Starting chemo November 2012

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited November 2012

    Eleni we are all here for you...Just stop by.  Tomorrow it will be over before you know it and like Pbrain , drink lots of water it does make a big difference....Embarassed

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  • Traii
    Traii Member Posts: 1,138
    edited November 2012

    pbrain, glad I can make you feel a little better , sobbing was my forteit on Day 3....lol sooky la la more like it I was....hubby thought I was loosing it (well more that usual) lol

    Steroids made me buzz like a bumble bee so it was great I could keep up with my almost 3 year old son at anything ... lol.

    Glad to hear your tummy is getting a little better with that Zofran stuff.

    skimommi , I know what gel nails you're talking about, its a special nail polish...yes my cousin does that.. lol might have to give her a call before next Wednesday my next chemo! I've just been using a Sally Hansen hardner that is anti chip, anti this anti that...well its like my nails are on steriods as to my surprise they are growing quick !

    Day 13 today.....only problem I experienced yesterday and today (since getting a itchy rash on my neck) is sore balls of my feet and my hands are red and sore. It's actually like I've picked up something hot and that throbbing pain....so I'm going to still give that icing a go next Weds..... 1 and a half hours.....I'm not saving my hair but may as well try doing something with my nails ! Nails would be more painful then hair to grow back ( this is the second time around my hairs falling out in my lifetime so I know it doesn't hurt :) )

    Biotine didn't really help me FYI....my mouth wasnt' dry which Bitone is more for a dry mouth...I did the old Salt in water and gargle thing after every meal or snack and within 5 days was ok....don't get me wrong the blah taste is still there!!  

     Good luck Eleni, I think we were all just as nervous as you are with the first chemo session hun its the not knowing what to expect is the worst part of it all.  Positive thinking and ......once its all over, you'll know what to expect moving forward .

    Take care

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2012

    I've got a pinkish rash around the port incision. First thought it was just skin irritated from bandage.  Now not sure. Calling doc in morning.  I don't want this to prevent the first treatment.  The sooner I get started the sooner I get finished. 

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

    Here is to everyone that can use a little cheering up today . . .

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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited November 2012

    Eleni, it is actually much easier once you get started and having the port is good too. The soreness for mine ended totally on day 10 and now it is just part of me.

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  • Dakota212
    Dakota212 Member Posts: 1,153
    edited November 2012

    Good luck today eleni, keep us posted. Hope everyone is S/E FREE!!!

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  • Thankful4mylife
    Thankful4mylife Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2012

    Hi everyone :)



    After I posted some stuff last night, someone directed me to this board! I just wanted to drop in and introduce myself... I started treatment last Thursday. I'm 38 years-old, married, and a mom of 2 lil girls. I've been a mammography tech for 11 years and now here I sit, on the opposite side of the fence :-/! I'm doing 6 rounds of TC, one every 3 weeks, with 4 shots of neupogen after each treatment. I'm having a lot of bone pain...,a LOT! They warned me that it *could* get this bad, but wow....I didn't imagine it THIS bad. Anyone else have similar experience? Does it finally decrease?



    I hope everyone has a good day today :). Nice to "meet" you all.

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  • PrincessPincushion
    PrincessPincushion Member Posts: 74
    edited November 2012

    Hey, Thankful! Nice to meet you, wish it were under better circumstances.

    I just had my first round of TC last Tuesday (like you, I'm 6 cycles, every 3 weeks, with a Nuelasta shot the day after). Yes, my bones HURT like nobody's business the next two days. By Saturday, it was just occasional twinges, but not bad. By yesterday, I almost felt like myself again. So it's REALLY BAD the first couple days, but it gets better. Did your doctor say anything about taking Claratin the night before your Neupogen, and for 3 days after? It does help - that, and Aleve.

    I'm in contact with my doctor... the back of my hand broke out in a huge swollen rash. Called him yesterday (Sunday) and he said it didn't sound like a Chemo reaction, since I don't have it anywhere else. Hoping for some answers - it's hard to type with swollen fingers!

    Other than that.... Well, I've been amazed to see how quickly my energy came back after the first chemo. Still can't taste much, but I guess I'll get used to that.

    Thanks for the tips on mouth sores, ladies. I'm sure I'll be using those!

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  • ltmguy
    ltmguy Member Posts: 49
    edited November 2012

    Eleni u can so do this I worked doing my treatment.  I plan fuctions for non profits. I love what I do. If you have WiFI x-mas shop or do something that you love to do.  Something that can at some point become mindless.  Watch a movie.  You can eat if you want. 

    TriciaM I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time... I hope it gets better.  I have not had any mouth sore or yeast issues but I don't normally have yeast issues so I hope I stay this way. 

    Yesterday was a birthday party for a friends girls that was a all day event.  Today we Honor those who served or are serving now such as my husband. I am rested and ready to go again.

    I will say when you have kids they do keep you going.  My son wrote a paper about me being his hero because of how brave I am for facing this, I told him that him and his brother our the hero's they give me the strenght everyday to face this head on.

