Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

@ingrid  The second round of chemo was very similar to the first.  The side effects were about the same.  I was told to journal how I was feeling the days after chemo because they will be similar everytime.  So I would just write something really simple like:  Tuesday- feel like crap, slept most of day.  Then the second time I had something to compare and it seemed to be pretty much the same.

Hair is one of those personal decisions, some would prefer to wear a wig it offers privacy.  I have chose to not wear a wig and my privacy is compromised.  Everyone who see's me knows that something is up, even with a hat or a scarf it is evident.  My hair started to come out a couple days before my second chemo(about 17 days) and I tried to "hold" on to it.   It is a lot of work trying to keep your hair I was cleaning mybathroom constantly.  I finally decided to cut it in a GI Jane style until most of it fell out then I just cut it as close to the skin as I would with some mini clippers I had.  

Hope that helps

OceanWarrior~~Junebugs! I love that!!!



Ingrid~~Headache is usually caused by the infusion running too quickly for you. I assumed my headache was caused by one of the pre-meds I got for nausea, because the only time I ever get a headache is sinus, and that's rare. When I mentioned it to the infusion nurse, she said she'd slow the IV down. I never had another headache.



Blessings

Paula

Claritin-- Take one dose daily starting the morning that you receive your Neulasta shot and continue daily for 7 days.  This is the protocal of the ongoing clinical trial to determine if Claritin helps the bone pain related to the Neulasta shot.  Here is the link to the clinical trial if you want to know more about it and take the info to your onco:   http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01311336?term=claritin+neulasta&rank=1  Also, it is possible to still have joint pain/muscle aches even though one is taking the Claritin since the joint pain and muscle aches can be a side effect of your chemo regimen.

As for when the Neulasta shot will be administered, it is given 24 hours after your infusion.  Who gets it and when?  That really depends upon your chemo regimen and your onco.  I was on the Cytoxan/Taxotere regimen and received the Neulasta shot only after it was demonstrated that I needed it.  I developed a high spikey fever/chills 10 days after my 2nd round which was treated with two antibotics.  The reason that some oncos wait is to see if your white blood cells counts stay good so one doesn't have to have the shots.  Your blood work may be done right before you have chemo which will also help determine if you need it.  The alternative to the Neulasta shot are the Neupogen shots which are administered over several times and can be self administered.  Tne Neulasta shot is an expensive shot which explains why some oncos wait before starting it versus the less expensive Neupogen shots.  I know you may not want to take the shot because of the potential side effects that you may have read about; however, it beats staying in the hospital for several days to get control over any infection you may have.

I always had mine administered in my tummy where there was some fat and so it wouldn't hurt.  The nurse will let you warm up the shot in your hand before she administers it.  Ask her to inject slowly since the shot sting is less.  Remember, you don't have to look when she is injecting.

Ocean warrior, I see We are also canadian friends

Send me a note on thursday or Friday and let me know how it went !! Ill be thinking of you!!

Stay strong everyone !!!

Got my blood work done in my port, very easy, YEA!!!  The nurse left the needle in so that I won't have to be restuck tomorrow, another YEA!!!!!   I think she said it can stay in for 72 hours??  Took my steroids this morning and it really made me foggy with a headache.  I have had migraines for years and this was NOTHING like that, lol.  Will take 2 more this evening.  Will let you know how it goes tomorrow.  Is anyone else 1st dose tomorrow?  How are the earlier ones doing?  Prayers for all of you!

Oh, I forgot the Brian Joseph website. http://brianjosephs.com/cgi-bin/Agora/agora.cgi?cart_id=&product=PersonalCare  This man devolped it for his wife when she had breast cancer.  In April and May several have used it and said that it helped.  They thinned but didn't lose all.

Alibeths- It is understandable that your onco is taking a conservative approach with your pre-chemo meds.   the oncos can give you a laundry list of possible side effects but no one really knows how your body will react until you actually get the chemo.   It is not unusual for one on your chemo regimen to have your first round of anti-meds to be given through the IV before the chemo is infused.  As for the anti-anxiety meds, my onco offered to administer Ativan in with my IV meds which I had not requested.  I opted to have the Ativan via the pre-chemo IV and the only times that I received  the Ativan was with each round of chemo.  I did not have any anti-anxiety meds and never asked for any.  I know everyone is different when it comes to chemo.  I had a different chemo regimen than you and was given Decadron (steroid) to take the starting the day before the chemo round.  The Decadron tends to keep one wired which makes sleeping at night difficult.  I also took Zofran, anti-nausea med the day after the chemo.  I know that I received Zofran and Benedryl through my IV plus the Ativan.  I know you are nervous and anxious about the first round.  Just be easy on yourself and try to keep busy between now and then.  The day before your chemo, make sure you hydrate and eat healthy.  Hang in there!!!!  You can do this and before long, you will say "I am doing this!!!"

