April 2013 Chemo Group

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  • shipsgirl
    shipsgirl Member Posts: 264
    edited April 2013

    indenial, I had thoughts about "starting" early on the constipation issue too.  I thought I'd get going with the prunes and my "Holy Crap" cereal.  I'll be interested to know the answer too.

    Does anyone have psoriasis?  I have patches on my scalp, elbows and legs.  How does it react to chemo?  This is one of the reasons I am going to use cold caps and not lose my hair; I don't want to show all the psoriasis I have under there!  I would really look diseased!  Yikes.

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  • goingforward99
    goingforward99 Member Posts: 25
    edited April 2013

    Ok, I am going to try this again. For some reason my info wasn't appearing at the bottom so I deleted my post and am reposting. I am getting my port on April 24th and starting chemo on the 25th. I am mostly worried about the side effects and if I will be able to work. I have a desk job, but I register patients in a hospital and am worried about catching their viruses.  I am having ACT, a total of 8 rounds every two weeks. I think it is 4-AC followed by 4-Taxol. I am assuming I will lose my hair, so I am ordering some hats and scarves now. My hair is normally thin so I should be able to use the hats after my hair comes back. I would love to hear anyone's thougts.

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  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 478
    edited April 2013

    Constipation issues- Stay hydrated. I drink 3 liters of water a day. and I added a colace the day before tx and until I stopped taking the nausea meds. I had MOM handy, I only needed it once during the first tx. There is a tea called Smooth Move. That helps too...

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  • jc254
    jc254 Member Posts: 439
    edited April 2013

    I will also reluctantly be joining the club.  My first TC treatment is scheduled for 4/18.  I'm determined to live my life as normally as possible during treatment and plan to continue working with days off here and there when I feel particularly bad.  I'm hoping there won't be too many of those days.  I hope to get (and give) support over the next few months to those on this forum who really understand what we're going through.  I'm single with two college aged daughters and feel lucky to have a great support group of family and friends. I am normally a very independent person. It's taken me a while to accept that it's ok to ask for help- those that love me are glad for something to do. I was initially diagnosed back in September 2012.  I'm ready for this to be over with!

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2013

    The bowel thing had been tough for me. I took miralax ahead of time, got well hydrated, ate fiber, etc, and still got constipated. After 5 days of only minor relief, my nurse said to use mag citrate. It cleaned me out, but now I feel raw inside and am going every 5 minutes. Still hydrating myself, but afraid ill swing back and forth in extremes! I'm going to call my favorite onc nurse tomorrow and ask him what to do. I'll report back.



    I'm just a little miserable today! BUT, I'm handling it and know its only temporary. I keep telling myself this is life saving treatment.



    But, waaaaaaa!! Lol

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  • goingforward99
    goingforward99 Member Posts: 25
    edited April 2013

    My MO was really concerned about consitpation when I met with her. I have always had issues with constipation even BC (before cancer), so I have always used Orange Metamucil, I use it once or twice a day as needed. She suggested I keep thing moving (yuck, yuck) now with it once or twice a day and then 2 stool softener every night.  I don't mind drinking it, but I am guessing from these posts that no one else uses it.

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2013

    I've used miralax for years. I had a bowel obstruction (not cancer related) in 2007--so I'm paranoid!



    New symptom this evening. Throbbing pain in lower back and hips. It's pretty severe. Must be the Neulasta.



    Still feeling emotionally ok. So, that's good. Depression would make all this much worse for me...



    Goodnight, Ladies! I pray you all have a good sleep!

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  • OnaWing
    OnaWing Member Posts: 35
    edited April 2013

    You poor girls have added insult to injury. Nothing is more miserable than having your digestive system shut down. I have found Bluebonnet Liquid Calcium Magnesium Citrate with Vitamin D to be very helpful in establishing regularity without being too harsh. You can find it at most health food stores or online at Amazon. I take the recommended dose every other day but you can adjust the dose to the needs of your system.

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  • Speedy4
    Speedy4 Member Posts: 136
    edited April 2013

    indenial~I had my first treatment last Thursday and started with 2 Colace the night before and the morning of chemo. I also had took Miralax that night along with tons of water starting the day before chemo. I was afraid of the potential of constipation too (had it with surgery) but I haven't had any issues so far and this is day 5 :)

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2013

    Speedy, are you on tamoxifen now?



    I'm so glad your protocol to avoid constipation worked. I'm going to try more fiber, as I'm doing just about everything else :)



    Happy Monday all, and good luck to anyone beginning chemo this week! It *is* doable, as they say. Together we'll get through it.



    XO

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2013

    New favorite, fibery breakfast:



    1/2c steel cut oatmeal, cooked with a little extra water

    5 dried prunes (I threw them in when I cooked the oatmeal--yum!)

    1 packet of Justin's almond butter (good protein and fiber)

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  • heather214
    heather214 Member Posts: 142
    edited April 2013

    I upped my intake of flax meal, I put it in all we eat, as well as increased water. I also needed some light laxatives, because I do not let myself get that bad. Just be careful, because then I alternately got diarrhea (I think from the Neulasta).


