyn Member Posts: 93
    edited July 2012

    Welcome mamabr...I had my first AC 7/11 and will have #2 on the 25th also.  I too can't get enough watermelon!

    Also, I would like to add another item to my "basket of supplies," and this may be the most important one.  At my chemo class, the nurse handed out digital thermometers.  I checked my temp a lot during the first three days.  I have already mapped out that my 20 week chemo plan will put me to Thanksgiving.  I'm mentally committed to that much time.  I don't want it to have to be extended for any reason, and the one thing that can delay this is a temperature/infection.  There were times I felt warm and checking it was enough to put me at ease.  A couple of times just a cool wash cloth over my forehead felt great.  The thermometer told me it wasn't a temp, so I felt better.  My onc told me numerous times any temp over 100.5 needs to be called in ASAP.  So keep the thermometer handy and use it! 

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  • Moonwillow1010
    Moonwillow1010 Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2012

    Day #6 post 1st treatment. Probably the worst one yet. It wasn't horrible, but I did go home from work an hour early. Mostly it's been manageable. I think I may have had a little too much fiber and well it wants to work but isn't yet. I know TMI, but this is the worst S/E so far. 

    Might I remind all the newbies that hydration is key. Keep drinking that water. Keep those veins plump for IVs and flush that chemo out as fast as you can. Today water wasn't doing it...thank goodness for gatorade. Easier!

    Hang in there sisters...we can and will get through this. 

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited July 2012
    Moonwillow1010- If you are taking Zofran for the anti-nausea, it has a tendency to cause you to be on the "C" train for a little while.  I have that little problem and my onco says it's the tradeoff--- nausea versus being on the "C" train for a short while.  I'm not one of those gals who takes extra OTC meds so I drink, drink, drink and eat high fiber foods.  Things work out in a few days.  As you have already figured out, we can talk about anything here even the most delicate personal subjects.  I'm a few days behind you with the chemo and have only one more treatment to go!!!  Good luck to you and minimal side effects the rest of the way for you!!!!
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  • winter_flower
    winter_flower Member Posts: 31
    edited July 2012

    thanks for all the helpful tips.

    I'm going to my 1st chemo (AC) tomorrow. Wat should I pack in the bag? 

    So far I have:

    eye drop, lip balm, face cream, all my meds (that's important :), audio CDs, anything else? 

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  • cyano
    cyano Member Posts: 67
    edited July 2012

    Winter flower - also some food that's easy on the tummy and water/gatorade. They may have it there, but it's nice to have your own comfort food.

    I had an appointment with my oncologist today. My white blood counts had climbed all the way back to 2.9, but she wants to delay my second round of chemo by a week to let the counts go a bit higher so that I don't risk going so low again. The insurance approved neulasta which should help too. I don't mind having another week to recover. I'm getting my strength back and finally went for a run again. I ran a 1/4 mile and walked a couple of miles. 

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  • lindabrit
    lindabrit Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2012

    Hello, I just wanted to say that I was dreading it too, but I just finished 4 x A/C and 4 x Taxol, for me it was not that bad, main problem I had was just tiredness and hair loss. Not really anything else.  I wish you the best, hugs

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited July 2012
    cyano-Glad to hear you will be able to get the Neulasta shot to help with your WBC count.  You may want to ask your onco if it is okay for you to take the Claritin to help with the bone pain that may accompany the Neulasta shot.  I'm taking one regular 24 hour Claritin for at least 7 days starting the day I receive my Neulasta shot.  I get my shot in the afternoon so I take the Claritin in the morning.  I also ask to be injected in my tummy fat area and not in my arm.  It doesn't hurt as much and no sore shot arm.  I also get to hold the shot before its injected to warm it up in my hand.  For some reason that helps with the injection since the Neulasta is kept refrigerated.  Rest while you can so you'll be ready for your next round.  HUGS to you.....
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  • Lifeonitsside
    Lifeonitsside Member Posts: 250
    edited July 2012

    Just wanted to say good luck to everyone starting their treatment today. I'm a bit anxious myself but know I'll feel better once I get through today and know how it all works. My lovely BF is going with me for my port insertion and staying for the beginning of the actual chemo and then a good friend is tag-teaming with him later since he has to go pick up his kids for the weekend. So glad to have such good people taking care of me during this



    Blessings and I will be chanting for all of us to have a SE-free first cycle!

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  • Madelyn
    Madelyn Member Posts: 93
    edited July 2012

    Cyano- Glad to hear you are out and about.  I'm praying those counts stay good!

