Starting Chemo July 2013

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  • wyllikers
    wyllikers Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2013

    Regarding the hydration question, sometimes water just doesn't taste good to me.  I've been diluting different kinds of juices in my water (1 part juice to 10 parts water) just to add a different flavor.  Not much added in the way of calories.  I've also been drinking half-caff coffee, caffeine-free tea and diluted lemonade. 

    I also use a scolpolomine (motion-sickness) patch for anti-nausea which tends to give dry mouth.  The Biotene mouthwash is wonderful at combatting that feeling.  For the past couple of days (days 5 and 6), I've had an icky taste in my mouth and the Biotene seems to help with that, too.  Some minor mouth sores have appeared on the sides of my tongue, but I think I'm sucking in my cheeks during sleep so they seem to be from friction.  Is anyone else having similar mouth sore issues?

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  • TwoHobbies
    TwoHobbies Member Posts: 2,118
    edited July 2013

    Hello Ladies.  I'm catching up a little.  Had my second chemo Thursday and can't say this one was easier.  I would rate it about the same, which is better than worse, right?  Extreme tiredness.  I slept day after from 2 to 7 pm.  Fogginess that I hate and then the muscle aches start.  I ache from my jaw all the way to my ankles right now.  Mouth is starting to get tender but no sores yet. I did get mouth sores last itme and I'll weigh in that the biotene works better than the salt and baking soda wash.  Also I found an extra soft toothbrush and switched to kid's strawberry toothpaste as the minty toothpaste was really bothering me. 

    On hydration, my doc recommends 8 cups per day.  The main thing I have to concentrate on is not waiting too late in the day to start drinking or I'm up all night.  Also, I would recommend not waiting until you feel bad to take your medicines, take your naps and eat.  All of those will make you feel really bad if you wait too long.  Sometimes I don't really feel like eating but I can tell my body needs to eat and I feel a little better afterward.  The only other relief I find is taking a shower or bath.   

    Hang in there, everyone.  I'm not feeling much like a firecracker but proud to tag along amongst the firecrackers.  

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited July 2013

    Soriya,

    I have not read specific guidelines as to the amount to drink...there are a lot of ideas on it though.

    For me, I get up on "chemo day" and drink water with breakfast (because my coffe already taste different from my steroids!) ...usually I try and have 2 glasses before I leave the house. (Up at 7:30 and leave by 9:00). On way to chemo I drink more water...usually one bottle, it takes me 45 minutes to drive there.

    While waiting for chemo I drink about 1/2 bottle of regular size bottled water, and i finish it by the time i get into treatment.

    during chemo i break open one of those BIG Poland spring bottles (looks like it holds a gallon?) and drink a few cups of it ...maybe about 1/2 the bottle? That is within the 3 1/2 hours I am there. I also drink the icee I bring with me, and eat the food I bring with me (my center doesn't give food).

    I try and drink another bottle of water on the ride home.



    When I get home I put the remainder of my BIG Poland spring bottle next to my favorite chair and try and finish it before bed (which for me is around midnight)



    I try and drink as much the next day, assuming I'm not sick of water! Or it's not tasting "eeeew" . I have changed from water to flavored waters, Gatorade, or other liquids on day after (which I call day 2) and the day after that (day 3). Usually on those days water tastes "bad" and I am into other liquids, I also eat a lot of watermelon (juicy, cold and tastes good).



    It is definitely more than the recommended 8 glasses of liquid a day on a regular day for people (and I usually don't drink that recommended 8 glasses when I am "healthy"). Do what you can, when you can.



    Wishing you all the best on your first go around!

    Pat

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited July 2013

    Thank you so much ladies, I will try to drink some getarade, never like it b4, but chemo might change my taste to like it. Maybe some juices too. I usually drink this one brand called Balthouse (carrot juice), Naked juice (Green machine W/ boosted 100% juice smoothies..no sugar add). I hope during chemo, I still able to drink them....would be great.

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  • puppymama09
    puppymama09 Member Posts: 77
    edited July 2013

    Well it's official, I start chemo on July23.  I will be having 4-6 treatments of TC.

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited July 2013

    Twohubbies, SE suck, I hope you feel better! I'm praying.....I would be at least able to eat n drink. I am thin, can't afford to loose any more weight. :-(

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  • Viccha
    Viccha Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2013

    Has anyone been treated for depression and anxiety prior to their diagnosis? I take meds daily and due to insurance changes, decided to save some money and order the 90 day supply from Express Scripts. With all of the commotion of my first chemo (7/10) I ran out of 2 different medicines. Everything came crashing down on me right along with my side effects. I called my doctor and got the meds I needed, but I have to keep reminding myself that it will take awhile before the meds work. My husband seems so frustrated. He took off of work today to be with me. I hate making him worry, but it scared me, too. I know he just wants me to get back to work, but I'm not ready.

