Starting Chemo July 2013

Hi SweetheartinTX, thanks so much for your insight. So far the plan is for AC for 12 weeks then TH for 12 weeks and a year of Herceptin. What is Neulesta for?



I have a 2nd opinion soon and will keep all posted if my regimen changes.

Hi everyone,thanks honeybunny and jerigrace,i think ur right i need to talk to a professional at this point. I also was put on estrogen 1 and a half years ago for mood swings(menopausal symptoms)and my tumor is estrogen positive so i had to go off it,i think alot of this is aggreviated with a hormone imbalance. Girlstrong,great name,neulasta is a shot u get 24hrs after chemo,it boosts ur immune system by increasing ur wbc count. Your bone marrow is activated to increase ur bood counts which in my case caused back and hip pain for 4 days but my wbc count was low normal,worth it. Claritin and aleve really helped,the nurse at my onco called it newnasty because it does cause deep bone pain,so starting claritin 12 hours before the shot is a must. Feeling better emotionally today,all this support has really helped me,u can talk to friends and family but it's not the same as hearing(and venting) to u all,thanks Ang

Honeybunny, sorry to hear about your lymphedema. Are you seeing a therapist? They can be quite effective. 

Day 15, a week before round 2. Hair starts to fall off promptly yesterday. Also began to get numbness in my hands..dreaded neuropathy. Otherwise, getting some errands done to prepare for next round.

option.. thanks I see one on August 2.  That's when my schedule would allow me to get in.  *sigh* I am almost busier with all the cancer crap than regular stuff. 

((HUGE HUGS)) to all today.  It's been a rough start to the week for me with an over the house Thunderstorm waking us up at 3/330 am.  I hate thunder.. I admit it.. I'm a chicken! So I got me and 2 kids wrapped in bed with me shaking under the blankets.. with dear ole DH.. watching the storm from the windows.  Yeah.. thanks for the support luv!  OY LOL

Have a great week everyone!

Puppymama09 I start chemo on the 30th.  I'm with you.  I get all this info and the closer it gets I'm getting frazzled.  I'm not even sure what to take with me or what to have next to me at home.  My minds a blank and I still have a week.  We will get through this for sure.

Jerigrace and kickinitgood,  It seems the worse part for me also is to loose my hair, maybe because it makes it soooo real. My daughter is making me some scarves or bandannas.  I tried wigs on one time and had to get out of there.  Like I said before we will all get through this and then help others through it.

Peace777 and puppy mama - I know the anticipation can be very stressful. Have you met with a chemo nurse yet to go over instructions? Mine spent about 45 minutes with me 2 days before my first treatment. They gave me the prescriptions I needed, went over side effects, when to call them, gave me a tour, etc. It was very helpful. If yours haven't done that you might want to call and ask. There were just 3 important scripts for me - 2 were for anti nausea meds and 1 (which they didn't give me, but I wish they had) was for Emla cream to numb the skin before they accessed the port. They also told me what meds to have for constipation, which can be severe during chemo, and what pain relievers I could use. These may vary depending on what chemo drugs they're using so make sure you find out. I also needed Claritin to take before the Neulasta shot as others have mentioned and yes, it worked - no bone pain.



As far as the day of chemo you don't really need much. A friend to keep you company is nice, maybe a snack, iPad, magazines, etc. My cancer center really pampers us and provides lunch and a even a free foot massage! The nurses talked to me every step and kept me comfortable. It was really an easy day, just try to be mentally strong and keep it in perspective. Chemo stinks, but its all temporary! We'll adjust to the hair loss. I've learned to joke about it with my 11 year old son. But I'm sure when it actually starts, probably next weekend, its going to be tough.



Once I was home, I used a little basket to keep all of my meds and a journal to keep track of when I took them, side effects each day, questions that come up, etc. I also kept some whole wheat crackers, dried fruit, mints and tissues. It's also good to have some easy foods on hand which are a little bland, but high in fiber and protein. Smoothies are great because you can cram so much in them. I keep some berries in the freezer then blend them with yogurt, a little spinach or kale and some sunflower seeds. Then if you don't have much appetite you can still get a lot of what you need from one glass. there were a coiple of days when i had no appetite but made myself eat a little every couple hors. Some plain cooked chicken, chicken soup, crackers, pears and dried fruit were my basics. I like having a few alternatives to water too since we're all told to drink lots - my favs were Gatorade for the electrolytes, green tea steeped with a slice of ginger for nausea, and cranberry juice for urinary tract infection.



You've probably read all of this elsewhere already, but its kind of therapeutic for me to write it and maybe something will be helpful. Try to spend time this week enjoying things that you like to do, not just running errands that you're worried about! You'll still have goods days so don't think you won't be able to accomplish anything for the next few months! You can do it and we're here for you when you need us!

I went to have a blood test done today and they couldn't use my port :-( While they could put saline in, they couldn't get any blood to come back to the syringe. Any idea if this will affect my next infusion? So I ended up getting stuck four times today which just sucks and getting bruises on two of them. It just seems like this can't be easy for me.

Ladies, I don't kno how to describe this but morning I woke up walk up to dining table. I felt kinda light headach so I closed my eyes and trying t breath. The next thing I kno I black out, I fell fwd on the tables. Then I woke up. Is this normal? I haven't been eating tht well since day 3 of chemo. Now day 6 I still didn feel well. I don't have any appetite lately but I'm doing my best to eat little here n there.

Bikergirl,  I am starting with you on Wednesday, getting more and more nervous.  Good luck to you! 

Peace777, yes you are describing exactly how I feel, frazzled!

