Starting chemo November 2012
Comments
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5Luvbugs - Hope you're feeling good. How did treatment #2 go?
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Hi there, first treatment today. For those who are still anticipating their first time; here's how mine went. Arrived at 7am; met with clinical trial nurse and oncologist; quick exam and blood work.
Nurse used numbing spray on port and needle went in relatively easy; small, small poke. Blood work hurt more than that did. Started with anti-nausea iv, then ativan. Next the Taxotere, slight swelling of tongue and throat so they pulled it back, started some saline and then restarted, no more problems. Next was the Cytoxan, about halfway through they dialed it back due to the face pressure and headache it was causing. Once the drip slowed, the pressure and pain went away.
Was out by about 12:45 and felt good for a few hours. Then a tight ball of pain in my stomach that hasn't quite gone away after the compazine and several trips to the bathroom with upset stomach. Thought the SE's wouldn't kick in for a couple days so a little disappointed that I feel icky already. Chills, weak, but otherwise nothing else weird yet.
The hair count down begins. I wish all of you a restful night, thank you for sharing your tips, they do help.
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Hi, all. I started treatment Nov. 8.. Have had two AC teatments so far - two more to go befor 5 of taxol.
My biggest issue with treatment one was, get this, hiccuping a lot and some acid reflux. This last treatment, my doc told me to take Pecid AC twice a day. I did and it worked. No hiccups and one mild bought of acid reflux.
The big thing for me now, and I knew this was coming, is how rapidly my hair is coming out. I thought I was prepared but I guess I was not. I think I will just go ahead and buzz it off this weekend.
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Hello Dolls!... WOW!! I've missed a ton in 2 days... I've got a horrible memory to begin with so I don't know what's going to happen with chemo brain...
Mama LuvBugs- What's your address, cuz I'm on my way for some yummy meals!!!! ;p
As for my "port education" all I received were forms on my treatments.. Carboplatin, Taxotere and Herceptin... Apparently I was supposed to take Dexamethasone the day before, day of and day after chemo.. This was something I wasn't aware of.. So did the chemo yesterday and everything went well but last night I noticed tons of pain in my knees. To the point that I wasn't able to sleep, all I could do was moan (don't get too excited, it was in a bad way)
After showering this morning, I noticed my upper arms and chest were hot to the touch and flushed/red.. Went back to MO for my wbc shot and ended up on an IV for an hour and a half.. feel a little better now.. Started the steroid pill and felt energetic but wearing down now..
For those of you new or starting in December, welcome sisters. I've enjoyed sharing with all of you ladies.. You're like extended family.. Cancer sucks but on a positive note, it's brought all of us together. (((hugs)))
I feel the pain returning to my knees and lower back, so I'm going to wash up for bed and try to get a little sleep..
Hugs, Prayers, Positive Thoughts to each and everyone of you
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Good night, everyone! To all us Thursday people, LET'S DO THIS!
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I am in a totally different time zone from everyone, so am always coming in while you are all sleeping, catching up on a zillion posts, and then trying to say something back to way too much information!!
Jennifer - I can't believe they forgot to tell you/give you the steriods! Phew that you didn't have a worse reaction.
Maychen - I was so sorry to see how stressed you were before your first chemo. It isn't fair that you had to experience that, and I hope your doctor and nurses are giving you more information now. Not knowing what's going on is the WORST. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping with everyone else your scans come out just fine - it does sound like you need a turn of good news. You can do it, no matter what happens. As the others said, we have no choice about doing it or not, and we all have the inner resources to get through this.
Txjunebug - sorry about the BRAC gene. I haven't been tested yet, will do it this summer because I have a family history. I was told that the regular MRIs will ensure that any recurrence is found early and is still entirely treatable - for a canadian, the only bonus in testing positive is that it means MRIs are covered.
For those whose steriods caused zits - I wondered what that was!!! I broke out immediately after treatment, and thought it was the chemo. Steriods huh... go figure.
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Thanks everyone for your support and suggestions. I did go for a stool softener and ended up fighting diarrhea for a week! But have finally gotten over the hump on the port pain. I still have a lot of muscle stiffness in my neck, but the radiologists who checked my site did a chest xray to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be because my pain was unusual. So now a week after my first treatment, I finally feel like the nausea is mostly passing and I might have some energy. My oncologist gave me new nausea meds for the next treatment cycle (12/12) so I am hopeful that it might not be so bad next time. Thank you for everything!
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Still doing ok with SE...not feeling 100% just a bit ick...having a bit of a problem going...but Im going (need to take a stool softener to make it a bit easier) and I feel better if I am eating...almost as if I have Morning Sickness...If you know what I mean...