Just had an awful time with the decadron vomiting and dry heaves.  Called MO and she said I had to take the other 2 pills because of the taxotere.  Took Zofran, first one came up.  Finally stomach settled enough to keep 2nd one down.  Thought it was possible I might miss my appointment tomorrow.  Finally feeling better.  Will take Zofran at first symptom of nausea.  Wonder what tomorrow will bring?  Definately going to pack an overnight bag as we live almost 3 hours away.  Take care all and good luck!

Hi ladies had 1st chemo treatment yesterday feel OK just a little tired going for nuelesta shot today good luck to those getting theirs today

Netter- Sorry to hear you had a problem with the Decadron.  Just a gentle reminder that the Decadron and Zofran should be taken with food because those drugs on their own can cause nausea when taken on an empty tummy.  Try to drink plenty of fluids when you take them.

JudyMacK-  Healthy eating--- I was given a book called "Eating Well Through Cancer" written by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD.  This book was a great source for me because it had tips and suggestions as to how to handle side effects, recipes, shopping lists, menus.  The book chapters are by what to eat before chemo and what to eat when having "C", "D", sore mouth, etc.  I purchased another book called "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen" by Rebecca Katz.  It had great pictures and recipes and tips.  I think you can find the books for purchase thru Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  I kept a food diary which helped so I could figure out what foods worked for me and which ones did not.  I ate 5-6 small meals every day so I would always have some food in my tummy.  While in chemoland, a fed tummy is a happy tummy.  I bet you are wondering if I gained a lot of weight because I ate so often.... the answer is no.  What weight I did gain was fluid weight which I did lose.  The days after chemo, I usually ate a bland diet of baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, baked fish or chicken.  To help keep the constipation at bay, I ate a few Sunsweet Ones prunes after breakfast, lunch and dinner.  You can find those at Target below the raisin shelf.  They are individually wrapped prunes that are moist and sweet.  Try to stay hydrated.  I know the water drinking can get very boring.  I used two 32 ounces Nalgene bottles that I drank from every day which helped me make sure I drank enough water.  You can also get fluids in by eating watermelon and grapes, eating popsicles, jello and drinking gatorade and ginger ale.  You can also try putting fruit into your water like orange slices or lemon slices to flavor it.  Hope this helps.

I started taking the Tamox in September 2012.... about a month after I had my last round of chemo.  I've been doing fine on the Tamox.  Yes, I do have what I call "not so hot" hot flashes which are about the same as what I had while I was having chemo.  I haven't gained very much weight since I started taking it.  My onco told me that some gain weight at the beginning of taking Tamox because they were unable to eat certain comfort foods while having chemo.  I try to stay healthy by eating well and resting and exercising ( mainly walking).  My eating habits have not changed much since before I was diagnosed.  I was in pretty good health except for the having the bc and always have eaten a healthy diet.  With all of that being said, I know that when it came time to actually start to take the Tamox that I was a little hesistant because of the possible side effects.  However, I decided that I could deal with whatever side effect came my way and I needed to take the Tamox for myself, my family and friends and also in honor of those triple negative bc women who cannot take the Tamox because it is ineffective for them.  I don't look at the time period that I will be taking it as a sentence but rather just another maintenance drug that I need to take. That little white pill is so powerful and once one realizes that, taking it becomes much easier.

I do have friends who have not had an easy time with the Tamox.  The mood swings and extreme hot flashes have been tough on some.  They have gotten some relief by getting a prescription of Effexor.

Thank you Melrose for sharing your experience . It really helps as its so difficult to decide what to do for the best. I'm in the early stages and due to start fce-t chemo sometime in late June. I have not had children and had hope to try after chemo, however it seems I will have to take tamocifine fir two years before I can try.

Hi everyone;

Day three post chemo and feeling ok.. Yesterday, was flu like, stayed in bed and rested. Could feel my body thinking wtf...!!!

The hydration issue and keeping things moving with prunes and sennakot helped matters. My biggest challenge; have discovered how hard it is for me to really focus on looking after myself as I have four kids and have spent the last 12 years looking after them. First real illness I've ever had.. Used to shrugging off any health issues..It's a different mindset..

LStewart51; hope you are still feeling ok.. Day 2 so far my most lethargic..

Thanks Melrose and Paula for advice...saw where you had 6 rounds TC Melrose; you are amazing.. So glad you've come along in this thread- thanks..

Good luck Netter- hope it went ok.. And a 3 hour trip as well... !!

Fab1: i know a woman who froze eggs etc and then got pregnant the normal way (twice) post chemo anyway..

Take care everyone here...

Ingrid

Emend