December 2012 chemo group

I have one question...are your docs telling you to take the anti nausea pills proactively or are they saying to wait until you start to feel nauseous??

Runnergirl - take the meds proactively!! I took mine as prescribed and I still threw up and once I started vomiting - I just couldn't stop - threw up 10 times and had to phone my oncologist to get help by switching to a different med and getting suppositories since I couldn't keep anything down. Good luck!!

I have heard of the picc line - but I gather both the port and the picc are quite invasive. The difference is that with the port - you can swim, shower etc because it is inside. The picc line is outside of the body and needs to be covered up to have a shower and you can't swim with it. Please correct me if this is the wrong information.

I don't have either of these, so I am relying on my tiny little vein in one hand to get me through 8 rounds of chemo - not sure I will manage it, but my MO is quite opposed to the port.

Lucky you, internutz1! I am having four rounds of TC too, two more to go. I had all possible side effects plus "bonus" after my first treatment with an exception of vomiting. I felt completely fine the day after the infusion, but then after Neulasta shot I've got it all. Really really bad bone pain, stomach cramps, bad taste, sore mouse, loss of appetite, fatigue, itchy rash. Also, my post mastectomy incision lines became infected ( they were completely healed before chemo). After second treatment none of the above except fatigue. Go figure, not sure what to expect next time. Hopefully not as bad as my first one

Runnergirl2013, my doctor advised not to wait for nausea symptoms. I was not taking real anti vomiting pills, I took compazine per my doctor advise. It's anti anxiety & anti nausea drug. Worked for me

I am joining my sisters here on this board since I am beginning chemo a week from today - December 12th. Will be doing 4 rounds of taxotere and cytoxan (with herceptin due to the her2+ status) Going to get a haircut this afternoon and thinking of doing something really short - unless I lose my nerve! I'm a little apprehensive about chemo but have been in limbo for so long now that I'm just ready to get this going. Looking forward to all the wisdom and encouragement from so many brave women here. Let's do this!

day 3 since chemo - tired - tingling in my hands...slight headache. Got a box of chocolate covered strawberries and apples though    If this is all I am going to have to deal with - I am one lucky gal.

My port area was really sore yesterday but just seems to be "bruised sore" feeling today - it was inserted last Thursday.

Elimar - I am so sorry you are going through all this :-( huge gentle hugs

Connie that sounds about how I was on day 3. Hope it doesn't get any worse for you.

Elimar, sorry your port still hurts. Mine hurt for well over a week too. Hope your SE's get better soon.

Paula I am so glad you have no port pain. I wonder why some have more that others. Maybe the technique of the surgeon?

Adagio - I don't have a port either and start chemo tomorrow. I intended on getting it but my oncology coordinator told me it's not essential and that I may as well see how I do with the first round. She said the nurses prefer the port so they don't have to search for the vein but after she spoke with my doctor she was reassured that it was optional. They will want to monitor me more closely I suppose tomorrow. Did your veins cooperate on your first round of chemo?

I went for an hour long walk during lunch today. I decided to keep an online diary monitoring my side effects and overall health during treatment. I have high hopes to come out of this whole thing in better shape than before.

FriendGwen - nice to know that someone else does not have a port. The chemo nurse used a vein on the back of my hand and there wasn't even a bruise!! I am having my 2nd round tomorrow, so we will see how that one goes. How many treatments are you having in total. I am scheduled for 8 rounds - 4 of A/C and then 4 of Taxol. My MO is of the opinion that a port is a foreign object in the body and that our body often tries to reject it. If I can get away without the port, I will be happy since I don't exactly like the idea of a further procedure!! Good luck with your first chemo and keep up the walking - it helps a lot.

I am new to this group (to this whole site really!) - but I think I found the place.  I had my first chemo today :  AC every 2 weeeks 4 times then taxol (eiter 1/week x 12 or every 2 weeks for 4 times...)

Runnergirl and Soteria - rsponding to your back and forth about the chemo's... I'm probably late to the game becuase I am curious and wonder about this... 

I was under the impression that my chemo was pretty aggressive...  maybe my docotr is too aggressive?

I am really frustrated that my doctor is leaving how I do the taxol up to me.... I have heard so many different sopinions but there is really no published stuidies I can find.  Do you know of any?

My familiy is calling me to dinner - my first chemo finished 7 hours ago - yikes!  do  Ieat!  I actually feel good just drowsy (probably the ativan I took) and a little headache...

I hope everyone is hanging in there and just remembering we are doing this for a reason!  I wish everyone the best and am glad I found this place to come to when I need to vent/inquire/talk.

hi adagio - we are on similar treatments.  Is your AC every two weekds???  I feel suprisingly good - just htis headache I don't know what to do about... How did your 2 weeks go between one and two?? So - I got over the nerves about today - now a bundle of nerves about what the next few days will bring me.

Best of luck tomorrow - I hope number two goes well.  Amazing that you will already be half way done with that part!!!

M

Port placement tomorrow, chemo Friday morning. I am nervous....so happy to see so many of you doing well. I will keep u posted on my progress, and everyone is in my prayers. United we stand, divided we fall.

Hi all ....hope everyone is going ok ad hanging strong! How long did your docs say u should take the anti nausea medicine? How many days after chemo???