BUT I am so tired, I keep waking in the middle of the night with the mind going 100 miles an hour and then these stupid tissue expanders just cant get comfy..(I am SO much a side sleeper and it hurts with these in SO bad!)..and most of what I am stressed about I can do nothing about...Our insurance is changing the first of the year and my DD has HUGE health needs and the hosptial she goes to isn't in network so we are fighting to stay there...just don't think it is going to work out and wondering how I am going to get all her specialists changed while going through this? Luckily DH is wonderful...but he has taken on SO much!
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How many of you have been told that how well you tolerate treatment is based on your attitude?? Really don't know why someone would say "it's all about having a positive attitude". I almost bit back saying if that was the case then I would have wished the cancer away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GEEZ.
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goodmorning everyone.... i hope thursday girls ar doing great,
I am back home and am vey tired this time. I think the travel and chrisamas shopping took it out of me. I have normal issues constapaion body aches but i can handle them, i am glad to here that us sec timers were beter at handleing it his time.
I had a sad story sitting next to me in infusion. there was a man in his 50's he has 2 girls. he has bone cancer, he was told that day that they have done all they can do, blood transfuision will help with energy and pain control he has 3 to 4 month left. i just can't shack this. today im not so strong my thought are with that family.
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"illness is the night-side of life, a more onerous citizenship. Everyoe who is born holds dual citizenship in the kigdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick. Although we all prefer to use only the good passport, sooner or later each of us is obliged, at leat for a spell, to identify oursleves as citizens of that other place.
-Susan Sontag from her 1977 book "illness as a Metaphor
Siddhartha Mukherjee, in his book "The Emperor of all Maldies, a Biography of Cancer," has this as her first quote and I think for us, it is a good one.
Marian -
Thank you guys so much for the encouraging words. 5luvBugs you have given me a glimmer of hope. I'm trying to get in my mind that even if it is I can beat it. I saw my surgeon today and he gave me some hope. Has anyone ever had a bone biopsy? Do they hurt much? Everyone is telling me how strong I am but they don't know that I am actually not at all.
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Junebug, oh yes. I'm also getting sick of "positive attitude". Someone even said that I got cancer because I was rather negative!!!! I bloody got cancer for the 2nd time, and that's because I had a negative attitude? I'm doing my best to get out of this period as smoothly as possible (if my calculations are correct, it's going to be March before I finish chemo). But I can't say I enjoy this time
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Keetmom ask DD docs to call ins company to help? I just had out of privide bill from my covered hospital after mmeting out of oocke but deductable starts again in jan so am trying everything. And comgort with docs is key with my DD as well....and
Smoothmoves organic tea plus stool softener for constipation
Her2+ people - genentek offers a huge discount program for Herceptin (greay since i have to do infusion for a year, anybody else?) nurse told me and gave enrollment forms to get it syarted when deductable stars over in Jan.
Neulasta offers discount too according to nurse.
Keetmom ask DD's docs to call ins and help out? I have problem with out of network echo test at covered hospital before port surgery and failed with billing and ins calls but told nurses who
Said doc will call directly.. I have DD with lots of drs too and comfort is key to get her to go. G'luck.
At chemo now, like vacay on an airplane flight (emla cream worked great) until later....liver issues thi so changing up meds and no more wine(only had it twice over hiday but ih well... Maybe more potpills with nausea med or ativan if needed to sleep?
Taught class that ran late last night ar ucla home at 11 so hoping farigue wins over the steroids soon..
Rocking a scarf today..,
Hope ur all having decent day and good luck! -
Jealous of you 4:30 gals- im here 51/2 hours every time it seems for the tch and prep nausea, blood tests first, doc meeting after....
how r u doing 5lovebugs? -
Greetings from the chair. Cytoxen dripping now. This place is packed. I should be thankful, I'm still in a semi private room. How is everyone else doing?
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Eleni - what did you say to that rather stupid person?? I just sit there. I've been told by several people in my life that I'm always upbeat and positive. Sometime people say the stupidest things when they don't really need to say anything at all.
sickofpink - I'm usually at the MO/cancer center at least 4.5 hours too. Blood work, doctor, then wait hour for chemo pharmacy to fill chemo script then about 2 hours for infusion. It makes for a very long day!!! Sending you hugs!!!
Itmguy - sending you hugs too. Sound like a rough day at the chemo center. Hoping your mood picks up. Blame it on the steroids!!
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Sickofpink...we are trying with the insurance company...her NSG said it would be inhumane to make her switch...we will see if we win or not..I cant take anymore time worrying about it...have other fish to fry...and the hospital they want us to switch to is a really good hospital it just isnt where we have been for 8 years...
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Is anyone having chemo on Monday 3rd December?
I have the bloodwork on Friday and Monday I go to the hospital for an hour. So it's not that bad.
Junebug: I got that stupid person out of my life and I feel much more positive :-)
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Politico~I'm going to LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER this coming Monday, 12/03/12 at Mount Carmel East Hospital, building #5 from 10 am-noon. Do you know where it is? It's closer than Riverside.
