Starting Chemo February 2013

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  • shadytrake
    shadytrake Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2013

    Well I decided to take the Venlafaxine.  So far I feel like I'm kind of numb all over like a little tunnel vision.  I felt the same way back when I used Enderol for stage nervousness in symphony.  I'm going to give it a shot because the hot flashes with the chemo are much worse than they were with just the surgical menopause after my DaVinci procedure.  Chemo has put them on overdrive.

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited February 2013

    I am not sure who first posted this link - or where the thread even is but I just received a lovely free scarf from www.goodwishesscarves.org  they will make and send you a free scarf or head wrap... The one I got is beautiful - with a sweet card filled with good wishes..

    just thought I'd tell you about it.

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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2013

    Iamnancy,

    What a great site and idea. Thank you so much for sharing. I just requested one.



    Today is day 7 for me and I'm a little more tired. The roof of my mouth and gums feel like they have been burned. I have been using the biotene and baking soda/salt mouth wash. Taste buds seem totally off. Anyone else getting this?

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  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 230
    edited February 2013

    RdRunner: I have round 2 tomorrow as well. Here's hoping we both do okay with very minimal SE's!

    IamNancy: Good luck. Tuck's wipes help and using aloe baby wipes might help too. It's hard to know if we'll experience one extreme or the other at that end. I had some constipation but not bad I have been taking 50mg of Colace (non laxative) everyday, which has helped.

    Shadytrake: hope it gets better and ask for anything you think you need. Many times they don't offer it but if you ask, I be you shall receive!!!

    Round 2 for me tomorrow (AC) with Nuelasta shot on Thursday. Dreading it all. Hang in there everyone!

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  • LisaMM
    LisaMM Member Posts: 120
    edited February 2013

    Lmimp64-I had the same thing with my mouth! It felt like I burned it & I couldn't get enough to drink. I just kept brushing and using the salt/baking soda rinse. I got it on day 3 & it's been alot better for a couple days now-today is day 13 for me. My tongue is still just slightly weird.

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  • Hildy910
    Hildy910 Member Posts: 319
    edited February 2013

    ywheels and rdrunner, this time tomorrow you will be halfway done with the AC--2 down, 2 to go! 

    Wildlyshel, I was treated in Boston as well, and am sad to hear that your place did that.  If it is the same place I went, they do take very good care of you during chemo.

    I'm sorry that the time to say a temporary adieu to your hair has come. It stinks, and it's hard, and I'm really sorry that you are having to deal with it.  But you will get through it.  I shaved my head a year ago Feb 13th, and have a normal head of hair today. It's a short hair cut, but it looks like a proper style.  

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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2013

    Thanks Lisa. Did you try that magic mouthwash stuff or is that only for mouth sores?

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  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 230
    edited February 2013

    Hildy910: Your optimism is awesome! Looking at it that way makes it easier! Thank you!

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  • TMM60
    TMM60 Member Posts: 190
    edited February 2013

    lmimp64- yes, same for me on the mouth feeling like it was burned.  I got it on day 3. It looks and feels like a movie theatre floor (LOL!). I have mouth sores and thrush (yeast infection) but am sucking some clotrimazole tablets 5 xs/ day to knock out the yeast and have a lidocaine mouth rinse. Taste buds have totally checked out. Made meat loaf and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight. DH liked it, but tasted like cardboard to me- oh well! Somehow my sweet taste buds are still intact and I enjoy greek yogurt and Carnation Instant breakfast to give me the protein boost I am craving.

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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2013

    That's a coincidence. I still like Greek yogurt too. And chocolate thank goodness. :)

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  • TMM60
    TMM60 Member Posts: 190
    edited February 2013

    Yea! At least we can still taste and enjoy the sweet stuff.

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  • DebbD72
    DebbD72 Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2013

    Hi JKeller. I started my chemo last October and I am done now. I had 8 treatments every other week (16 in all). i had 4 A & C and 4 taxol. I have a 4 year old (3 when I started) and a 16 year old and a husband. I am also a teacher.



    My advice... Stay positive. I had a positive attitude going in and swore I wouldn't let the cancer and chemo run my life. I believe that really helped me get through with minimal difficulty. I worked full time (I taught in the morning and did my chemo treatments in the afternoon after my regular classes had been taught in the morning.) I also did acupuncture and ate a lot of kale, spinach, asparagus, fish, and this wonderful stuff called "Miracle Broth" made of lots of veggies (it tastes great! I still make it and drink it). :-)



    Above all else remember to do what is best for YOU. You will get lots of advice and it is always nice to hear what has helped and worked for others but bottom line... you have to do what is right for you.



    Just remember you can do this and I am sure you will do AWESOME! :-) Hang in there and never let it get you down. This may be difficult at times but try to find something or someone you can turn to to stop the negatives. For me it was my kids, especially my 4 year old. She used to love to play with my hair combing and styling. When lost my hair she would smile and rub my head and say, "Mommy don't worry it will grow back. I love you." She then would tell me her funny little jokes. It really helped me get through. We even had wig fashion shows, she loved those.



