Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!
Comments
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iluv,
Thank you. It is so nice to know that what you are experiencing is what everyone else is and that you do get through it. I am curious..........has your hair started to grow back?
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Netter - that video was awesome, thanks for sharing!
Luv2scrub - thanks for the information. I'm so glad you were cancer free!
Hugs to all!
Sherry -
Thanks SherryMarshall for the complement.
As for chemo nurses...I have some of the best. They have been very kind and gentle throughout my process. If you need anything, they'll get it for you from a warm blanket to a snack. Occasionally they even have someone who comes around and offers you a massage while getting treatment. They really seem to care. I can't imagine going through this with mean or uncaring nurses. Truthfully, you end up spending more time with the nurses than the ONC. They can make or break how you feel sometimes.
Wishing the best for all here and remember to take care of yourselves and lean on others when you can.
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kmurphy I'm glad your treatment went well, now we pray for minimal side effects! SherryMarshal - way to cover your bases! Pattysmiles - thanks for your words of wisdom. I will try rinsing more. I started out on a good regimin but started slacking. My throat is better altho not great. It almost felt like I had a sore down there so I'll bet you're right, the rinses will help. Yesterday I started getting some throbbing pain in my lower back/pelvic area when I moved too much. I wonder if I didn't take the Claritin long enough - or what was said about that being where the white blood cells are made? You know my mind went straight for the worst! I already experience heartburn (since my second pregnancy) so I live on Prilosec and yes, I now carry Tums as well for breakthrough heartburn. Going into the weekend feeling pretty good but getting anxious about round 3 on Tuesday. Lets just get through this.
Cute video! I posted it on the website for a little boy with leukemia who goes to my sons school. He's 5 and he just lost his hair and he was SO upset! I hope the video makes him smile. Thanks for sharing.
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Chemo was delayed Bc of active bleeding... so annoying that its pushed back a week Gastroentorologist said I might gave a intestinal infection....Chemo sucks I Hate it so much...
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Hi everyone! I've been quietly watching each of you as you have gone through your treatments and compared notes/SE. Finally decided to join in.
One of the things I was going to chime in on was about the Neulasta shot. Even though I took Claritin prior to my first injection (and for 6 days after), I have never felt pain quite like that before. And I've given birth and had kidney stones! It was horrible. For those of you who had your MO tell you it wasn't that bad, I'd like to shoot them up with a dose of it. On day 5, I was back at the Cancer Center getting fluids. Felt MUCH better after that. Anxiety heading into 2nd treatment was based on the effects of that first Neulasta shot. Surprisingly, the second shot went much better. The difference? ALEVE. Just took one with each dose of Claritin. I am now a HUGE Aleve fan. I still had a little bit of discomfort, but it was certainly bearable. I will not be without Aleve from now on.
I was prescribed Ativan early on because I wasn't sleeping/anxiety. It has helped. I was also told by one of the nurses giving me IV fluids that I should always carry Ativan with me for nausea. She said it works much quicker than Zolfran or Compazine if nausea sneaks up on you. Luckily, I have stayed ahead of nasuea by taking my meds on a schedule and not waiting until I needed it. I've been so scared of throwing up, I'm not taking any chances. But the info from the nurse was very good to know, just in case.
My hair has caused me the most distress, other than Neulasta. It started coming out on day 11, and by day 14 it was insane. It was coming out so bad, I was covered from head to toe in it. I felt like a Sasquatch. Gave me an anxiety attack. That night, I had my hair buzzed. I couldn't believe how much better I felt after that. I just noticed yesterday that the middle of both my upper and lower eyelashes of my left eye have fallen out. Ugh. Why does it have to be the middle? Could it not start somewhere much less noticable? No signs of any changes to my finger/toenails. YAY! It was recommended to me by the nurse doing my chemo class to massage Aquaphor or a good thick lotion on all cuticles/nails on a daily basis. I've been keeping my fingernails polished with Hard as Nails as well. So far so good, but I know there are no guarantees that the nails won't fall off or get funky after all is said and done.
50% done with chemo now. The chemo SE I've experienced so far are acid reflux (BAD), fatigue, very little nausea, and absentee tastebuds. Tolerable. So far...
Some discussions about ports. I only have 4 treatments, I have one and LOVE IT! I like that not only does my chemo go there, all blood for lab work can be taken from the port as well. No more poking around looking for veins in the one arm they can use. It did feel a little weird for a couple weeks after I got it. I think it was because it was healing. Love it now.
