August 2013 Chemo Sisters

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  • carolpr56
    carolpr56 Member Posts: 241
    edited August 2013

    My onc recommended against any regimen high in antioxidants (except diet), as apparently they can work against the effects of the chemo.

    So, I'll keep on my MVI, D3 and calcium, Boniva and whatever else she says to take ; )

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  • ForMyGranddaughter
    ForMyGranddaughter Member Posts: 294
    edited August 2013

    I will hold off on the detoxing herbs/vitamins/teas until I am finished with chemo.  I guess we'd want to keep the toxins in our body until they are finished doing their thing.  After that, I will flush my system.

    In the meantime, I'm planning to radically change my diet, add raw, fresh fruit + veggie juicing, lean meats, etc.

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  • ForMyGranddaughter
    ForMyGranddaughter Member Posts: 294
    edited August 2013

    Can anyone tell me how to post my stats in the signature line?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    Thanks everyone.  You are right.  I will wear what feels right. Probably hats or nothing.

    Shannah, thank you.  I hope that you are hanging in there.  It will all be over soon.

    GavinsGrandmother: I admire you re: the change of diet.  I had just before this happenedchanged my diet to mostly fruits and vegetables and lean proteins.  I saw an immediate improvement in my energy, life etc. i thought I'd be able ot keep it up duing chemo: Not so far.  The thought of my healthy diet makes my stomach turn.  I gave ym neighbor friend my organic veggies, my fruit except for bananas are over ripe inthe bowl (I am going to stew them today) and I am gaining weight.  I will try to get back to it now that I am one week past infusion.  Maybe I just needed a break but my mind keeps thinking "retch" whenever I think of the fruit or veggie that made me so happy just a week ago.

    V

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  • carolpr56
    carolpr56 Member Posts: 241
    edited August 2013

    Oh, V that's just what I'm afraid will happen! The DH and I had just changed to "clean eating" in April and we'd both lost significant weight and had more energy. I'm a fully down to 19 BMI! Now I'm concerned that I'll just want to eat crap, lol! Plus that I won't have the energy to cook, which I love, but also which is pretty necessary for clean eating. The DH is old school, but I guess if HE wants to keep on the diet he'll just have to learn to pitch in, tee hee!



    I don't wanna gain weight back. I want to be "thin and interesting". Guess I need to relinquish some control, huh? At least I kept my "fat pants"!



    FMGdtr, seems counterintuitive to ENCOURAGE free radicals, doesn't it? Crazy! OTOH, we are voluntarily putting solvents into our bodies, so...urg!

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  • beeve
    beeve Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2013

    It's day four after my first chemo infusion and I'm pretty much okay, not much nausea but lots of fatigue, which is fine since I'm retired anyway and don't have to worry about work or children.  I keep expecting some big Chemo Boom to lower and whack me in the head, but so far, no.  Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones or maybe it's on its way.

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  • JellyK
    JellyK Member Posts: 150
    edited August 2013

    Beeve that's great, I'm glad to hear you're feeling okay so far.  That feeling of waiting for something awful to happen is what I'm looking forward to the least.  One of the many ways bc forces us to give up control, lol.

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  • Togetherness
    Togetherness Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2013

    Hello All!!



    This is second day after chemo and doing ok. Very fatigued but just returned from my Neulasta shot so hope that will help!! Took my Claritin yesterday and today as my Oncology nurse recommended so hope that will help with the achiness. Minimal sideefects so far just a very dry mouth so using a biotene rinse for that. Didn't sleep the greatest but I think that was because of the steroids in the IV along with the anti nausea meds. So far so good one think I recommend is hydrate, hydrate. Hope everyone has a good day or at least relax!

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  • Togetherness
    Togetherness Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2013

    Hello all!



