Starting Chemo February 2013
Comments
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Gals- thanks for sharing about the nosebleeds - I did get the saline nasal spray - I think it mad eit ess dry but still blowing my nose lightly with bloody results.. guess it just dries it so much.
Wildlyshel- thanks for sharing your experiences... I had no idea that they put steroids in the chemo .. but I wondered why I had such a good appetite after the first 2 days of not eating much - it was strange to feel so sick but still want to eat.. didn't have snacks though - just wanted dinner...after I told the doctor I couldn't sleep for more than an hour the first 5 -6 days then he said they would reduce the amount of steroids next time.
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lalady I just made sure I had the brat (bananas rice apple sauce toast) diet and lots of drinks on hand such as gatorade,ginger ale, juice,crackers etc, the basics for an upset stomach. I didn't end up having nausea and I'm on day 5 today. My appetite has been great but I felt better knowing I had what I needed just in case and everyone is different. I also had some mild insomnia with the steroids but nothing too terrible. Hope all goes well for you tomorrow.
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lalady1, I did the same as melody46 and had the BRAT stuff. The other things I really liked, especially when my taste buds checked out was Carnation Breakfast Essentials (the old Carnation Instant Breakfast) lots of protein and very tasty, Dannon Lite and Fit Greek Yogurt, whole fruit sorbet, Quaker instant Oatmeal with fruit, chicken noodle soup and all kinds of puddings.
I'm on day 9 post chemo and was able to enjoy a steak for dinner tonight. Last week, red meat tasted absolutely horrible. Meat in general had no taste. Can't say it's back 100% but much better.
The bummer today is that I seem to have developed some neuropathy (pins and needles in hands and toes). taxotere can cause it. I'll call the MO tomorrow and find out what to do about that.
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TMMO60- I had fairly strong tingling in my fingers and numbness with it in my toes the evening of my first tx. It is still there in my fingers, but I only really notice it if I think about it, now coming up on my second tx this Wednesday. I believe it is a SE from the Taxotere.
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Does anyone take a multi-vitamin during this time? I use to always take one and now forgot to ask the doctor if its allowed... I feel better if I take it but of course don't wanna do anything to interfer with the chemo working.
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Today I go for my 2nd treatment of dose dense Adriamycin/Cytoxen. Still have my hair. How long did others have their hair before it started falling out?
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this morning (day 12) I am starting to shed-alot... guess I will have my husband shave my head after work.. I wish it had happened over the weekend so I could have gotten use to it before I wear my new look to work.. I know once I face my fear it'll all be ok... <sigh>
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IamNancy- I take a daily Women's vitamin. Make sure to clear it with your MO, but it shouldn't be a problem.
My hair started on day 12-13 also. It was upsetting, but by day15 I was ready to shave it all off as it was crazy itchy. I thought that would be upsetting too but it was actually more a relief. Now that I'm a couple more days out, I think I'm ok! Not sure where you live, but once it's shaved it gets chilly! I have taken to wearing a cute little fleece hat around the house to keep my naked noggin a little warmer. Will be thinking of you, hang in there! -
lmmcclure -- I began to shed the day after my 2nd A/C treatment and had my head shaved 5 days later. I figured that being bald could not be any worse than watching my hair fall out! I know how difficult the hair loss can be, of everything I went through I think I shed more tears over that than anything else, but I am now 13 months PFC and have a full head of hair -- it's curly and a color it never was before but it's hair!
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It is good to hear others hair didn't start shedding until after the 2nd treatment. Although I don't want to lose my hair, I want to make sure these drugs are working and one way is for it to kill the good things as well. Sitting and getting my 2nd treatment now. Looking forward to going to lunch with my hubby when I am finished.
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Good morning ladies. I start my chemo journey in a couple hours. Been up for a while, just gave Hazel a bottle and held her for a while, reflecting on things. She's so beautiful, I just love her so much. Had to suddenly put her back in her crib because I was about to burst out in tears. I'm so scared. I know this is to help me, but I'm so terrified. Between having a baby, losing a breast and now this, I just don't feel real. Trying to prepare myself, stay positive, keep hope... trying to see chemo as my friend.
Has anyone been reading cancer related books? I just need some suggestions on what might be a good read. Indepth, inspiring, up to date, spititual, factual, even cook books. -
Mirmirpanda- It's all terrifying, even when you know it's for the greater good. We have to go through so much with this bc diagnosis, it all feels unreal at times. I will be getting my 2nd of 6 tx this week and my nerves the morning of the first almost got the best of me. Now that I got that first one out of the way, I do feel better about it. I just keep trying to stay positive as well. I think that's the best thing you can do for yourself other than surround yourself with people who love you and will support you! I think that beautiful little baby is a wonderful inspiration for hope! When I'm feeling down about all I've been through already and what I have to get through yet, I just look at my kids. Knowing that I'll be around longer because of the chemo makes it worth all the crap. They are a huge part of what gets me through the dark times! You'll find all kinds of cheerleaders on this board too! Hope your first infusion goes well with few side effects!
