Sept 2012 chemo
Comments
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Mariposa: i hope that everything went well with the port ...today is my 5 day with it for me it was ok just felt like a small bruise....had taken tylano for pain and yes regarding the babies climing...my niece is 2 years and she came over and of course she is the baby of the house...she climed over me and i tryed to protect my port but some how her hand got to it push it down...boy did that hurt and i was mostly scared cause my nurse said that it can "flip" and they have to redo it so far i woke up fine the only thing that i find wierd is that i cough twice at nice like if im choking with my siliva...has anyone felt this???
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CSESG:
Im glad that your treatment was smooth yes your right this anxiouty is killing me i went to my onco and she was very happy that i am ready i have shaved my hair and and exited to start treatment because they only way to do this is to keep postive and make the best of it even though its scary i know that its going to kill it...but i havent had my PET scan so my chemo was post poned and that i am BRCA+ which means now i have to see the specialist for a hysteroctomy and make an appointment with the Breast surgen i feel that this taking to long and i wish it starts and get it over with i have gotten my "bag ready" disinfected the house bleach to the max threw out everyone that has a cold...and now another week with this anxiouty!!!!!!!!!! i was diagnost on 08/06/2012 and its been a whole month of madnest does it this long to start chemo!!!???
hope everyone is feelig greta this morning
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Thats righ Amy4978 kick that ass!!!!!!!!!!!
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Welcome 301!
My chemo is too long and includes too many drugs to hope to save my hair, so I haven't gone down that path (cold cap). But I did a quick search from the discussion home page and there are lots of posts out there about that topic.
My first round of chemo (Taxol and AMG386) left me feeling surprisingly good. Hoping you have a similar experience. Think about getting your bag together for your first chemo. It's generally cold so I bring warm socks and a cozy wrap, something to read/distractions, and drink/snacks if you don't like those provided. The Benadryl administered before Taxol hit me hard, so you may find your self very sleepy (as I did) or jazzed (as others do) - depends on how you metabolize Benedryl.
Drink LOTS of water while you're going through chemo. Start the day before. I also am taking Glutamate powder supplement in hopes of decreasing the likelihood of developing neuropathy. One of my earlier posts has a link and more info on that. Some women are icing fingers and toes in hopes of avoiding nail loss/discoloration that can be a side effect of chemo.
This is an active and generous group so I'm sure there are more suggestions to come. Good luck, and I love your Dr. Seuss quote!
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Patricia great comment about the wigs and colder weather! :-)
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301: I love your Dr. Seuss quote. For me, I wish I had brought my own blanket. I did bring warm, comfy socks and glad I did but my own blanket would have been nice...and food. I have just had one treatment so far and like WhenLifeGivesYouLemons, I also got hit hard with the Benadryl and was sleepy although at the same time, the steroids they gave me kicked in and made me super hungry. My DH had to make a coffee shop run for a muffin!
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JoJo.........well get those hair out the way.....i dyed my avatar blond...lol...i hope you feel great about how you are fighting this and i am pretty sure you look beautiful..send me a picture of you...just know that we are going to go through this together......i would of love #2 but my hubby said lets try #1 and i said ok .....after he did a small part he asked if i liked it i said no....and i laughed because he said let try #2 and i thought whats is he thinking leaving me with #1 one side and #2 on the other side!!!!...lol.....but at the end i did #1 and it just felt good to know that the love of my life will always love me no matter what...he loves rubbing my hair...i feel like a sand paper lol............good luck tomorrow
Yes we are one great team September 2012 team.........we are strong!!!!!!!!!!
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....."WE ARE STRONG"
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MELROSE"......WE ALL LOVE YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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301: One more thing for you to think about. Keep moving! There's tons of information out there about the benefits of keeping active as long term strategy for getting through this and staying healthy. I say that with only one chemo infusion under my belt, so I realize there may be times I won't feel able to be very active. Nevertheless I'm committing to get out there and take a walk every day, and when I'm feeling good I'll add some light strength training. Read up on exercise (I think there's a thread on that topic in these discussion boards), listen to your body, and of course talk to your Onc.
Anyone for a "virtual" walk today?
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Thanks! I'm a distance runner - having a hard time NOT doing any aerobic exercise for 3 months post-surgery but am out there walking 2+ miles every day. Will look forward to increasing activity as I am able/allowed.
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@amy7948 I'm sorry the news wasn't what you wanted, but I love your attitude. That is half the battle. You got this mama!! Like you said you are young and strong.myou are a warrior and you got your troops behind you. Good luck with everything, and go kick some butt!
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@patriciahur I just love your spirit! Can't wait to see your new avi!
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@Vermont I am trying to walk a couple of miles everyday too. At times it's hard because of the fatigue, but I find I have more energy when I do.
