Starting Chemo July 2013

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited July 2013

    Hi Rambo, I'm so sorry you had a bad day. Bad news keep on going...for us:-( I too, still waiting for BRCA1&2 results, I am praying every nite fora good results. (((HUGS)))

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  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Member Posts: 156
    edited July 2013

    {{{Lynn}}} So sorry about the BRCA test and WBC. Did you get a Neulasta shot? I'm hoping that's something you can add to keep your WBC up next time. I'm also waiting on test results, but they just got authorization yesterday, so I'll have to keep waiting.

    As others said - don't you worry about being negative in this thread. This IS the whole you can crawl into when you feel overwhelmed and want to scream or cry! We're in this fight together and here to listen. I think we all spend enough energy being brave for the people around us but we don't need to do that here. I just hope the antibiotic is precautionary and does the trick so you don't have to suffer an infection.

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  • SheilaB330
    SheilaB330 Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2013

    Just to chime in my my delicate system-- have celiac and need to avoid glulen - fats also trip me up.



    Remember there is a specific nadir low point of immune system for each of your chemo drugs. Cytoxin nadirr is 7 - 14 days post chemo and Adriamycin is 10 - 14 days. His is why try to boost building your white blood cells with Nulestra shot 24-48 hrs after chemo. We have farm & chicken so I will need to stay out out chicken coup. Stay away from exposure to sick people. Common sense-- resistence down take extra good care. Wash hands. Good to stay away from any place that hygiene cannot be vouced-- cheap restaurants as well as open food bar.

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  • Nocompromises2013
    Nocompromises2013 Member Posts: 292
    edited July 2013

    Rambo !!!!!!

    Just read your post. So sorry for my sister in arms

    WBC. Dont stress we know it was ALWAYS probably going to happen .... But i Can't remember did you have a neulasta shot ???



    My WBCs ended up day 10 as 1.1 and 0.1 wont find out it they are bouncing bsck till Aug 1st

    I guess if you are on DD you don't get as long to bounce back hopefully they will still treat

    Maybe we will need to rename you Angelina !!! As aaoaao rightly says at least your daughter is forewarned and therefore forearmed

    Stay strong always better to know the complete nature of thx beast so you know how to destroy it

    Sending you lots of hugs.

    NC xxxxx

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  • Hannariggs
    Hannariggs Member Posts: 137
    edited July 2013

    Hi All,

    Just finished round 2 (YEAH)! Only 2 more nasties to go before the Taxol.  At least thats how I feel now, may have to ask me in a couple days.  Routine was the same,  although I think taking a little ativan beforehand might help with the anxiety.  Just extremely tired now.  Will keep you all posted......Good Night and God Bless....

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  • bikergirl
    bikergirl Member Posts: 112
    edited July 2013

    Wylikers-

    You may not have some of your hair, but you still seem to have a good sense of humor. Stay strong.

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  • Rambo50
    Rambo50 Member Posts: 140
    edited July 2013

    Thanks ladies :). Just a bad day, and a bump in the road - sigh. I'm just hoping my counts rebound so my schedule isn't thrown off!!! I had a Neulasta shot the day after my chemo and thought it might prevent this severe low... Is there anything you've heard that might help???



    SheilaB330, I'm celiac as well, so I feel your pain with an already compromised immune system. I've been super vigilant from the start, so hopefully my precautions will keep me out of the ER ;-)



    Hannariggs, congrats on finishing round 2 :)



    Night all - it's been a long day!

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  • bikergirl
    bikergirl Member Posts: 112
    edited July 2013

    Nocompromises-

    So you had your first dose of TC?  I had my first dose today.  How did it go for you? How many cycles are you doing?

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  • Gma04
    Gma04 Member Posts: 62
    edited July 2013

    Rambo50

    I'm so sorry about everything that is happening when it rains it pours sometimes. Just when you say yours prayers at night or day ask God for strength to endure and make you strong. He will do that is a promise.

    My infusion went well today. I'm afraid to wash my hair because it is shedding bad. I'm not looking forward to day 3 n 4 that's when bad thing start. But we are strong.we can do this.

    Thanks for your prayers. I will be praying for you and all the other brave ladies that are going in this journey with us.also your sweet daughter.

    Big Texas hugs

    Gma04

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  • m1970
    m1970 Member Posts: 337
    edited July 2013

    Rambo, Wow, that really sucks. So sorry to hear about your bad news.

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  • kickinitgood
    kickinitgood Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2013

    Here's an enormous gigantic virtual hug to you, Rambo.