    Just wanted to give an update from my day to of chemo. Doing pretty good very fatigued bu ad me Neulasta shot this morning so hoping that will kick in. Took Claritin before and today to help with the achiness. My oncology nurse recommended so I thought it couldn't hurt to try. I have very dry mouth but using biotene for that. Had a restless night but I think that is from the steroids and anti nausea meds given to me in my IV prior to chemo starting. Hope everyone has a relaxing day. One think I can say is hydrate, hydrate, flush that stuff out!!

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited August 2013

    Togetherness, Thank you for sharing your experience, Glad your se so far are minimal that is encouraging. I hope you can have a nice restful weekend.

    Beeve, sounds like you are doing pretty good so far, yea 1 down you 2 ladies, you can cross that one off your calendars. Sounds like fatigue seems to be a common thread here so will defiantly watch for that.

    My Pre-chemo med's are:

    Dexamethasone- 3 tabs 1 hour before chemo

    Emula cream- apply 1 hour before chemo

    Emend- I capsule 1 hour before chemo and capsules 2 and 3 on day's 2and 3

    Zoffran- 1 tab every 6 hours as needed for nausea.

    I will Call MO office Monday and ask the nurse about any other last minute instructions and also to find out when they recommend Claritin.

    Any advise on what else to ask would be greatly appreciated😄



    Hug's to all my sisters on this journey, love Shary🌞

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  • ForMyGranddaughter
    ForMyGranddaughter Member Posts: 294
    edited August 2013

    Today is the 1st day after chemo, I received the shot of Neulasta + picked up my hair prosthetic ("wig") . . . LOL!  I feel normal!!!

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  • Shalimar630
    Shalimar630 Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2013

    Togetherness and Beeve, happy to hear that you are doing pretty good so far. Hope it continues to go well for you.

    I tried on some wigs today at a place which was recommended to me. I must say I was quite surprised at the cost, wow. Didn't expect them to be quite that much. Several looked pretty nice though.

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  • candi07
    candi07 Member Posts: 188
    edited August 2013

    It is very encouraging to hear that everyone is doing well. Starting my count down to port placement (Wednesday) and 1st chemo (Friday). Very nervous, but you all have eased the nerves to a certain degree.

    Thanks for being here, hugs to all!

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited August 2013

    Formygranddaughter, I am glad to hear your first round went well, very encouraging.

    Candi07, well here we go sister, I will be thinking about you this week, we can do this!!!!!! Have a great day all.



    Shary🌞

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  • carolpr56
    carolpr56 Member Posts: 241
    edited August 2013

    Yep, guys - first time for several of us this week!



    Shalimar, dunno what your budget is like, but the website/catalogue for TLC (American cancer society) has a lot of nice looking wigs in the $50 range. All synthetic, of course, but quite acceptable looking. I'm not doing a wig - too blinking hot here!

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  • ForMyGranddaughter
    ForMyGranddaughter Member Posts: 294
    edited August 2013

    Today is day 2 post 1st treatment.  Feel great . . . slight headache.  This may not be a SE of chemo, as I sometimes have a slight headache due to weather, sinuses, etc.  Not fatigued or feeling body aches.  I sure hope this keeps up!

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  • Togetherness
    Togetherness Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2013

    Day 3 of chemo not feeling well. In bed most of the day with fatigue, headache, Naseau and pain in the sternum from the Neulasta shot. Feel like i have a bad case of the flu. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day! Trying to stay on top of the symptoms and keep drinking Gatorade! Loss of appetite! Hope everyone is doing ok and resting!!

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited August 2013

    FMG, that is great your SE'S seem to be really mild😄

    Togetherness, sorry you are feeling so crappy, hoping tomorrow is a better day for you😰

    Carol, I will be thinking about you on tuesday😕let's get this S... Started. And for all othe lady's in our August group I hope everyone has had a restful day.



    Shary🌞

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  • ForMyGranddaughter
    ForMyGranddaughter Member Posts: 294
    edited August 2013

    Togetherness, I hope you feel better . . . starting NOW! 

