Sept 2012 chemo

cgesq- Make sure you hydrate the day before your chemo round.  It helps the infusion nurses to access your vein/port for the IV.  Also, eat breakfast the morning of your infusions.  No reason to go on an empty stomach.

Your first session of chemo does take longer than the ones after that.  It is partly due to the fact that the infusion staff will be very careful to explain what they are doing and what they are administering to you.  They go through set procedures that they will follow with every patient.  Here is how a round of chemo went for me.  I would arrive at the infusion center and then be taken to the infusion area.  I was weighed first since one's weight determines the amount of chemo that you are given.  Sometimes I had a private room and other times, I was in a room with multiple loungers.  My blood pressure, pulse and temperature were taken.  I had my port accessed and flushed.  Then the infusion nurse draws blood to check blood counts.  This is done to make sure one's counts( white blood count and red blood count) are high enough to have chemo.  Then my chemo drugs were ordered after the blood work came back and my onco had signed off on the order.    I had an onco appt before the start of the chemo infusions.  I would then be hooked up the the IV to receive fluids and pre-chemo drugs.  I always had Ativan in my IV to help me stay calm.

I had my chemo in the following order:  Taxotere, then Cytoxan and then the Herceptin infusion was last.  Once I knew the infusion nurse was about to start the Taxotere, I would go to the restroom and made sure I had a large cup of ice water and a cup of ice to consume during the infusion.  If you ice, you won't be able to get up during the Taxotere to go to the restroom.About 15 minutes before the Taxotere infusion, I  iced my fingernails and toe nails and continue to ice during the hour Taxotere ran and for 15 minutes after the infusion ( Total icing time 1 1/2 hours.) For the first time of receiving Taxotere, the Taxotere is run much slower so the infusion staff can see how you will react to the Taxotere.  You may receive Benedryl in your IV with your pre-chemo drugs to help with any reactions you may have with the Taxotere.  Just remember that you will not be left alone once you actually start receiving the Taxotere.  The nurses will contantly check on you to see how you are doing.  Once that is finished, I usually took a restroom break before the Cytoxan was run.  The Cytoxan may also be run a little slower the first time.  I usually continued to drink water/eat ice during the Cytoxan infusion.  FYI:  If you are hooked up to a portable IV pole, you can get up during the Cytoxan and walk around.   I also ate snacks/lunch on infusion days.  My husband would leave and get lunch for us.  The Cytoxan usually ran for 30-45 minutes after the first round.  Then, it was Herceptin time for me.  That is run very slowly the first infusion also.  It was run over an hour to watch for reaction to the Herceptin.  I am now having Herceptin infusions only and those will continue to be run over an hour's time.

I know that the entire time to have your chemo drugs seems very long.  My husband would take the day off from work to go with me to my chemo rounds.  I was glad he was there so he could get water/ice and lunch for me and to keep me company.  I never got anxious or upset about how long the rounds took since the slow running of the chemo and time the infusion staff took to make sure everything was right was for my benefit.   The insuion time does go by rather quickly.  Since I was given Ativan (anti-anxiety med) to keep me calm and Benedryl with my IV meds, I was able to nap a little during my chemo rounds.  When I was awake, I just watched TV and read magazines.  Having a positive attitude and patience will go a long way in helping you through chemoland.  Hope this helps.  If you need more info, let me know.  Glad to help you.

Amy4978- This info is a repeat for something I posted earlier that you may have missed about taking regular 24 hour Claritin to help with the Neulasta bone pain. It is worth a try but make sure you clear it with your onco before you take any OTC meds. 

FOR THOSE GETTING A NEULASTA SHOT AFTER YOUR ROUND OF CHEMO:  You may want to try taking regular 24 hour Claritin to help with the bone pain that may accompany the Neulasta shot.  There is an ongoing clinical trial evaluating Claritin to prevent the bone pain.  Here is the link:  (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NC...). According to the clinical trial, one takes the Claritin (10 mg) once a day for 7 days beginning the day of the Neulasta treatment.

I had my first Neulasta shot with my 3rd round of Cytoxan/Taxotere and took the Claritin.  I did not experience any bone pain.  The Claritin doesn't help everyone but it is worth a try since from my understanding the bone pain may be intense.    I took the Claritin for 9 days starting the day I had the Neulasta shot.  I would take the Claritin in the morning and would get my Neulasta shot in the afternoon.  Just remember to ask your onco about trying the Claritin before you take it.