    Good Luck with everything and my thoughts and prayers are with you. - Debb <3 :-)
    <br />

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited February 2013

    Hi Everyone, So went in all prepared to start chemo today and found out I was supposed to take the meds for nausea first so- psych! going back tomorrow morning.  Is anyone on here not taking the neulasta shot? 

    Wildlyshel good for you!

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  • LisaMM
    LisaMM Member Posts: 120
    edited February 2013

    Lmimp64- I didn't try any other products for my mouth, just the salt/baking soda mix. And brushed alot more. I didn't get any sores, just odd feeling.



    DebbD72-thanks for the encouragement, I really needed to hear that right now!

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited February 2013

    Lmimp64 - glad you checked the site and asked for one.. it took about 2 weeks to get it...its so nice and pretty and with the well wishes card, I almost cried. I have the mouth thing too... the roof of my mouth feels rough like there is a rash there - food tastes a little off but it doesn't seem to be as bad as it was at first.. again, for me, sweets still taste perfect!

    Melody46 - lots of us take Neulasta .. they say to use Claritin starting from the day before the shot and for the next 7 days .. my dr and nurse both told me that..that it helps with bone pain.

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  • DebbD72
    DebbD72 Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2013

    I only had to take the Neulasta shot with the A & C drug, so 4 of them. I didn't like them. the chemo was easier than the shot. The chemo didn't make me feel bad the shot did. I did my chemo treatments on Wednesday's so that I had the weekend to recover. The sots mainly made me tired and hurt the upper thigh area. Other than that it wasn't too bad. I got the shot the day after my chemo (a Thursday) and was fine enough to go to work by Monday and felt better by Tuesday.



    I fought getting it because my white counts never fell and I would always ask, "Well since my counts are up do I really need the shot?" They would always say yes and because I am a teacher I got the shots. I did not however get the flu shot. Knock on wood I have been fine.



    Good Luck with it! :-) Hugs, Debb

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  • Wildlyshel
    Wildlyshel Member Posts: 48
    edited February 2013

    Shadytrake - hope the Ven works for you!



    IamNancy- I ordered the scarf. Thanks for sharing the link. :)



    Deb - is the miracle broth recipe online?



    Hildy910 - I was in the waiting room with someone else that was scheduled that day too who had had the chemo and said they were fabulous at the Infusion center. It's good to hear that from someone else also.



    Chemo on Friday - need to get together CTB...chemo travel bag.



    Much love!

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  • Heidi9256
    Heidi9256 Member Posts: 87
    edited February 2013

    Morphine is proof that God loves us! Feeling much better now after an entire day of debilitating pain.  Started last night with aches (not unexpected) and worked itself into all over muscle, joint, nerve pain.   It was was like being gnawed to death by a herd of chipmunks.  MO called in Tramadol and that helped - the chipmunks moved on.  Then the most severe back pain started - WAY worse than the chipmunks.  All I could do was pace & sweat as it was too painful to sit or lie.  I now have a script for oxycodone.  I'm just chillaxing here watching the pretty unicorns!  Anyone else having anything like this?  I've read that taxotere causes pain but I was not prepared for that kind of pain.

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited February 2013

    A Neulasta shot or Neupogen shots are usually given after the first round of AC chemo and every chemo after that when the AC is given dose dense ( chemo is every 2 weeks.)  The nadir period coincides with the next chemo round so the counts need to be high enough to administer the chemo.  Another way to look at the shots is that it prevents one from having to make a trip to the emergency room in the event an infection occurs and possibly overnight stays in the hospital.  The bone pain is because the shot/shots are working on the bone marrow.  I received my shot in the tummy rather than my arm.  It felt like a little bee sting when I was injected but the shot area never was sore. 

    Sorry to hear that the taste buds have gone on vacation.  Hope they return soon and everyone's mouth issues subside.  Just keep pushing forward and through all of this; you can do this.  Wishing everyone minimal side effects!!!! 

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  • shadytrake
    shadytrake Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2013

    I think I posted before but chemo brain is setting in already.

    My friend made my chemo caps. Her website is www.So-Southern.com

    If you type in the coupon code VIPDISCOUNT, you will get 10% off. I'm trying to share a photo but I'm having trouble tonight. They are really pretty.

    Here is the link to my flickr so you can see a couple of them. http://www.flickr.com/photos/shadytrake/8491324750/

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  • JoelleKC
    JoelleKC Member Posts: 24
    edited February 2013

    Hi - I am 40, actually found the lump on my birthday... I have two kids as well 8 & 12. My daughter, the 8yo is completely fixated on the fact that I'll lose my hair. I had it cut short last week to try and help it go in stages. I told her that when I lose my hair it means the medicine is working, that seemed to appease her for now.

