TC Starting July 2013
Heading into 12 weeks of TC ChemoLand on Tuesday, July 2... anyone else joining me on this adventure around the same time?
Comments
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I'm In July as well. TC x 4, and very anxious. Sorry you are going thru this but I'm glad we will all be there for one another.
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I just started TC yesterday. I felt pretty good yesterday, and I still feel ok today!
I've been drinking a lot of water and take my anti nausea pills every 8 hours, even though I haven't felt nauseas.
How are you doing thus far? -
Hi Ladies
I am sitting in my onc s waiting room. Will start TC in an hour or so
Slight headache from dexamethasone ( never get them normally). Pretty apprehensive
Christen0923. Well done. I am hot on your heels. Have booked to try and play golf tmrw b4 I get possibly hit by the chemo truck
Be strong ladies well done kickinitgood for setting up a specific TC thread
Hi Zimmy. Good luck too
Sue x -
quick update ....well that is Day 1 chemo over and done with YAY - so far this firecracker lives to fight another day.....
I used EMLA cream (lignocaine cream) to numb the cannula area and i swear i never felt a thing when they put it in. My veins are small and they didnt even bother with the back of thehand and went straight for the elbow ( i had a patch there too hah).. they also put my arem in warm water first to beef the vein up so all went well there
Took about 2.5hrs to put in the dex, granisetron, ducetaxol and cytoxan. no SE whatsoever.. needed the loo 3x though cos they pumped so much saline thru too (hey saves drinking water
))))it is 5 hours ost infusions and all good have drunk some gingle cordiol and eaten a huge slice of lasagne a friend had left on our doorstep and all is well with the world... we will see what tomorrow and the weekend brings...
Michelle69 hope your day is as good as mine... the waiting and the unknown are definately the hardest parts
i did paint my nails black,, but my onc took one look and said nothing had been proven on black nails or icing .. they did recommend nail hardeners though.. either way i am sticking to my black nails.. they are growing on me.. pardon the pun
)))))Zimmy.. good luck for tmorrow ( i am in AUS so i may be early for you )
Sue x
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Checking in again today. Hope everyone is still feeling well! Wednesday I felt ok but towards about 3 o'clock I was beat! I went to work all day Tuesday and Wednesday so maybe it just caught up with me. I also had no appetite at all yesterday.
This morning ( Thursday ) I woke up with achey bones and a slight headache but now that I'm up, I feel better. Stopped taking Zofran for nausea last night . So far so good. Had 2 eggs for breakfast and I'm ready to get on with my day!
My scalp is tingly already- hope that doesn't mean I will be losing hair early! Haven't gotten a wig yet! -
The rest of Thursday was awful. The aches and pains in my body left me couch bound all day. I was very tired. I started craving veggies so I ate those like crazy all day. Took a sleeping pill before I went to be and was good to go this morning! A little groggy feeling, but I felt much better than yesterday !
I took a nap around 1 because I went into the city to get fitted for a wig - it exhausted me. But now I'm up and ready to continue on. Still rinsing with banking soda and salt after I eat and drinking plenty of water all day long. No mouth sores.
Very itchy scalp though.
Let me know how everyone else is doing! -
Hello Ladies.
First of all, I wish you all the best as you face down the challenge of TC chemo. I realize this thread is for those who started this month, but I hope you don't mind me chiming in. My last TC infusion was April 15. Like all of you, I read a great deal about it before I started, and most everything went as others had described. One main difference was I tried a different option for the pain that set in on days 3-6. I experience two major types of pain, the bone pain from the nulasta (I really should have tried the Claritin) and muscle/skin pain. My arms and legs and face and everything hurt when I touched them. This pain is a type of myalgia, and so I did some research, found a couple of Oncology journal reports and asked my onco for gabapentin for subsequent rounds and it made a HUGE difference. Because this medicine can make you sleepy when you first take it, you can't start with the full dose. This however, works well as you take it at night the day before, day of and day after treatment and it helps you sleep even though the steroids disrupt sleep. Then on day 3-6 you take it in the morning and at night. I hope this info helps if any of you have the muscle pain.
