December 2012 chemo group

I also have to get the picc line for 3 and 4 because my arm got red along vein line after the first two. Is someone saying that I can get part of it out and then back in for the last one or does it have to stay in for the two treatments?

Soteria205 ~ I am also struggling with AC round 3.  The SE's hit immediately and even though I went back to work today, I felt like I was scratching and clawing my way towards something resembling "normal" energy level, ability to think, queasiness level, etc.  The after work nap is no longer a luxury....I basically pick up the kids from school and then come home and pass out.  I'm so lucky to only have to work half time.

I'm curious to hear about how AC #4 was for folks ahead of us on this schedule.  I'm seriously thinking about building in another day or two off work (it will wipe out my sick time but I gotta be realistic here).  For those of you who have done all 4 turns on the AC carousel, how was your experience with #4 compared with the prior 3?  Your honesty may help me with my planning.

I'm also super curious to hear how the Taxol turns might be different.

Thanks all.

I finished up round 4 of AC take weeks ago. Round 4 was the most difficult for me...but I think I've had it easy. Fatigue lasted a couple of days longer,and nausea was a little worse.



I started taxol yesterday. In addition to the anti nausea meds they started me with benadryl, zantac and an additional dose of steroids to prevent any adverse reactions to the Taxol. Once they started the Taxol, they put on ice mitts and booties to help prevent neuropathy.



So good, so far...no SE s and I haven't crashed yet.



I also have lost most of my head hair,but have some left as well...and I think it is growing. I did have my mid point MRI results yesterday and the chemo is working!!!



Just 3 more rounds of chemo...then surgery,rads and tamoxifen. One day at a time right?!

Nicole503 - I would build in the time, don't push to hard.

Soteria205 - I am the same way I really have to get a burst of energy to get around. 

I have TAC all in one day so I can't tell which gives me the most greif but I am worn out for a week straight.  Mine hits me the night of treatment.  The feelings are hard to articulate other than I feel weird and not myself.  Thank goodness for daycare, my mom and short term leave.  I can't wait to finish these steriods. 

On a side note I had a little fight with my MO - I asked when I would have my next scan to make sure it hasn't spread since I am TN, he indicates that he won't do any blood work or scans unless I have symptoms.  I feel he has no preventative measures lined up.  Not that I really want to have scan anxiety.  It ended with me saying I didn't agree and whatever and him saying you just don't like my answers.  We actually have a good relationship/partnership but all that really pissed me off.  I was crying even before going to the doctors office yesterday.  Very emotional this time, not sure if it is bc it is the half way point for me or what.

Have a good day, got to get the kids ready and climb into my chemo cave before fluids and the bone pain shot.  Love you ladies.

Bren58- that is great that you have #4 behind you.  Is that the last one?   I am on TC and that is a total of 4 rounds, I wondered if it is the same for TCH.  I hope for you it is!  I have round 3 this Friday so I know my SE's are just around the corner again 

I wanted to share with all the ladies that I took a Gentle Yoga class yesterday through Life with Cancer.  It was not as physical a class as other yoga classes I have taken before BC, but it was wonderful to stretch and meditate.  I highly recommend it.  I have been feeling so blah and achy and tired and it was great to do something to settle my mind and stretch my body.  I know many of you have said that your energy level is low, as is mine, and this class was really nice.  Just wanted to share.

Hope you are all having a good day today.

Bren58 - ugh.  I had that same thing last go around.  The only thing that was tolerable was butternut squash soup and yogurt smoothies with banana and strawberries.  I think when our tongue goes sort of numb and our tastebuds go it's the texture of the food that becomes appealing.  

I also used the magic mouthwash which helped tremendously.  I found the only flavoring I could taste was salt so i gravitated towards salty foods and I added salt to my food for a few days.  Not my usual preference but it worked.  

Hope the days ahead treat you well.

Hi Ladies,

I jumped over from the January group, I hope you don't mind..  I had my first T/C treatment January 10th had mild SE's except for a headache that wouldn't go away. They seem to think that was from the Neulasta injection because it didn't start until day 3, but last for 4 days!  They told me to start taking the Claritin two days before and 5 days after I sure hope this helps.  I know the chemo is cumulative, so did the SE's get worse each time, or just different each time?

Thanks in advance,

Carla

Hi Carla,

I have had 2 rounds of TC so far and I have round 3 this Friday.  I also had that terrible headache with round 1 along with aches and pains from the Neulasta.  Round 2 wasn't necessarily worse, it was just different.  

I experienced a loss of taste buds with round 2 and thrush.  The nurse prescribed Magic Mouthwash which worked really, really well.  Round 2 also brought on the chemo fog, hot flashes and just an overall feeling of being tired.  I surrendered with round 2 and took naps when I could and let the kids clean up after dinner

I try as hard as I can each day to keep perspective and I encourage you to do the same.  The side effects are temporary...super annoying, but temporary.  You will get through this.  The prize at the end is totally worth it all. 