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Mirmirpanda: It is all very scary...I had my #2AC this past Wednesday and am still feeling tired and drained. We are all different and react differently to the meds being given. There is no way to know what you will experience but I know and all on here know, YOU WILL GET through IT! It may not be easy and some days will be better than others but it is doable. I still have AC#3 to look forward to and many have said that can be the worse one. I try to stay positive. I have a 7 year old son and a great husband. I need to be here for them so I fight on, even at times when I can barely get out of bed. Just keep looking at your baby girl and find your strenght through her.
I am supposed to start back to work next week, part time. I don't have to work more than 5 hours on any day and I have my treatment day (Wed) and Thursday and Friday off. I couldn't imagine working on those days. Friday and Saturday seem to be my worse days with Sunday a bit better. Today is Monday, day 6 and I am still tired. Not sure how I would get myself into work when I start back. I envy those of you still able to work. I don't know how you do it!
Here's hoping to a better week for all of us! Hang tough!
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Mirmirpanda, sorry you are feeling so scared. It's a lot to deal with, I can't imagine what you're feeling with a new baby too. Just keep her in your thoughts and know you're getting well for her.
There are a lot of good books, just depends on what you want to read/learn about. I've read books on alternative treatments, vitamin use, etc. The book "Crazy, Sexy Cancer tips" is good and uplifting. I have found that I do NOT want to read about cancer in any way in the infusion room getting my treatment. I want to read about anything else, the lighter, trashier
the better. But that was just me.I hope your treatment goes well and you have minimal side effects. Get rest whenever you can!
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Mirmirpanda the anticipation is so much worse than going through the actual treatment and you will probably feel a sense of relief when you get through it. Dont be afraid to ask for something for your nerves if you need it.
My face and scalp are in full bloom I feel like a teenager with acne. Anyone else have this problem?
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I am starting chemo on Thursday Feb. 28. I'm not sure if I should be part of this group or part of the March 2013 group. I haven't read through this whole thread, but I read the first few pages. I am nervous because I am having a port put in on Wednesday Feb 27, and then chemo the very next morning. It sounds like I might be in some pain from the port?? I look forward to sharing this journey with all of you.
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Sjreed-welcome to our group, even though it's a rotten reason to join. I think you'll find alot of support here with all of us going through the same things. It's good that we have each other! Good luck with your port, i'm sure it'll be a little sore, but it sounds like it gets better quickly. The nerves with every new thing are the pits! It will go better than you think it will! I'll be thinking of you!
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My hair started coming out around Day 14 after my first round of dose-dense AC/T. Had it buzzed down to a number 1 on Day 16, mainly because it was so itchy. like some of you other ladies have mentioned. However, I don't seem to be doing a lot more shedding since then, i.e. still have a head full of little prickles.
Re: books, I am reading Dr. Keith Block's "Life Over Cancer" and am finding it helpful so far, in terms of looking ahead with a positive attitude.
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Hey Ladies...i bop back and forth between the Jan and Feb chemo pages...but i thought you might appreciate what i posted in Jan this am...i had AC#2 on Thurs (Feb 21st) and i'm doing GREAT. This is TOTALLY achievable for all of us...it's totally different for all of us, too but one of the best things i've read so far from one of the ladies ahead of us i, "the only way through it IS THROUGH IT". We are strong...we CAN and WILL do it. DEATH TO CELLULAR INSURGENTS...its what we're all about...
Ok...so here i am...growing balder as i type...look terrible with mange. However, a theory i've had for decades is proving true: hair does not make the man (or in my case, the woman). I've always had a thing for bald men...just love 'em. Even as a kid, i remember watching The Ten Commandments just to gaze adoringly at Yul Brenner...yum! Even back when bald wasn't cool for dudes, i ALWAYS thought it was very sexy. And when both my first and second husbands started balding (and felt bad about it), i shared "Shannon's Theory of Balding". Deal here is, if you're good looking with hair, you'll be good looking without hair. And if you're ugly, it doesn't matter anyways! And its true...hair is an accessory but it DOES NOT make the person...you are you without hair and if you is sexy, you is sexy regardless of your hair. And as i look in the mirror, its VERY weird to see me with a 1/4" brush cut...that is thinning...but i'm still me. I still have the eyes and cheekbones and lips that make up the face I stare at in the mirror every day...i am still me...i'm just me pared down to the bare essentials. And guess what? I'm still good looking even without hair!