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  • DeliriumPie
    DeliriumPie Member Posts: 1,370
    edited April 2013

    Starting dose dense AC/T this Wednesday.  Nervous.  I got my port on Friday and it is so sore and painful.  They said I could have the port placed and start chemo the same day.  I can't imagine that, the way it has felt all weekend!  Really strange though, since the placement surgery, I have had SO much energy!  I have felt better, besides the pain at incision sites, than I have in 2 months.  I cleaned all over the house, like I had ADHD, then went shopping to stock up on essentials for the upcoming months of treatment.  My friend says I am nesting.  I still need to go wig and scarf shopping. 

    During my class, I asked about icing fingers and toes because I am so phobic of losing my toenails.  They said that with AC and Taxol, I should not lose my nails, but that we would ice during the Taxol weeks to help with neuropathy. Is that true about AC not causing nail loss?  I would just as well do the icing anyway, just in case, because I am so scared of losing the tootsie nails.  Any experience with that, anyone?  BTW, I am still on my pain meds from the port placement, which my coworkers are saying make me random, talkative, and loopy.  :-)

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  • Lucy20
    Lucy20 Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2013

    Hi Gals!   I'm a little late...started my chemo 03/27.  I was diagnosed stage IIb 5cm tumor  bilateral mastecomy, so I have 4 cycles of AC w/neulesta and then 4 cycles of taxol and then radiation.  Glad to see others ladies to share stories.

    The first cycle wasn't so bad just a few harsh headache controlled with x-tylenol...first three days I was very tired but by the 4th day I went out for a 3 mile walk and moved up to a 6.25 walk/jog by the 10th & 11th day of the first cycle.  Today I noticed the bed of my nails were changing to a dark purple...scared that it will hurt if I start to lose my nails...work on a computer all day so...yikes  Frown

    I start Cycle 2 on Wednesday 04/10...preparing myself that it may not be as easy as the first...crossing my fingers Smile

    Veda 

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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2013

    Happy Monday Ladies, just getting home from port placement. Wasn't too bad, I as as i'm on pain meds...we'll see how I feel tomorrow..gonna TRY and go to work, but we'll see how that goes....have a nice bag of peas on my port site....

    Do you guys have cancer navigators? I'm going thru Presbyterian Cancer Center here in Charlotte and got a nice 'goodie' bag at the out patience surgery today.. very nice pink scarf ..another pillow, .an inspration jar filled with insprational quotes written by survivors and contact information. from the Craolina Breast Frinds who operate  a Pink House with monthly meetings, fitness center nutrition center self-image services and metoring ..they will provide housecleaning once a month while I'm going thru Chemo.

    anyone else here triple negative?

    Start my chemo Friday with teach Wed...still nervous, but glad so many local ressources are out there..

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  • pebchristian
    pebchristian Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2013

    Hello - just had my first round of chemo on Friday (taxotere/cytoxan), and Neulasta shot Saturday, and I'm feeling surprisingly good.  I may just be still under the influence of the anti-nausea drugs, but I'm really hoping to skate through this one.  A little constipated though.  And not too much of an appetite, even though my stomach was growling earlier.  My neck feels a little sore, but it feels muscular, not the bone ache I was expecting from the neulasta.  Anyway, it's good to hear what everyone is going through.  Thanks!

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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2013

    pebchristian did you have port installed?

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2013

    Welcome to the newcomers. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It is helping me a lot.



    I don't always feel like I have any advice to give, but if we all share and support each other, we'll all have an easier time of it. That's my hope for all of us.

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  • pebchristian
    pebchristian Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2013

    Virginger, no I didn't have the port installed.  I think because I'm only having 4 rounds - how about you?  Also, do all my "specs" show up under my post?  I don't see it under mine, but see it under everyone else's.  I thought I had enabled that to make it public...

    Thanks.

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  • LKSHER
    LKSHER Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2013

    Hi, everyone. Do you ice your finger/toe nails the whole time you are there? Will someone please explain their process and whether they did it for A/C or just for Taxol? What exactly did you do? Thank you!

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  • heather214
    heather214 Member Posts: 142
    edited April 2013

    The port recovery was pretty fast, I was surprised. I had to go from being a stomach sleeper to a back sleeper, but hey. After seeing many people have to get stuck so many times, I am appreciative to have the port now. There was no pain inserting the chemo needle either, they just sprayed some novocaine on it. I will be on chemo for a year, how about you Virginger?

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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2013

    I had my port installed TODAY...this moring actually.. I'm a triple negative so having 6 rounds 21 days apart...so far, hasn't been much pain, just a little sore, but my surgeon gave me ANOTHER prescription for pain pills with 3 refills...I still have 1 ful script and 1 refill left from my surgery...just not big on taking drugs. I have a been having trouble sleeping..nerves I guess so got a prescripton for a sleeping pill I'll start tonight.

    I had two events I wanted to attend before starting treatment. My baby brother's retirement...and a family reunion for my 81 year old father's family....he is a holocaust refugee and never really knew that side of the family so it was important to him i attend...Now it's time to focus on ME...