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  • honeybunny96
    honeybunny96 Member Posts: 120
    edited July 2013

    Rambo.. sorry for your bad day (((hugs))) I know it doesn't make it any easier being BRCA+ 

    Hannarigs.. YAY for the second treatment. I go for mine Friday.  

    On another note.. Ughhh.. HAIR LOSS... Cry I found out today that my pubic hair was starting to come out.  so I reached up and kind of brushed my hair and I got a bit.. not just one or two but a lot.. ACK! Its Day 12.. I wasn't expecting this until at least day 17.  I'm just gonna go to the corner and cry.  Knowing doesn't make it any easier.  

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  • Nocompromises2013
    Nocompromises2013 Member Posts: 292
    edited July 2013

    Biker girl

    I am TC x 4. July 11th

    Traveling REALLY well ... Day 14 today. Played golf on days 2,9 and 12, planing to play again day 15 and day 19. Then fri sign 2nd is round 2. Not much shedding of hair (except a few pubes!!!).

    Hope all went well for you today. I had mild fatigue days 4 and 5

    And mega toothache from day7 to 13 unrelated ???? But today it is only 1/10 on the pain Scale so I am a very happy bunny

    My best advice is too keep busy and active

    What bike ? I have a HD 883 :)

    NC x

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  • Rambo50
    Rambo50 Member Posts: 140
    edited July 2013

    OUCH!!! (this font size would be bigger if possible!) - Day 8 post round 1 A/C dose dense (hopefully).  You know my counts were sadly low yesterday.  Well, late yesterday evening my back began hurting, just a bit at first, then it escalated rapidly to a 10 on a 1-10 scale!!!  I was frightened, crawled upstairs to my bed, tried to brace myself against the pain, and had my sweet daughter, who is home just for the night before taking off again, call the Nurse Line for me.  My onco actually called her back and said it was the Neulasta side effect, bone pain from the low ANC???  He said take Claratin and a pain pill - Day 8?  Really?  I know my body's strange, and I tend to react differently to many meds from most, but, REALLY???  I guess it's a good sign, and if it's working to build me back up from the bottom of the WBC pit, okay...  Perhaps I should take Claratin longer, even all the time?  I took it 2 days prior to chemo through 4 days after already and experienced no pain whatsoever, but if THIS is what's going to occur, MAN, I'm taking it everyday!!!  Back, hip joints, shoulder joints, knees, you name it - I can hardly sit, stand, walk, lie down - YUCK!  Yes, it's another pity-party day, but I just took another pain pill, so all may be well in a little while ;-)

    By the way, my daughter took the BRCA info well, and is going to ask her endocrinologist to submit bloodwork to the Myriad Lab at her next appt :)  Haven't shared with my son yet - stubborn and likely NOT going to test, but my brother's actually going to his doc today (he has 2 young girls), and he's calling a couple of cousins on my paternal side who are likely affected as well...  Yes, regardless of the poopiness of it all, the information is valuable to have!!!  AND, a silver lining (because I always look for one) - I'm BRCA2 positive, so that means my tumor is likely E+ vs E- (perhaps due to the limitations of the test) and is more likely to respond to the Tamoxofin or similar hormonal treatment post chemo :):):)

    Good day to all of you wonderful ladies - as always, this board is a most helpful place to touch base and gain some strength to plow on through the fight!

    Hugs to all,

    Lynn

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  • angelanature
    angelanature Member Posts: 179
    edited July 2013

    Hi everyone,taking the steriods has made this second ac tx much better,i had chicken fajitas,not spicy,and have not lost a pound,nausia is manageable. Honny,sorry about ur hair,i just run my fingers gently through mine and alittle comes out but dont brush. I found my bone pain came a day after neulasta and then stayed with me for a week,claritin helped but it still sucked,hot packs helped. Just picked up pain meds at pharmacy,ocycodone 5 with asa,i think thats must be wrong becuase doesnt asprin cause platelets to drop? Not going to take them until i find out. My husband has been great,though wanting sex   everyday,he says he wants to show me hes still attracted to me. Who feels like sex right after chemo infusion? I feel bad turning him down but what the heck? Ang

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  • momx2
    momx2 Member Posts: 109
    edited July 2013

    Lynn , hope you're wbc improves and your pain subsides . It's a good thing that you're optimistic , it helps us heal optimism.

    This is day 8 for me and I've had good days and BAD days . I get scared about how I feel , trying ti be optimistic and see the glass half full .

    Strength n Health to all of you !