Next treatment is Friday, followed by Neulasta shot on Saturday. Days 3-6 are my worst. I know that's subject to change next time. I'm told everything is cummulative. I hope not. It's weird how I'm looking forward to Friday. I look forward to treatments coming and look more forward to them going. I want them over with. It hasn't been fun at all, but if all this poison is saving my life, I choose to look forward to it. Positive thinking never hurts. It gets hard to do sometimes. Just have to keep pushing through.
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Hello Tatercake, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're glad you've joined in, and that you've learned by reading as you've been through treatment.
Netter, what a great video! Such a pleasure to see the joy on the little boy's face.
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Hi Tatercake;
Welcome!!!!
Glad you are halfway through, we are on same schedule. My next is tomorrow.. Like you I am pleased when each comes around because it means only one to go.. Yay!!!!'
Although it hasn't been too bad for me, I have to agree with Dlm; chemo sucks...Aside from the initial yuk days, I have found the three week interval to be pretty easy going...
Hair is the worst- have been looking at the baby fuzz left and wondering how it will ever grow, it was fine and slow growing pre bc so.......
Haven't had the neulasta shot so far so can't comment, but will remember the Aleve tip....
Again welcome.. Glad you have come along..
Best wishes to everyone else... Hope Dlm your intestinal issues are sorted ASAP.. -
Also Tatercake; if that pain is worse than childbirth.... That ain't good...
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I read every morning and have notice that quite a few of us have dropped off the boards. Rain never returned. I have next treatment on Thursday nuelasta Friday. I'm looking forward to thanksgiving Bc hopefully by than everything will be over even the exchange. The tx for cancer is so barbaric I just don't understand why they haven't or wont share another wayto target cancer andnot destroy everything else inside of us. I off for the summer and go back to work on Aug 14 just have no energy lately. Havea great Sunday withno se to all.
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Second A/C tomorrow.....Im scared Im gonna be as sick as last time
. Had a great week and my son's graduation party. Love love love my family and friends and normal days full of normal stuff!! It was hot so I decided to put the wig on the shelf and just wear a scarf...so nice comfy and cool Actually want the rest of the hair
gone.....the shedding is driving me nuts but dont want the shave stub either
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Hi all,
On day 6 after my 3rd AC round and finding myself so much more nauseous and tired - usually feeling better by now. On dose dense with one more AC then 4 taxol. Can someone please tell me that Taxol is easier - heard that but need confirmation today. Having a weepy tired of feeling sick day - trying to be stronger but it's tough. My husband and daughter just went for a walk and i just don't have the energy to do it! pissed me off...lol. Read all your posts and wish you all well! -
Hi Robin-Lynn,
Have a friend who has just finished the same treatment as you. She definitely says that the taxol is easier than the AC. Have also read that on here somewhere..
Sooo you are nearly there, finished w AC and then onto the next easier 4... Hang in there...:))
Am waiting for my 3rd today, then one to go.... -
Hi all - have my 3rd AC tomorrow. Hoping it goes smoothly.
I too have heard that Taxol is easier than AC and am hoping it's true!
Hope everyone is doing well this week! -
Hi ladies. Getting ready for my first AC treatment on Weds. So not looking forward to it but want it over with! 12 rounds of Taxol after. Ugh! Has anyone tried aloe Vera juice for acid stomach? Got some to try. Also planning on a whole food, mostly alkaline diet. Green smoothie for breakfast (with my aloe juice and greens) then veggies and protein for lunch and dinner. We'll see if my stomach will tolerate it. I just figure our bodies need all the nutrition it can get to deal with the treatments and I'm paranoid about my immune system tanking. Anyone trying to eat healthy? I've been reading about how acidic foods tend to give a nice comfy environment for cancer to live in and an alkaline body is inhospitable to the nasties. Will let you know how it goes. Any ideas would be appreciated! Hope everyone is faring well through treatment.
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Good luck to all infusers this week. My 3rd is Thursday. Still not a lot of energy and really dreading Thursday. Only the tiniest of se's for everyone this week!!!!
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Good morning to all round 3 Thursday I hope. Just to chime in drink lots and lots of water all day and all night I do. I also eat all day I start my day with eggs for protein and I too eat all vegetables and protein. I have not lost a pound but probably gained a few Bc for some reason when Im nauseous I eat and eat a lot. I also eat bad food well comfort food like mashed potatoes and bagels with cream cheese. I just cant wait for Halloween. Hopefully this nightmare will be over. With exchanged and all.