Keep up the fight!
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That's a great tip jbsmom. I think it's great if the experienced TCers chime on their experience
How did you go with peripheral neuropathy? The gabapentim probably really helped there too and constipation???
I am only starting day 3 first cycle. Have been taking 2 senna and coloxyl prophykatically at night to try to avoid constipation day 2 was good. See what day 3 brings NC -
JBSmom- thank you for letting us know. I have recently found that Desitin is my savior. Anyone else having that problem? If not, pretend I never said anything! 😬
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Hi everyone! I had my first treatment of TC yesterday. I'm feeling ok, last night had terrible indegestion I'm taking Pepcid but it's not working too well. anyone had this? I'm not sleeping either, I had my port placed Wed and then first round Thurs, so my port still is very bruised and painful. I am drinking drinking drinking, taking nausea meds around the clock. I hope I'll be one that breezes though this, oh wouldn't that be great??
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Stumbled across this post. I have just finished up my 4 treatments of TC, here are some things I found helpful.
First, if you are taking OTC (over the counter) meds and they aren't doing anything for you the you should reach out to your oncologist, day or night, weekends, holidays...that is what they are there for. And then, if you continue to have a problem, you call them back! NO ONE should suffer!
With that in mind, I took Prilosec for my heartburn, and would add in a TUMS every now and again for "break through" heartburn. That worked for me. Others have been told to double their dose of Heartburn meds, but that is something you should hear from your oncologist, not from us desperate ladies!
Desitin....why not? Whatever works. For the babies i used to babysit for Triple paste worked really well.
For the "nether region" I use pampers ultra sensitive wipes for the day of chemo and the next few days.whenevr I use the toilet, for whatever reason ...why not, we are eliminating toxins! Of course we will be sensitive! There are other wipe type products, I just happened to have a coupon and got them at a box store, so I have plenty to use. (PS, make sure your toilet system can handle?)
Claritan to try and avoid bone pain from the Neulasta shot.
Yes,I used the Claritan 24 hour, one the morning of the Neulasta shot and one each morning after the shot for 7 days. I asked my oncologist (because we should, right?) and she never heard if it, but didn't ban me from trying. She said "few people get bone pain"....well I didn't want to be one of the "few". Funny part is the nurse that gives me the shot says I am their only patient that doesn't complain about bone pain!
Neuropathy, I iced (and I asked my oncologist, who didn't think it would make a difference)...then getting the Taxotere drip I chewed on crushed ice (available at my center) as well as drank an icee (I brought in) and I placed frozen veggies on my toes and bags of ice on my fingers. I iced the whole time of the taxotere drip, except for when I had to go use the bathroom from all the liquid I was drinking. I have not had any neuropathy or mouth sores. I will not swear that icing helped, but I had read about it and thought "why not"
Liquid...drink, a lot! Start the morning of chemo...helps to find those veins when you are well hydrated! Continue throughout your IV and after, and the next days....you want to clear the toxins out. If you don't like water, find something you do like. Use flavored water, flavor your water with lemon, something, anything!
Constipation...my oncologist said I would have diarrhea with my TC. (I'm really wondering where my oncologist gets her Info from?! ) My first IV round i did not use stool softener until the day after chemo, then added Miralax the day after that. I was mildly constipated, no sign of diarrhea. Next chemo I started stool softener the day of chemo and also the Miralax and continued them until I was done taking anti-nausea meds. Much better results. That is what worked for me, obviously we are all different.