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  • JeriGrace
    JeriGrace Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2013

    Puppymama - We are true chemo sisters! I am starting on the 22nd and will have 4 cycles of TC. I am getting ready by shopping for all the things recommended by others.  Feeling really nervous but I know just getting started will be a relief.  Good luck and please keep in touch.

    Viccha - I take Cymbalta for depression and was recently prescribed Xanax by my internist to help with the anxiety of getting through all this.  If I miss even 2 days of the Cymbalta I really crash also.  I think my body is so accustomed to it that it goes into shock without it! Hang in there - it may just take a little longer.  It is dangerous to stop anti-depressants suddenly so you really have been in crisis.  Just as with any other medical issue, you have to give your body time to recover.  If you broke your arm you wouldn't rush back to work before you were ready.  Then add in chemo - forget about it! Give it some time and don't be too hard on yourself.  I also get my medications from Express Scripts and you can get them put on automatic refill so this doesn't happen to you again. Wink

    I went wig shopping today and learned so much! This shop (I'm in St. Louis) was specifically for breast cancer patients and carries bras, prosthestics, and wigs. The owner is a nurse and so reassuring.  She doesn't carry human hair because of the expense and problems with it.  I tried on several monofilament wigs that felt great and looked natural.  Fortunately I have insurance coverage for a wig so I can get one that is more expensive (about $600!).  I decided to get my wig at this shop because she will fit it to my head after I lose my hair and also has a cosmetologist that can shape it the way I want it.  I could also see that this is going to be a great place for support as I go through this treatment.  I feel lucky to have found this place since I will need to wear this wig to work for quite awhile.  What I thought was going to be a traumatic day turned out to be very positive!  Big hugs to all and hopes for positive days for you this week too.

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  • honeybunny96
    honeybunny96 Member Posts: 120
    edited July 2013

    Good evening firecrackers. I just caught up on posts. It seems everyone is doing well. I have heartburn meds to take which will, and have helped. Today was a less foggy day, but wow I was exhausted after work. I came home and crashed on the couch. I told my hubby I felt drunk. I'm really hoping to keep having better days... Until next AC treatment. Love n light all.

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  • JeriGrace
    JeriGrace Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2013

    puppymama, did you get your oncotype results?

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited July 2013

    1:40am still can't sleep, don't kno why. Maybe cus my big day for (chemo) tomorrow. Am I having some kind of exciety attack or something. Just can't seem to fall a sleep. I was so active today too, I thought I would get tired, but I'm not.....pls let me fall a sleep. My chemo is at 9:30am. I need to get up early...

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  • Rambo50
    Rambo50 Member Posts: 140
    edited July 2013

    Soriya,

    It's you and me today girl!!! Praying for both of us and feeling nervous but positive about knocking out this cancer! Hang in there, we're courageous and strong :)

    I'll catch up with you this afternoon, ok? PM me if you want, and we can exchange emails.

    Best of luck pink sister!

    Lynn

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  • zimmy
    zimmy Member Posts: 12
    edited July 2013

    Mellie, Thanks! I'm off tho the Vitamin shop b12 and alpha lipoic acid are on my list !! 

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  • BabyRuth
    BabyRuth Member Posts: 264
    edited July 2013

    Soriya123 and Rambo50-thinking of you both today as you begin your first treatment.  I hope everything goes as well as possible and that you can both get some rest when you are done.  Saying prayers for you both.  Let us know how your day goes.

    Soriya123- it is probably the steroids that are keeping you awake.  I sleep very little when I take those.

    Tomorrow is my day.  Anyone else starting tomorrow?

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited July 2013

    Good luck Soriya and Lynn.

    Soriya, don't worry the meds they give you during chemo sometimes make you sleepy...if you didn't get enough sleep you will sleep in the chair. Good luck, don't over think this. You will be fine!



    Pat

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  • LanaM
    LanaM Member Posts: 142
    edited July 2013

    I too am having port issues. Had upper chest pain when I cough or breath deep. They took chest x-Ray which they said was fine. Yesterday afternoon had chills and left work early. Fever got up to 102+ and my shoulder & upper back were killing me. Went to urgent care & they made me go to ER due to recent surgery. Blood test show elevated white cells so they think I have an infection, but don't know where. If its an infection in the port they said I'd have to have surgery to remove port. They tried to access port in ER to test for infection, but 3 nurses & DR were not able to access port??? I have to see my surgeon today to see if they can access port. One of the nurses said its almost like the port "flipped over" cuz she couldn't feel the 3 bumps/ridges??? I'm supposed to start chemo Friday, but now I'm not sure with all of this. They have a lot of problems with my veins. Trying to keep the faith!