Take care.  I hope tomorrow is a great day for you!

Bren58 - What exactly is the magic mouthwash again?  My tongue is coated with white and is super sensitive.  I restarted the salt/baking soda rinse but I think I may need to take it up a notch because I am suffering.  My acid reflux has been godawful today today - not resonding to the licorice or tums or pepcid.  Waaaaaaah!

At least the nausea has passed for this round.

Nicole,

My indigestion was horrible after my #3 of TCH. Had a hard time swallowing, felt like a lump in my throat. I would recommend calling your MO to help. The nurse doubled my dose of Omeprazole (which I take every day already). Wish I had called sooner. Hope this helps.



Does the Magic Mouthwash help with the taste issue? I haven't had thrush or mouth sores, but if it helps with taste, I will ask for some.

My mo gave me a prescription to prevent mouth sores , I ( knock on wood) have not had any mouth sore issue through first two treatments and I also use the biotene products.

I am so grateful for sympathetic and caring oncology nurses!  Huge shout out to the hiring manager at Kaiser who hired the wonderful nurse who supported me this morning.  

I feel like in the last 24 hours, my entire GI tract (from stem to stern as they say) got annhilated.  My acid reflux got completely out of control and I ended up vomitting after dinner last night.  It's crazy that I've been nauseous off and on after every treatment but was not actively nauseous yesterday and then the acid reflux caused me to throw up.  Let's just say it was an unpleasant night!

Now I have a prescription for generic prilosec and hopes that tomorrow will be a better day.  I also got the magic mouthwash and completely agree with Sandra60's review that the total numbness is a bummer.  It's a bummer that I will endure for now because I was so miserable but I'm hoping not to need it too much in the future.  

The other thing I got was a prescription for Nystatin which I am a bit mixed about.  My tongue is definitely whitish and super sensitive but I've been religious about taking probiotics and have been doing the baking soda/salt rinse.  Perhaps those measures are really no match for chemotherapy's brutish nature?  I see that the side effects of Nystatin can include nausea, stomach discomfort, vomitting and diarrhea.  I don't need to invite any more of THAT into my life.  Have others on this list taken Nystatin and was it worth it???

Thanks for being the place where I can come when the going gets rough and benefit from the wisdom of those who travel this rough road with me and slightly ahead of me.  You women are blessing!

Hi everyone. I'm mentally preparing for AC 4 this coming Monday. Finally I have gotten a break with the whole bronchitis coughing. The last 2 days miraculously I feel human again. Round 3 was awful for me, but I am hoping #4 won't be as rough since I have crawled out of the bronchitis.



PICC line inquirers--- I've had my PICC since I started chemo. It is what I would call "bothersome". It is a serious decision. You can't take the PICC in and out between chemo's. The PICC is a cardiac catheter. The tube is inserted through your arm into a large vein. The tube runs from your arm all the way to the very top of your heart. Make sure you understand what you are getting, why, potential complications and the ongoing care regimen. You cannot get the external PICC line or entry site wet...no swimming, Saran wrapped and taped for shower and bath time. If you have it for an extended time, it itches (a lot!). It is always covered with a tight clear-view PICC bandage and a mesh sleeve which is changed weekly by an RN. If you have any other questions let me know. I don't mind answering.

Dawn1008 ~ Good luck on Monday, Dawn!  I'm right behind you with AC #4 on Thursday.  I'm nervous too.  Round 3 was really tough for me and I do not feel the energy "bounce back" that I felt after 1 & 2.  I'm definitely in a weakened condition and nervous about where the 4th dance with AC will take me. 

On the upside, I've gotten much more diligent about self care (napping, working from home, saying no to social invitations, etc) so perhaps that will see me through the upcoming storm.

Wishing us both well!

Carla - I guess I am exactly 1 week behind u on TC - I go in next Thursday for # 3. I do hope your headache gets better - ibuprofen always works better for me than Tylenol so hope it does for u too !

It will be interesting to see if i get the neupogen shots this next round . In sharing privately with other posters I am amazed at the difference in how the mo decides if u need these or the neulasta shot . I was told it was dangerous to have those if your counts were normal ( I remember now that comment was from the nurse - not my mo - so maybe she is incorrect ) and that is why I have not had any - but that does not seem to be the case with quite a few posters . I am just wondering with me if it is cost vs benefit issue since I am with an HMO . Welcome to the world of managed care - more to come in the years ahead wih the affordable care act I suspect .

Good luck to Dawn and Nicole on your next rounds - looks like u are getting very close to the finish line YEA !