Sleep, sleep when you can. It is your friend! But, also get up and move as you need to be a bit active, it actually helps to move, it makes that tired feeling go away!
food, eat what tastes good. In my case I treated myself to a McDouble cheeseburger, ketchup only and a small chocolate shake at McDonalds. Not something I would normally get, but it sure as heck tasted good! (Forget the fries, they were nasty!). I did this for 3 days in a row. I also found watermelon was absolutely delicious, cold, juicy goodness. Each chemo I had hubby cut one up for me. (I did try making a yogurt/watermelon shake...eeeew! But I drank it). Protein is your friend, has healing properties. Try and stay away from the foods that would normally give you heartburn.
I ate eggs twice a day those first few days because nothing else "sounded" good and some things smell real bad (think pregnancy nose sensitive!)
Keep a check off list of the drugs you want to take each day for side effects and I keep those in a bowl on my kitchen table so I can't forget.
For example my AM list:
Prilosec
Claritan
Stool softener
Miralax
Steroids (for however many days your dr. Prescribes)
Etc....
Then I had a list of "other" drugs and those were kept in a different location.
Anti- nausea meds, 2 types
Benadryl (which I didn't need)
If by chance you cannot get out of bed one day becuase you are comfortably sleeping in then make sure your significant other knows those drugs to bring to you...didn't want to miss that Claritan in my case!
On my journey I often thought about those who have gone before us....and the horror stories associated with chemo. I am thankful that things are so much better for us. Please remember to use your medications to address those side effects and to call your oncologist when you can't control those side effects.
Here is a helpful link to check off side effects. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@nho/documents/document/acsq-009502.pdf
Pat -
Pat, thank you so much for the info! Ladies like you are lifesavers for us newbies! If you can think of anything else, I'd love to know. Today is day three and I'm still feeling pretty good. Keeping up with all these medicians are time comsuming but very much worth it.
Thanks again! Hope you have a great weekend!
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Ok, the desitin did not get me through the night. I will be calling my onc this morning and I will let you know what she recommends. I hope none of you get this - it's unbearable.
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NC,
I did not get the neuropathy, but I did have the other hand problem where my fingertips swelled some, felt hot for a day or so and then about 13 days after treatment they started peeling, and the skin was back to normal by day 21 when I saw the onc and had the next treatment. I believe gabapentin can cause constipation, but I did not have that problem. Perhaps you have to take it longer than a week or at higher doses to see that effect.
I tried to be a good water drinker, but on infusion day and for two days after, when I drank more than a few sips I would get nauseated and the meds did not do much for it if I kept drinking.
Hope everyone has a good week! It will get better.
PS I wanted to mention one thing that took me by surprise because all of the what to expect info seems to end with the last infusion. I figured since I had felt comparatively better by day 21, that following my last round, it would be better each day. However, about 24 or 25 days post final treatment, I started to get muscle tightness like I had never felt before. I had to do major stretches several times a day to be able to move without looking like a robot. Fortunately, the stretches helped. Sadly, this unexpected pain overlapped with the max weight gain that I experienced (only about 2-3 pounds but enough to make me depressed because my clothes were uncomfortable). Anyway, both symptoms pretty much resolved on their own over about 2-3 weeks. I was feeling pretty much like my pre-chemo self but the 4 week mark when I started radiation.
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Thanks jbsmom. That's interesting re post final treatment. I have a trip planned back to the UK. Day14 post final chemo. Onc says I can do it. But I do feel its pushing it re immunosuppression and flying
Least it is a goal to aim for
I am Day 5 today and I feel better than yesterday. ( less tired)
Mouth a little sore ( impacted wisdom tooth playing up) but feel like I will go into work for a short while and get a walk in other than that feel OK
Not drinking so much now that seems to be indicated for the first 3 days to flush us thru ??
Good luck to everyone starting this week. -
Hi NC,
Happy day 6. Feeling even better than day 5? Did they tell you to rinse your mouth with a solution of salt/baking soda? I was not obedient on that one at the start of round 1, but about day 4 or 5 I started noticing that my tongue was very sore. I got religious about the rinse (after eating) for the first week to 10 days each round and then it was fine.
Keep looking forward to your trip! Advil helped with the tightness that I had to if it happens to you, it can be managed.
