Starting Chemo July 2012

Hi ladies,

I spaced out and was off the boards for a few weeks.  I did my 2nd round of Adriamycin last Wed.  Nausea up the wazoo for the first go around (didn't get Emend) and then got Emend for my 2nd round but it sadly wore off on Friday so struggling with nausea and fatigue.  Hopefully this coming week is easier.  I have treatment every other week so 2 more Adriamycin rounds.  Yuck.  This stuff really sucks.

Hey-does anyone know of a powder to take for the tongue sores?  It's something I can buy in a health food store that someone recommended to me but my chemo brain can't remember the name.  Some supplement.... 

Just checking in.  Sorry to hear so many are struggling with the AC right now.  

I'm gearing up for round #2 this Thursday.  I have so many questions for my MO now.  Wondering why I didn't get dose dense, and why I didn't get Neulasta like so many women here have.  I'm sure she'll have reasons but I'm impatient while waiting on my appt.  Fortunately I'm still feeling well, and looking forward to catching up on work and chores over the next few days before round #2.  This time I'll know better than to try and drive before day #7.   I'm planning to be out of office longer or else carpool with the hubby.

My hair started to fall on Friday and I'd say it's probably half gone now after two shampoos.  I'm planning to just let it thin out on its own rather than cutting it even shorter (it's one inch long).  Yesterday I wore a bandana tied as a kerchief over it as I was starting to feel a bit self-conscious.  It's nice still having a little peeking out at the front but it's starting to look rather odd.

I had a stress ehcocardiogram test Friday but my symptoms had already cleared up, so I'm pretty confident results are going to show normal heart function.  I've been walking and lifting (small) weights every day.   I want to get the exercise habit going now, as it's one of the factors for less risk of recurrence, and has so many other benefits.

Hi CItyFi - you seem to be one of the few that is already on your 3rd round of treatment - interested to hear how it compared to the second. Do symptoms subside even more or are they about the same as the second one? Had my second of 6 TC treatments on Thursday and I feel soooooo much better than after the first treatment. The symptoms are MUCH more managable this time compared to the first. The doctor did tell me that the first treatment is the worst because it is such a shock to the system, and the others are easier. Just curious to know if it gets easier each time or stays this way for the remaining treatments?.

Anyone else out there on their third round that could shed some light?

Thought I'd share a little info about what happens after the first round of chemo since I'm heading into my last chemo in less than 2 weeks ( Cytoxan/Taxotere x 6).

Let's keep our fingers crossed that everyone's side effects will continue to be minimal.  My first one was the worst and since then, they were not as bad.  However, one never knows since the side effects are cumulative.  I did notice that my eyes are tearing more; but not surprised.  Taxotere is also called " Taxo- tears" for a reason.  I also noticed that my burping has gotten better too.  I had a bout of tongue sores but rinsed several times a day with 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1 cup of warm water solution.  I made a new fresh cup of rinse every time I rinsed my mouth.  I do have this burned tongue sensation that starts a few days after the chemo and lasts for at least another week afterwards.  It also signals that my taste buds are on vacation.  The texture of foods change and there are foods that I don't like to put in my mouth during that time because of the thick greasy feeling I have.  The week before I have my next round of chemo, I feel much better and less fatigued.   I can tell you that the fatigue factor has gotten more obvious to me after each round of chemo.  I know it is partial from the chemo itself and my body's ability to recover is taking a little longer.  I know my onco is watching my red blood count since it has continued to decline with chemo.  Fortunately, one can help that with an iron enriched diet. 

I stopped using my sonicare toothbrush until after I finish with my chemo.  I spoke to my dentist before starting chemo and he as well as my onco said to use a soft manual toothbrush to avoid any microcuts/microabrasions to my gums.  Just want to avoid any means of infections during chemo treatment. 