I get my Neulasta shot in the tummy where there is some tummy fat.  In fact, I ask the nurse to give it to me there rather than in my arm.  It hurts less going in and I don't seem to have any post injection pain.  The nurse gives the shot to hold in my hand to warm it up before I receive the injection.  She then, slowly injects the shot which to help with injection pain.

I've also read on the boards that you can take one Tylenol and one Motrin combo every 4-6 hours to help with the bone pain.  I do not take any Tylenol or Motrin or Advil after I get my chemo but I am cleared to take Tylenol or Advil by my onco.  Again, always ask your onco about what OTC pain meds you can take before you take any.

cgesq- If you have a choice, choose the tummy!!!  There is extra body fat there so you won't feel it.  If you have to have in the arm, ask to have it where you have some arm fat.  The shot had a little sting to it but I didn't think it was that painful.  Make sure that let you warm it up in your hand and also ask them to inject slowly.  That will also make the shot less painful later on.  I think the shot pain that people talk about is the arm soreness you might experience after receiving a shot regardless of the kind of shot you get.  I never felt any soreness where I received the shot in the tummy. 

I took the claritin yesterday a lil before the shot... didnt seem to help!

Hi all. Getting my port on tuesday, start chemo the 17th. Scared as hell. I just hope I can keep up with my 4 kids. Hope everyone is doing well tonight.

I had a bilateral MX on 8/3/2012 with tissue expanders. I have tolerated the fills very well and have been filled to capacity, now onto chemo. I start this Thursday, Sept. 11. Taxol once a week for 12 weeks than FAC for 4 rounds.



Great to have found those going thru the same thing as I. Any Houston girls on this thread?



Michele

I started AC on 8/20 x 4 then Taxol x 4 after that.

@firestorm53 You have the same regimen as me. I too just shaved my head last weekend. I found it to be quite empowering. I bought 8 wigs in anticipation of this moment, and I haven't worn one since...lol. Who knew? It's nice to meet you. I am new to posting on the boards.

Hi Sept girls,



Well I am day 5 off all nausea meds now, and I feel totally normal. I keep waiting for something to go wrong. I have very mild flushing in the face, kind of a glow. I feel good and hope it keeps up. I am now trying to eat well for this rebuilding phase. No neulasta shots for me so I am hoping my WBC come up all by themselves. I have continued to exercise and go to town shopping a bit, after tomorrow (Look good Feel better) class I will be staying close to home as that will be the most susceptible time for infection...trying not to think about my hair falling out, will shave when that starts to happen, but will wait just in case I am one of those lucky ones whose hair doesn't.

Has anyone in sept chemo lost there hair yet?



Hang in there everyone, we are actually doing this, lol!!!!

All the newbies you will do great, good luck with your first infusion!

I do!!!!!!!

Good morning my ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i havent been here for a week......i was enjoing my family until i start this journey....My sister has been so supportive i love her so much .....my brother came from Orlando for the weekend and he was very excited to cut my hair.... so i had a BBQ with friends and family and guess what.......yeap they did it....i had my hair short before but i had let it grew out for 2 years and i dont understannd why i cried so much when they did it......My brother did a moha look but honestly i dont like it so tomorrow when my hubby wakes up hes shaving it for me.....i look like my brothers twin with this hair cut!!!! lol.....the past few days has been harder and harder for me....i havent got any treatment and i been so emotinal tomorrow they will place the port....and my mother get here on the 12  and father on the 15th...i dont know how will i feel when they get here....i feel sad, mad, hurt...i dont know why cause i been just fine trying to think that im gonna bit this...im also stress about the PET i havent taking it cause insurance will not cover it less i have stage 4.....yeah right ..so we appealed it....talk about early preventtion......i missed everyone here im glad everyone is doing great....thank you for all the information and i love how everyone shares their experience for us newbies it really helps out alot.....so tomorrow no more hair.......i dont want to wait because i personally feel that if its gonna fall of then let me do it..i wont let this cancer get away and enjoy my hair falling off.....i will enjoy it with my hubby and then i have to shave his off....i love you hubby!!!!.....

Should i drink anything for the port it will place on tomorrow??? is it big?? 