    My husband has been wonderful also he has been at every appt. He has cut back hours, he is being Mr. Mom.  I have done everything for years as we are a Navy family.  So this is now his time and he has been in so long that he is able to take the time that we need.  He was only back from deployment a year when we found out.  Just another day in the life of a militery famliy.  You catch your breath just in time for it to be knocked out again.

    I must say we are on a journey I am not sure why we have been placed here but I am going to ride this ride for what ever it has to teach me the good and the bad. 

    Off to be a good navy wife....Kiss

    enjoy your day ladies and keep your chin up and if you are down watch a great movie if your mouth hurts ask for some numbing meds and have a glass of wine.

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2012

    Good Luck today Eleni!!  Keep us posted.

    Itmguy - You're an inspiration to those of us trying to work thru treatments.

    Got hair cut in prep for chemo.  Cut off about 6 to 8 inches.  Big change.  Have first chemo treatment on Friday so I'm sure I'll need you ladies to calm me down on Thursday!

    We will get thru together!!  Hope everyone is SE free today.

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited November 2012

    Junebug bet you look cute with your new hairdo . I had mine cut short too ..getting ready for the big fallout!

    Today is a Good day! Aches & pains Are gone!!! I am 7 days past 1st chemo so day 4,5,6 were rough but I feel normal now. Hope everyone is doing fin

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited November 2012

    Ltmgiy so glad your life is running pretty normal with the kids. My grand kids just got off the school bus and ram to their house. I said I don't have the plague!!!! They don't want to bring me germs. Gotta love them......

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2012

    Thanks TriciaM!  Glad to hear you're feeling better!!!!!Laughing

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  • ltmguy
    ltmguy Member Posts: 49
    edited November 2012

    just checking back

    junebug it is rough not knowing how you will react to the meds keep your chin up. 

    TriciaM I am glad you are feeling better today you will be with your grandkids before you know it but I know it is hard I have one that seems as if he is getting sick and we have asked do I have to leave if this happens they have told me no but I can't be the care giver, well daddy gets to be care giver at home I wonder how that will go over??? Can I micro manger that?

    When my hair starts to fall out I am having close friends over and we are going to shave my head and have  a few drinks.  This is the way I want to take control of it.  It is my way of taking charge and saying to the world I am not affraid or a shamed.  If I still travled the world and did platform work I would do it on stage. Hair to me is just a statment of how we are feeling at a moment in time.  I will use scarves, hats, and make-up for this.

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  • Dakota212
    Dakota212 Member Posts: 1,153
    edited November 2012

    Hi everyone hope u all had a great day. My legs are cramping up think I need to hydrate but overall not bad. I definately thought it would be worse. 1 down, 7 to go. We got this!

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  • michellej1980
    michellej1980 Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2012

    I don't know if I should speak too soon but it seems I may have gotten away with the bone ache. I had Neulasta on Friday and other than some twinges I'm okay. I think the twinges may just be lack of activity as I've done nothing since chemo on Thursday! My mouth is not tasting as bad though things do taste a bit different. I'm finding it harder to sleep than usual. I can usually sleep for England but not now. Don't know if it's the effects of the steroids or the fact I'm not doing enough to tire me out. It's frustrating though because all I want to do is sleep this away. Emotionally I feel pretty shitty. I can't believe that I've just breezed through the last four months, including major surgery, and NOW I have a melt-down. It has to be the drugs - I was fine till Friday, the day after chemo. Each hour, minute, even second is a struggle and the tiniest thing pisses me off. I didn't go to my physio appointment this morning because I couldn't face getting up and dressed. I did go out for dinner with friends this evening but was such a miserable cow they probably wonder why they bothered. I kind of want to be out but don't want to be involved in anything, I just want to observe and take things in.



    Wondering if this is all down to steroids and whether my onc will let me reduce them next cycle since I didn't have any reaction to the Taxotere. I just can't get through four months like this. :-(

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  • Dakota212
    Dakota212 Member Posts: 1,153
    edited November 2012

    Michelle-

    I am sorry that ur day went that way. I can't sleep either and I feel so tired. They told the the third day of steroids was optional so I didn't take them. Now I am wondering if the calf pain is from the nuelasta. They kill they r cramping so much. I am eating pedialyte pops cuz I can't drink enough Gatorade. There is just too much

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2012

    Michelle and Dakota -  I'm sending hugs to you.  I'm sorry that you're having a rough day.   Hope you both get some much deserved rest!!

    I got a bit of good news today.  MRI of spine turned out to just be a cyst.  Feeling thankful is putting it lightly. 

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  • Dakota212
    Dakota212 Member Posts: 1,153
    edited November 2012

    txjunebug-

    Congrats!!!

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

    Politicomama...I'm having 2 ct scans and a bone scan at OSU on Nov. 21, to make sure cancer hasn't spread beyond the nodes. I will see the onc again on the 26, to discuss scans, and port placement.



