Sept 2012 chemo

When are u starting? Other than my foods, meds,and my bag to take along to chemo I bought or made sure I had the following: thermometer, colace, imodium,eye rewetting drops, good lotion, neosporin for ur port incision, benadryl.



Not a big list, but i have used it all.

Patriciahurtado,  I think I used ice pack first two days for a little, but no pain with port.  Don't remember taking tylanol.  But, I read where seven women on one of these threads were all doing the same medications with seven results in terms of effects on their bodies.  My brother, dentist, impressed that on me in the beginning.  We are so different.  Am so sorry if you are uncomfortable with your port now.  Am sure it will get better.  Hugs

@amylovesbubby I started same regimen on August 20th. So far so good. The SE have been tolerable. The nausea seems to be well controlled on the meds (compezine and adivan). My biggest SE is fatigue. I feel better when I try to stay active. I did start losing hair at the end of my first cycle, so I shaved it.

@jojo7323 yes I live in No. VA just south of DC. Are you in the DC area?

Patricia=- Here is the link to the Important Chemo Threads for Newbies where you will find links for tips and more tips & shopping list, etc. and other chemo threads you might find helpful.

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/785189?page=1#idx_1

I used the shopping list and of course I didn't use everything I purchased.  I used a rolling packback that I kept all of my chemo gear in that I always took to the infusion center. I had a ziploc bag of snacks  (peanut butter, ritz crackers, fruit cups, nuts, candy) that I always kept in the backpack in case I got hungry at the infusion.  I also had another plastic container box that held things that I didn't think I needed during the infusion like OTC meds for constipation, diarrhea, extra Biotene products and also extra duplicates of Tylenol, Advil, etc. and  an extra thermometer.  It was my go-to box for home so I wouldn't have to digging around in that backpack.

I also kept a daily record of the drugs I needed to take and when to take them as well as a daily food record and symptom record.  I also made a list of all of my doctors and their phone numbers, addresses and what specialty they practiced abnd also the name phone number and address of the pharmacy I use and also a close by 24 hour pharmacy.  I also made a list of all of things I'm allergic to ( drugs, foods, tape, etc.) All of these lists helped me  track of everything.  I also marked the pill bottles caps with some large circle color coding labels and noted on the label the name of the drug and dosage.  (As you can tell, I'm a little type A personality....lol)  When I developed a high spikey fever/chills after my second chemo, I made sure I jotted down my temperature and the time I took my temps.  it was helpful when I called my onco to let her know I was having the fever/chills and my symptoms. 

If you have more questions about the shopping list, just ask.  I'm happy to help you and everyone else here.  Hope you start feeling better after the port placement. 

Wishing for minimal side effects for those who have already started chemo and calm and restful times for all.

Forever - glad your ok and thanks for sharing all the details.  I get that in my second round mid October.

Donna - I am about 1 hr west of you in MD.  Hi neighbor! 

September Team   of the Exclusive Club No One Wants to Join

(If anyone wants to be left off, send me a private message.  If I have accidently left you off, also let me know.  Since we are sharing so much together, I thought it would be interesting to see where we are in this trip.)

AmylovesBubby

Bearcub                                Prince George, British Columbia

Firestorm531                        Texas

Melrosemelrose (visitor from April)                    Houston, Texas

Cherioo                                Florida

Whenlifegivesyou lemons       Minneapolis

Jojo2373                           Maryland                                                                                                                            

Mycancerjourney                   Illinois

Sheerbab                              Dallas, Texas                                          

Foreverchanged72612            Chelsea,  Quebec

Amy4978                              Howard City, MI

Cindi74                                 Apopka, Florida

Terri07-11

Joemommy                            Portland, Oregon

Cgesq                                    New Jersey

SandeeAR                              Conway, AR

Timbek2

Laura_g

Runnergirl71                             Fort Collins, Colorado

Lokimax2                                  Siler City, NC

Sparkysbrat                               East Tennessee Mountains

Momto5children

SugarlandlDC                              Houston

PatriciaHurtado                            Miami, FL

DonnaDo8

Mariposa123                                Washington, DC

Damiana9                                    Burleson, Texas

Timbek2                                       Peoria, IL

Movinonmom

Aliasismo

Ergirl

Kstillie

Damiana9           Burleson, TX

301724                Vermont

Nickythebean        

That's 34. So many enduring together.  

