Starting Chemo February 2013

Hello!  I am starting my chemo on Feb. 25th.  I have to have 4 rounds of TC 3 wks apart and then 36 sessions of radiation.  I have a loving husband, 20 year old son, 17 year old daughter, and 16 year old step daughter. 

Summer, I ended up being the first in my infusion office to try ice chips at the advice of the women here. Thanks, ladies! Hoping it helps. I'm going to try Popsicles too next time. Hoping for no mouth sores.



Re: amt of water I drank - too much....probably close to 6 liters day of chemo. I normally drink about three so when they told me to flush the chemo out of my system, I tried!



Today is day 4 (do you begin the day of chemo or the next?) and I'm tired but ok.



Hope you are all well.

I had the chemo on Wednesday and other than a little nausea and diarrea whch I took meds for, it was ok..  Thursday I had the Neulasta shot and it has kicked my butt! I have been achy, tired, feeling like the flu, low grade fever, sore throat, yucky feelin mouth..it really has been bad.. I took an 800 ibuprophen twice today but still feel bad.. don't wanna take a percocet on top of all that but need relief so might have to.. Is it gonna be like this each time? or does it get better? 

Today I was able to eat without a fear of throwin it up but foos doesn't taste the same - I am drinking tons of water and juice.

I was going to continue working while gone through this, other than taking off a couple days each tiime - but I am thinking I might have to go on disability.. this is just that bad.

Cytoxan/Taxotere Gals- Just wanted to let you know that alll of you should be very proud of yourselves for getting through that first chemo round.  I know it was an intense time for each of you yet, each of you has gained so much knowledge which helps with the fear.  As for the Neulasta pain, you can try taking the regular 24 hour Claritin, the day you receive that Neulasta shot, preferably the morning that you receive the shot and continue taking the Claritin for several more days.  I took it for 9 days and fortunately, did not experience any bone pain from the Neulasta shot.  Please be aware that the chemo itself can cause joint pain and muscle achiness since those are side effects of that chemo regiment.  I have read on the other prior that threads that taking one Tylenol and one Advil/Motrin every 4 to 6 hours may help with the Neulasta pain.  Always ask your onco before taking any of the OTC meds to make sure it's okay.   It is hard to say whether the next rounds of chemo will impact your system like the first one has.  For me, Rounds 2-6 seemed a little easier on me than Round 1.  I hope that this holds true for all of you.  Yes, the taste buds do go on vacation.  Do your best to eat 5-6 small meals to keep food in your tummy.  (A fed tummy is a happy tummy.) Also take your anti-nausea meds on a regular schedule with food since the Zofran and Decadron can upset your stomach if taken without food.  Hydrate but be careful not to over hydrate with water as you can cause water intoxification.  You can drink Gatorade, juice, tea, or eat popsicles, grapes, watermelon to help keep you hydrated.  If you are having trouble figuring out what to eat, you may want to check out this cookbook--  "Eating Well Through Cancer" by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello which has recipes to ease side effects, food lists, and tips to handle some of the side effects.  I was given this cookbook and found it was helpful to have something that I could refer to on hand.   

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and minimal side effects!!!  

lmimp64 - I did take the claritin. I am sure it is helping and can't imagine wht it would be like without it.

Melrose - I think I'll look the cookbook up..I hope you are right and round 2 is easier than round 1

I will have my first round of chemo on Thursday the 21st. A little anxious now and believe by Wednesday night I will need a sedative of some kind. I have 2 boys ages 10 & 15 and currently work 50+ hrs a week as an accounting manager. I have high hopes that I can continue on with my life and keep it as normal as possible with the exception of loosing all of my hair. That's my goal, hopefully I'm not setting myself up for failure. It sounds though like I may need to set the bar a little lower at least for the first round? I am so ready to be done and I haven't even got started. I had the port installed on the left side Friday and it hurt like I had been in an accident or fell from a rooftop. It's somewhat better but still uncomfortable and very aware that its there with every move. I even feel it when I'm twisting the cap off of a bottle with the other hand and with every step I take it jars. I'm tying to imagine having to use it on Thursday and hope its not nearly as sensitive then as it is now. Right now I can't imagine a needle anywhere near that area.

LW - ask your MO or BS for a script for the lidocaine cream. Then slather it on the port area 1-2 hours before you go in. Put a piece of Saran Wrap over it to keep it from getting on your clothes.



It will numb it up really well. I tried mine out at home and that was a nice little nap not having to feel it.



Good luck! I'm starting Monday.

TMM, so happy your chemo went well!    I will be having the same type but not the Decadron, as far as I know. 

Wow, such great advice for food and especially the port! I get the port tomorrow.



I found a recipe to help prevent and alleviate mouth sores if anyone is interested...of course, make sure it's ok for you: white oak bark, sage, licorice and slippery elm 4 -6 x/ day. I have used slippery elm for sore throat before and it tastes odd but I never felt raw from a menthol aftertaste like I get from halls lozenge. It also suggests rinsing mouth out with acidophilus in 1 ounce of warm water before bed, which makes sense to me.



Again check with your MO. I believe in hitting this with medical science of chemo and using a natural arsenal as long as it doesn't interfere with the chemo.



Much love...

Thanks Melrose,  Trying to make sure I'm prepared with things on hand prior to starting.  One more thing,  I get that I need to drink lots of fluids but I'm also seeing that too much is bad,  is there a guideline for how much you should be drinking?

Tons of pain in BMX site.  CHemo WEd.  Pain Sat/Sun.  Really painful.  Not sure if it's the neulasta or chemo itself.  Took claritin/advil, but not really helping at all.

kelbo22 - maybe call your doctor if the pain doesn't get better..

heidi- the fatigue is awful, I agree... but I haven't been able to sleep good -

today I am on Zpac - dr thinks I have an ear infection...maybe thats why I have been having such a bad recovery time...

I fall asleep for an hour, wake up, toss and turn and then go back to sleep... I haven't had 4-5 hours of straight sleep..anyone else having that? Also I haven't felt well enough to go out of the house but when I do, should I stay out of malls, etc? I am concerned being around people who might have a cold, flu. etc.. anyone else?

slv58 - I notice my lips are dry and chapped..

I just started chemo Friday. I have been fighting this bc for four years. I am stage 4. I have had a rough few weeks. Stint in pancreas. Full brain radiation for new spot in brain. Now chemo. So tired. Cannot believe how much this all takes out u. I am normally an active mom of three boys. Now it is an accomplishment to make it downstairs. Would love any thoughts or words of encouragement. I am on weekly chemo does your engery come back at all between chemos?

Jkeller3~

I'm 30, with 3 small children. I started chemo in October but am still going strong through February. What treatments are you doing? You can get a lot of info from reading others post, and if you have any questions just ask. You are not alone!