Im scare!!!  

patriciahurtado-  Take some deep calming breaths.  You will get through this first chemo and the port placement.  I know it is an anxious time for you right now; it's a part of the ride through chemoland.  The port is about the size of a half dollar coin.  The port area will be a little sore.  If you feel very anxious, ask for meds to keep you calm.  At the first infusion, you probably will not be able to use the EMLA cream ( lidocaine cream that numbs the area) since the cream can't be used on a new suture.  Ask the nurse to use a numbing spray or numb the area with some ice prior to the port being accessed.

Good luck  with your first chemo tomorrow.  Just remember that you are not alone and will not be alone during the chemo infusions.  You have plenty of wonderful support from your hubby, family and everyone here!!!! 

I know that the hair thing is coming up for a lot of you.   I did cut it short short boy cut ( longer in the front and 1 inch everywhere else.)   I had waist length hair in February 2012 when I had my lumpectomy, a short bob in March 2012 when I had my UMX and the short boy cut in April when I had chemo round #2.  As a personal science experiment, I decided not to buzz/shave my head after the boy cut.  I wanted to see what hair would be left if I did nothing further.  I was glad that I opted to do that since it allowed me to have wispy bangs  when I wore bandanas, Buffs, hats and caps.  Not all of my pre-chemo hair fell out during my 6 rounds of chemo.  In fact, I am now 5 weeks PFC (post final chemo) and still have some, though not much of my pre-chemo hair.  The peach fuzz hair started to grow a little after my 4th chemo.  For me, always knowing that I retained some of my pre-chemo hair made me feel better.... I don't know why.  So it is always a very personal choice as to what to do with your hair and there are no written rules about what to do with your hair.  Just know that no matter what you do, you are still beautiful.

foreverchanged72612-  I have made extra efforts to take care of my nails.  i use rubber gloves when I was dishes/use cleaning products.  I also have learned not to use my fingernails the way I did before I started chemo.  For example, I don't use my fingernails to open cardboard food boxes or to remove staples.    I also moisturize my hands and feet since the chemo seemed to dry everything out.

It is possible to have nail damage from the Taxol.  Here is a link to chemocare.com website which the former Olympic ice skater, Scott Hamilton founded.  I used this website to get a little more info about my chemo regimen.  Link:  http://www.chemocare.com/bio/taxol.asp

The following is the info from the chemocare website about Taxol. 

Taxol Side Effects:

Important things to remember about Taxol side effects include:

• Most people do not experience all of the Taxol side effects listed.
• Taxol side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
• Taxol side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
• There are many options to help minimize or prevent Taxol side effects.
• There is no relationship between the presence or severity of Taxol side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
• The Taxol side effects and their severity vary depending on how much of the drug is given, and/or the schedule in which it is given.

The following Taxol side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Taxol:

• Low blood counts.  Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.  This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
• Hair loss
• Arthralgias and myalgias, pain in the joints and muscles. Usually temporary occurring 2 to 3 days after Taxol, and resolve within a few days.  
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of the hands and feet)
• Nausea and vomiting (usually mild)
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Hypersensitivity reaction - fever, facial flushing, chills, shortness of breath, or hives after Taxol is given.  The majority of these reactions occur within the first 10 minutes of an infusion.  Notify your healthcare provider immediately (premedication regimen has significantly decreased the incidence of this reaction). 

The following are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving Taxol:

• Swelling of the feet or ankles (edema).
• Increases in blood tests measuring liver function.  These return to normal once treatment is discontinued. (see liver problems).
• Low blood pressure (occurring during the first 3 hours of infusion).
• Darkening of the skin where previous radiation treatment has been given (radiation recall - see skin reactions).
• Nail changes (discoloration of nail beds - rare) (see skin reactions).

Nadir:  15-21 days

This list includes common and less common side effects for individuals taking Taxol.  Side effects that are very rare, occurring in less than 10% of patients, are not listed here.  However, you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Hi Donna! I knew from the beginning that wigs were not going to be my thing...mostly I go topless but I do keep page boy style hats on hand for when my head gets cold.



Hi Miss Sugarland! How're you liking MD.A? Since Im in TW, and my team is here too, it made sense for me to stay local. Also makes is easier on my family since my little one started HS this year. Now if I could get the headaches & nausea to go away permanently, I'd be a happy camper



Nice to 'meet' you both!