Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

Val & Netter - day 12 still no hair loss up there or cough cough down there. However the strangest thing: I was in a work meeting today and my chest felt warm n itchy, I reach up casually and wipe between my breast (expanders) trying to be all secret squirrel squirrel to itch the cleavage. After a casual quick rub (phew did anyone see that?) I glance down to my hand and see all my baby fine peach fuzz all over my fingers. Yep. All my tiny fuzzy hairs are falling out. Except for that one dam black hair that always grows between by boobs! You know the one hair that grows on your face that you pluck one day and the freakish thing is back the next!! Well mine grows between my boobs and its still there, but all the baby fine fuzz is shedding away. Hair up there holding strong, very sensitive scalp though feels like when you have a hair tie in too long or tight and the hair follicles are sensitive.



Netter did your hair just all of a sudden start falling out little bits or clumps?



Val- I fear your right second round... Might not be as smooth as the 1st.



I've heard two things as treatments go along the crapper you'll feel it's accumulative. Then folks say a/c gets easier with each treatment? Anyone hear one way or the other.



I am dense dose so not much RR time between.

Sorry Rain,

That was your comment...

Chemo brain already???

Pat-Everyone being my nurses, etc..and thought Id read somewhere too..I wonder if I misunderstood and thought they meant you don't feel much on day 1.  I thought that you didn't feel really anything your whole first 3 weeks after 1st treatment of chemo..I knew everyone was diff, but that 1st time was kinda the norm of no side effects..then got worse as you went on..generally 3rd treatment being time your hair fell out.

Thanks for offer of list..my husband actually went on here last week..copied, I believe Melrose list of every single side effect you may or may not have and what to do for it..made trip to Walmart and bought everything on the list..even bought brand new shower curtain liners, clorox wipes..anything to help make house sterile for both our sakes. (he's had bout of bronchitus he's been trying to shake). The heartburn/acid reflux..I have anyway..So I will DEF be stocking up on Prilosec.(thats the only thing that works well for me). My reflux LOL at tums/rolaids.

Raindeer,

Everyone should be calling their doctors number they give if experiencing side effects that don't go away with over the counter products. There is NO NEED to be that super hero...feel better faster!



There have been people decribing worse side effects as treatment goes on. I have great fully not had that problem. But again, different treatments, age of patient, physical shape after surgery, there are so many factors that can affect response to chemo.



I know my heartburn was a surprise the first go around, so I was pro active the second time around and took it first thing. Well this third round I forgot, and lets just say I woke up with a mouthful of acid at 3 am. Could also be because I made an error in my steroid medication and only took one pill instead of two! Chemo brain, or a "know it all" attitude...I think I felt I knew what I was doing and didn't double check my prescriptions when I started the steroids! Live and learn!



Ckmoss,

My oncologist was adamant that hair would start to fall out day 12 of first treatment. She was correct, and I have found most women saying the same (those on taxotere). Maybe you misunderstood the oncologist or nurse? Keep reading these threads, there is so much info and keep asking questions, you will learn so much here, and you can always take what you learn here and go back and ask your doctor more questions, I know I did!

Pat

Puppymamma,



You will be amazed that you feel "perfectly normal" for most of chemo. There will be down days, things will feel a bit different but it is still YOU doing it all. We all have amazing inner strength.

I don't like discussing my chemo to "outsiders".. In fact I have told very few people about my cancer...my husband has done a good job of that! I don't want pity, I don't need help, thankfully, so I see no point in telling people. I did tell my Girl Scout moms because my surgery took me out of commission for a bit. They were very supportive, and I'm sure they told 2 friends, and so on and so on....



Anyhow, I feel good, during most days I am up and out, I even get to the gym..

1st round of chemo I was there on Day 3 (probably could have gone on day 2- day after chemo, but I was "afraid", then day4-5 I was tired and I was back to the gym for day 6 and the remainder of days til next round. I was out in the evening to weed the garden and spread mulch, as I'm not supposed to be in the sun.



2nd round chemo I skipped the gym the first week, I was busy,in fact I skipped second week too as I was helping hubby paint bedrooms for the kids, then I went during week 3.



The only thing that changed was my haircut, and then thinning hair, which lead to me wearing buffs...which is my head covering of choice.



Hope this gives you some comfort.

Pat

First chemo treatment was today at 10:00 a.m. It went well, the nurses were all  very nice and I certainly wasn't there alone.  There was some one receiving chemo in almost every chair.  Made for a nice distraction to chat.  And my husband was there.  My neighbors brought us dinner.  So nice!

I don't feel too bad but I'm starting to feel that nausea.  The nurse said I probably wouldn't until tomorrow but I don't know if I want to wait.  Thinking about compozine tonight.  I hate vomiting!  Anybody else start this soon?  Am I being paranoid?

I did have all that pressure pain in my chest from the port placement.  It didn't start until 24 hours after and then I couldn't take a deep breath or so much as lean forward for a couple days.  It's fine now except it wasn't completely healed when they started using it today and the initial insertion HURT, but it was brief.