For Those taking A/C on 3 week regimen- Please don't feel like there is something not right with having dose dense chemo.  I know of at least one gal on the boards who is receiving her A/C chemo every 3 weeks like you.  If you go the chemocare.com website (which is the website founded by Scott Hamiliton, the former Olympic ice skater and cancer survivor) and read about your chemo regimen, you will find that the nadir period for both of those drugs begin during the 2nd week after the infusion and the recovery period for both is 3 weeks.  Here are the 2 links

http://www.chemocare.com/bio/adriamycin.asp

http://www.chemocare.com/bio/cytoxan.asp

You will have the opportunity to give your body the chance to recover in time for the next round and you won't be heading into that next dose dense chemo before your body has recovered.  Most dose dense receive Neulasta or Neupogan shots the day after their infusions and are told they will receive them before they even start their chemo.  Although I am not on the A/C regimen, I did not start getting a Neulasta shot until after my 2nd round of chemo.  I developed a spikey high fever and was told by my onco that I would thereafter receive a Neulasta shot to help prevent that situation from reoccuring.  My onco doesn't give the Neulasta shot unless the patient demonstrates the need for one. 

Hope this helps, ladies!!!  Wishing easy times this week for those in the Big Girl Chair this week and minimal side effects!!!

curveball- You have it right--- Lysine is the supplement to help with mouth sores/ cold sores. 

Recipe for the mouth sores rinse that you make fresh every time you need to swish:

1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1 cup of warm water

Scalp has red bumps, almost like a heat rash.. Do wear the wigs alot.. maybe from that? did you experience that?

Maybe the bumps were there before but I never noticed until I lost the hair?

25weeks - thank you for your spirit boosting message. Happy to report I got out of bed, ate breakfast and have plans today with my mother-in-law. We are going to pick up the wig that I ordered! This week will definitely be a better week

 Ann - I see there have been a few posts about dose dense AC - it looks like we may be having a similar treatment plan. I have completed one round and received the Neulasta shot the day after.

Last night the hubby and I started pulling the loose hairs out of my head and there was barely anything left at the end, so we buzzed it off and am now bald.  Eeeek!  Looks OK from the front, but my profile is really weird.  I have a big skull with a giant knot on one side, so I don't think I'll be walking around au naturel at all.

Emilybrooke, I'm glad you're feeing better.   I think it's just harder to fight depression when you're physically wiped out. 

Melrosemelrose, yeah that was the first thing I noticed about being bald-- seems like my scalp is constantly sweating.   I've found the coolest option is a buff (single layer t-shirt type of material) with a headband.  A bandana feels good but I can't get it to look even remotely OK now.  How do you wear yours?

@ellendou, you might try searching for "head wrap"  on Youtube. There are lots of instructional videos about how to tie scarves etc, some specifically intended for cancer patients.

_Ann_:  I have a few buffs that I wear sometimes.  Love those.  As for the bandana, I have a small head so it is easy for me to tie it in the back and tuck the top part of the triangle down underneath the tied knot.  The straw hats are great this time of year.  When i go shopping, I always check out the men's section of stores such as Marshalls and TJ Maxx since you just never know what you will find.  FYI: I'm one week away from having my final chemo -- it's number 6.  I never lost all of my hair with the chemo--- still have most of my eyebrows, eyelashes; a thin veil of head hair and some arm and leg hair and even hair down south.  I already have new growth of stubbies and peach fuzz.  I thought I would have lost all of my body hair by now but looks like I've got some hair follicles that just won't give in to the chemo.  I do expect the eyebrows and eyelashes to possibly go and return several times during the next year since that how those hair follicles work.  They are on a different growth cycle than the other hair. 

No matter what, hair or no hair, we are all beautiful!!!!!

Hope those in the Big Girl Chair have an easy time this week and wishing minimal side effects for all!!!!

Melrose-Congrats on being in the end stretch of the chemo!!!

Curveball,

I see that our diagnosis and treatments are quite similar.  I also had only one positive lymph node and a very small tumor.  I will start chemo in two weeks; however, did your onc tell you or give you any reason for the node being positive with such a small tumor?  I am pissed off but also very humbled with only one nodal involvement.  I am a previous Hodgkin's survivor and cannot have adriamycin (I had my lifetime supply of it 22 yrs. ago.) I have never had cytoxan or taxoter--are they bad? 

See my onc on Aug. 6 to start chemo regime.  Thanks for any help!