January 2013 chemo group

Jubby,

My MO recommends the claritin the day before the neulasta and for 5 days post neulasta. As for the nausea the Adriamycin is a much stronger emtogenic than the taxotere (meaning it causes a lot more nausea/vomiting). I have had minimal nausea on tax and I take the compazine prophylactically the first few days post chemo.

Hang tough, Sheryl

LisaMM: I wear contact lenses. I am currently on AC x4. I have had no problems with them or my vision. I do throw my contacts out every other week, just to help with any possible bacteria, ect...Good luck!

Haven't been on for about 1 1/2 weeks since my AC treatment #2 - I have been reading everyday though and congrats to all of you who got good news the past week!!!!

Mandy - I have been nauseous since 3 days after my first treatment - so I am going on day 25 of feeling that way - not that I am counting or anything!!  It is exactly how I felt with each of my three pregnancies - it is like constant bad morning sickness....I am also on the same meds as you and none of it helped and my MO said that's all she's got for me - I stopped taking the Zofran because it gave me really bad heartburn and I am also now breaking out in itchy little red bumps on my chest and back area, not sure what caused this and one or two new ones show up every day for the past 5 days?!?!?!?!?!  The claratin really helped me with the Neulasta shot - I take it a day before and then for 2 days after ......

As for contacts - I haven't worn them at all becuase my eyes are dry so I am just wearing my glasses all the time now.....

Monday I go for treatment #3 and I was really hoping for one or two days of feeling good before going for my next treatment - I am still holding out for Sunday!!  I am so jealous of all of you who can still work out!  I try to do 30 minutes on the treadmill of walking each morning, usually only get 3 days in though....tough since before all this I ran 2 miles each morning - I feel 80 years old - I cann't even pick up my 3 year old and carry her out to the car or into the house anymore when she wants me to...you know how when you are first told you have BC and they try to prepare you for what your life will be like for the next year and you think to yourself - not me I'm not going to be one of those people - I am still trying to fight being one of those people ..went back to work after being off a week and losing all my hair with a buff on and it was tougher than I ever imagined (High school teacher)...the kids were great, smiled said hi, one of my students told me he announced at his church that everyone needed to pray for his sick teacher and another student sent me a letter in the mail saying that they missed me every-other week...but the adults tended to try not to make eye contact and the ones that did keep asking - how do you feel, you look good, like your scarf - all well meaning but made me feel like sh** - stop asking me how I feel!!!  And while I am teaching I forget for 40 minute segments that I have cancer, then I have to go to the bathroom in between each class because of all the water I am drinking, and look in the mirror and say "Is that me?"  Don't think my brain is willing to acknowledge how I look....sorry for venting but just feeling very down the last two days....and to top it off, hubby just came in to tell me I have a flat tire on my car and now need to postpone grocery shopping....ugh...

Bryona & ywheels22 ~ Thanks for your kind feedback.  I felt the exact same way about my December, 2012 chemotherapy sisters.  Since I didn't start until 12/27 many of them were 2 cycles ahead of me and I really appreciated hearing their experience as I prepared for my own. 

I am glad to relate that 9 days after AC #4, like Soteria I feel like this round has been slightly easier than #3.  My mental health is definitely better and I think it's because I finally have the appropriate level of medication to try to manage the SEs. I am sick to death of the number of pills and self care procedures I have to implement each day, but I am getting through this round with slightly more ease than #3.  I guess that knowing AC is in the rearview mirror at this point is also helpful!

3littleangels ~ I also got a super heavy and long period shortly after treatment #2.  I think that my body just needed to shed what had been built up.  If you are still "going strong" at 10 days and that is super unusual for you, you might want to contact your MO. I also had a light spotty period right before treatment #4.  Looks like my body is not able to build up the same level of hospitable uterine home month after month while enduring chemo.  My MO is really hoping (and expecting) that chemo will put me into menopause.  Not there yet, but it looks like that may be where I'm headed.   At age 45, I really don't mind.

Yesterday was a sunny spring tease of a day in Portland (rare in February!) and I was struck by how spontaneously happy I was to see the sun, the musicians on the street corners, and the smiles on the faces of people outside.  I do feel like I'm emerging from a sadness of the spirit that comes from the chemo experience.  It is good to feel effusive happiness for a moment again. I've been "enduring" for a long time.  Wishing some easy, spontaneous happiness for all of you.

Have a good weeeknd.

3littleandels- I had two wierd periods. one 6 weeks after having my IUD removed and one 2 weeks later (ended a few days ago). I found that strange because I was like an atomic clock with my cycle before birth control. This past one was heavier than normal. The first was like old stuff (sorry gross). I took note of it because they were so close together. Maybe the hormone flux from hell is upon us. I thought I had a hot flash the other night. All the classic signs. It was impressive. wow!! I am just waiting for the chemopause and then when this is all over they can take out the factory. it's needs to be demolished.

smethot- I actually liked my buzz cut all things considered. I was facinated that my head was so round. lol.  Buzz it to a 0 and have the sticky pet hair roller handy when it starts to really come out.

Hi All, I'm kind of new to this thread, however, I have been reading for a couple of weeks off and on. Hard to get caught up so I thought I would jump in. I just had my 2nd round of TC-H yesterday. So far feeling pretty good. I had some bone pain from my first round, so I'm staying on top of the Claritin. I'm glad I found this page. Its been helpful to know that I am not alone! I'll keep on reading and maybe I'll get caught up. I'm hoping to pick up some tips from some of you that are ahead in treatment.

