September 2013 Chemo Group

I saw the question about fasting prior to chemo. Mayo is doing a study of that now, because preliminary studies show decreased side effects because "normal" cells slow down during fasting and likely don't take in as much of the chemo drugs. Cancer cells do not slow down though, so the effects of the chemo are the same on them. The study will not allow women taking taxotere though, so that's something to consider. You can google "fasting during chemo" to get info. I will be getting taxotere, so it is not an option for me.

Good evening ladies. I'm sorry to see some if you are having a hard time. I hope it gets better soon. I'm way late in following the thread, but the hot tamales post made me giggle. For me it was gummy worms. The surgeon insisted that I push chemo out another week because I am not healing well and may have an infection. I felt it was looking better the last couple days and was heartbroken tonight when I took off my bandages to see that an area on the already "bad" side has come open. Chemo was something I could will myself through but this surgery nonsense part is maddening.



Deborahanne, have you asked your MO for a Zantac rx? They gave me one from the beginning even though I never had heartburn a day in my life. But I could really tell the difference if I skipped taking it. Emend was an amazing drug for me. I eventually concluded the reason I starting the nonstop queasiness on day 3 was because that's when I finished the emend pack. My BS told me there was no reason I could not take it longer than 3 days, but I never asked the MO about it. Just a thought for those of you having bad nausea. Wishing everyone a peaceful night.

Diane49 and anyone else starting tomorrow, I wish you a good day, with minimal side effects.

My new avatar is me at my first treatment - the nurse is doing the push of Adriamycin :-)

Hello everyone! I don't remember what my last post was...chemo brain has set in already I guess. I started on Wednesday. I am doing okay. Well, I feel like complete crap, but I guess I won't complain because it could be worse. I haven't had any nausea really but have had HORRIBLE heartburn. My head hurts badly and that Neulasta really did me in even though I took my Clairatin, Ibuprofen and Lortab. It really affected my jaws and teeth and slowly spread down my body over the last few days. I had to get IV fluid on Friday when I went in for not being able to take a deep breath (they said it was just due to the Neulasta afffecting my ribcage) so DRINK YOU WATER! I really thought I was drinking more than enough. I had a birthday party for my oldest at the park Saturday despite the 104 degree heat. It has all done me in. I just want to sleep but I really need to do homework. I tired to do the dishes yesterday but the bone pain was in my knees and shins by then so it didn't last long. I guess they will still be there tomorrow and hopefully I can get to them at some point. I kind of dozed on and off on the couch all day today. I am glad my kids are so good but I feel so badly that they have to go through this. I wish they had a dad to take care of them. And me too lol. I hope everyone is doing okay. Tomorrow will be better! 

It's now day 3 since chemo and it's been pretty good, not too much heartburn and if needed MO said I could use Zantac as someone here suggested. I appreciate the suggestion. I went ahead and took another zofran for tonight even though I don't have any nausea. I walked outdoors some this morning and also went to work for a few hours this afternoon. I do feel a little strange at times, my appetite has changed and my eyes were bothering me briefly when I was at work, but there are no major problems. When I look at what several of you have already gone through and are going through, my situation seems so minor. I'm thinking about you all and praying for you.

Hi everyone. Had my drs appointment today. Everything after surgery is clear and I came back her2-. Hooray! Now its off for chemo on the 19th. Good luck everyone doing chemo this week.

Hi Ladies.  I’ve had one heck of a morning.  I had my port put in on the 4^th and I was scheduled to start chemo at 9 this morning.  My parents came in from out of state and my husband took off work, as did I.  At about 8:10 this morning, my phone rang.  It was my oncologist’s office telling me that my insurance has not yet provided approval for my treatment so I shouldn’t come in today.  We can reschedule.  The girl said I know you wanted Monday treatment so I can schedule you for next Monday.  I about went through the roof!  I told her NO!  I had waited long enough and I want to start ASAP.  These people don’t understand how terrible it is to sit and wait for treatment to begin.  The fear of the unknown and/or the known can drive a person mad!   I’m scared of what this chemo will do to me because I remember what the first one was like and I had a HARD time.  I’m so MAD!!!  I called my patient advocate with the insurance company and of course, got her voicemail.  It’s probably better that way.  I think I would have come unglued if she would’ve answered.  Hopefully, she’s in her bosses office trying to get my treatment approved as I type.  I’m so mad…did I already say that?  Now I’m at work to try and escape from it all.  I figured I had already fixed my hair and put my makeup on so I might as well go to work.  That’s one less sick day I’ll have to use I guess.  So frustrated!!!

I hope everyone has a better day than I’m having! 