    My prayers go out to all of my August Sisters!!!  I hope we all have a peace-filled + restful night's sleep.

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  • candi07
    candi07 Member Posts: 188
    edited August 2013

    ForMyGranddaughter, I'm so glad you are doing well. Praying that will be the case for me too.

    Togetherness, I hope you feel better soon.

    Praying for all!

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  • ForMyGranddaughter
    ForMyGranddaughter Member Posts: 294
    edited August 2013

    Tomorrow I get to wear my new wig . . . I'm feeling Embarassed (nervous)!

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited August 2013

    I am not an August Chemo Sister but do want to wish you all good luck.  I belong to the April 2013 group and with all the support, guidance and prayers we all made it and you will too.  One thing that helped me was to keep a journal of all the treatments and my reactions day by day.  Other than my 4th treatment, my SE's were identical to my first, second, third and fifth. I also kept the weekly print outs of my blood work for comparisons and felt rather proud when my levels were in the normal ranges again.  As I said good luck and before you know it, you will be PFC too. 

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  • ForMyGranddaughter
    ForMyGranddaughter Member Posts: 294
    edited August 2013

    My August Sisters,

    If you haven't done so already, connect to and find strength + comfort in God.  Surrender to the process knowing that you will come out refined, as pure gold + victorious!

    God Bless!

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  • Shalimar630
    Shalimar630 Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2013

    Carol, thanks for the wig tip. That is certainly a better price.

    Togetherness, I hope you are feeling better soon!!

    Did any of you gals who have started use the ice tip for hands and feet when Taxotere was given?

    Also, I was reading about Neulasta and the site talked about the cost and that not all insurance covered it. Has anyone had any issues regarding qualifying for the shot?

    I'm going to call my onc tomorrow. Nothing was said about any pre infusion cocktail or the Neulasta injection.

    Sending good feeling waves to everyone..

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  • carolpr56
    carolpr56 Member Posts: 241
    edited August 2013

    AmyQ thanks for your visit and the tips!

    FMGDtr, have fun with the wig today! Let us know if anyone notices, lol!

    Shalimar, my mo did mention the ice, but the np made it sound like only if you started having the skin rash. i had gotten the impression it helped with neuropathy... guess i'll  find out tomorrow, probably from the nurses on the infusion floor. Today I feel headachey and nauseated, probably nerves! I've been careful, if my counts are down and i have to delay the infusion i'lll just scream : (

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  • peace777
    peace777 Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2013

    ForMyGrandaughter,  Thank you for the encouragement through Gods word.  From the beginning I surrendered it all to Christ and the road hasnt been bad.  I know I am healed now and in the future. He is my strength.

    Good luck to all who are starting this week.

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited August 2013

    Amy, thank you for thinking about us and stopping by for encouradgement.

    Togetherness, I hope you are feeling better today and continue to get better day by day.

    FMG, It is always so encouraging to be reminded of God's words and his promises to us. And have fun rocking the new wig today.

    Candi07, I have forgotten, when did you or have you started treatment yet?

    Carol, I have had been a little queasy the last couple of day's and I wondered if it was just nerves, good luck tomorrow and praying your counts are good and that they can start as planned.

    Peace777, I hope you are feeling well.



    Shary🌞

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  • hockeymommy
    hockeymommy Member Posts: 77
    edited August 2013

    Hi Ladies,

    I am waiting for the dr to call to see if I can start chemo tomorrow....fingers crossed!! I have already been delayed a week and I just want to get this started....Let's hope I can start!!!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    Good luck!

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  • OregonDarcy
    OregonDarcy Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2013

    Had my first chemo last Wednesday.   SE pretty minimal, but today I feel like I can't focus on anything.   Light headed and spacey.   Anyone else felling like this?   Chemo or just nerves? 

    hockeymommy - hope you get to start your chemo tomorroow so you can get on with recovery.

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