Continued good wishes to all!
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YES and YES
Have been brushing twice a day and using biotene gum and rinse. Feels better today but tongue looks pretty furry first thing till I brush it
Have booked to try and play golf again day 9. Have WBC tests day8 and 10
Brush my hair very gingerly In the shower at present but all good there for now
Raining here in WA ( middle of winter ). -
Day 8 - still a little itchy but I can tell its going away. Exercise works wonders for my fatigue. Even if I'm not feeling up to it, I push myself to.
Anyone else's tongue white?
Still have my hair , doesn't seem like it's thinning either but I'm told that is day 10-14.
Are we supposed to gargle with baking soda/salt throughout treatment or just the first week or so? I've been doing it less and less and am down to once a day. -
Hi Christen0923,
I agree on the exercise. Even when I felt bad, I felt better if I spent some time on the treadmill or playing tag with my 6 year old (what was I thinking?). I could not do either as long or as intensely as pre-lumpectomy, but any exercise helped.
As for the mouth rinse, I, too, stopped after about day 9 or 10.
My hair was a bit like a switch. Day 12, fine, day 13 afternoon noticed loose strands, day 14 the shower was a mess and asked my sweet husband to buzz cut it. My head felt instantly better when the hair was off. Although I thought this would be an absolutely terrible thing, I now wonder as I am showered and ready to head out in about 15-20 minutes how I will manage when I need to dry and style my hair! You can get some lemonade from every lemon I guess!
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Christen, white tongue could be thrush...might want to call it in?
my tongue was white first go around and I brushed it every time I ate. (With toothpaste)
It actually seemed to go away, took a few days
Came back at second treatment, did same., took longer.
Third treatment I called it in and they prescribed a mouthwash...which I only used a few times (was supposed to be for DAYS) and it seemed to clear up fine.
4th round, I now have yeast infection....hmmmm, and slightly white tongue. Don't know if it is "related". Called the oncologist office and they have prescribed Difulcan, one pill only...will be picking that up soon.
Guess I should have called it in and followed through on meds the first go around?
Oh well...if that was the worst of things I will take it!
Pat -
July TC Ladies! So sorry for initiating a thread and then abandoning it for weeks! It's great to see all these posts and know what good company we share. I am ending day 18. Tonight I had my hair buzzed down as far as my husband could go. As had been predicted, on day 14 I started to notice pubic hair and the hairs on my head falling out. On day 16 it was coming out in quick fashion. Yesterday the bald spots started appearing. That meant today was the buzz off day. I had my long hair cut extremely short on day 2 and was actually just getting used to it! Oh well, easy come easy go. My first infusion on July 2 went well. Days 3 - 5 had mild -moderate fatigue, nausea and constipation. Couldn't sleep at night while on the dex. hungry almost all the time that first week... have already gained 5 lbs. a bit of funky thick feeling in mouth and baking soda and salt water gargle helped. Found it difficult to drink water after day 4... Cold green tea and those vitamin waters were good. Grateful I tried the Claritin routine for the neulasta injection.... Had some bone joint pain on days 5-6 but disappeared as quickly as it came... Hips, inner leg, shin of legs, throat, jaw. Sore throat, too, for several days. Weird. Unfortunately the worst part of my first week was a high temp days 4-5... Ended up in the ER when it got to 101.3... WBC was down, but acceptable so after 3 sticks and 3 hours of waiting for results, I finally got to go home. Day 7 I felt almost normal again, with most symptoms gone. Day 8 I felt great and have the past 10 days, except for the emotional stuff about the hair... I find it really hard. Anybody else go for the uber obscenely expensive Brian Joseph's brow and lash gel? I've been using it once a day since day 5 but that expensive tiny tube's contents are getting used up pretty quickly... I'm wondering if it's worth it?!? Infusion #2 is Monday, so i'm getting ready for round 2 this weekend. I wish all of you a fine weekend and if you've been enduring the heat waves I have this month (the first one was during my 1st treatment week... Adding insult to injury!), I hope you can stay cool and sane... It Isn't easy! Peace to all you tc ladies... Thanks for running with this thread!
