Chemo May 2013

Lily,

Glad it went well.

Love these people on the board that share so much personal info to make it easier for the rest of us.

Have you heard to take the claritan 24 the morning of the Neulasta shot and at least 7days following? It has been said to ward off the bone pain that is a potential side effect of the Neulasta.

My doctor did not recommend or forbid it,(she said the odds of bone pain are small and "it's not that bad" ). well reading the stories here... I did it the Claritan and had no bone pain. I will never know if I "would have been one to get it" and I really didn't want to find out!



Pat

Made it through my first chemo infusion today. It is also our 20th wedding anniversary - isn't it romantic? LOL. my husband is joking that he wanted to take me to Paris, but no, I had to take a toxic cocktail excursion instead. You have to find a way to laugh somehow, don't you?



Am doing taxotere and cytoxan - so far, so good, but I know it is early in the process for me. Am on a 21-day cycle with this, projected 4 treatments. Thanks for all the advice beforehand everyone! Now I know at least how everything is set up and what I needed - and didn't need (I totally overpacked and was a fellow camper today.).

Pat - The nurse said we could drink lots of things that will count towards the 2 liters but absolutely can't count soda.  Water, juice, gatorade....try to stay away from tons of sugars.  The protein is more to keep up our strength....I am sure there were other reasons but I got so much info at the chemo class I just don't remember all of the whys and why nots. 

Getting nervous about Friday......glad to read that today went well for the two of you beginning treatments today.

Teresa,

Not trying to argue, but Gatorade has a lot of surgers too (yes, half as much as soda, but still a lot!).

http://www.livestrong.com/article/492753-how-much-sugar-is-common-in-soft-drinks-and-gatorade/



I think if people are having difficulty tolerating water they need to be drinking whatever liquids they can tolerate, wether it be Gatorade, soda etc...I've seen a few people on these boards wind up in the ER due to dehydration, unable to tolerate the taste of liquid and vomiting, not a good combo!



Reddheddmom Happy Anniversary! I'm sure this is one Anniversary you won't forget!

Glad you read the boards. There is a TON of info on here to help you through.



Love that camping reference. About the only thing NOT in my cooler bag was a 6 pack!

Pat

Welcome Lily. Be sure to start claritin to avoid aches and pains from neulasta.



Mcgis and Ljaeger no one told me how sore port would be first few days after insertion. I lived with ice pack on chest and it was only time I needed pain meds. Don't mean to scare you but I was unprepared and I have seen similar posts here.



Gully I agree taking command of hair is a good thing. I cried more when it was falling out then when it was shaved. Head is itchy now so must shave rest of it now. My second round of chemo was much faster than first. Hope yours goes well. I go for labs tomorrow and hopefully all will be well. Btw my husband would be thrilled if I went on cleaning frenzy! Haven't felt that urge yet!



AryaS I found once I started chemo I was much calmer. Still have cried don't get me wrong but waiting to start treatment was the worst!



Have a good evening



Lisa

OceanWarrior-I'm so sorry your chemo was delayed, and I feel your pain. Mine was delayed prior to my initial start date due to the fact that my surgical drain was slow to come out. It was really frustrating, because you can't put it behind you if you can't start!

Hang in there!

OceanWarrior: I had the echocardiogram last week and they found some "slight mitral valve regurgitation" and "trace pulmonary valve regurgitation". My Onc says full steam ahead with chemo. I was all, Wait a minute, what about this regurgitation stuff? And she said she'd have me see a cardiologist once I was done with chemo.

What the what?!!



It seems every scan I get, I find out more things are falling apart.

I understand about meltdowns. I've been having them for days. I hope you and hubby are able to resolve it.

I think we all deserve to be treated gently by our loved ones.

This is a lot, what we are going through.

Well said AryaS!!

Kate- I am sooooo glad you are feeling so much better! Work will be a good distraction for you. Ativan is a God send right?....I never took pills unless I abosoulty had to before BC now I feel like a druggy! 

Wigs are confusing:

I learned a few things that may help you. Real hair wigs are wicked expensive and hard to take care of ($300-1000) depending on length). Think of your real hair made into a wig, you have to wash dry, style etc....

Microfilament wigs look more like real hair at the part especially but without as much upkeep. (cost about $100-150). They keep there style, so you just shake and put on and go. You have to clean them with special wig care products but only about 1 per week if you live in a warmer climate and 1 per 2-3 weeks in a colder climate. You can style these with some wig scultping creams, and wig hair sprays etc. They have more movement than the cheaper synthetic wigs ($50-70). Lace fronts are necessary if you are a person who likes to wear you hair swept back from your face. It gives the appearance of a real hair line. Otherwise, if you like bangs caps are fine.

