Chemo May 2013

I start chemo May 24th and get my port on May 16th.  AmyJax those drains are such a pain.  I had mine in for a week, you must have had yours in longer because of the reconstruction?  My surgeon doesn't like to do reconstruction at the same time.  My tissue expander was scheduled to be placed this week, but my oncologist wants me to move forward with chemo first.  So I wait.  Are any of you also facing radiation?  My oncologist said he would send me to a radiologist later but he is guessing I will also need that too.  Sounds like a fun summer.....not.  Good luck to everyone, nice to read how others have handled things so I can be more prepared.

@Jenna

You have the acne on your chin too?  I thought I was the only one.  My MO gave me clindamycin gel and I started using it yesterday.  I started feeling normal last Thursday.  Still have all my hair.  

My next chemo is scheduled for the 23rd.  I am pretty excited that I only have to have chemo once in June (silly, I know).  I had my port accessed last week for a blood draw and all I can say is that I was right to be apprehensive about it.  The good news is that the neulasta is working awesome!  My WBC counts were through the roof!

Hi Teresa - I will need radiation too, but will need to get passed the chemo first.  My MO said there will be a month off in between.  I guess that gives your body time to readjust.  I'll plan to meet with the RO sometime while the chemo cycles are going on!  This way I can get that part started as soon as practically possible!!

Good luck to everyone starting chemo this week.  Today is day 7 for me, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the side effects continue to be mild.  A little nervous still abouts days 9 and 10 with the white blood count and then of course day 14 (or around) that I'll be losing my hair.  This forum really does make this easier to go through.  Thank you everyone for the posts that help to keep us informed and updated!! xoxo

I don't mean to be a Debbie downer but I"m 4 days out and kind of feel like crap. Sour stomach, no energy, borderline nausea, and slightly depressed. I know I'll make it through the 12 weeks but wish I felt better. I guess this stuff still falls into the slight side effects category but not fun.

Yep I agree. Days 3 through 5 were the worst for me. Day 6 on: I feel pretty normal. Hang in there....goes away as quickly as it came on. You can do it girls hang in there! Just picture those little nasty cancer cells being obliterated!

Gully- I had tingling scalp both during chemo infusion and after. The nurse said it was normal and was from the cytoxane. I am doing CMF and felt crappy for day 2-4 and then have felt good other than the tingling scalp. My second infusion is this Wednesday! Hope it goes as smoothly as the first one!



Jsrose

Debwarrior, did the doctor prescribe nausea meds? If they did you should probably try them.

Also, did you try Prilosec or Tums?...is that for "sour stomach"...is that same as heartburn? ,I know I had heartburn and used Prilosec and I have taken one every day since day 2 (day 1 is chemo day). I just might add that to my day 1 treatment as the Pepcid they gave me in the IV did nothing for me....or I should say didn't do enough for me?



The lack of energy is something I suffered from as well. I had read someone said to push through it. It DID help to get up and go out and walk. It also felt great to take a three hour nap, something I could do because my kids were in school! I missed celebrating my sons birthday because I was too tired, and napped for an hour during dinner. (The same day I took a three hour nap!). Thursday was a loooong day!



I can't speak to the depression. All i know is the lack of support in my house is driving me nuts. Surgery, now chemo and I still do it all. sigh.

I start Chemo on May 15th.  Not gonna lie...I'm a bit nervous.  I am really trying to stay positive as I have a little 5 year old girl so I don't want her to see me upset.  Plus, I'm usually a pretty laid back kind of person anyway.  I had my port inserted on May 10th and I am actually really sore.  Is this normal?  I have steri-strips over the incision site and am wondering what they will do with that when I start Chemo since the steri-strips will still be there.  I have been reading everyone's posts and it's good to know there is someplace to seek support with others who are going through the same thing.  I'm only Stage I so it's been a bit difficult for my family to understand why I have to go through so much treatment (8 rounds of dose dense Chemo, 4 AC and 4 Taxol - 16 weeks to complete), Herceptin, and 6 1/2 weeks of radiation treatment).  I am HER2+, just turned 40, 1 cm tumor and it was Grade 3.  My husband has been extremely supportive (has gone to every appointment with me) so that really helps.

MomofSam - I am nervous about chemo, too. I have a wonderful husband and two adult daughters, I wouldn't have made it without their love, support and help. Although, no one else seems to be able to clean the cat throw-up.

I asked my PS surgeon today about what she hears from patients about the port and she said it seems to be worse than the breast surgery. I think because it is just under the skin. YAY, can't wait for that now. I did ask her about the showering and she said it is the same as post-op last time, just 48 hours. I can deal with that. I completely trust my surgeon, so I will ask him about all the stuff I hear you all going through.

Amy - June 6th is the day I can drive again, it is circled in red on my calendar. I can't wait.

Amyjax ice pack on port worked wonders for me along with painkillers.



Momofsam I am doing the same chemo as you. Day 3 was the worst. Mostly tired....very bone weary tired. If you are getting neulasta shot please do yourself a tabor and start claritin before chemo. It will really help with bone pain. Start a laxative. I use senakotS. Chemo is outrageously constipating!

MomofSam - we are starting same chemo on same day! I'm nervous too, but relieved to get it going. We'll get through it - with the help of all our sisters!



lpc - thanks, ice pack is applied!

Hi everyone, had my first chemo (T/C) on 5/9, figured it was about time to check in here. I've been very lucky so far, Day 2 was rough-- super tired and achey. That was the day I started Neupogen too, so that may be the cause of the worst of it. I'm taking Claritin, but I still get very achey from head to toe soon after the shot and have to start on the Tylenol too.

Lots of little annoyances from constipation to that darn chin acne everyone is getting. First time is a learning experience, now I know what to expect next time and how better to prepare. More sleep, more water, Miralax from the get go and more ice chips during. I kept forgetting to use them and now my mouth is starting to get get sores.

I am planning on working during chemo on a poor part-time bases. My bosses and a few peers know that I have BC and Im sure a few minds told a few others but not all 80 employees are aware. Now that I am having chemo there is no hiding it.We are all women and know woman so I was wondering how have you have handled it. I work with almost all woman and see them all thru out the week. I am at a management level so want to handle it professionally. My bosses, men, tell me to handle as I like. I get it but a little advisement would be helpful. I am typically a very private person regarding my personal life at work. I can send a company email, I can ask HR to let everyone know, I can walk in with a bald head one day (a little too shocking for me). I do not want to have to repeat in a dozen times each day. I want work to be somewhat of normalcy away from "IT". Thanks All!! You gals are great on this site.



I took a peak at "you know you have cancer link....funny...reading it on chemo day.