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@sherbad I just love what you did with the wig shopping trip.mi wish I had thought to rent a limo. I did something similar. My mother, my sister my daughter and my two best friends went with me. We all tried on wigs, even my 12 year old. It was so much fun. I thought I would get 1 or 2. I ended up with 5. My daughter even got one on clearance for $15. It really was a positive and fun experience. I'm so glad I did it.
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JoJo..
When I asked about my MRI results I didnt even think to ask about nodes but wrote it down for next weeks appt. But I can say whent hey did a biopsy they found one of my nodes to be positive My BS already said she was gonna take them all in my armpit region of the right side. But I am curious now if they know how many..
I am going to my hair stylist today she is gonna cut my hair even shorter I recently cut it jut below my ears and that was a huge step considering when I did it we cut off 15 inches.. OUCH!
But I am now 7 days out past my first treatment and figure I will be bald soon so why not get used to a lil less and have one last pamper day at the salon. I am also taking my baby girl she is 4 yrs old her hair is down to her butt its thick beautiful and blonde. I am gonna have pink highlights put in so she can help support mommy and feel included since all the men in my home my husband, and 2 sons 15 and 7 are gonna shave bald when I do and stay that way till my hair grows back.. I am so blessed to have such great supporters at home.. Love Them
Have a Great Day ladies..
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I would love a virtual walk.........i miss my walks ill start soon.....its raining....i use to run 4 miles every other day...ill need to start again..."virtual"
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Hey girls! I am now 8 days out from my first treatment. It seems I have a new weird symptom every day. It is all so crazy! Though I will say that it IS totally manageable! The worst thing so far was this past tuesday- My hips and knees hurt so bad that I could not even walk! I took vicodin that helped take the edge off, but I still ended up crying myself to sleep. I guess it was the Neulasta shot- I am surprised it took almost a week to do me in! Went in yesterday and they gave me a Toradol shot to help with the inflamation. I feel SO much better now. I didn't think there was really anything they could do for it, but boy was I glad they gave me that shot!
Also- yesterday my tastebuds went BAD!! I can drink coffee and water, and iced tea, everything else tastes like garbage. I also have to constantly suck on hard candy. I have tried a few different mints- some are too strong and hurt my mouth, but others are really nice, and candy canes are PERFECT!!!
I picked up my wig today as well as a few hats. I guess I am all ready for the *next* step...
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Donna- My 4yr old daughter has decided she wants a wig also. I think I will wait until I can get some cute ones in the halloween shops for cheap.
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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
Butterfly14 Clearwater, FL
That's 34. So many enduring together.
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So I did the first A/C yesterday. Woke at 4 am. Big breakfast at Crackerbarrel at 7 (ham, eggs, hashbrowncasserole, English Muffin, tea and orange juice. Took the second half of the anxiety pill I had taken at 4 on the way to the cancer center. Also took a pain pill. Went to main cancer center which is much bigger than my local one, but only 10 miles from my house. They have an Eden spa which does massage, pedicure and manicures, sells jewelry, wigs hats, lots of stuff. They gave me two neat caps for sleep caps which had been donated--both soft, one knitted. AND, although I didn't have an appointment, their wig specilist put on about 25 wigs for me. I tried a mod henna red and went out to show my husband. (My son suggested that I go wild). My husband took one horrified look at me and began shaking his head NOOOOO. That was expected. Anyway, I ended up buying one much more expensive than the one I bought in Atlanta but which is very comfortable. Both of the wigs look much better than my hair which I and then a daughter in law chopped down to about two inches on Sunday, but which still has a little perm on it. It hit me that there is one great thing about this experience. No cuts, permanent, shampoo or rinse for a year. I usually sleep on rollers after I wash it, so no rollers.
While the first A/C took 4 and a half hours, I felt nothing when she put the needle in the port as we had painted it with the numbing stuff an hour before and she also sprayed it with the cold stuff. She drew blood, and there was none of the pain of looking for veins. Then she began all the chemical stuff, and I had no response to any except when I first urinated, it was red as she said it might. I used ice on my finger nails after I cut the ends of fingers off two unmatched gloves, and kept crunching ice chips in my mouth while the A and C went in.
Told the nurse at the end that I wanted her to explain taking the anti nausa drugs. Turned out I should have taken one of a packet of three before I got there. Oh well, I took it after, and then about 6 oclock, the 6 hour one which makes you sleepy. Had a visitor who stayed a little long and I kept going to sleep as I tried to talk with her. Went to bed and slept more than I slept the last four or five days total. GREAT.
Took the second of the 3 pack pill this morning. Ate several prunes and raisin bran and went out for lunch. No salad or sauerkraut, so more soup with my Rubin. Thought I would have to sit still for saline drip at Dr., but when she found out how much water I am drinking, said not necessary. I had numbed the port AND under a bandaide on my tummy. Nurse had me hold the shot which she had warmed until it was fine, and I didn't feel it at all. Oh yes, took one 24hour claridin this morning. Also a tylanol.