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited July 2013

    Thank you ladies, look like I fell a sleep after 2am n woke up again 5pm. Maybe it was that steriods med. I took at 4pm...still that bad huh.



    Rambo, I will be thinking of u. I will PM you with our issues, you ll be sorry reading my PM. That what I did to Pat N honeybunny none stop. LOL



    LanaM, I'm sorry about your port. Sounds pretty scarry. I will start chemo w/o port with my 1st cycle. I willhave port placement on Friday morning. Trust me they always have issue with my small veins, get poke at least twice. So hopefully, it is not too bad this time.....praying!!!

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  • Rambo50
    Rambo50 Member Posts: 140
    edited July 2013

    Hooked up and prepped for the ride ;-)

    Blood work - check

    Saline - check

    Pre-meds - in progress

    Adriamycin - on stage

    Cytoxan - still in hiding



    Hugs to all of you pink warrior firecrackers!!!!!

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  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Member Posts: 156
    edited July 2013

    Good luck today, soriya and Lynn! Thinking of you!

    Sorry about your port issues, Lana. I hope you have that resolved very soon and feel better.

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  • honeybunny96
    honeybunny96 Member Posts: 120
    edited July 2013

    My thoughts are with you who start chemo today.



    Last night, was a bad night. My MX around my arms hurts like heck and I feel so swollen, I couldn't get comfy and everytime I moved and oh so hurt. Just a bad night overall.



    Love n light to all firecrackers today.

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  • Viccha
    Viccha Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2013

    JeriGrace. I am also in St. Louis. What is the name of the wig store? I'm so scared of losing my hair and have been looking into all options.

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  • Rambo50
    Rambo50 Member Posts: 140
    edited July 2013

    Thought I'd provide a literal midstream update!

    My treatment plan is dose dense AC + T, so today is my first AC treatment. Like others have posted, fairly uneventful, though the "push" for the A was a bit scary given its nickname ("red devil") - yes, I've already peed red!!!

    When the C drip started I experienced an odd numbness on the side of my tongue and a strange sensation in my chest. We stopped briefly for a vitals and onco check before starting up again, at a slower pace (where I am now).

    Feelings:

    A little dizzy/foggy/groggy

    Sinus pressure - feel like my eyes are swollen but hubby said "no"

    Tummy rumbling (but I skipped bkfst this morning on advice it might lessen any nausea)



    Honeybunny - hate you had a bad night :(. Hugs



    LanaM - praying your port issues are resolved soon, with NO discomfort :)



    Soriya - hoping for good luck with your veins today, and an easy port placement on Friday!



    I know I'm forgetting to address things you all have brought up, but know you are ALL in my heart right now, helping me fight the BC beast <3</p>

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  • JeriGrace
    JeriGrace Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2013

    Viccha, I sent you a private message with the info.

    Rambo, thanks for the blow-by-blow! It is helping me prepare for my start on Monday. It's really the unknown that is scary, isn't it? Good luck and I'll be thinking of you and sending you positive energy.

    Soriya, hope your day goes well.  Just remember you have lots of support here!

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  • LanaM
    LanaM Member Posts: 142
    edited July 2013

    Back from surgeons office -,port/catheter had a blood clot & we got that resolved! Will have to wait for blood culture just to make sure no infection in port, but surgeon doesn't think so. Taking two antibiotics to clear up whatever virus or infection I have. Surgeon talked to onco & he told me to show up for first chemo Friday & nurses will assess situation. Actually want to get started -the sooner we start the sooner we get done, right?



    Rambo - appreciate the play by play - helps me know what to expect Friday!



    Hugs to all & thanks for all the support. What a wonderful community of BC survivors! Hoping we all "breeze" through this with minimal SE's!

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  • DXat32
    DXat32 Member Posts: 29
    edited July 2013

    Thank you for all the great info, ladies, on staying hydrated.I am a school teacher and half the time I am lucky if I can go to the bathroom between class periods, so it is so good to know I need to really start practicing  staying super hydrated this summer before going back.

    I started a blog to share this journey.  Like most of you, I am sure you get overwhelmed with trying to keep friends and family posted, so I decided to start blogging.  I am actually finding it cathardic.  Here is my website if any of you are interested:  nicholesbumpintheroad.blogspot.com (link on my signature, too).

