Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

So I may need to schedule on Weds?..hard to say I know. I am not sure that I am going to get to start this week. Friday, I started dripping (fast drip) fluid from incision site..huge drama at 5 am!!..I went to surgeon and is also infection..had temp by that afternoon.chills, whole 9 yards..he has me on 2000 mgs antibioitcs..I search online and think I have seroma..Its still dripping ..not as bad as first morning..but have to change gauze/washrag 7-8 times a day-the site said can delay chemo..but can take from 1 mth to 1 year to resolve.sigghh..not sure if chemo holding due to infection or fluid leaking or both..am calling my oncologist tomorrow.  I tell you has been one thing after another..just want to get on with chemo and back to work..every time I start back to work..Im right back in surgery /pain something...sorry frustration~

Netter/Rain-Plastic utensils I think great idea. Not only for the metallic taste..I went and bought plastic forks, etc..paper plates, and plastic cups..I was scared that I read you have to be very careful the first 48 hours that people living with you do not get the chemo in them and to make sure you washed seperately, etc..I just went out and bought that and told him when the time came not to touch them..I'll use and throw away.  I read one post someone said that the metallic taste was so bad she couldn't bear to put fork in her mouth.

ckmoss- You may need to call your BS and update him on the situation and have him check it this week.  As for the chemo, you may not be released from the BS to start the chemo.  The fact that you have an infection, your white blood cells along with the antibotics are doing their best to get fight the infection.  i don't think that your onco would risk sending your white blood count down further with the chemo right now.  Do your best to eat healthy and rest while you continue to recover from your surgery and infection.  Also it is a good idea to talk to your onco and let him/her know the current situation with your healing from surgery.  Wishing you the best and get well soon!!!!

Hello I just had a double mastectomy June 4 and I should be seeing the oncologist for the first time this coming week. I am very scared and not sure what to expect. I am scared, sad, lonely. This is a very tough time and I have read so many encouraging stories, but  my feelings have not changed. I am 37 single mother and the fear of not being around for my son is killing me.

Thanks for asking, Oceanwarrior.   I'm doing better.  48 hours of vomiting wasn't fun, but today I'm keeping a little food down and the headache is manageable.  They said the aloxi probably did it and won't use it next time, they also switched from Zofran to Compazine.... so, holding my own.  This sure sucks.  I hope the worse is over.

Pattysmiles-Thats great advice, I didn't think of!..I have some protein powder and Im thinking now Ill go make some sort of smoothie with it.

puppymama09- Sorry to hear that you have a cold.  Yes, you do need to rest and eat well so you can get better.  Surgery takes a toll on one's body so it maybe a little easier to catch a cold.  As soon as your cold gets better, you need to get up and move.  What that meant to me was get off the couch or out of the bed and walk around the house.  As you gain your strength, you start walking outside to the end of the block and then increase the walking time to around the block.  As for the not so good post chemo feeling, you may feel like you just got hit by a virus.  You may want to lay low and stay in bed and rest for a few days but then once you start feeling a little better, it's time to get up and get moving.  As for walking, shopping counts as exercise.  I used to go walking at a nearby mall or Super Target so I could stay cool in the air conditioning, get some shopping done and get exercise.  I was careful when I was out and about and avoided sick people and little kids. The exercise will help with the fatigue and tiredness from the chemo since the exercise helps stimulate the body to produce new blood cells.  Right now, focus on getting over your cold.  Get well soon!!!!  Yes, you can get through the chemo and you will!!!!

Hi all,

I start chemo (T/C) on Thursday. I have not really stressed because of this website. There are so many strong women on here, that it is uplifting. My sisters are reading these posts, so now they feel better about what I am going through.

I have started my journal and packed my bag, just like I read to do on here. All of you are my inspiration! Thank you!

Sherry😷

Trm,

Good, most people feel mininal effects on day of and next day or two. Glad you joined that crowd.

Personally I had minor effectss of some throat pain, a little bit of dry mouth (used biotene after each meal,snack) and fatigue...napped for two days, one of those days A LOT! Next rou d I made sure to get up and walk more and do more to try and ward off the fatigue, was still tired, still napped for two days, but not as long a nap.



Did you look up on taking Claritan 24 the day of Neulasta and next 7 days? It can help to ward off the bone pain associated with Neulasta shot. I asked my MO and she had never heard of it, but said I could try it. She also said very few people get the bone pain and "it's not that bad". I'm all for prevention of pain if possible, so have used it. Thankfully no pain to speak of. Something to consider asking MO about, call ahead before the shot if you can and take prior to it, usually the morning of the shot. Just a thought.



Pat

Started having pain in my neck and shoulders tonight. Wonder if it is from the Neulasta shot?

Rachel-Good Luck with your chemo today. 

Flaviarose-I hope you are feeling better! The part I am dreading is getting nausea...nothing can lay me down like my stomach!

DIM425-I'm sending well wishes and prayers your way that nausea lessens and you are able to get through work.  It looks like there is not standard for days it hits..

puppymama09-  Glad to hear you are feeling a little better.  Maybe a cup of hot lemonade with honey will help you feel better.  You take good care of yourself, hydrate, rest, eat healthy and just be easy on yourself.  Listen to your body.  You will find out that you don't have to be "Super Duper Woman"  24/7 here; just Superwoman will do!!!!!!  Keep us posted on how you are feeling.....

Puppymama-(love your user name!)..I hope you feel better! That cup of hot lemonade with honey sounds interesting!..and very comforting.

*Oncologist RN called this morning, pushing backing chemo ..yet again..I just changed on my profile and thought they keep on  I won't make this June board!  I hope so, because I like it in here with ya'll. (Its amazing some boards you fit well in and some you really don't). Anyway, RN said as you did Melrose and another lady on my surgery board, that they would have to be totally sure that infection in MX site was clear and needed to check in ref to this fluid still happening. I changed my surgeon date from next Monday to fup for this Weds..I have blisters at the end of every single steri strip..again..and BURNING/ITCHING at times..I've actually put lidocaine on it when neosporin didnt work. Anyway, was suppose to start clinical trial, so that to is being pushed out..(chemo fog thing)..because they have to have blood

Lovely Ladies Who Are Having Their Chemo Start Dates Pushed Back-  You just need to stay here and don't move to another chemo thread.  It doesn't matter when you start your chemo---- why?----- it just doesn't matter at all.  You have made friends here and there are no rules or requirements that you must move to another thread because of the change in your start date. 

ckmoss-  Glad you posted an update of your situation.  It is possible to be allergic to those steri-strips and any other kind of adnesive which may be causing the blistering.  I'm allergic to bandaid adhesives and iodine surgical scrub.  Of course, I found out the hard way--- post surgery.   BTW- What clinical trial are you starting?

Wishing everyone an easy time in the Big Girl Chair (aka BGC) this week and minimal side effects.  Just remember you are all beautiful not matter what.....