GOOD LUCK TOMORROW CINDI74 !!!!  Hope your day in the BGC tomorrow is an easy and calm one and your side effects are minimal!!!  I'm sure you have packed a few things in your chemo bag  and are ready to go.  I know you have done everything and read everything you can to prepare for tomorrow.  Try to hydrate today so your veins/port will be easy to access and ready to go.  I know you are anxious and perhaps a little scared and ready to get started; all of those range of emotions are normal.  Just remember you aren't alone and will not be left alone and unattended during your chemo.  Yes, you can do this and tomorrow after you get home- you can say out loud and very loud---- "I AM DOING THIS!!!"

Sending lots of HUGS and positive, calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy to all of you as you make your way through chemoland!!!!  For those who have started, wishing for minimal side effects. 

I'm starting TC x 4 on Monday the 17th. No port. Really scared to lose my hair. Bought a wig yesterday that looks like my real hair so that helped. Good luck to everyone!!

jojo2373- Unfortunately, I don't know much about exercise and Adriamycin.  I would tell you that I try to keep moving and probably moved less Week 1 following the chemo round.  I know I always walked whenever and wherever I could even if it was just walking around Target or the grocery store.  I have an exercise fan bike parked in front of the tv that I can hop on for a few minutes here and there.  One wants to be careful about doing strenuous exercise, especially if one hasn't been previously been exercising a lot before chemo.  It is my understanding that Adriamycin can be hard on the heart which may explain why one may not want to go full force exercising after the Adriamycin chemo.  I wasn't a huge exercise person but was always on the go and move before chemo.  During my chemo, I tried to get out everyday to go for a walk, whether it be around my neighborhood or someplace like a shopping mall, Target or the grocery store.  I opted not to go to a gym or any kind of exercise class during chemo since I wanted to avoid close contact with people and somehow became a little germophobic.  My red blood counts slowly dropped over the course of my chemo rounds and reached a point towards my last rounds that my onco told me to start eating foods to help get those counts up.  She and I agreed that I would try to eat high iron foods rather than take a supplement since I don't like to take meds/ supplements unless I absolutely have to.   When the red blood counts drop, you can feel it.  One feels more fatigued and winded.  Whatever your mode of exercise is, take it easy ( not too much too soon), listen to your body and use your common sense. 

Here's a simple, empowering, and thought-provoking reference for those of us in the Exclusive Club No One Wants to Join (so well put Cindi):  

• From This Moment On, by Arlene Cotter.

A little something to keep on the bedside table, to page through a bit at a time.  Worth checking out.  It's on Amazon.

Well, I am now 6 days out from my first treatment.  I had it on Wednesday, friday had a bit of diahrrea and a little tired, saturday I was a zombie.  monday I started getting really achey knees and TERRIBLE heartburn, and today I have a lot of knee and hip pain and stiffness.  Other than that, really very good!  Trying to keep up with protein and fluids.  My son has a cold which of course made me very nervous but we have been obsessive about hand washing and so far it seems to have worked.  I have also not been good about staying home- I have gone out shopping/eating alot this past week.  I am careful about germs but I think getting out has really helped me to feel better.   My hair is not falling out at all yet.  It was kind of tingly for a few days but that has stopped now.  This is all so WEIRD!

@aliasismo I know exactly how you feel, When I first found out my tumor was small I though I might be able to avoid chemo too, but once I was diagnosed triple negative it was a veritable certainty. It was a real kick in the stomach, but in time I learned to accept it and embrace chemo as my new best friend. If it's going to be the thing that keeps me from hopefully ever having to get cancer again, bring it on.

JoJo, I have been exercising everyday on the red devil, day 7 now. I have been on the stationary bike doing 16 km. a day. Before chemo I did 22 km. a day.



I have had minimal symptoms, a bit lightheaded yesterday at the LookGood Feel Better, but it was 2 hours sitting and for the last hr at 2 in the afternoon listening about wigs. I kinda would have liked a nap at that time. Made it through and the makeup kit is fantastic.



They did say no false eyelashes with adhesive while on chemo???



I have spent today sewing a few chemo hats from a McCalls pattern...they are pretty cute. Anyone Sept. girls losing there hair yet?

Checkout McCalls pattern #6521 and 4116