Starting Chemo February 2013

Ackgirl, try and give yourself the rest you need and deserve. It sounds like you are going through a lot. I hope you have friend or family to help.



I was supposed to get a port put in today and when I walked in the department was closed. There was another man there who was also scheduled for a port for chemo to treat his lung cancer. He drove from Salem to Boston and I drove from an hour away. We found out that someone was also driving in from out of state for the surgery. And this happened last year. I want to be mad but I am too tired to be mad. I am just disappointed. I start chemo Friday...but I will postpone it if I can't get in for the port.



Really people...really?

Wildlyshel, seriously? That's awful. I'm sorry.



I'm trying Brian Joseph's. It says to use it for 60 days past treatment too. I emailed them to ask about application and they said to wipe it on brows and on top lashes (as you would eye liner rather than mascara) once a day. Most do at night. I hope it helps as it is expensive.

Hi All,  I am also nervous I start chemo tomorrow and dont have a port but I think I'm going to opt for a pic line because I'm not too crazy about having another surgery.  I also went and got my long hair chopped to chin length today and kinda like it.  I think in about 10 days I'll shave it down to an inch; taking baby steps.  Do you think I'll be getting around a week after chemo and ready to work/drive?  I'm thinking I might need some anti-depressants for this I've been able to deal with the anxiety but worried about depression.

Hi Shady,  I'm not afraid to pop a xanax and totally understand the anxiety I've had ALOT. If you need something ask them you definitely wont be the first and it may make it easier on you.

Shadytrake- definitely ask for something if you need it. I was a total wreck the day before and the morning of my first tx too! When I got there my bp was 150/100! I thought my husband ws going to have a fit. It was all nerves. Once they got it started I started calming down. I don't feel nervous at all about the next one, I just wish it would come around faster-just so I could be done sooner!



Melody- I know it affects everyone differently, but I had the same tx on the 6th and have not needed to miss any work. I seem to get tired a little more, but I can't say that any of my SE would have kept me home-- so far.



Positive thoughts to both of you!

Called on-call doc today.  They seem to think 5 days of chronic pain is normal.  Can't do much more of this & it's first dose.  Am hoping to talk to regular doc tomorrow.

Ok. I got Xanax. They also prescribed Venlafaxine HCL 37.5 mg for my hot flashes.



But I got to reading the side effects of this med. It is an anti depressant and has really bad side effects. I'm re-thinking whether I want to ride out the hot flashes with my OTC Estroven which the Dr says is fine.



Anyone out there take Venlafaxine? What are your side effects?

Just a hair update. Mine started coming out in the shower this morning. Day 13. Why does my body have to keep overachieving?

The steroid is kicking my butt. Itchy burny hands and feet. They said would go away soon. I'm gonna walk a little tomorrow and try to flush it out.



Got the acid reflux so have already started the Omeprezole and Tums. Boy does that take me back to my twenties. Yuck.



I just took another drowsy nausea med so hopefully sleep will come again in a bit. I work WC hours so it will wear off right on time.



Did I say chemo sucks?

My side effects from the chemo last Friday have all been very manageable and I am doing well. I had some constipation from the meds (expected) that was alleviated by taking some Senokot-S. My mouth looks and feels like the floor of a movie theatre (mouth sores and thrush), but we're fixing that with antibiotics and mouth rinses. My energy level is low, but I rest when I feel like it. I get achy and bored from all that sitting around, so I do some light housework.

I took this week off work not knowing what to expect, but I think I will log in and do some work today. When I am tired, I'll stop. Knowing that some of you really had a time of it, I feel a little guilty that I am having minimal SE's. But, here's to wishing all of you as comfortable a day as possible!

It's been the beginning of the end of my hair too ladies.  Started yesterday, and as McKatherine's is doing, mine is overachieving this morning as well.  I was hoping to make it to the weekend before I broke out the clippers, but it may be later today.  I can't stand watching it come out in handfuls like this. Can't have it falling out all over my patients at work the next couple of days. I thought I had myself prepared for this, but now that's it's actually happening, I am a mess.

IamNancy-I had 2 days, not in a row of that problem.  I tried to be proactive about the whole bowel issue whether it be constipation or diarrhea and increased my intake of yogurt with probiotics hoping it might help.  Not sure whether it did or not but what I had wasn't too bad.  I did invest in some Immodium too to help keep it to a minimum.  You could try some A&D ointment-it's usually near the other diaper rash remedies like Desitin, but it isn't white like the others.  It will help turn down the burning and soreness.

Slv58- I have been wondering the same thing about myself & the chemo brain.  I don't know whether to blame it on that or the fact that there is just so much to think/worry/wonder/& stress about that it doesn't leave room for anything else.  I have also noticed that my fingers lack a slight bit of the dexterity I used to have, and they still tingle slightly since my first tx. It was worse that first evening-it was in my fingers and toes.

Such a gloomy, cold, rainy day here.  Guess it kinda matches my state of being today.  I probably should go get the mundane house chores done, maybe it'll take my mind off of the hair a little.

The Bye Bye Hair Days are here......  I really feel for each of you trying to deal with the hair leaving.  I know it's hard.  There are no rules about what to do or how to feel.  You will each find your own way as the hair leaves.  Just remember you are beautiful no matter what and just keep moving forward.

Wishing each of you a great week and minimal side effects. 

reading your posts keeps me going. I don't know how you feel about it but even though the nurses and docs are there it helps to have people who are on the same side of treatment and have ways to alleviate SEs and offer support emotionally. I hope that doesn't sound terrible because I wouldn't wish this on anyone.



iamnancy - you could try hemmoroid wipes...they have a little bit of numbing in them.



Getting port tomorrow. Yeah, there is a story there. Lost it on with the girl on the phone when she copped an attitude with me after I complained about them scheduling me on a day they were closed.

WEll counts are great.. round 2 for me tomorrow, round 1 went to me

. Lets go. bring it on

I really appreciate all your ideas - did try cottonelle yesterday but today tried the hemmorroid wipes and hope they are my answer

I called today and asked for something to help me sleep - I just feel its hindering me from feeling better not getting the right sleep - body needs sleep to heal - I tried to go to work today but only made it through half day..

LisaMM - you are a week ahead of me so I figure I have about a week of hair left, however, the hair I have has died!! I can't do anything with it and even when I wash it, it looks lifeless and greasy.. I have an appointment with my hairdresser for when the shop closes today - he is going to shape my wig... and I think I need him to cut my hair shorter - I already wear it short. I dread the hair loss and wig but I do take comfort in knowing you other ladies are facing it also.. and I believe any of you that have long hair may have it worse than me..

Wildlyshel - glad you are getting port tomorrow and good for you sticking up for yourself!

Heidi - hope tomorrow is a better day for you.. if we just had nice restful sleep and no pain at night, we'd have an easier way to face the day.