 I got one of mine, a cheap one, from tlcdirect.com, to see if I could get used to wearing one. Its nice but the part can look kind of funky up close especially if it get windy outside.

 I then got another one from wigs.com for $120 and I really like it! You really cant tell its not real hair.  It moves with the wind but goes right back with a flip of your hand just like real hair. I took it to my hairdresser and she cut it a little to fit my face.  My Hubby likes it too. 

FYI- If you go to a wig bank in your area sponsored by the American Cancer society you can get a wig and all the products for free! Happy hunting... its kind of fun after you get used to the idea! (Thanks for the tip Pat) I think I am going to find something funky for this one. Maybe asymmetricaly cut or a funky color! I have an appointment next Tues.

I hope everyone has a good day! As for me off to round #2! Must pack my camping bag...LOL

Scheree

Here is the link again to find the Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) program near you.

http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/



They give you a free makeup kit (they have for all skin Colors) and show you how to apply the makeup, with special tip on making eyes look like they have lashes...



Just an FYI, not all the programs are the same.

Someone posted that theirs offered scarf tying, but did not offer wigs, they had to go to a wig bank run bybthenAnerican Cancer Society. No big deal, it's still free, just another stop.

Mine did not offer scarf tying thing, but had wigs. And the one I went to had a box of gently used donated items they let me take all I wanted! Picked up a few things, especially a head cover for sleeping now st it is "air conditioner season".



Keep in mind that wigs run petite, average and large. My noggin really needs a large to be comfy...unfortunately I forgot about size when I picked up my free wig and now notice it is an average and a bit snug,which means I won't be wanting to wear it when it is hot and tight!



Additionally, I went to two locations, you have to bring your makeup kit with you the second time. I had run so late the first place I missed the demo. Anyhow, the second place had the wigs...BUT did not have wig stand or the wig care products to give out! They said they hadn't heard of it.!? So I told them a LGFB program only 20 minutes away had that stuff, and they should look into it. (Yes, I have a big mouth)



I was glad I went to a different cancer center. I saw that they have a tattoo artist that can do 3D nipples (not that I need them at this time, but not sure if I will after my next surgery).

There is always something to learn!



Oh, to make a wig stand...I had seen a video somewhere , that showed using a two liter bottle of soda, cut itin half or so and invert into each other (so spout is inside) and the bottom of the bottle is now the top...the wig sits on it. No need to buy one!

I wouldmimaginenit would be easier to make using two bottles? it would sit taller?

Also read its not good to store a wig on a stand for long term(week or more?) so there is a lot to learn about wigs!

Read up ladies, I know that's my next step to investigate!

Pat

Patty I am glad you are on here and do much research. I get home from work to tired to do much of anything but take off wig and sit! Thankfully dd home for summer and doesn't mind making dinner most nights. You are a wealth of info and much appreciate it. I am lucky to live 20 minutes away from vinnie's tatoo shop. He is quite famous for his 3d nipple tatoos. You will see him mentioned in the reconstruction threads. People from all over country go to him here. He also travels to NOLA to work on the ladies who go there for reconstruction.





Kate hope you have a good day at work. Good to hear you sounding so good!



My wig is monofilament with lace cap. I find it hot and itchy but it does look quite good. I went to a salon of a bc survivor who hoped me pick out a wig and then styled it for me. She had a nice private room where I could shed a few tears and shed a lot of hair. The wig was 140 and is on the long side.



Today I am getting bloodwork and went wigless. Have a few errands to run after so will be first time out and about commando in a ballcap. Couldn't bear to wear wig in the heat so decided to grin and bare it. Lol.



Hope 2nd treatment goes well today Gully.



Great day to all



Lisa

Hello,



I thought I might join this group since my chemo started at the very end of April and I should be on a similar schedule to many of you. I hope that works for you all. I have read your posts and learned a lot!



I had my second treatment of 6 this past Monday and and trying to get rid of the bone pain from the neulesta and I am feeling the fatigue/flu today. On my first treatment this day and tomorrow were the worst for me.



This go around I had IV hydration for 2 days following the chemo and that seems to help. It would be great if I felt better tomorrow. One can hope!

Greetings,



I see there are a number of people starting their chemo,mor recently started, and a lot of us discussing side effects.



I wanted to share again a useful and possibly helpful side effects worksheet for chemo.



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



I keep mine next to my favorite chair and go through it each night and check it off.

I was also squeezing in the meds I would take that were "extra" (Prilosec, Claritan, Miralax, stool softener). I found I did not need the sheet past day 7 (thankfully)

It is easy to refer to and helpful instructions as to when to call your doctor.



You can bring it with you to the next chemo (stick it in that camping bag! Lol) and go over it with your doctor as opposed to trying to remember (my memory SUCKS).



Please note that not all potential side effects are listed on it, but there is room to note others on the last page.



Pat