Chemo May 2013

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2013

    Wow gully I have been here since 8 and just finished at 200. Back tomorrow for neulasta. They didn't offer happy juice but I took a xanax. Beforehand.



    Was long day and I got a headache but otherwise fine. Now I must not over anticipate se's



    My 18 yr old son showed up with bald head. So sweet.

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  • JennaJMU
    JennaJMU Member Posts: 97
    edited May 2013

    Round 1 down, winners -us!!!

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited May 2013

    Yay. So proud of you ladies for being the May chemo pioneers!!!

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2013

    Ukkate

    You will get thru it and the Bat Mitzvah with flying colors!

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited May 2013

    IPC I go back for Neulasta tomorrow as well. Did they tell you to start taking Claritan today and continue for 4 days to ward off bone pain. I hope they did, they swear it works.

    Congrats to everyone who made it though infusion 1 day....Celebrate the little mile stones right!

    I am so proud of all of us. We were having panic attacks this morning and now feel like it was not so bad! How great is that.   Hope the SE are less than we are expecting as well. I went and bought the cutest hat at TJ Maxx for my reward....My DH is so coool.

    BTW I was diagnosed at 45 but just turned 46 April 16th --I was at Dana Farber in Boston for my second opinion when the bombs went off....I will never forget that. Thousands of Law enforcement personal, firefighters, K-9's, and docs everywhere. Life is not dull is it.

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2013

    Gully. Wow! That was a day to remember! I do know about claritin. Learned it here as a matter of fact.



    I am 49 with 2boys 18 & 19 and 2 girls 21 & 24. All live at home except 19 yr old in Charleston studying to be submariner. I was looking forward to big celebration in June for 50th birthday and 25th anniversary. We decided to postpone tip chemo done.

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  • MichelleRN78
    MichelleRN78 Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2013

    Round 1 of chemo done here also.  Feeling pretty good.  Hope it lasts, I started a bowel protocol and taking claritin today.

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  • Emi1977
    Emi1977 Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2013

    I just had my last chemo treatment today and the whole chemo process went by so fast and everything went so well! I want to be encouraging for all of you who are about to start. I was scared before starting...thought i would be nauseous, really tired, would lose my eyebrows and eyelashes, have bone pain and muscle pain. I was expecting the worst and really, it never happened!!!



    I did 4 AC followed by 4 Taxols. Ac was definitely harder and made me more tired the days following chemo. I received treatments on the thursday and was tired sat and sunday. But besides that, went on doing my activities( i am off work) but still very active. I starting working out and jogging for the first time in my life!!!



    Not everyone reacts the same but I just want you girls to know that there are positive chemo story!



    Good luck to everyone and stay positive!!!

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  • argynis
    argynis Member Posts: 123
    edited May 2013

    I will start dose dense AC+T on Monday.

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  • Rose57
    Rose57 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2013

    Hi Girls

    I am so glad you all did well today it seems like having the unkown become know is very comforting. 

    I have made it through day two with no SE!  Actually felt pretty good other than tired but unable to sleep due to the steroid's seems to be having the same effect tonight.  Had my nuelata shot today so tomorrow will probaby be a different day! Rememberto stay hydrated and have a good eveing!

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2013

    Horrible heartburn today. Neulasta shot and fluids today. My center insists on fluid infusion despite the copious amounts of water I drink. Pepcid added to the mix so hopefully goodbye heartburn!

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited May 2013

    Neulasta for me as well today, however they gave mine subcu on the back of my arm. Feeling a little tired today but nothing major. May face is a little red on the cheeks, I have very fair skin, they said it was the steriods. Sorry about another day of infusion Ipc, but seems you should get rid of the heartburn!

    Thanks for the updates ladies Rose57 you are a day ahead of me so I look to you to see what is coming.

    Jenna how are you doing? I hope you are doing well also.

    All is looking pretty good so far girls! Keep positive!!

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  • myboby123
    myboby123 Member Posts: 15
    edited May 2013

    i am doing dose dense due to my age (45) and 1/5 positive node.  My oncotype DX score is 13.  first Chemo is next Monday 5/6.  good luck everyone.  we can do this.

    Eleanor

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2013

    Gully my neulasta was in arm too. MO insists on fluid infusion on day 2 as part of my Protocol so easy shot turns into a few more hours of my day. Gave prescription for heartburn mess so that should get better. I too look a little red in the face.

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  • JennaJMU
    JennaJMU Member Posts: 97
    edited May 2013

    It's so nice to have you ladies to go through this with! I got the neulasta shot in the back of my arm and that hurt like a bitch going in. Shortly after, I too got a red hot face. I still have it but I'm fever free. I guess it's a side effect of the shot or the dexamethasone I took this morning.

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  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited May 2013

    Hello Ladies,

    Count me in the club! I start Chemo on May 9th for 4.5 months, then radiation and targeted therapy. I've been reading everyones experience...this month and previous ones. Think I'm ready, just want to get the show on the road!

    Been trying on wigs and can't find any that look even half way normal....anyone have suggestions of brands, type etc? Not looking for perfect but hopefully passable.

    Hang in everyone - I'm thinking of the next year as my cancer adventure, bound to have some lessons to learn and silver linings....and in the end, we'll be OK. Happy to have everyone's company on this journey!

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  • argynis
    argynis Member Posts: 123
    edited May 2013

    Oh wow - my Oncologist messed up completely and forgot to order a MUGA scan for me. Great news for Friday 6pm! So probably I can't start chemo on Monday as I may not get an appointment for this scan that day. How can that happen - I now have to pay for his incompetence and the nurse also blamed me for it...