    I am also stage IIa, scheduled to start chemo on 2/25. I find myself sleeping less than ever. Not sure what to do about scarves or caps, hoping I am coordinated enough to tie scarves and have them look good.
    Starting to get nervous, I seemed to do a pretty good job of compartmentalizing, dealing only with the surgery, then the drain removal, now the reality of chemo is starting to set in.
    Having my port in tomorrow, so I guess there's no denying it any longer.

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  • jayjayc
    jayjayc Member Posts: 69
    edited February 2013

    Hi JoelleKC,



    I'm so sorry you've had to join this group, but believe me there are some incredable women here that have helped me so much..... I'm sure they will do the same for you. I've been pretty good at compartmentalizing too and it's gotten me through so far..... I just think about and deal with the next thing and try to stay away from the black hole of then what next, and next....



    I'm continually shocked at how young so many of you are...... I was 48 when DX (49 now) and thought that was crazy young to get BC.... but have found out that lots of women are getting BC in there 30's and early 40's...... so now I'm suddenly not as young as I thought LOL



    If you have questions, need to vent, what to share a story, or just need to be told you'll get through this (AND YOU WILL) just let me (and everyone else out here know)...



    Here's to a quick and easy port placement tomorrow.....

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited February 2013

    took sleeping pill last night - feel so much better today, its amazing.. went to bed 9:30 only woke up once at 1 and next time it was 5:30.. thank goodness, I almost feel like myself.

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  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 230
    edited February 2013

    Debb: You had the exact same treatment and schedule as what I am currently doing. Round 2 of AC is in an hour and Nuelasta shot tomorrow. I did not do well with the shot. Very bad pain and aches. I have perceset for the remaining 3 rounds and hoping that helps. I was also better by Monday though I marvel you could go back to work that soon. I am out for 6 weeks because of surgery and hope to go back part time during treatments. I am not a teacher but work in a school district and my office is in an elementary building.

    Thank you for your words of encouragement. Did you find the Taxol eaiser?

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  • caitlin61
    caitlin61 Member Posts: 214
    edited February 2013

    I have Round 2 of AC (dose dense) tomorrow.  First round was quite tolerable in terms of SEs - just some nausea and a fair amount of GI burn and intestinal unrest.  The Neulasta shot didn't seem to bother me - perhaps some minor short-lived aches and pains.  Hoping Round 2 goes reasonably smoothly too.  For me, Day 4 was the low point last time and then I started feeling gradually better.  Felt pretty good by the end of Week 1, and now feel back to normal - just in time for the next dose!

    I still have my hair (Day 14), but I'm expecting it to go any day now.  Planning to have it buzzed off Friday night, but hope I'm not jumping the gun.

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  • lmcclure4477
    lmcclure4477 Member Posts: 180
    edited February 2013

    Caitlin61: I had the same exact symptoms as you and actually handled the chemo pretty well. By Day 5 I felt much better and this week I feel great! Have been walking 30 minutes a day. I am also dose dense. What medicines are you getting? I am getting Adriamycin and Cytoxen right now. I go for my 2nd treatment on Monday. I am hoping I handle it well the 2nd time around. I hope the side effects don't get worse with each treatment.

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited February 2013

    Got through my first round this morning with a minor glitch.  Taxotere didn't like me so I had an allergic reaction right away ie couldn't breath, nausea, turned red, but I was so high on the iv of lorazipam I didn't freak out and the whole thing was over in less than a minute with benadryl and more steroids.  So after I calmed down and vitals were good we resumed with no problems.  I thought you could peel my poor mom off the ceiling though.  They are also going to wait and see on the neulasta shot, its there thinking that because of my age (46) my body may generate the white blood count to an acceptable level without it.  We'll see when I go back for my nadar is that how you spell it? on the 4th.  Dr. also recommended ginger tea and capsules for nausea so I picked some of that up. 

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  • LisaMM
    LisaMM Member Posts: 120
    edited February 2013

    Well, not much hair left to go.  Wore my wig to work today and got many nice compliments on it.  I couldn't wait to get home to remove it and give my itchy noggin a good scratchin'!  I think given some time I'll get used to it.  Definitely more comfortable off though!  Today was not as traumatic as I had envisioned.  I know there are worse things to worry about, but it was a big hurdle I wasn't sure I was going to get over.  But I did.  Next up: 2nd tx next week and wondering if I'll get through it with about the same amount of SE as the first.

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  • shadytrake
    shadytrake Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2013

    I'm dragging today but I'm still going to go to the Tigers game tonight.  I think the high energy game will help spark my appetite.  I'm going to get some peanuts or maybe a pretzel with mustard.

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited February 2013

    LisaMM- you really faced your fear today with wearing your wig - never thought about itching.. someone told me they used Johnson and Johnson Purpose - not sure if its a body wash but I sorta think so... they used it to sooth their head.

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