    Since I have to go in a day after treatment for the Neulasta shot, I may get treatments on Thursdays instead of Fridays. Otherwise, I'll have to go to OSU on Saturdays for the shot. So, who knows, we may meet at the STEPHANIE eventually.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited November 2012

    ltmguy - Love your attitude about the hair falling out - maybe I'll make it a party too.  For some reason, yesterday and today my hair seems oily  and I never had oily hair, I washed it twice..Maybe it's getting ready to leave the head!!!  Let me go get a botttle of wine and call my friendsKiss

    AmethystButterfly....Welcome to the group- those mouth tricks do work, my sores are gone and I think it was due to the low blood count but the Neulesta must have kicked in because I'm clear today...Sealed

    Dakota my girl, hope you feel better tonite and even get some sleep, if not give me a call - I never sleep at night..Like a bat I am...Put away the pedialite and I'll bring a bottle of homemade wine!!!Tongue Out

    Michelle I hope you don't get those darn bone pains but if you do remember they will only last a few days - mine lasted 3 daysLaughing

    Junebug Glad your MRI turned out so goodSmile

    Soteria205 I went for an MRI today and am waiting for the results... Had a bone scan and CT scan a few weeks ago, which showed Degenerative Joint Disease and also osteopenia and arthritic thoracic spine in my " T"-Bones, so it's no wonder my bones ache so much. Yell

    Tonite I feel great, even made a real dinner and cleaned the back porch!!! Cool

    Wink Everyone Have a good night and a better day tomorrow...I'm so glad we all found this site to help us get through this together...

    Fight Like A Girl

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  • Thankful4mylife
    Thankful4mylife Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2012

    Hi Michelle-



    I'm a newbie here but it kinda sounds like we are in the same boat. I started TC on Thursday and I had a complete meltdown today. Sobbing. I've been so "strong" through all this and now I'm a wreck?!?! I go from sadness to anger in a split second. I feel like I was "fine" and now I'm "sick". If that makes sense? Is it all these drugs that are causing all these emotions? I, unfortunately, have had horrible bone pain. I'm on neupogen which I thought was supposed to have less SEs than neulasta....but it has been excruciating. I just got done telling one of my friends that I don't think I can do this for 4 months. I really don't.

    Ugh. So glad to have found this board....

    Thanks for "listening".

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  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited November 2012

    Just had first chemo and have had heartburn after narely eating but stool softener helped other stuff plus lots if nausea meds. But im sposed to teach a 3 hour class on my 6th day and am on the 4th day feeling lousy and afraid to drive. Should i get a ride? Cancel?

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited November 2012

    Hi sickofpink - Are you still awake?  I found that I felt my worst on day 4,5,6 - see how you feel on day 5 then make your decision, if you do go teach I would definetly get a ride..Careful of germs, that's a bad time...

    .

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  • Tlym
    Tlym Member Posts: 115
    edited November 2012

    Hi Ladies-So sorry many of you are experiencing the bone aches and feeling weepy. My first tx was on 11/2 and I had a couple of teary days, I think days 2 and 4, and stomach cramps for 2-1/2 days, most likely from the steroids. Despite taking Claritin and ibuprofen, I also had flu-like body aches accompanied by the chills and night sweats, although thankfully did not run a fever. Day 7 was my turning point: I was well enough to go out to lunch with a girlfriend and do a little shopping and since day 8, I have been completely back to my old self again. It was as though someone had plugged up this gushing faucet- all the aches, pains, sadness just disappeared overnight! I cooked dinner for the past two nights and even started my Thanksgiving grocery shopping today. Hang in there. I know you will all feel better soon!

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited November 2012

    Good Morning Girls

    Haven't slept all night - thought you might want to check out this website when your ready

    www.tlcdirect.org - it's all kind of wigs and hats, supplies,  etc.. inexpensive and is listed by the American Cancer Society.

    This site has hats with hair - cool..... check it out  http://www.hatswithhair.com/

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

    I was on arimidex for 4 weeks, only because surgery was delayed and they wanted me to be doing something for the cancer. I took Claritin, and the only SE I had was pain in my hands, but nothing too unbearable. So, is it good to take the Claritin with chemo too?



    I'm having scans next Wednsday. So, I imagine chemo will start by the end of the month. Doing Adria/cytoxan, then taxol.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • Dakota212
    Dakota212 Member Posts: 1,153
    edited November 2012

    Tricia -

    Thanks for the offer of wine will definately take that over pedialyte pops. Not complaining overall could be worse. At least its Tuesday. Hope everyone is feeling better!!!

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  • ltmguy
    ltmguy Member Posts: 49
    edited November 2012

    Good morning today is my day 6 and I woke up hungry I mean really hungry... I had dinner on the stove and showered before kids were on the bus I have reviewed contracts and started a fire (cold for FL) had ate beds made and now off to do laundary.  I can't belive how much more energy I have today.    have a great day.  surround yourself with people that make you happy.

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  • Dakota212
    Dakota212 Member Posts: 1,153
    edited November 2012

    Ltmguy-

    So glad ur better!! Love the energy, and love ur avatar !!

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