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  • LakeGirl2
    LakeGirl2 Member Posts: 68
    edited May 2013

    JennaJMU I am just about to finish my 4th round of T/C and I have been getting my neulasta shots in my belly. The nurse suggested that and said it would hurt less than if the arm, if you have a little belly fat. LOL

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2013

    Good morning ladies



    No real se's except a lot of burping! Not sure where that is coming from - maybe the heartburn medicine?



    Have not slept well- not sure if that is se or just the situation. Never been great sleeper but have been up since 3a.m. and that is nuts!

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  • JennaJMU
    JennaJMU Member Posts: 97
    edited May 2013

    Lpc have they given you Ativan for the nausea? I take my 1 mg Ativan after I take my dexamethasone and Zofran for the evening and it knocks me right out!



    That being said, what meds and med schedule do they have you all on at home?



    Lake girl, the longer this steroid hunger goes on, I have more belly fat by the day...:-/

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2013

    Have not had nausea just heartburn which is being treated with protonix. Took a valium for sleep. That was leftovers from te insertion. Only meds for home was dexemethasone for nausea and haven't needed it. Hunger continues for me too ...and not good food! Currently craving sausage mcmuffin!

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited May 2013

    Oh Wow! Thats is why I am so hungry! So its the roids. I gained a pound from infusion day to today. I am craving protein like I was when I was pregnant! Eggs, steak, salmon mmmmmm. Dont want to gain weight so hopefully this voracious appetite will get back to normal.

    I am still taking the Claritin for three more days post Neulasta shot. I am not in pain in anyway from it, I hope its lasts. I am a big baby when it comes to Nausea so am taking my compazine and its working so far. Other than that I am just so thirsty all the time..! 

    Looking for head coverings too. I teach high school and will have no hair at the start of the year. Hopeing to find a good wig but I guess if I cant Maybe the scarves will be acceptable. Nothing like being on stage in front of 15 year olds when your appearance is drastically altered!  I am so hoping my eyebrows dont fall out!!! Ordered and using the eyebrow/ eyelash solution someone in the April group suggessted hope it works. 

    Its wonderful having others to talk to who know what I am going through. I am wondering how people will react to me when I start Looking sick......Right now we dont look like cancer patients do we.. Take care everyone. Hugs to all.Kiss

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  • algranna
    algranna Member Posts: 61
    edited May 2013

    I will have my first chemo treatment on May 8th.  I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer two months ago. The mass is too large to remove. They are going to give me chemo and shrink the mass before I can have it removed. I will have 6 months of chemo and then radiation.  I had a port put in 4 weeks ago and 4 lymnph nodes removed of which 3 were positive.  I have had a problem with fuild build up from the biopsy site. I had to have a drain put in for two weeks. I had it taken out on Thursday. I am glad to get started with treatment but very nervous.

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2013

    Hi algranna I was incredibly nervous too. Have had only one treatment so far so good. No nausea but some heartburn. Steroids mess with my sleep and make me hungry too. I have been drinking lots of water as suggested. Claritin seems to keep the pain from neulasta at bay. As suggested Ihave been rinsing mouth with salt water to avoid mouth sores.

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited May 2013

    Greetings!

    I am attempting to set myself up with a tracker for Chemo.  I had a WONDERFUL page sitting on my computer for a week.  Just sat to print it and I cannot find it.

    Does anyone use a Side Effects tracker.  The one I had was about 3-4 pages--could rate all the various ailments, it was for a week at a time (if I remember correctly).

    Any help greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Pat

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  • young
    young Member Posts: 6
    edited May 2013

    Hi Ladies,

    Did chemo on May 2nd. Feel okay with a bit of bone pain. Still on antinausea med, so no nausea yet.

    Also mouth very dry, want to drink lots of water.

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited May 2013

    Greetings,

    Found the link to track chemo side effects (on paper)

    http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@nho/documents/document/acsq-009502.pdf

    also created my own sheet at home to track my meds Daily for the Week

    Sun am steroids, pm steroids stool softener

    Mon am steroids, chemo, pm steroids, stool softener, water, water, water etc...

    Tues am steroids, am claritan, Neulasta, pm steroids, water water water.....

    I thought it would be easier to have it in a check off format as a reminder of what I need to do.  Left a lot of space to add in meds.

    Next I have to come up with a chore list for the family.  After surgery this place looked like a catastrophe....I need people to do things, figured a list is the way to go, maybe they will read it and realize that the bathrooms actually DO need to be cleaned, the rug vacuumed, the floors swept etc....

    Now that I have found the list for chemo side effects I can go and enjoy a sleepover with my Girl Scouts.

    Pat

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  • debbiema
    debbiema Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2013

    Thank you Emi1977 that was so encouraging!  I start my chemo on 5/15 with 4 rounds of TC.  I am trying to keep my mind and body strong so that I can try to ward off as many SE as possible.  I look forward to writing back when I am done to encourage others.  Can't thank you enought and God Bless You!!

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  • Rose57
    Rose57 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2013

    Hi Gully;

    I did pretty well yesterday the redness was gone by mid afternoon; biggest problem seems to be constipation (yuk)!  Today has been a little slower tried not to take the zofran but ended up taking it; just feel like I have the mild case of the flue!  I was able to go for a walk with my son and granddog this morning but was a little slower than usual!!! 

    Hope you ladies are doing well!

    Take care

    Rose

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  • Dayna478
    Dayna478 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2013

    Hello all. I can't say I'm happy to be joining the group, but it looks like we're all in this together. I was diagnosed two weeks ago and start chemo May 9. Hope all are doing as well as can be and I look forward to talking with all of you.

    Dayna

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