    Lifeonitsside - I've really enjoyed your stories, sounds like you have a great support system, caring friends and a great BF.  I promise the worst part of today is the anticipation of it.  Be strong-- you'll be fine.  Hugs to all starting today!  How did the haircut go?

    Roadwarrior -the door bell just rang and the beaubeaus are here!  I did express mail...they look great!

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  • Lifeonitsside
    Lifeonitsside Member Posts: 250
    edited July 2012

    Haircut went fine, although I had trouble convincing the stylist to cut it as short as I wanted, even after explaining why I wanted it super short. I went to the local beauty college, and the instructor finally came over. She was lovely and understood exactly what I wanted and got it there.



    It was weird because I went from this vintage pin-up shoot where I felt beautiful and sexy and amazing to shearing my hair down to GI Jane. Weird day.

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  • roadwarrior28
    roadwarrior28 Member Posts: 301
    edited July 2012

    Madelyn - glad you like the BeauBeaus! I got 2 more of my own since they had a sale. And my mom is a tailor so she's trying to make me something similar :)

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  • _Ann_
    _Ann_ Member Posts: 769
    edited July 2012
    Hi mamabr and welcome!  It seems there are about five of us in here now that started AC on July 11.  I've just bounced back, feeling like myself again.  I'm still fatigued more easily but that's the only thing I'm noticing.  So far so good.  Best wishes to you.
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  • rosewillow
    rosewillow Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2012

    hello girls out there in chemo land, sad to say i am also on the chemo trail i had my first tch infusion on july 3rd, and i am due my second on 24july, as i got through my first session with just a few days of feeling wretched and the last two weeks i have been feeling great doing all my normal everyday things like entertaining my 10year old son who is on school hols, from all your info i think my wretched days were due to the neulasta inj, so this week i am going to ask my onc about the use of clairtyn. my hair has just started to shed so app, made for crew cut tomorrow,os i will be either howling with laughter ,or sobbing my eyes out tomorrow.                                                              initially my consultant said i had ibc er-pr- hert2+ but when i saw my onc she could feel a mass(sane not palpable on initial assessment) i have lymph node involvement, ct/brain scan neg, awaiting results of bone scan,after initial diagnosis i had a period where i thought although i would not vocalise it that this could be the begining of the end,but now i am feeling very positive , i am trying to stop and smell the roses and enjoy.  i live in small town in ireland summer is here and it continues to rain.  good thoughts to u all

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  • roadwarrior28
    roadwarrior28 Member Posts: 301
    edited July 2012

    I'm starting chemo tomorrow - scary - so I'm trying to cram in all my favorite foods today! My oncologist said that during chemo "boring" foods are the best since nothing will taste the same, so to avoid any foods I really enjoy.

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  • _Ann_
    _Ann_ Member Posts: 769
    edited July 2012
    Hi rosewillow.  I laughed through the haircut but I may cry when it starts to fall out.  Or both.  Small town in Ireland sounds lovely.  I also thought I was done for good the first couple weeks after diagnosis but now starting to hope this may be just a temporary interruption of normal life.  Amazing how many common reactions women have to this process.  Hope you enjoy the crewcut.  My hair was over three feet long but I am surprised to enjoy the short cut right now.
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  • mamabr
    mamabr Member Posts: 83
    edited July 2012

    It sounds like the BeauBeaus are the way to go.  Are they really that much different than a scarf?  Easier to use?  They seem a little pricey, but I know I will be using them alot.  

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  • roadwarrior28
    roadwarrior28 Member Posts: 301
    edited July 2012

    Mamabr - they're pretied and really easy to slip on. They come with a matching scrunchie that allows you to change the way the "tails" look and there are instructions for styling on the site, and I also got a brochure in my package. I always have issues with tying scarves, so these take out the guesswork. They also have a sale section and the BeauBeaus there are usually half off.

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  • mamabr
    mamabr Member Posts: 83
    edited July 2012

    Yes, they look easy to use.  Are there any other suggestions for head-wear websites, comfy scarfs, hats etc.?  Between work and school functions I know I'll need options.  This reminds me of gearing up with maternity clothing, that I was happy not to wear again after finishing with babies. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2012

    Just popping back in with head covering advice.  Check out the Slumbercaps at http://www.slumbercap.com/

    They are very useful for sleeping - keep your head warm and protected from a scratchy pillowcase, collect stray falling hairs so as not to mess up the bed.  I also liked mine because I looked like a barista.  My favorite color was the chocolate brown.

    For other suggestions, see the following comprehensive thread:  http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/744161?page=3#idx_65

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