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  • Deyla7641
    Deyla7641 Member Posts: 98
    edited April 2013

    Hi all, I had my first infusion of Ixempra today and started my Xeloda back up too. So far I feel ok just really tired and sleep (I think it's from the Benadryl).



    DeliriumPie- back when I did the ACT I had my port surgery and started chemo the same day. It wasn't too bad. They took my port out when I had my BMX and boy I wished they hadn't because I had a met to T12 and so I'm on a new round of chemo now. I had to have the port put back in and it hurt more the second time round.



    For all you ladies starting ACT I had a tougher time on the AC. I started losing most of my hair after the 2nd tx and just decided to shave my head. I had such a metallic taste in my mouth all the time and could only eat cold foods for some reason. I lived on Kellogg's cornflakes. I did have constipation problems and my nails did get discolored but didn't fall out. I also got a mild cardiomyopathy from the AC and had to be put on cardiac meds which I'm still on. The taxol gave me mild neuropathy but it went away. The fatigue and the bone pain from the neulasta shots were probably the worst for me.



    Wishing everyone the best of luck on their journey!



    Deyla

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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2013

    Hi  LKSHER, haven't had my chemo teach but did find this on line....

    Prevention of Nail Disorders

    Chemo-related nail problems are not totally preventable. At some clinics, the nurse may bring you a dish of ice water for your hands. Research suggests that using ice or cryotherapy, such as frozen gloves, may reduce damage to skin and nails. Ice is sometimes used for the hands and mouth during an infusion, because that’s when the drugs are most toxic to your cells.

    Self-Care for Nails During Chemotherapy

    • Use clear polish to help keep nails strong
    • Avoid artificial nails and colored polish, especially dark colors
    • Wear gloves when washing dishes and gardening
    • Care for nails and cuticles gently
    • As Beau's lines grow beyond nail bed, cut them off
    • Increase iron in your diet
    • Cut back on or avoid caffeine
    • Try taking vitamins for hair, skin, and nails
    • Wear comfortable shoes that allow adequate room for your toes

    Hope that helps, but don't have any personal knowelge. I'll ask Wed and let ya know what the chemo class/session tells me...glad I have a reporters note book going with questions :-)

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  • LKSHER
    LKSHER Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2013

    Wow. That was nice. Thank you so much, Virginger! Anyone who knows about exactly how and when to use the ice please chime in. :)

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  • grover
    grover Member Posts: 44
    edited April 2013

    BeHereNow, Thanks for starting this thread...I guess it's time I join, as I start chemo April 16. Port going in on 15th. I've been avoiding thinking about chemo other than my shopping list, and planning short hair cut day with 2 younger sisters. Reading about it makes me nauseous, but I'm more scared right now about port, since I don't feel like there's room above my stupid TEs, and I'd rather be under anesthesia totally for any procedure involving cutting my skin!

    Kobrien, coincidence- my name is Keri & I had bilateral mastectomy w expanders a day after your surgery.Sucks!

    So sorry for those of you fighting this a second time! Your stories, honestly, are scary, but your courage & advice are inspiring.

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  • grover
    grover Member Posts: 44
    edited April 2013

    Skigirl, you have a beautiful head! I loved sinead O'Connor, & wish i COULD rock the gi jane look!



    My hair is so thin I've always hated it, but the closer i get to losing it, the more I'm appreciating it! Hoping it grows back THICK.



    I have never heard of chemo class!?

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  • Speedy4
    Speedy4 Member Posts: 136
    edited April 2013

    BeHereNow~I'm not on tamoxifen yet but will be after I'm done with Herceptin.



    LKSHER~ I iced my finger nails through my Taxotere infusion. I didn't bother with my toes. I hear its supposed to help with losing/lifting of nails and neuropathy. We'll see.....

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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2013

    Chemo class is one of the many things offered by my oncologist and Presbyterian Cancer Center here in Charlotte. Also session with a nutritionist and genetic counselor, fee house cleaning once a month, and peer to peer sessions. They have a Pink House I really want to check out...

    http://www.presbyterian.org/Home/Services/Cancer.aspx?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=all&utm_campaign=cancer

    http://www.carolinabreastfriends.org/

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2013

    I've decided breast cancer is like standing at the edge of an anxious, roiling sea, one wave following another...relentlessly rushing in.



    I'm terrified. I know how to swim, but in any other circumstane I would refuse. I would never willingly dive into such dangerous waters. Yet here I am. Rooted to the spot, if i want to save my life. And I have to face reality with a vengence, because the waves are coming and I have to survive them.



    Sometimes I don't know whether to duck or to fling myself in the direction of a barrelling wave. Sometimes I get knocked down and pummeled in the sand.



    And being at the edge of that drenching and powerful thing, I can never rest. Never take my burning eyes off of it. Never turn my back.



    Is it just me?



    Tonight's "wave" is a cold coming on.... I took some zicam. Here's hoping this one is surprisingly easy to ride. Faced with the enormity of this treatment process, I'm still terrified.

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