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  • GraceB1
    GraceB1 Member Posts: 213
    edited July 2013

    Thenk you aaoaao! I have really poor viens for sticking and was afraid the port wouldn't work. I HATE when they stick me and then poke around for the vein they know they can see and then go through it. Then I get a new huge bruise and they have to start over somewhere else (an average of three times before sucess). My blood count was pretty low (.9 and abs .3)and I was told to either wear a mask or stay out of the public for a while and wash, wash, wash my hands. I live 3 1/2 hours away from the cancer center so I'm hoping to get tested again down here before I travel all that way only to find out that I'm still too low and need to postpone treatment. 

    I didn't think that I was losing much hair yet until I looked at the shower drain a saw a whole clump getting washed down. Sob, it just make so much more real. I did get out the other day with a girlfriend and bought a wig. We had a nice girls day out. 

    Still getting some nausea after I eat or drink but much better than before. Someone told me that after chemo with the red devil she couldn't even look at red tail lights without getting sick.  I know I'm never going to be able to drink cranberry juice again. :-(

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  • angelanature
    angelanature Member Posts: 179
    edited July 2013

    Hi Grace,sorry about your hair,mines slowly going every strand makes this whole thing so real. I know how u feel about the color red,used to be my favorite(my sectional is cranberry red).I try not to watch them push the red devil but its hard not too.I had my surgery at Sloane Kettering,ny and coming from jersey some days it took with traffic 3 hours to get there. So I took their chemo prodical to my local hospital(princeton medical center)so as to be close.My son at age 5 had a brain tumor and was on weekly carboplatin and vincristine for 18 months,i also took childrens hospital of phil chemo prodical to rwjh so as to avoid the drive which made him sick. Thank God he is now 22 and healthy. Hang in there all you troupers!xo Ang

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  • bikergirl
    bikergirl Member Posts: 112
    edited July 2013

    Nocompromises2013-

    Glad to hear it is going well.  I had some back pain and fatigue Day 1 (think I sat too long-therefore the back pain).  So you have a Sportster?  I rebuild a 1963 Harley Davidson Hummer-finished last year. Do you plan to ride at all through chemo?  I am a little worried about that.

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

    Hi Ladies!  It's been a day or two since I've posted.  My last post I asked about onco scores and got really helpful responses, so thank you ladies.

    I'm on day 7 post 1st dd ac.  I thought I was doing so well.  Minimal se's, just a little tired, nothing major.  Then I realized, I'm having the mother of se's...the dreaded constipation.  OMG!  I finally got relief yesterday, but whoa...now I'm scared to death to do the second round on Aug 2.  I never ever want to go through that again, it was that bad.  I had to eventually break down and drink magnesium citrate, super yuck.  I pre-treated prior to 1st infusion with softners, 3 at a time starting the day of infusion and everyday after.  Took Miralax twice.  I think I would rather suffer with nausea than that.  I'm going to call my doc and see if there is something more I can try before next round, but if you ladies have any suggestions, I'm all ears!  :-)

    I thought I was being so brave about my hair, but as Saturday approaches, I'm getting really freaked out.  I'm still going to have it buzz cut but wow..I'm getting super sad about it.  I thought my hubby was going to do it with me, he brought it up, not me, but last night he said he's just going to get a flat top....dang it.

    Rambo, I'm sorry you are in so much pain, I hope you feel better soon.

    Thank you ladies for taking the time to post here.  It really helps me to read about your experiences.

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  • JeriGrace
    JeriGrace Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2013

    Hi all,

    Just checking in. Day 4 of first round of TC. Definitely understanding SE now. Lots of joint pain even with the Claritin. Also my jaw and all my teeth ache. Is that part of it? Can't really get off the couch. I wasn't prepared for the killer headache. I thought it would go away when I was done with the steroids but it's still with me today. Should I call or just take Tylenol? Since it's the first round I'm having trouble figuring out what's "normal" SE and what I should be concerned about.



    My scalp was tender when I washed my hair this morning. It makes me so sad that I won't have it much longer. Today, I finally feel like a cancer patient. :(

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  • peace777
    peace777 Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2013

    Jerigrace  I dont start until Tuesday and Im taking the same chemo meds you are.   About the headache, I personally would take tylenol. 

    I had a feeling when I start chemo and my hair starts falling out that,  that would really through me out of not really feeling like this is all real and that scares me.

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  • jnprsn
    jnprsn Member Posts: 151
    edited July 2013

    Ladies, Day 4 after 1st infusion for me too. Never really had a steroid high but felt anxious. I have had nausea with painful constipation twice. I feel like the Compazine gives me a headache. Neulasta may be giving itvtoo. Took Advil. No relief. I can barely get out of recliner or bed to do anything that needs to get done. Will I feel better next week (off week)? There has to be better meds to manage these SEs. I too am scared to death of next infusion. This is awful.

