April 2013 Chemo Group

Take regular Claritin, not Claritin D, the day of your shot and for 4-5 days afterwards.  This was the advice of my oncologist.  She didn't volunteer the Claritin information but when I asked (thanks to reading these threads) she said "Oh yeah, that's a good idea".  I'm just using the Target generic brand and it seems to be working.  I'm getting strange pains that travel throughout my body randomly- thigh to elbow to ankle etc- but I can't say it's awful, just strange and annoying.  Who knows what it would feel like without the Claritin?

I've had a few moments that seem foggy...but, I'm working...directed the 5, 6 and about to direct the 11pm show...I play games on Facebook A LOT....the memeory games.....know it's probably a BIG waste of time..but keeps my mind going......

((hugs))

Daffyc, I like to be organized, I like the notebook....I did something like that when I had my babies, wrote down my eating, drinking,their eating , drinking , diapers etc....



I will also need to see side effects on a calendar, I LOVE my month at a glance pocket calendar in general, but for sure there is no room on it for all this! Lol. Definitely don't need to be carrying a desk calendar,I will work on a happy medium.



Thank you JC...I definitely will mark down the Claritan regime.



For the no memory people, I have the worlds worst memory,and that was prior to 3 kids! I cannot imagine post chemo!



Anyhow, I found this link making "fun" of having cancer....there are. Lot of jokes referring to "chemo brain". .. Take a peek for a few good laughs, ive read the first 50 pages and i dont thinknibe seen a joke repeated! http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/67/topic/755825?page=60#idx_1771

Pat

I was wondering if anyone else had a strange pattern of hair loss.  Over the last two days I lost almost all the hair on top of my head while the sides and back have only lost a little and still look normal.  I am planning on buzzing it tomorrow since I obviously can't go out without a hat now anyway.  My main concern with this pattern is the dreaded risk of permanent hair loss that is sometimes seen with Taxotere.  Is this pattern of hair loss abnormal?  Or are others like this?

Hi Ladies

Well today is my first of 4.. TC    I am nervouse(the unknown) and anxious to get it going and over with. I found the list of helpful items from the moderators post so i went to Walgreens and bought 130 bucks worth of stuff! Over prepared!

Anyone who want to share their first day's experience is welcomed..I hate not being "in control" lol

I will post when I get home. I hope you all have a lovely day.

runnermom

Runnersmom, I had my first of 4 TC's five days ago.  First met with my oncologist who went over the results of my bloodwork. Then downstairs to the infusion room.  I had about 40 minutes of premedications (benedryl and antinausea meds) and then they started the actual chemo drugs. The infusion took about two hours and is not bad at all if you can keep your nerves calmed. The first infusion will take longer than the other three since they start the taxotere drip very slowly to make sure you don't have any reaction.  I had taken an ativan beforehand and combined with the benedryl, I was pretty relaxed throughout. It helped that I was the only one in the infusion room.  I left tired but feeling fine and sort of glad I had started the process since it meant I was that much closer to the end. Good luck to you today. 

I am heading out to get my port in a few hours. I am triple negative so I have to have 8 rounds of chemo even though there was no lymph node involvement. I get my first chemo tomorrow (I'll be there this time tomorrow). I am feeling pretty terrified...

Irene1975, we are starting the same day and I am very nervous also. I am leaving for my port surgery soon and I was pretty nervous about that too but the nurse said it was OK to take a Lorazepam this morning and I am feeling much less anxious he,he... Also, I do love my surgeon, she did such a nice job on my lumpectomy and it is healing very well. Sometimes, though, I get a nasty burning, pinching pain in my arm that is awful. I think that is from the nerves trying to reconnect?

Virginger, thanks for the advice I will ask for the numbing medicine.  I am planning a "Hair Shaving Party" in about 2 weeks. It will coincide with my birthday. I will either have it at my hair stylist's salon or at home, probably the salon.  I will post pictures on my caring bridge journal which I use to keep family and friends across the country (and my brother in Australia) informed. The address is: www.caringbridge.org/visit/irenegoyette  I have had thinning hair for a long time and I keep it short so the layers will cover my sparsely populated head. This makes the hair loss much less traumatic for me than for those of with long, gorgeous hair.

Hugs to All!!  Irene

Rdhnow, do you mind telling what he gave you? I am thinking I might ask for one too. That was horrendous, thankfully only happened the one time!

Had a mini meltdown last night - boo-hooing and feeling weak. So today I am doubling up my efforts to be as positive as I can. Just a few thoughts for the day:

My mind, body and spirit are strong~I take time each day to rejuvenate and recharge~I draw from a deep well of peace and calm~I breathe in strength and release my fears~I go after my hearts deep desires~I can accomplish anything~All of my dreams are coming true~I focus on my goal and have the strength to make it happen~I choose to be unstoppable~I am strong~I act in spite of my fears~I am bigger than my concerns and worries~I go for it with gusto!~I can do anything I put my mind to~Each day I AM getting stronger~I take great care of myself~The strength of others inspires me daily~I trust my intuition and live a courageous life~

Sounds like all of us, huh? Have a great day everyone!

Heather214, it is called Levsin! I was also having spasms in my esophagus which are due to acid reflux from the chemo, one of these pills dissolved under my tongue worked within minutes! It is so much better today! How many more treatments do you have and when is your next one?

rdhnow,

I am getting pre-chemo, I have 8-12 cycles before surgery, not sure yet how many after. My next treatment (#3) is May 2nd. Thanks for the info. on the med, I think I will ask the doc about it. I could not figure out what what going on, I learn so much on here, thank God!

Jen - I'm glad to hear that I'm not atypical in this strange pattern of hair loss.  I tried to brush all the lose hair out of the back and sides and didn't get much out.  I look totally fine with a hat on - so I changed my mind and decided not to buzz it for now.  I'm sitting in the chemo chair right no - I suspect that will finish off my hair.

GardenGirl - I have a 7 year old and 9 year old.  I explained to them that I was sick with a disease called cancer.  I told them the doctors were going to cure it but that it takes 3 steps - surgery, chemo, and radiation.  I explained the chemo as medicine that would make me sleep and lose my hair.  I said radiation would give me what looks like a sunburn.  There's a great book for young kids called "nowhere hair" that I had my kids read that talks about hair loss in a way that isn't scary for the kids.  My kids are doing great with it so far - they are great at adapting.  My daughter wanted me to take my hat off yesterday to see the bald spot on my head - she said it looked fine!  I love her!!!