Take 33 west to 270 N, exit at Broad Street Rt. 16. The exit is right beside the hospital.
At least it's on the east side instead of up north.
Blessings
Paula -
CHemo nex week MON lets start the list.
Ellin 1st or 2nd doese?
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I have chemo next Friday the 7th. Should be at center from 10 until 3pm.
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ltmguy: Monday the 2nd...hooray :-)
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Your Dinner is on the table!! Hi everyone, I waited all night for you to show up for dinner = that veal parmagiana, penne pasta and a nice tossed salad, chilled the wine and waited - what, no flights to NJ tonite??. Don't worry, I saved the beef veggie soup , it's easy on our stomachs...
I hope everyone is doing a little better today, yesterday seemed like everyone was getting bad news or some setback - wish we could have a SKYPE get together - we would never shut up!!!! Have a good night, as for me I'm going back to sleep = soooo tired today....No aches or pains though. the claritan before the neulasta seems to help...chat later and remember - don't be late for dinner, I'm the mom, your the kids!!.
PS, I lied about the wine, don't think I could handle it - had vanilla ice cream milkshake instead!!!!
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Eleni - my sister died of a fairly rare cancer in her early 20's. while in hospital in the last weeks, some idiot gave her a book about how personality causes cancer and fixing your personality flaws cures it. nice gift, "hey, it's your fault you are dying". there are a surprising number of smart people out there who believe this.
Itmguy - I'm a next-weeker. Wed 5th, #2 TC.
Is anyone else having some difficulties with appetite (before the steriods kick in)? I had very low level nausea through all the neupogen shots, and after, it never really faded and my appetite never did come back. Am forcing down food (sorry I missed dinner 5LuvBugs!!), but I haven't felt hungry once since the first chemo. Advice?
Maychen - when's the biopsy? i hope it goes well. will be thinking of you. my aunt also had BC that had spread to the bones - she celebrates ten years post treatment this coming January.
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First chemo Friday December 7.
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Powermom~I have my first treatment the 7th also.
I'm going to be getting Herceptin later also. They're finding out its beneficial for Her2 neu negatives too. I'm going to be part of a trial.
Blessings
Paula -
Some people say the stupidest things. Even if some of the things were true, why would you tell someone it's their own fault.
I also get tired of the "be strong", "think positive" sentiments. I know that means well and it there is indeed no point moping about but a) I don't believe it's really going to affect the success of my treatment and b) "see how 'positive' and 'strong' you feel when you are spending 2 hours a day on the toilet, everything tastes disgusting and the steroids make you feel like you want to go to sleep and never wake up. But hey, SMILE!!"
Hair is definitely shedding now and the top of my scalp definitely sore. Just dug out the hats I wore 12 years ago. Better get used to wearing them again. I really like my hair. :-(
Chemo #2 tomorrow. Last time I was there about 8 hours! In waiting room for 2, then they did obs and stuff on me, then waiting for the only nurse that knew how to use the scalp cooling machine, then waiting for it to cool to the right temp followed by chemo itself and 2 hours of additional scalp cooling. Hope they're quicker tomorrow!
Hope everyone else is doing well. -
Hi,
I am new to this site.... I am happy to find others "like" me. My surgeon was great...3 surgical sites healed well and you can't even see the port. She is amazing.
I have my second TC treatment on the 5th. I get Chemo at the hospital I work at, as oppsoed at the Cancer center aross the street. My insurance decided that it would be considered out of network.
The nurses that give me the treatments are very competent, at least 1 of them is a bc survivor.
I had nausea after the first treatment, the my perpetual new seat in the restroom for about 5 days. I am finally feeling like I can eat something other than yogurt and chicken noodle soup, however, EVERYTHING tastes salty. Even water.
My energy level was phenomenal on the steroids for 2 days..... then I crashed. Starting to feel "normal" just in time for #2.
My waist length hair is thinning... time for the Halle Berry cut this weekend. I will probably cry, but at least a friend will be doing the deed.
My weakness is that I never let others know how this is affecting me. I have a really strong personality and get really ticked when I have a low moment. Everyone tells me how well I am doing and how positive I am.... there really isn't much of a choice.... you either get through it or you don't. I just wish they wouldn't say " you don't look like you have cancer"...... how exactly am I supposed to look?
Thanks for listening or reading my post.... I will do better with practice... I promise.
Good luck to everyone with treatments tomorrow!
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Not sure if I can add this link but for those of you still losing hair it is a fun two minute video that my daughter made on our family buzz Mom's hair night:
http://breastcancereh.blogspot.ca/2012/11/buzz-cut-night-at-leightons.html
Looks like a copy/paste though if interested you could just go to my blog which is below in my "signature." I know there is a way to make it a live link but too late at night to try to recall that!
Marian
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