Starting Chemo July 2013

For a couple of you who've mentioned caps and such: http://www.headcovers.com/

Cute stuff at reasonable prices 

Puppymama, I'm so relieved to hear someone else was 'ansy'. I thought I was going crazy! I didn't feel like doing anything but sitting still was worse!! So I'd pace and pace, sit awhile then walk again, my poor husband would say 'if you don't feel good, why won't you rest?' It's a terrible feeling. My second round is this Thursday, I'm better prepared this time. Good luck to you!

Daisy, I know exactly what you mean, I just pace around. I will walk to the kitchen and there is nothing to do there so i walk to bedroom nothing goin on in there, just keep pacing back and forth. I wish I could just sleep

Hello ladies,

I had my first chemo treatment Friday.  Felt tired when I got home, but I'd had an early start and after a little rest, felt okay.  Yesterday and today felt very fatigued with slight headache and sore throat.  Today it comes and goes but am trying to rest to hopefully feel better tomorrow.  The on-call nurse called in some magic mouth wash, but the pharmacy's closed today.  Just hoping I feel better tomorrow when I have to take my daughter to her first orthodontist appointment and won't get my neulasta shot until the afternoon.

This feeling lousy sucks! 

Jnprsn, I'd like an answer to that question, too.  After my third fill I have more pain on my left side where they took out the lymphnodes.  It feels like it's rolling over my ribs, pushing down hard, so I'm wondering if I should wait and finish my fills at the end of chemo, because I can't get the exchange done until then, anyway.  I can get my blood results after my neulasta shot which might give us a better idea of when to do it.

Thanks Zimmy. Makes sense. I think I may lessen the fills to 30 CCs to be in less pain. This is ridiculous.

Hi, Sheila and all -

I'm new here; haven't even got my drain out. Meeting with the oncologist on the 8th. I haven't left this site so please tell me about Neulasta.  I am HER2.  I am 70.  I have a lot of bravado and positivity, but I have really bad anxiety attacks which I keep private.  I am very strong BUT...

I want to be out for the port - as out as they'll let me be. 

Not getting bumped is going to be difficult.  I have 8 dogs, 3 cats and hookbills.  I guess I'll have to tie a pillow to my chest...or something.  Maybe a catcher's padded front thingy (I don't do baseball).

All I want to do is be ok enough to kayak gently in quiet water across the street.  Will I be able to do that?

I've heard with a port, you can't do a lot of upper body stuff. 

To make it worse, my husband has a very bad heart and diabetes, and gets his feelings hurt easily. 
He also knows from his past work history, so much about medicine.  I find him reading on IPAD at 3 a.m. and he can't sleep.  Now I'm reading these forums, and starting to get a little shaky.

I don't know what drugs I'll be taking yet.  Scary new world. 

Maziel, I am getting a port put in tomorrow. I haven't heard anything about not being able to do upper body stuff, after it heals you should be able to do whatever you want. I also have 4 dogs they are little but it did seem after my lumpectomy they always wanted to stand right there, but its been 2 months now and even them jumping on me really doesn't hurt. And nuelasta is a shot they give you the day after chemo, it builds up your wbc to help fight infection. It is a scary new world for you but believe me you will be an expert in no time. I didn't know any of this stuff 10 weeks ago, but i sure know it now. I have learned most from these discussion boards. Where you are now really is the worst just waiting to find out all your info and treatment plans, it will get better. Hang in there!

Maziel,

Sorry you are joining us, but you are in a great place to learn info from others.

The wait to see the oncologist is the most difficult (well, for most of us I think!)



Your oncologist will go over your pathology with you and discuss a treatment plan based on your specific type of cancer, stage and grade, lymph node involvement, mets, etc.



Once you get your treatment plan (chemo?, rads?) you will have a better sense as to what to expect.

There are plenty of people here that have gone through treatment and will share what helped them, myself included. Chemo today is not the same as it was years ago, there is so much more known to manage side effects. Try and not worry. It's easy for me to say, I'm not a worrier by nature, I prefer to deal with facts (and keep my wandering mind in check if possible).



Please continue to ask questions (sorry, I did not have a port so I cannot answer about that).

Pat

Maziel58..I had my port put in a month ago and was put completely out.  In fact I was mad because I was talking to one of te nurses and next thing I know I was in recovery.  When the recover nurse tried to wake me first thing I did was gripe about not getting to finish my conversation. lol.  I have had few problems with mine except it's annoying.  For the first couple weeks it was pain in the rear trying to find a comfortable postion to sleep in.  Now I forget it's there most times and I'm back to normal activities.

I had really bad anxiety at night.  It was like my brain wouldn't shut off so Doc prescribed me Xanax.  First time in over 10 years I slept all night. This forum is a great source of information and I am constantly on it and grateful to see that I'm not alone in this journey. (((hugs)))

I was semi awake for the port and I hated it.  They said I had to be and could not be completely under just because of complications and they needed me to respond to some commands.  Now that it's been 2 weeks I can do almost everything I want. Its not healed completely yet, but when its done. I am allowed to do what ever I want. I hope that helps.  Good luck with it.  It's the best decision I have ever made with regards to this cancer dealings.  

Hi pupymama

You just described exactly how I feel. I thought I could enjoy reading while on Chemo but I can't concentrate and end up reading the same page 10 times and still haven't retained anything. I wish I could lay around but something like you, I cant stay still in one position for longer than 15 minutes, I feel I have to move. As far as the laying around would have been great, I think its because we figured laying around and feeling well would be okay buy we are laying around and feeling like shit.

I have broke out in a rash and it feels like theres fluid build up in my neck everytime I wake up.

Let me know how your doing.

Love, raynaj

Raynaj, I am also having taxotere/cytoxin every 3 weeks for 6 treatments though. I just started last wednesday. That is terrible about your allergic reaction, sounds really scary. Last night I took some hydrocodone left over from my surgery, I actually felt almost normal for awhile, but here it is 3:30am amd I am wide awake. I canttake anything else because I am having a port put in tomorrow. I am actually so looking forward to being knocked out for awhile lol. The reading has gotten a little better for me now, not that I can easily read a book but I am having an easier time with these boards, I love to read it would have been a great time to catch up on some reading. So I know exactly what you mean about the reading and the laying or should I say not laying around. I actually slept a lot after the steroids, didn't get that boost of energy, but it was great being able to sleep for hours.

Puppymama09 you and I have the same dx  have you started  chemo,  Im not getting a port it was never offered.  I start chemo tomorrow and yes the forums have buckets of information.

Hi everyone, bikergirl, ask your onco about melatonin,its natural,a sleep aid and helps with constipation,just like claritin works(somewhat) for neulasta pain,weirdly,melatonin 3mg has helped my constipation. Started with a harsh cough this morning,no fever,but worried. Im going for my counts tomorrow,my 10yr old has been in camp i hope i didnt catch something.My husband is doing food shopping and anything else that requires being in germ ridden places,he has surprised me in alot of ways,Maziel,he is usually a very self centered guy but has done quite a turn around,your husband might surprise u too in a good way. Please continue to kayak,that sounds so awesome and it will make u feel like u. hugs to all Angela