Starting chemo March 2013

Hi, ladies

It's been 5 days since my 1st chemo, I'll just focused on how I felt these few days.

1st day: nausea /vomiting feeling. took a compazine, not much help, took a nap, able to knock off by 7pm.

2nd day: got neulasta shot, no major complaint, till 7pm, major heartburn, took a nexium, help a little bit

3rd day: still heartburn, feel v. tied on my right mastectomy surgical site, not sure anything to do w/ neulasta??

              also, feel tight when I floss my teeth at nite.

4th day: okay with the stomach, but v. tired.

today: feel okay, just not myself, no energy.

everyones is different... I hope minimal S/E for any sister starting chemo. It's not easy, but we have to be strong !!!

Dimples, I had a big ole steak for dinner last night!  My appetite remains the same, but I'm a runner, so I have always tried to fuel.  My hospital has an oncology nutritionist that works with you to help you heal with food to minimize side effects.  She recommended trying to stick to 1500 calories a day, eating smaller meals a few times a day, eating protein at every meal, lots of foods high in iron (spinach, kale), and eating a little lean red meat several times a week.  Someone mentioned heartburn.  I did get a tiny bit of heartburn but tums took care of it.   I've heard that spicy foods and acidic foods can be tough on the tummy. 

Thanks much dimples68!

As matter of fact, I'm 46 and as you said I was health b4 be diagnosed. Actually my onco was suggesting me to have 4x AC, but ( it always a "but" after the suggestion!) the SE will be very server. Since I'm not working right now, CMF might be another option for me which easier for me to tolerate the SE. However, since most of you are taking AC, so it's really got me hesitated!!!



Btw, done my port today, everything looks fine except my shoulder pain is really killing me!!

Hi ladies,



I was diagnosed about ten days ago and will get my first chemo on Monday. I'm 40 years old. My biopsy also confirmed mets in my axil. lymph node. The BS I saw advised to have neoadjuvant therapy before the surgery. I had a petscan today to see if I have it anywhere else. It's scary to even think about it.



I read as much as I can about the experience, so much information on this site! I'm really thankful to all women posting here.

Tg1,



Sorry you're here but when I first joined I was so scared. It gets better and we're all here to help you get through this.

I did my first round of chemo on Wed. March 13. I just wanted to share that I have been waiting for all of the SE to start and have prepared well.  I have experienced NO SE expect for being tired and emotional.  I keep waiting for the shoe to drop on me.  I had the neulasta shot the day after and took the Claritin (generic) as stated in previous posts and have not had any SE. I did experience some hot flashes throughout the night last night. Not sure if I am just one of the lucky ones or if it will hit me all at once.  If this continues I will be returning to work soon.  Thank you all for sharing your knowledge as I am starting to believe that being totally prepared played a part in managing my SE.  And prayers lots and positive attitude.  I have made it my goal each day to find an inspiring quote to force myself to stay positive.  

Elmrush,



I had my first chemo on Thursday. Neulasta shot yesterday. Took my Claritin. Last night and now I'm feeling flu like aches not really a hurting pain. Only real other side effect is NO SLEEP. I thing the steroids have me wired. Under the covers now with my heating pad.

Hi,

Cherish, Liffeybloom and Roadshow.. thanks for your wishes.. I am very hopeful that me and the baby are in God's hands ..He knows the best..

TXsockMonkey: so happy for you.. I was hoping to have neoadjuvant chemo so that I can see the tumor shrinking too. but I had MRM..so we are treating blindly know. no way to tell if its rsponding..

Keke713.. very sorry for you.. but such a huge experience in such a yong age will give you wisdome and depth that you cant gain in a life time without going through this road.. I know how you feel.. I am 30.. little older but still understand

I have a question for all.. what is your experience with steroid use?what SE did you experience?  do you usually get high dose? can I just refuse it.. I am not comfortable with taking more and more medications because of my pregnancy..

So pleased to hear that some of you aren’t experiencing side effects. I’m in the UK and had my first round of FEC yesterday. I also used a paxman cold cap. I was pleasantly surprised by the paxman cold cap. I have a complete aversion to the cold but found it entirely do-able. That said, I was wearing slipper socks, ugg boots, winter thermals underneath warm trousers, a thermal top, a jumper, a ski jacket and a scarf. I could have slept with it on I was so toasty. I had to wet my hair first and apply conditioner. It's then put on and takes about 10 mins to hit the desired temperature. My husband got 2 nurses to check it was working as I wasn't moaning about being cold. I wore it for 4 hours (1 hr before treatment and then 2 hours after treatment). There was a lot of ice on my hair when it was removed so my husband felt better about its efficacy at that point. The nurses kept saying that there was no guarantee, but that 4 ladies were currently using the cold cap and were further along their treatment and all 4 of them still had their hair. Can't argue with those odds. The only downside is that I suffer from migraines and I got one within an hour of removing the cap. I've still got it nearly 24 hours later. The effects of the FEC chemo I had were much worse. I had a terrible night last night and my husband had to ring both the hospital and oncologist as I was feeling so rough and wasn't able to drink anything. The nausea was completely overwhelming despite having taken anti-nausea meds at the hospital. They moved today's meds to last night (the steroid anti-emetic) and I got a full 7 hours sleep and feel a lot better today. Not quite out of the woods but not curled up in a foetal position whimpering. The side effects seemed to hit me on the drive home. I was green by the time I got out of the car. Hideous. Will make sure they give me more meds before I leave hospital next time. Still, pleased the cold cap wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be and only 5 more rounds to go! Good luck everyone.