The nurse said a gallon a water a day (I have bottles labled in the refrig so I can keep up with how much I am drinking.) We are on a well, and bottled water seems safer. She says to add as much water as I drink cafinated tea or coke as they tend to shrink the veins. OK. I gained 5 lbs in two days weighing at home when I first get up with only panties on. I'm sure it's all fluid. So I am very well hydrated.
Took computer, thick, fuzzy house shoes, shawl and down comforter for 4 and1/2 first trip. Used all of it. Watched a really funny video from daughter-in-law, speaker Joanne Robertson. Take a look at her on Youtube. A card. Am home after dreaded second day. Thanks to all on the board for suggestions, the biggest problem was the fear leading up to it--and the 7 attempts at an IV last week.
I'm going to take the 6 hour anti-nausa pill and hope for a lot of sleep tonight. Sorry to make this so long, but I have read all your posts, and know that I have learned so much valuable info from all of you. It is definitely doable. So far, no side effects. I pray the same for you.
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Thanks for the updates. I am a week yet to start and the fear is rising up. I hate the anticipation. It's hard to control the fear of the unknown. The weeks before my surgery I think were the worst. I keep telling myself that I got through that and I can get through this! Each one of you is inspiring! A friend today told me she couldn't do this! I said I don't want to either! BUT I don't have a choice! I want to be here to see my kids grow up and graduate. That is my #1 goal! So keep the updates coming! Love to you all!!!
XO
Becki
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@Timbek You got this girl! I think you really are going to find that it is probably better than what you are expecting, because most of us expect the very worst. I read a quite once and ai have adopted it as my own. Feel free to share it with your friend. "You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have". You can do this mama. We all will :-). Much love to you girl.
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So glad to hear all went well Cindy! Was wondering about you.
Spent the afternoon at the local BC support store. They provided a wig (went for a diff look altogether), caps, scarves, and knitted hats for free. They also gave me lots of great advise. Was nice to be around other sisters.
Amy have fun today! -
@damiana9 that's a great idea. They are sips cute when they want to imitate us.
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@damiana9 Losing the taste buds really sucks, but I find that it keeps me from overheating so that's probably good. I'll have to try the candy canes. My mouth is so dry all the time. Have you tried the Claritin? I take it everyday because it's my allergy season anyway, but I haven't had any bone pain at all. It's certainly worth giving a try.
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Hi to all, new to this area, starting chemo on 9/25 with something called A, C and Taxol and a port put in on 9/24/ Has anyone already been on this chemo regimen for awhile? My oncologist has me on the 16 week plan and nervous about side effects. Any information would be appreciated and good luck to all here.
Carla
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@Cindi74 So happy to hear that things went well for you. I also found it to be not nearly as bad as I thought. Day one of treatment usually is pretty good. The nurse explained that they put Anti-nausea drugs and steroids so you feel pretty good. I find that things start going downhill about the middle of day 2. My worst days are days 2-5, but very doable. Keep up with the nausea meds on schedule. I take the Claritin regularly and I have had no pain. On those days I just feel pretty blah, very tired, but I just take it easy. Usually days 6-14 are pretty good. I don't even take the nausea meds during the day and I have much more energy although still tired. I find that getting a walk in, even if it's just a little one it helps. Good luck this week. Looking forward to hearing your updates.
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@butterfly14 I am on the exact same regimen. The anticipation I think is much worse than the reality. So far I have done 2 AC treatments. Will have my 3rd on Tuesday. The actual treatment is not bad at all. I'm sure your nursing staff will be nice and informative. Where I go they have nice recliners. They have a TV and they have Wifi. You are encouraged to bring personal electronic devices as well as anything else that may keep you entertained. I find it to be cold, but they give you blankets. I bring a shawl also that a dear friend knitted for me. You are also encouraged to bring a meal and snacks. You are free to eat and use the restroom. My chemo center has a kitchen with a microwave and refrigerator and they provides cold and hot drinks. As far as what to expect when you are done, everybody is different, so it's hard to say. I can only tell you my experience is day 2-5 I feel pretty run down. I have waves of nausea, but if you keep up with the nausea meds you don't really get sick. I am extremely tired. I try to get up and do a little walking everyday. That seems to help. I do take the Claritin 24 hour and have not experienced any bone pain from Neulesta shot. That's pretty much it. Oh, my hair started coming out on day 12 of the first treatment so ai shaved it. Even that was less traumatic than what I had anticipated. Sometimes it just feels good to know you cleared the hurdle. You got this one lady! Keep your head up. It will be over real soon.
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Cindi74- Glad you have the first round of chemo behind you!!! Just keep taking good care of yourself like you have been!!! Wishing you minimal side effects!!!!
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