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Hi kickinitgoo,
I too had my first infusion on the 2nd. My 2nd one is Wed the 24th. I did get the Brian Joseph's lash and brow stuff. So far it's working. My hair is starting to fall out slowly. Don't have the nerve to buzz it yet but probably will when it gets bad. Please keep me posted on your 2nd go round. So will I.
TEXAN HUGs coming your way
Gma04 -
Hi gma04! Just finishing day 2, so only mild nausea and constipation which started this afternoon... Expect it to intensify and be tired tomorrow... Wondering if neulasta injection will bring same side effects again this time around! Lots of burping and gas passing, too, like last time, but nothing serious in the way of indigestion... it's just amusing. Tonight's shower brought out many of the tiny hairs left on my head, as expected, as I hear round two zaps what you have left pretty quickly. I think my brows have lightened and thinned already, and some of my lower lashes have come out, too, but I'm still using the gel... Might not get a second tube though if this keeps up... Too expensive! I hope you do ok tomorrow... They told me an allergic reaction can still happen on round two even if you didn't have one on round one, so hopefully no rash will pop up on you... I don't have one yet so I think I'm all clear. I'll be sending you good vibes tomorrow... Go get 'em!
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Well done gma04 and kickinitgood... lead the way for me.... my round 2 is next Friday Aug 2nd... hair just starting in thin a little ( day 14), and definately a few pubes here and there.... chin hair hanging iin there but easier ( less painful to pluck??)
keep up the reports on how you are faring.... ( not farting
heheNC x
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Hey ladies - haven't posted in awhile but I've been reading on your posts.
Had my second treatment on the 29th. Ran a 5k the day after ... But now I'm starting to feel like a cancer patient!!! This one is kicking my butt!! I'm so tired and drained. I got poison ivy on my neck and head (don't ask) so that doesn't help. Had to go on steroids for that. I'm finding it very hard to sleep so I'm exhausted. I also noticed I have a very slight cough every once in awhile. Anyone else?
I buzzed my head on day 16 because I couldn't take it anymore. Still have a little left and my eyelashes and brows. I'm assuming those may go soon.
I guess those are my complaints! Haha
Not so much of a "breeze" as I thought it was going to be.
It's very frustrating now.
Did anyone else's head get little bumps on it once they shaved it? I'm wondering if that's part of the poison ivy or if it's dry or something ??
Hope you are all hanging in there physically and emotionally!!! -
Hi Christen,
I had bumps on my head, under my hair (I didn't shave)...personally I think it was a side effect of steroids. It happened mostly after first and second treatment, then lessened.
Pat -
Oh yeah - and after the bone pain set in the 3rd day after my second round, I spiked a fever of 102.6 for about 8 hours! And I haven't been able to move my bowels naturally since this whole thing started!
On a lighter note, I just slept 9 hours last night so I don't even care about any of that anymore haha! -
Thanks Patty. You're probably right
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This is my first post. Looks like I'm a late bloomer to blogging. My hair started falling out about 10 days after my first chemo in July. Had my second 10 days ago now and waiting for the rest of my few sprigs to release themselves. First chemo was pretty much a breeze, made easy by choosing CTCA in GA. That first week post chemo was rough but the next two were a breeze. Actually felt better than before my diagnosis. The second went well also but I'm still sleeping alot and get light headed and diaphoretic easily. I'm hoping next week I'll get my second wind again. Go for my third trx. 8/22. Only have one more after that then I start on a pill. You are all so enlightened and educated on this and I feel like a real novice even though I have been a nurse for over 30 years. I would be happy to be a part of your sisterhood.
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Pattysmiles, I too have the bumps on my scalp even though I still have a few sprigs of hair left.
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