I am happy to report that I am on the upswing. The fluids definitely helped. I had and still do quite a nasty headache which I'm chalking up to neulasta because i can't logically believe it's dehydration. I drank 80oz between 4p and 10p last night. So I took a half of a narcotic -dilaudid- leftover from surgery and it worked.



I was able to go with my husband to pick up his new car this morning - a jeep he's wanted since forever, and since bc our new mantra in this family is, eff it, seize the day.



So I'm feeling good enough to sit at my sewing table while the baby naps and organize my notions.



Shannon - I love ya girl. You make my heart happy. Leftover elbow skin? How could I have never thought about that before?? That's exactly what they're made of!!!!

cancernoway and julesDenver, Many thanks for the reassurance re: flush and puff face, but regrets that you have had to put up with that SE as well.  It's very temporary, but it startles me.

Nicole - thank you for the advice regarding AC doses 3 and 4. I'll keep your words in mind over these next two weeks, especially "Protect and Preserve". Bryonna. I hope that you feel better each day and you, Mandy, as well.

Jubby - I so enjoyed your description of floating in the ocean.

The morning sun has disappeared, and it's nearly four pm, so I'll opt for some 'preserve time' for the rest of the afternoon. Following my MO's suggestion re:walking the best I can in this winter weather. I'm looking forward to spring when we don't spend ten minutes wrapping up before we head out!

Love the "We Can Do It" poster, Lee. I agree that it would be a great T-shirt.

I've had signs today that I'll soon be shedding like my cat, Buddy. His hair is longer than mine, however! I have grey hair and went for a Judy Dench cut before surgery - then had my head buzzed three weeks ago. I enjoy reading the wig discussions even though I decided not to get one now. Time to find the sticky roller!

I can feel the steroid  wearing off  - I feel very uncomfortably dull-minded - as in slightly brain dead. Think I'll step out on the deck for a blast of cold air to see if that helps!

Sending prayers and good wishes to everyone for comfort and peace this weekend - you women are amazing and are definitley paying it forward with your posts ..

Ciao, Martha

ywheels22,

I have been told that the Neulasta shot is easier each time because the bone marrow areas have already swollen and that the first is the worse.. I hope that is true. I have also heard that the chemo SEs are cumulative and that they will be a bit worse. I do know that I felt worse after tx #2 but I didn't have any pain meds #2 but did have some left #1 so that may have been the difference. I have a history of opiate addiction to pain meds so no one wants to give me my drug of choice. I do have a mild analgesic for tx #3 so we shall see how it goes next Thursday. I do know that I will get through it no matter what, I have to. Be sure and do the claritin a day before the shot and at least daily for 5 days post shot.

Sheryl

Lee - you don't have cancer - the cancer was removed during surgery . What you are doing now - the chemo - is preventative so the cancer will not ever return ! Tell that son of yours that you will be able to beat him around the track in the not to distant future !!



Sheryl - my treatment # 3 has been the easiest of all . I think it is because I know how to handle the side effects better . What helped most this last time is hydrating more and using electrolyte tabs or diluted Gatorade .

My AC #3 has been pretty uneventful so far. I am on day 3 and I do feel tired and totally not motivated. I haven't been sick. I am staying hydrates, eating soup and chicken. Steak for dinner. I am craving protein like crazy. The last round I had a cold and that totally sucked. All the tiredness and exhaustion was magnified by the cold. So that was not fun! So far so good this round. My WBC was 1.4 before treatment and they said they wouldn't treat if it was below 1. Now when I went in for surgery in November it was 5.4. So, I just have to watch out for fever and humans that are trying to infect me. lol

I am going to Home Depot today to buy more house plants. We have a nice uncovered window high above the shower that needs a hanging plant i think. I definitely need more inside. I like buying the one that were in my landscaping in Florida.

Have a good day ladies! May you have smiles and minimal SEs!

ywheels22 - Congratulations on returning to spin class!

Chgogemini - r u from the Chicago area ? Sounds like it in your screen name . I grew up in Downers Grove and moved out to Sacramento in 1984 .

Anyway - each treatment for me has gotten a bit easier - not sure if it is because I know what to expect , i know how to handle the SE' s better or if my body is just "used to the onslaught of toxins " . Today I woke up having that familiar feeling of malaise right before you get a temp. Well sure enough it is up just s degree . Thought I was going to miss that SE this time but guess not . I have never had a neulasta or neupogen shot with any of my tx- my counts are always normal the day b4 rhe infusion so they say I don't need one . But since my onc does not take and mid cycle blood tests I am wondering if mid cycle my WBC goes really low and that is why I get a fever every time . When I questioned him about this last time he said I just "run hot " at this pint in the 3 week cycle .

My top 3 suggestions are brush teeth 3 x a day and use baking soda wines that oftener more and biotene mouthwash after that . Be careful brushing though - use soft toothbrush as gums are very sensitive . Also take a daily acid preventer like Prevacid or Prilosec . 3rd is hydrate hydrate hydrate !!

You did not post what type of chemo so that would be helpful in all of us helping you !

Sandra



My chemo is cytoxin and taxotere just like yours. I didn't have nausea and jn so scared to get it next time.



I was raised in northwest side of chicago now I live in the new Elgin area