It really does give me an appreciation of how men must feel when they bald- but we have a distinct advantage- our hair will grow back. And its ok if we wear wigs and scarves and hats and sexy-ass makeup and outrageous earrings to make ourselves feel good...most bald men don't even have that as a fall back. Don't get me wrong, i wants me hair back...but i guess the point is...my hair WILL come back. Did anyone see Charlize Theron's hair last night at the Oscars? Fabulous...and she shaved it to the wood for a role 3 months ago...looks great now. And so will my hair. And yours. I'm not going to mourn my hair...its just hair. I'll welcome it back as the old friend it is when it begins to reappear on my head (hopefully in June!!!) but i'm not gonna have a daily pity party because its MIA right now...its a war...and if the price i have to pay to kill all cellular insurgents is my hair? So be it. Lets make it count...my hair is gone for an excellent cause...ME!!!
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Sjreed: welcome to the party! You'll probably find yourself bouncing between both groups. I go to the January group as well as the weekly Taxol group too. I had my port in 6 days before chemo. It was not too bad for me. Because you are having chemo the day after, you might be a bit more sore. If you can, get some numbing cream to put on about 30 min before they stick you with the needle. Lather it on good and that should help.
Good luck and you will find a lot of great support and information on here. It won't take the SE's away but it helps to know that others are dealing with the same thing you are. There are times I don't know how I am going to get through this. When I come on here I feel better because I know there are women on here who are dealing with all sorts of SE's, some worse than mine, and they got through. I have 2 more AC treatments to go and I dread it already. But, it's what has to be done and the SE's mean it is working to kill whatever cancer cells might still be lurking in my body. I try to remind myself of that.
Keep us posted and you are stronger than all of this!
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Thank you! I forgot to mention that I am having neo-adjuvant chemo. I will have my surgery (double mastectomy) mid to late July. If all goes as planned, and I do not require radiaton, I will have reconstruction immediately. I am anxious to get started, scared to death, but ready to get fighting. Oh, and today I met with the surgeon that is putting my port in on Wednesday, he is leaving it accessed and ready to go for Thursday morning.
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Another little saying I found on one of the boards- "the only way out of chemo valley is through chemo valley". I don't know why, but I like it! I also bounce back & forth between our group & January, I find it helpful to read their tips because they're ahead of us.
Sjreed-YAY for letting your port accessed! Much easier on you!
Smethot- you always make me smile! I love your point of view-keep it up! -
Smethot thanks for the smile and welcome sjreed I also started recently on the 20th
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@smethot - Thank you so much for your update - it was exactly what I needed to hear. My hair is coming out like a sheepdog blowing it's coat. I have put off for a week to go have my hair "styled". Tomorrow is the day and I believe I am ready. I am tired of all the shedding and I know this will be the last step (I believe) that chemo can take from me - my hair. On Wednesday I go for chemo round #2 and I am marking it down as one step closer to getting through chemo.
I appreciate everything you said about it just being hair - I needed to hear it - especially on this day.
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Ok guys just returned from my first round of tch so far ok. I tried penguin cold caps but I couldn't handle the cold so now I have to plan for a wig.
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I was so jealous that I didn't do the cold caps but I didn't think I can handle them. I hear that some women can't tolerate the cold.
Was it that bad shahsa??? -
Hi jkelly, I am also 38, have one son 15 months, a wonderful husband and just started my first round of chemo last wed! If you would like to keep in touch I can let you know kind of what to expect, it's much easier than I originally had thought! It has only been a few days since my first treatment though
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Iam a triple negative 38yr woman, I just started my first round of chemo this last wed! I'm getting 16 rounds all together then radiation, this seems like an awful lot to me! If anyone else out there is triple negative please let me know how much chemo they got!
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TNmother
Just to answer your question I am also triple negative and did 4dise dense AC and 12 weekly taxol. That is 16 like u and I am betting these are the drugs u r getting too. Pretty standard for TN. It sounds like a lot but it will go fast. Doing the 12 taxol as opposed to the dose dense 4 treatments my MO told me is much easier and I honestly had an ok time with it. Taxol was easier than AC with different SE. Any questions let me know! I had BMX in may last yr chemo from June til nov. now scheduled for implants in march. Did not need radiation
Good luck
Melissa -
Hi Melissa,
Yes that sounds just like the same amount & drugs I'm getting! Can you tell me the side effects I may get with the taxol?
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