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  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Member Posts: 156
    edited July 2013

    Finally, it's my day! At the infusion center now with a heating pad around my arm to help get a good vein up. My SO is here with me keeping my spirits up and I'm happy to finally be attacking those pesky cells that got away. Smile First of 6 TC and back tomorrow for Neulasta.

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited July 2013

    Ladies, My husband shaved my head for me last week, so I won't freak out as much when it starting to fall out. Not completley bald, you still can see short hair sticking out. I feel sad to see myself look like this... sick cancer patient. But I keep on telling myself I will look normal and pretty again one day. I am praying every night to have the strength to go thru the whole treatment and beat this cancer inside of me. Sometime I cried at night watching my 2 little kids falling a sleep. Praying that god will give me a 2nd chance to live to see my kids growing up. Sorry....I am very emotional today!!!.I am crying and crying...can't control myself right now!!!!

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

    Soriya123, it must be in the air today, I've been so emotional today, been crying all day myself.  I'm not even sure why, can't seem to pull it together though.  Hugs to you!

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

    Way to go Mellie.  I hope you have minimal se's and major whup ass on those pesky cancer cells!  :-)

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  • lark
    lark Member Posts: 61
    edited July 2013

    Hi girls. Weird, but I'm emotional today too. Just had my 2nd treatment today and everything went fine. But my scalp is sensitive and now that I've had the 2nd dose I know it's just a matter of days before it starts falling out. My husband doesn't want to shave my head and I understand that. I'm going to call my hairdresser to see when she can do it. What bothers me the most is that I wish my sister was here to go with me, but she lives 10 hours away. I can't really think of anyone else who I would want to be with me so I'll go by myself. Just feeling homesick for my sister.



    Sorlya- did the fainting spells stop? I will pray for you today too that you're going to stop this cancer and have many, many years with your little ones.



    Jerigrace - if the meds aren't handling the SE's call! It doesn't hurt to ask a nurse for advice. Thats what they're there for. I remember the dr saying that sometimes alleve works better for bone pain, but it can cause an upset stomach. It could be different for you depending on the chemo drugs you've had so ask first. I would call before the weekend if you're still in pain tomorrow. I have had pain across my cheekbones and in my jaw, but I was fortunate that it wasnt too bad. They told me its often there, in the sternum and the lower back so I think its a normal SE with Neulasta.



    Jnprsn - day 4 was the worst for me after the 1st treatment. I was thinking "I can't do this for 4 months!!" But days 5-7 were a little better and by day 8 I felt mostly normal. But, like I just said, if the meds aren't doing enough I would call and talk to a nurse before the weekend. Hang in there. Hope you're better soon.



    Bluestars- same with constipation. At least now you know how your body is going to react so talk to the nurse or dr about how you can prevent it. Sometimes a little coffee in the morning helps me, plus all the usual advice.. prunes, tons of water and go for a walk if you can. Some of the others may have better ideas. Sorry you've been suffering!



    Rambo - you're so brave. I'm sorry for everything you're dealing with. I need to schedule a consult for genetic testing and have been putting it off. Even though I don't want bad news I know that I NEED to know so I'll do it soon. One thing at a time.



    Mellie - love your spirit and glad you have support! Let us know how you're doing.



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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited July 2013

    Blue stars...constipation, keep up with the stool softeners and take the Miralax DAILY , start on chemo day, or even day before. Once you stop taking the anti-nausea meds, or slow down taking them, you should be able to stop the Miralax and stool softeners.

    That is what worked for me, but we are all different.



    I had read to try puréed prunes, baby food! I did, buy them, in case, but thankfully didn't need them.



    Best of luck with the next round!

    Pat

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

    Thanks Pattysmiles, I will try that, well, I did start softners the night before, but will add miralax too. I can not go through that again. Baby food prunes, love those, used to buy them for my boys, but I ended up eating them instead. :-)



    The only anti nausea meds I took where in the iv (Emend and Aloxi). I told my mo my weak spot is being nauseous, he said, not to worry, I'll give you extra medicine. That was probably a big mistake. I'll take the nausea. I've got a call into his nurse, I'm going to ask if they gave me "extra" and if we can cut it back if he did. He also said "they" could control 95% of side effects, you think they would have something that could go in the iv...just wishful thinking. I guess if the tigers don't getchya the lions will. :-)

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