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Dyvgrl- Im a very healthy eater but when your blood counts drop you can no longer eat raw veggies,fruit, nuts or seeds. That's half my diet.... I am talking to my doc about that today!! Mashed potatoes,rice and cereal for me the next few days. Round 2 at 11am. !!!
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I had round 2 on July 9. I did much better with SE this time than the first treatment. I was able to attend a concert Sat. night. That was a big step for me!!! I almost felt normal. what I found worked for me is to take the nausea meds early. I also took ginger capsules 2 x daily. What is unbelievable is that I still have hair. It is getting thin, but still there!!!!! The bone pain from the neulasta shot was not as bad as the first. I took claritin and had very little pain. I also took vit. B6 and B12. My blood work has been great!!! I hope everyone has a great week, and for those having your next treatment, fewer side efffects!!!!! We can do this!!!!!
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Annika, I know I will have to eat meat, I'm already anemic so my blood count is going to be a challenge out of the gate. I've been on Antibiotics for so long I haven't been able to take my iron. Hoping I'm good enough to start weds.
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Also, does anyone drink Zipfizz on chemo? This stuff has kept me from getting sick so many times and gives a boost of energy. I'm going to ask my onc about it. It's loaded with B vitamins, C, some amino acids and a natural sweetener. Has a bunch of minerals in it. Not sure any of it would be concerning during chemo as its all natural, but it has massive amounts of B's. my regular doc said B vitamins are water soluble so whatever your body doesn't use, it flushes but don't want to be taxing my liver either. I'll see what she says...
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Has anyone been prevented from chemo due to cold symptoms? I'm scheduled for #3 on Friday and recovering from a cold from last week. Even though im improving every day I'm still congested. Would hate this delaying me.
Best wishes to those who are going in this week. Here's to little se's for all. -
Dyvgrl, my onc specifically told me no vitamin c as it prevents chemo from doing its job effectively. The same for green tea which I was living on
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Miasara,
That stinks! I was gonna switch from coffee to green tea also because coffee is so acidic. I have to drink something besides water all the time, especially in the morning! -
So nauseous this 3 rd round. Horrible. I've switched from compazine to zofran. 😩
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Alibeths - so sorry about the nausea. Hope the Zofran works for you and you get some relief.
I too switched from coffee to green tea and then just read about how it can interfere with chemo so I stopped drinking it. Sometimes I feel that between trying to avoid soy, anti-oxidants, raw foods and sugars/fats I have nothing to eat!! So frustrating.
Just got back from round 3 and feeling ok. Just worn out. Hope everyone has a good week! -
I have chemo every other Friday, my next is this Friday. Does anyone else find themselves getting depressed as the day approaches. This will be my final a/c then I start taxol weekly. I am hoping to return to work in a couple of weeks. Are you working? I want to go ack to work until I have surgery sometime in November
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Hi Brooksy
Am doing 3 weekly cycles; did feel depressed yesterday prior to going in.. It starts about 3 days before chemo, whilst I want to get it over with.,, I usually am feeling pretty good, and guess it's knowing am about to feel like I've been hit by a truck..:( But at least, every one down is one less. Have one to go now..Aug 5th....
Not working at the moment, but it could be a good distraction post chemo I would think.. A return to some normalcy..
Miasara; am keen to try green tea, circumin etc but think will hold out until post chemo, have been having vit d and b though..I had a cold prior to round three, hasn't held it up, wasn't that congested though..
Allibeths; hope your neausea is abating...
Dyvgirl and Rachel22 glad you are getting through..
Round three over yay!!!!
Good luck to everyone else in the chair this week... -
Round 3 at 8:00 am tomorrow. Then I will be more than 1/3 of the way done. I get depressed as chemo day approaches too, but lets get it done. I too am hoping Taxol will be easier. My onc never said anything about no vitamin C or green tea. I get vitamin B12 shots. My onc did say no antioxidents til chemo is over - that would encompass a lot more than vit C and green tea! I try to eat healthy but tend to believe in moderation or maybe 60/40. My downfall is sugar but I haven't had much appetite for it lately. My labs have been good so far.
Well - here's hoping for minimal side effects for me and everybody else having infusions this week. I'll let you know how it goes this time.
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Going in for labs today. Hopefully start round 1 tomorrow. Think I might have a UTI though and am really worried it will delay tx. I've already been pushed back 2 weeks, don't want anymore delays. The waiting is just killing me and I can't sleep, just running on nervous energy. Anyone else out there having issues with uti's during tx?
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