    I had my port placed early evening last night, and it wasn't so bad.  I have taken two Vicidin since then and a little bit of a sore throat (from whetever anesteologist put down there from procedure), but overall pretty good.  Took my 6 and 4 year old on a playdate to a friend's house today.

    Tommorrow, I have my pre-chemo meeting with nurse oncologist, and then my 1st chemo treatment will be this Friday at 12:30.  I am ready to get this show on the road!  Decided against the cold caps last minute-my hubby had everything ready to go with Frank and the cold capping crew.  All he had to do was to submit payment last night to get here by Thursday morning.  I chickened out.  Went with my mom to our first wig shop and realized that I can do this wig thing.  My biggest fear is me up teaching my 12 and 13 year olds, and the darn thing falling off my head!

    Good luck to everyone starting chemo soon and those who are going through it now.  The first board I would check out in the past weeks was the HER2+ board, but I have found myself coming here more now.

    :)  Strength and courage to you all.  We can do this, and beat the crap out of cancer!!!!

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  • DXat32
    DXat32 Member Posts: 29
    edited July 2013

    Anyone else starting chemo this Friday?

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  • aaoaao
    aaoaao Member Posts: 593
    edited July 2013

    I take meds for bipolar disorder/depression too.  My insurance delayed paying for them recently for 2 weeks.  I was a little nuts by the end of the 2 weeks, my family could tell too.  I ended up asking the pharmacy to let me buy a week's worth just to get through until the insurance paid up.  When I began taking them again it did take a couple of days before I started to feel like myself again.  I won't be letting that happen again.  I will pay out of pocket before I'll let myself go off my meds again. 

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  • 2bluestars
    2bluestars Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2013

    After lurking for several weeks, I think it's time to join.  After completing numerous scans and port placement, I got "the" call today, chemo starts this Friday, July 19th.  Yikes!  I'm strangely excited, just want to get the show on the road so to speak, but scared to death.  I will be doing dose dense AC *4, then taxol *4.  I was diagnosed with triple negative, IDC stage 2.  I will be having surgery after chemo, followed by radiation.   Though I have time to decide, I'm leaning toward no reconstruction.

    I'm more terrified of the chemo then the mastectomy, I've bought almost the entire list of items mentioned in a post by Rock to help with se's, Lord, I hope I don't need any of it.  I'm pretty tough, and have a high tolerance to pain, my Achilles heel, nausea...hate, hate, hate that!

    Anyway, best of luck to everyone...I've been praying for you all.

    Mona

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  • SweetheartinTX
    SweetheartinTX Member Posts: 58
    edited July 2013

    Hello Ladies, i'm back. I am sorry i didn't keep you all updated. I had my first chemo infusion on the 10th and then some side effects but i am feeling better now. I have a few things i would like to ask though and see if any of the rest of you are experiencing. I got A/C and then a Neulasta shot the following day. And since Sunday, i have gotten a rash on my face /upper torso. At first i thought it was like an acne breakout but it also has some big red patches (kinda looks similiar to hives). Also for the past 3 mornings when i wake up, my heart rate is racing. It makes me feel out of breath. My husband calculated it for me this morning and it was 100 bpm. All i had done was wake up and walk to the couch. Thats it.

    I called my onc and he is referring me to a Cardiologist. I will see him next Thursday.

    I know there is so many things that could be causing my heart to speed up... Steriods, chemo, Neulasta shot, nausea meds. I just am at a lost as to where to start to try and figure it out.

    But besides those, i am actually doing rather well. I am trying to get into my normal routine as much as possible.

    I hope all of you ladies are doing great! I am going to try my best to start responding back everydaySmile

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  • BabyRuth
    BabyRuth Member Posts: 264
    edited July 2013

    Dxat32-I enjoyed reading your blog. You have great support from your family and friends. You are ER+/PR+,HER2+ like I am. I am doing a different treatment plan as I am treating a recurrence. I will be doing perception,taxotere, and perjeta. I start my chemo tomorrow and I am very ready to get started.

    There is a wonderful lady that owns a hair boutique here in Atlanta who specializes in helping chemo patients with wigs. I used her last time and she matches your current hair color and style. I got a human hair wig from her that I wore only to work and there were many people who did not realize I had lost my hair. I did find it funny that my boys hated it when I wore my wig. They always preferred me to go natural. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

    2bluestars- Welcome to the firecracker group. You are starting Friday along with DXat32.


    SweetheartinTX-I never had any of the symptoms that you are having. I hope the cardiologist will be able to pinpoint what is causing your heart to race like that. I am glad you are getting back to your normal routine!
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