September 2013 Chemo Group

Good morning ladies, I too am from the August group, quite awhile ago I put a big post here introducing myself as I wanted to follow this group too but I thought I was posting here and could not find it anywhere. so some where out there in some thread I said hi to everyone, sometimes I am such a dork😄 Anywho I am headed out of town today for my 3rd A/C and cytoxin round so I will try to get caught up on all the posts over the next few days. I hope everyone is managing SE'S well this week and for those of us finishing out the week with treatment I say yea, one more down and some day this will all be behind us. Hugs to all.



Shary🍁

Miralax is now on my shopping list. I'll try ANYTHING!

For those suffering constipation (I had the *other* problem for a few days and that sucked too), may I suggest Smooth Move tea? I was worried about constipation and the day after my infusion I made a cup of it that I steeped for about 10 minutes. It was serious business and it did the trick. I've decided that I'm only going to do a brief steeping this next time around, just to keep everything moving along. My entire goal the first two-four days after infusion is to do everything I can to get those toxins out of my body. 

I should mention that a friend recommended that I try oil pulling when I'm doing my after chemo detox. It's an Ayurvedyic practice that involves swishing coconut oil around in the mouth for about 10-15 min and then spitting it out. It's supposed to pull out toxins living in the mouth and lead to a whole host of health benefits, particularly around oral health. Since it's only cococunt oil and it's not being directly ingested, I think it's probably safe to try. I'll give it a shot and report back. Here's an article on it: http://authoritynutrition.com/oil-pulling-coconut-oil/

josgirl - My most signifcant discomfort didn't come until the last of my Neupogen shots, which was day 5 of the shorts. Hopefully the pain will subside soon enough. My doctor told me that 5 days of discomfort was the norm. Hang in there. Also, I'm taking the Lupron shot and had a weird kind of spotting and light bleed through the first month. Not a full period but like my period was trying to come through. I guess it's normal because I asked about it. I just had the second Lupron shot a few days ago and discussed with the nurse some of the accompanying side effects: crazy nightsweats, some hot flashes and terribly painful sex. I don't know if you have had those but she made a few recommendations to me: getting a cooling pillow to sleep on at night, drinking cold coffee to help reduce nightsweats, eating a bit more soy (I know this is controversial in BC tx so I don't know what to make of that) and also to get vaginal mosturizing pellets going. She told me this would greatly help with the uncomfortable intimacy issue. It's been tough being pushed into a chemical menopause but I guess there are some ways to reduce it's discomforts somewhat. Keep us up to date on how things go for you. 

I am on day 20 since 2 treatments of AC and only had thinning of my hair. Any "normal"person would be bald by now, but not me! I must have enormous amounts of hair because eventhough it fell out in clumps in the shower I still can wear it in a low ponytail tucked under in a bun and no visable bald spots. Here are my tricks because I wanted ti keep my hair as long as I could! Wash every 3 days or go longer in cool water from start of treatment. Dont towel dry, use lots of conditioner and just lightly comb hair. Sleep with a silk/satin pillowcase it prevents friction while sleeping. Dont use any heat on your hair, aka hairdryer etc.  if you have long enough hair pull back in low ponytail, helps hair to not shed all day long.  I am sure mine is a ticking time bomb but I am so glad I didn't go and cut my time short and shave my head (Can not picture myself with a shaved head let alone bald! All the ONC nurses were amazed at how much hair I still had a my 2nd infusion. Not sure aabout anyone else but does the CHEMO just make your stomach turn? For some reason I can not say or hear that word!~ Must be psychological!!

Claritin i swear has helped me with the Neulesta SE. I take 1 day before shot and 4 days after. I have been getting vague neck pain 2 days after the shot but only lasts 1 day.  I also found a GNC product that I take and it prevents mouthsores LGlutamine. I chew one day before infusion and and everyday  for 5 days after. Have not had sore mouth yet. I am hoping to cont that way.  My nausea starts the day after infusion but just the thought of the word CHEMO can set me off! So far, 2 treatments later and the metallic taste has been the worst for me. Anyone have any suggestions for that issue? 

Hey guys! My mom starts chemo on the 25th and she is a little scared. I waned to join this group so I could give her suggestions or tips to avoid bad SE. 

Her port was inserted on Friday and it is bothering her. They think it hit a nerve. Anyone experience this? 

She is doing DD A/C then DD Taxol. I hope once this is over she never needs to do it again. 

Alisha

Welcome Alisha!  Feel free to vent on here too - it's no picnic being a caregiver.  I had pain in my port for like...uch actually if I'm going to be honest it still hurts.  And it always looks bruised.  I'm pretty active though carrying my daughter around and bumping into things.  See if she can get some lidocaine creme - her onc should be willing to prescribe it to use on days it will be accessed.  I used it (as soon as the incision was healed) several times a day when it was really hurting - I spread it all over the area that was sore.  After I think 2-3 weeks maybe I noticed it less and could sleep on that side without waking myself up.

Hi there...I am new to the club.  Just last friday had my first Chemo treatment so I guess that puts me in the Sept 2013 group. Starting me with Chemo first; surgery 5-6 months down the road.  I am still in shock and trying to digest it all.  Been totally blindsided but I have the fight in me now.  Digging deep for the courage as I have to do this. Its nice to see a site like this.