Lovewins - For diarrhea, Immodium does help, tho' it's not fast, can take a half day or day to work. But it's safe (I've seen a GI specialist for IBS & he always says Immodium is as good as anything he could prescribe). One after 1st loose stool, no more than 3 a day, accd. to the bottle. I've never taken more than 2, one is usually enough & works w/out getting constipated. Also, keep the area extra clean, get a little squirt bottle of room-temp water & squirt that over your backside after you go in the toilet. This is like a bidet (the European way works!). Pat dry, don't rub. Tucks or Prep. H can help too. Sorry you're dealing with that.

JellyK - Keep up the great attitude!  Way to go focusing on the positives rather than the negatives. I truly believe mind over matter or the power of positive thinking.

drpuren - Thanks for the update on how your doing. I am anxious to see which days are bad for me as well. Glad to hear you are very good on day 5.  

Kbee - Sorry you were having a bad day on Saturday.....maybe you should try a short visit when you are missing your co-workers. I know when I did that it really helped. 

Gotcha13 - Totally hear you on the meds - my mo suggested keeping a meds journal - of what and when taken ....to keep it straight, can help pinpoint which meds are causing which SE's and helpful resource for docs.

Millsy1 - ConGrats on the very good news!- clear margin! Sorry to hear you have had to have 2 surgerys already. Keeping you in my thought and prayers!

Ekaterina - Sminss - Pam358 and all other new members- Welcome and nice to meet you!

batcatlady1 - Thanks for the tip on mealtrain website! I am signing up for a program called Angelheart and they provide 3 meals a week for me and my husband throughout chemo. Awesome programs!

I also heard about a website called caring bridge......it provides a place for you to provide updates to family and friends or whoever you allow to log on and stay in the loop. I think I am going to sign up because I am finding it difficult to contact everyone or even keep track of who you told what, not to mention when you just do NOT feel like talking about it over and over.  

Beachbound - Sorry to hear about the reschedule.....I also had a rechedule and I went off like a rocket on the RN......there is so much planning and preparing for chemo and to have a schedule change is MISERABLE and throws everything off. I was already having a bad day when she called and I just lost it. After taking 30-40 deep breaths I was able to be okay with it. But you had your parents come in to town and not to mention the time you and your husband scheduled off work.....so sorry. Good luck with the insurance company! Keep strong! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

Deborahanne/mamastewart - Sorry to hear your feeling bad....hope you feel better real soon. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

DeliriumPie - So sorry to hear that it is worse.....must be so frustrating....ugh! Hope all is better VERY soon. I will keep you in my thoughts an prayers!

Sending well wishes to all..........Traci

mamastewart - I ended up in the ER Friday night because of a headache that wouldn't go away!  It was off & on for three days before it turned into a full-blown migraine and nothing would touch it.  Ugh.  I have my next treatment this Thursday and put a call in to the doctor for something to take in case that happens again.  I'm sure mine was a combination of things - all of the different meds (did you know headaches are a common side effect of most chemo drugs AND most anti-nausea drugs??!!?), no caffeine (coke & tea taste horrible to me now) and hormones.  

Beachbound - that sucks about your reschedule.  Dealing with insurance is the worst!!!  I can honestly say the waiting and doing NOTHING before I started treatment was the absolute worst, so my heart aches for you to be there now.

I'm so excited - my taste buds have returned!  LOL  For the last 2-3 days things have tasted almost normal and I got rid of the "yuck" coating in my mouth..... just in time to have another treatment Thursday!  ha!

Posnegher2 - I started a Caring Bridge (caringbridge.org) site soon after my diagnosis and it's been wonderful.  I can add journal entries  to keep people updated and  they can also add messages. There are different security levels - lowest where anyone can type in your name and get to your site and the hightest setting where people can only visit if you have entered their email. You can add photos as well.

MamaStewart - I have had air come out my tear duct when I blew my nose but it was pre-cancer.  Usually a time when my allergies were acting up, etc.  It is a strange sensation.

I think ACT has been around longer and is more time tested, and is thought to be more aggressive. It brings with it some potentially worse side effects though (though that varies widely person to person). TC has been tested in a few trials and the short term studies show it to be equally effective. I don't think there are too many long term studies with results yet comparing them head to head...though a few are in progress now. It seems medical centers out west such as UCLA seem to favor TC, while others are more traditional.

Diane, I'm so sorry - nausea is NOT all in your head, your entire digestive system is being broken down, that's not a mental activity!  Ask for a suppository if you can't keep meds down, try and put a small something into your mouth every 2 hours if you can, even if it's just saltines, and try popsicles or even ice cubes to keep hydrated.  Thinking of you tonight!