Lark, I have a chemo class tomorrow, looking forward to that, hopefully it will put me more at ease.  Thanks for all tthe other advice too, btw, I have an 11 year old son too.

Soriya, that doesn't sound good, did you call your DR?  Sounds like you are having a hard time, I'm so sorry, hang in there.

JeriGrace, that't great you have one down!  enjoy your nap and since your are a couple days ahead of me, keep me informed.

Hi Ladies, I am new to this thread I had my surgery last Thursday and we delayed recon due to 1st node testing + and 2nd suspicious, my BS said no rads but I see him for post-op and to get my drains out Wednesday and I have my 1st consult with MO that day as well. Scared to have chemo and bummed it is delaying my recon😕Any advise will be greatly appreciated and I will keep in touch.



Shary🌻

Soriya123



So sorry about you fainting. Are you ok.? I fainted 3 times so I guess it's normal for us. I'm a fainter especially when I don't feel we'll. but I'm ok now will be ready for my 2nd round WED the 24th

Texan hugs for all

gma04

Bikergirl, Puppymomma i am also scheduled for 2nd infusion on wednesday.  We will have to compare notes.  I will pray for minimal side effects for all of us.  It really isnt as bad as what you imagine.  Just drink alot of water today and tomorrow.  Easier said than done I know, but it does help move things along. I think its normal to have anxiety before each transfusion.  Its the fear of the unknown.  Even though I have only had one, you still worry what the next one will be like.  So we all worry, but the sooner we start, the sooner we are done.  I am happy to get this next one over.  Lets "get er done".  

I am on day 13 and ready for round 2.  Hair is now really starting to fall out(everyone said day 14 and it has held true-for me anyway) so after transfusion, i  have a hair appointment with several friends who are cutting hair too.  Plan on making a fun day of it.  Not going to let this cancer take control of anything else.  If hair is going, I will make it on my terms.  lol.  I did have long hair, but cut it shoulder length after the first transfusion.  Then I matched my wig to the new hair style.  I found a wonderful shop in Omaha Nebraska(if anyone is close) called BRAVADOS.  They are amazing and match the wig to the color and type of hair that you have.  They are reasonable too.  Stay away from HALO wigs online.  They are a scam and you will not receive your product.  We are all gorgeous beautiful women !!!!!  Good Luck Girls....praying for you all.....

Lark thank you for all the ideas for snacks and supplies and using a journal. I do need to hear these things over and over so they will stick. And kind words.  I did visit the cancer center and went over instructions...it was very informing, helps the nerves a little.  They are really compassionate nurses and drs.  Sounds like me without chemo losing my phone lol ! 

soriya123  yes I agree with everyone here, you really need to let your dr. know.  Hopefully someone is with you, I would hate for you to hit your head and nobody to help.

GraceB1  I draw blood at a hospital.  Alot times the port wont pull the blood out but the IVs ....work great.  I think fluids going in is better than going out for some reason.  Alot of times they have to try different things to get it to work for the blood  like take a deep breath and hold or move your arm to a different position like over your head.  I know sounds funny.  Good luck.

Puppymama hop you are feeling better about things,  you are right we will get through it.

Hannariggs that sounds like a good idea, getting together with friends to shave your hair.  Alot of support!  yea!

nocompromises2013   playing golf!  I really want to learn.  You really live up to your name no compromises! even golf  thats great!  and great attitude!!!!

Hi Firecrackers!

I've been absent for a day or two and seems I've missed a lot of action!!!

I'm trying to figure out the best work schedule for me this fall, and we're going rounds and rounds with what days might be "good" or "bad" - heck, I really have no idea!?

Anyway, I saw a PT/lymphedema specialists this morning and it looks like this is something that I'm going to have to deal with too, Honeybunny  They're writing orders for me to get a sleeve for my dominant arm and I'm going to go in for weekly PT for my range of motion (I thought I was doing great!) and some sort of session for the lymph stuff - does anyone know what this entails???

I've also started losing my hair!!!  It's only day 7!!!  It's not coming out in clumps, but my head has been tingly and itchy, and it's definitely thinning.  I'm going Friday for my shave, Hannariggs

Gavinsgrandma, I'm not having reconstruction (personal decision), but would have had to wait anyway.  Better to be sure and get those cancer cells first!!!

My best to those of you starting chemo this week:  Bikergirl, Puppymama09, who else??? I want to be praying for you all!

Lynn

Hi Friends!

Lark, thanks for the laugh!  We need those here.

Vilia, welcome.  So glad you've joined us.  There is a lot of great information here along with some very caring women.  I know what you mean about being reluctant.  My daughter came to pick me up for my first chemo yesterday and I told her I had changed my mind!  I think in the end I will be glad I did everything I could.  What is your treatment plan?

Rambo, I'm still in limbo about work too.  It's really impossible to guess about the best days to try to work.  It's Day 2 for me and I did go in and worked on my classroom for about 3 hours this morning.  It felt good to be back in a normal environment.  Since my next Day 2 will be the first day of school, I'm somewhat hopeful that I might be able to be there, at least for a while.  For those of you on your second round, was that still true for you?

Nocompromises, I'm so happy to have one done.  Now I know what to expect and how everything works in the treatment room.  I did have a reaction to the Taxotere and it was great to see the quick reaction of my chemo nurse and the doctor came in also to make the needed adjustments.  Didn't sleep well (steroids?), some nausea today, and the beginning of a fuzzy tongue.  I gave myself the Neulasta shot today and even with lots of experience with injections for my diabetes, my hand was shaking a little at holding that vial of $7000 medicine! 

Hope to hear from others getting their first treatment this week.  Best wishes to all of you going into Round 2!