Wing - try Miralax for sure!! I was taking Colace and when I told my OB she told me to go straight to the store and get me some Miralax. She was right! I had really bad hemorrhoids and what shrunk those was a spoonful of blackstrap molasses (I'm not crazy, you can google it) a day. After the roids shrunk, the Miralax has now made it that I don't dread every potty break.



My MO did not give me any food restrictions either, so I haven't altered my diet. Unfortunately I gravitate towards not-so-healthy stuff so I need to be better at my choices. I do eat fresh fruit and veggies, and will even have an occasional Jamba Juice out...so far so good. I think I was so worried that I'd lose my appetite or get mouth sores or metallic tastes that I wanted to enjoy food for as long as I could...I guess now that it looks like I might be okay I should start watching it before I get myself in more trouble.



Is there anyone doing all their treatments without a port? My AC has been via IV, and has been easier than expected (probably due to all the water I drink on chemo day) and was wondering if I will need to switch to a port or PICC when I go to weekly Taxol.

Thanks for your reply batcatlady. Luckily some of the Triptans have worked for me. Started with Imetric injections early 90s when they got approved & found that Maxalt works best. Going gluten free made the biggest difference in my migraine frequency & severity.

Hey all. I am guessing my red blood count is in the gutter today and yesterday. I nearly fell asleep at a stoplight earlier. Thank you KBee and Ann for your kind words. I know that it is what is on the inside that counts, I was just being sarcastic. I think my irritibility was pointing to this crash. Both my littles are still sick despite antibiotics and I am hoping for low blood count and not a viscious cold coming on! Glad you are finally doing better JellyK! I tried to read everyone's posts but I am just so very tired and can't retain much of what I read anyway. 
One thing I did read - no fruits and vegetables post chemo?!!!!! What is that about and why havent' I heard about this before?! I did not get any dietary guidelines at all. I have just been trying to eat healither. 

Oh and speaking of food - I got the go ahead to fast! I am so happy. I just have to guzzle the water to make sure my blood pressure stays up. 

My onc said that the lovely rash of whitehead/tiny blisters on my face is a common side effect for chemo...just not what I am on. Let's hope this is my only weird side effect. Given the history I have with that I was really terrified about chemo. I got a script to take care of it.

My hair is now coming out at about 10-20 strands per tug. I was wondering -something else I am worried about- if pulling it out (which I can't seem to stop myself from doing) or just leaving it alone would affect the possible side effect of Taxotere of it being permenent loss? Anyone ever hear anything about this?

Wing48, I don't know much about neulesta, I have dose-dense AC, so they're using neupogen to rebuild my blood cells faster so I can do treatments every 2 weeks.  I get 7 injections that I take home and inject into my belly myself each night.  Awful the first go around, but now that I'm used to it it's not so bad.

As far as food restrictions, I was told no fresh veggies (cooked only) and no fruit you can't peel, because of the presence of bacteria.  I stick to that for the 1st week, but then once my counts are up I don't worry about it.  But then, I'm the one with the horrible cold so I guess I probably wouldn't follow my advise, lol.

Hello again, I've been keeping up with all of your updates and apologize for not replying directly to each and every one of you. I see there are a few of us from Oregon, that was one thing that caught my eye. I'm on day 6 after Chemo #1. My neulasta shot nurse on Saturday morning? An 11 year breast cancer survivor herself! So awesome. But then I can't say enough great things about all the nurses I've encountered at my infusion center.

Today I feel almost 100% myself. Appetite is very good, was taking phenergan for nausea only at bedtime (because it knocks me out so much) and haven't had any nausea meds for almost 48 hours now. Luckily didn't resort to taking Zofran (want to avoid if I can). Sunday I had some jaw bone pain and the lymph nodes in my neck were very swollen and painful, Sunday night I could tell I was coming off the 'roids because I simply could not stop crying and I really hated that I was just so unable to physically control that.  Monday was my lowest day where I honestly "felt" like I had a hangover. Not exactly a tequilla bender, more like way too much red wine...but enough that it didn't make me want to do much other than lay on the couch all day. Have been doing claritin and prilosec in the morning just in case. Have made an effort each day to walk 3 miles, run/walk or do 45 minutes on my spin bike. I truly do believe it's helped me get back to feeling better this soon. Am teaching yoga and personal training clients in my studio as well. For those of you asking about boosting *red* blood cells? Try exercise. At minimum, get out there and go for a walk, even if just for 20 minutes. The fresh air will do you wonders too.

Today is our 20th wedding anniversary ...we had always talked about taking a big trip to Australia or something for this one. I certainly had no idea I'd be going through this but I will take it if I can get a chance at 20 more years with my husband. I joked with him this morning that for our 10th he gave me a diamond anniversary ring and for our 20th he gave me really good health insurance.

Thank you for letting me share. Live on ladies! No closed doors, only New Beginnings! ~Nichole

Ladies. I too am late joining this thread i started my chemo in August. I have 2 more treatments to go. While this certainly has not been a piece of cake if it gives me the best outcome I will persevere. SE haven't been awful but not much fun. Today at 2 weeks out from last treatment I woke up with the most godawful gas pains high up in my chest and back-ouch! Called my MO & got yet another prescription-I feel like a pharmacy. Anyway all in all it hasn't been horrible. Thank you all for the great tips they come in very handy. Stay strong everyone we can do this!