I love the post from Melrosemelrose!  So much good information.  I like to treat symptoms too!  I don't want to be brave and miserable any more than I have to be.  I get the shot tomorrow and my nurse said start the Claritin tonight.  I bought the generic - same thing right?  They assured me all my body fluids would be shades of red for awhile from the A.  The were at first but not now.  ??  I'm pushing fluids!  My theory is they can put it in but I'm getting it out ASAP.  And I made my teenage take me for a walk tonight, so I'm still doing ok today.  Tomorrow . . . we'll see.

Oh insomnia!! How I hate you!!!😖😖😖

I have just emerged from a three day chemo coma (not the real deal but it sure felt like it).  I'm finally feeling a little bit like me.  I can stand, I can stretch, I can, sort of, think.  I can taste some things but sweet is GROSS---so much for that little bit of choclate that I have been hoarding. I seem to have emerged with jaw pain, joint pain and icky post nasal drip with a sore throat.  I'm feeling pretty unscathed compared to some. 

Three days, every three weeks for the next year?  Yup, I think I CAN! 

God bless us and heal us.  Mend on, ladies!

No 2 patients are the same no 2 cancer's are the same yet we are all treated the same everyone is different. The nauseous feeling is horrible and with each treatment does it get worse? I have a terrible ear ache wonder if I have a ear infection. I cant concentrate at all had to stop working. Day 6 and I feel the same as day 4. Don't want to leave my house just feel gross. I found potatoes make me feel better. I would love to click my heals as well and fast forward to October. Not looking forward to next treatment. I put on a happy face but I'm getting so depressed.

Found out about a good remedy for dried out sore noses.......coconut oil is supposed to work great! I'm buying some today!

As some of you have figured out, the Adryamicin aka the Red Devil can really get you.  If you were given some anti-nausea meds to take post chemo, try to take them on a schedule and with food and lots of water.  You just want to stay ahead of that nausea because once it's sets in, it's not easy to feel good quickly.  Also, don't wait to call your onco/infusion nurse if you just keep feeling worse.  You can't just ride it out because the side effects although may make you feel like you have the flu, you just need to get some help.  It's your onco's job to help you and you can get help if you just tell him/her.  The onco can adjust your meds and IV meds for the next round.

As for the dryness in the nose, a little vaseline and saline solution spray will help.  I must also tell you that ut is easy to have a bloody nose.  If you work, just carry an extra shirt/blouse with you just in case the blood gets on your clothes.   If it is on your clothes, a little saliva/spit on that spot will help get the stain out.  No need to panic.

I've read some of you have felt that port.  Yes, it does hurt and is sore for about a week or two after the port is placed.  My breast surgeon told me before I had my UMX and port placement that it would hurt and to be prepared for it to hurt more than my UMX.  He was right.  Yes, you will feel it in your chest at times.  Over time, that sensation may lessen. 

As for the tears, let them flow and don't be ashamed or feel weak because you do cry.  The chemo does cause some of the tears and the overwhelming feelings of this road we are on can also cause the tears.  It's okay.  My chemo tears would show up and last five to ten minutes and then gone.  I warned my family that I would do this and to know that I was really okay but this was just something I needed to do.  Again, let them flow and move forward.

I know that some of you are wondering what cumulative really means..... does it mean I will feel more nauseaous with each round, will I feel worse, will food taste worse.....etc.  For me, I noticed I was more tired and found my breathing was little more labored.  That was because of my dropping red blood counts ( means possible anemia).  My joints hurt a little more and I moved a little slower after sitting up or laying down.  I did not have any nausea and never had that feeling.  I think it's because I took my anti-nausea meds on schedule whether I felt nauseaous or not.  The joint pain always subsided once I started walking and moving around.  My onco told me I could take OTC pain relievers which I never did.  I'm someone who doesn't like to take drugs at all.  The worst side effect I had was burping...... yes.... burping.  I burped like a drunken sailor.  I thought and still think it's pretty funny.  My teenage son and I would have burping contests last summer and just laugh ourselves silly.

If you haven't figured out by now, you need to try to smile and laugh every day.  Positive attitudes will carry each of you very far.  I'm not saying that there aren't not so good days but we are all here to give each other support and help and to remind each other, that no matter what, it's all good.

Hugs to each of you and hope you are feeling good.

Melrose - thanks for your post. You are always helpful. That's funny about the burping because I have that. I just thought it was me!

Question- I have been trying to find some cotton or soft little caps-fairly cheap-just to wear at home and while sleeping. I checked 2 Walmarts but couldn't find any. Does anyone know where I could find?

ckmoss- check out the TLC website.  Here is the link: http://www.tlcdirect.org/Sleep-Caps-for-Cancer-and-Chemotherapy-Patients-American-Cancer-Society-TLC-Direct?shw=1

Thanks to ya'll!  ..and Ginger that is a great idea!  I will call and ask!