Steroids. Interesting topic. They will be in your drip for sure to prevent side effects day of. You don't need them on AC. They will insist on Taxol but my MO said he will taper me down after the time and see how I do. I hate steroids with a passion. My MO is writing an article on steroid and weight gain and says not everyone needs them. I think it depends on your overall health otherwise.



I had AC number 2 yesterday. Was very nauseous last night with a headache but just got my neulasta today and feel fine. I'm ready to go run in the 75 degree sun! And so far I still haven't started shedding any hair on the cold caps. Yippee! They say if I have hair by Easter with the cold caps, I will keep full coverage.



CBear, have you done your BRCA testing? I see no reason to remove your ovaries unless you are positive on your genetic tests.



Tg1, I am thrilled with neo chemo. Many women have the cancer disappear from their nodes during chemo. This sounds disturbing, but I can actually feel my tumor shrinking. It's sort if like a dull tingle. Hard to explain, but I'm happy to feel it.



Have a nice weekend y'all!

Hi All,


Glad to have found this site as suggested by my social worker. In the midst of the complexities of the diagnosis, i feel I am more mentally ready for the possible side effects with everybody's suggestions.
I was Diagnosed with BC on 2.26.13. I'm having neoadjuvant chemo due to mass size. Im having DD AC x 4 then weekly Taxol x8. Started my 1st AC yesterday. Felt so nauseous yesterday. I wasn't sure if I was having heartburn from all the anti nausea meds, including the steroids. Took compazine without much help. And to think they told me I'm not supposed to have nausea on day 1. Today, day 2, so far things have been smooth (fingers crossed). Now I'm not sure if the steroids just made me feel worse and if I really need it.

Hope everybody is having a relatively good day.

dimples68....take yourself off. I went thru the same thing. I just couldnt do what they said and times at all. I needed rest bad. So i stopped completely after 1 full day. If you get the feeling again just take them again until its gone. After my 4th treatment friday i have had none since treatment and feel fine. You will know when you are getting quezzy. They just dont want anyone to get sick. But steroids affect everyone differently like me and you. I couldnt set still but yet couldnt get things done really that i was attempting. HA HA. I had a little tiny bit of feet feeling like sunburned on bottom first week but no tingling feeling. I just kept my nice fluffy sliippers on and was fine and lotioned them up they said. Go off and get a good nights sleep.First treatment i was told is usually the way all the others will go except mayby tiredness may get a bit worse. So take notes on things if have to and days it happens. 

TXSockmonkey....I have asked for it but they refuse it because i know of anyone in family that has had any breast cancer. But not right because dont know any of fathers side. But i guess its mainly mother and being under age 50 is what i was told. But what bothers me is why do more women over menapause get it? Things are shut down so why would the estrogen fuel it? Dont know but me 47 and close just wondering if it could be wrong thing to do because no site anywhere tells weather they had no ovaries or not when diagnosed or still having symptoms. My mother and law is 76 and still has hot flashes:( And why wouldnt keep testing your hormones to at least know they were balanced. See my progesterone was fueling more then the estrogen. Onc cant answer that since really they say estrogen is the main fueling hormone in what i have read. Its like they dont know why your progesterone is helping. And no onc test done either even though they say they can do it on positive nodes and i read somewhere that progesterone plays a very little part in that test.

And again to all others good thoughts on everyone going thru this.

And for the baby question about steroids.....please get advice from more then onc mayby. If like me i have 17 Drs on a board and mayby ask onc to take questions to all of them. But do have friend who took Zofran while pregnant because of extreme nausea and baby is healthy and beautiful:) That may help you. Baby was born 5 weeks ago. I asked how she felt on them and she said she was fine and not wired like me. Mine is 8mg.

Started chemo last Monday and today noticed the hair loss was starting already. I had myself a nice pity party but it didn't last too long as this is the first day I felt halfway decent since Monday. So happy to just have a little heartburn and fatigue. Hoping I'll feel even better next week.



Keke713- I had the same issue following my Surgery. They did and in office repair with a local. I felt better almost immediately. My chemo was delayed two weeks due to the risk of infection. My PS initially tried applying silvadene twice daily but it had no effect.



Hope that helps! Good luck girls!

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the welcomes. I have been absent for a few days, thinking about the latest turn of events. I may have to get my chemo delayed. I was scheduled to start on 3/22, but a uterine ultrasound indicated that I have a thickeing of the wall - now I have to go for a biopsy and wait again for the results. If positive, I will need to have a hysterectomy and another 3 week delay before I can start chemo. If negative, chemo is a go. 

I was ready to go with the chemo - all mentally set, in part because of this board and hearing how strong you all are in dealing and coping. 

Keeping you all in my thoughts and wishing you all the best and few side effects. 

Denise51