Starting Chemo, November 2013 Group

NorthwindGS- You have it right.... you will be receiving your AC ( aka the Red Devil due to the color of the chemo) every 2 weeks.  Your onco may order the Neulasta shot to help your bone marrow to keep producing white blood cells.  The Neulasta shot is adminstered within 24 hours after the chemo.  I took Claritin the morning that I received my afternoon shot of Neulasta since the Claritin may help prevent the bone pain associated with the Neulasta shot.  There is an ongoing clinical trial investigating the use of Claritin to help prevent the bone pain from Neulasta shots/Neupogen shots.  Ask your onco about taking the Claritin to make sure it's okay.  I always had my Neulasta shot administered in my tummy area.  This is probably one of the times that I am thankful for a little tummy fat.  The shot area was never sore after I received the shot.  Some do receive the shot in the arm.    As for that port, yes... that port area may be sore for a few weeks.  I was warned before I had my placed that it would hurt more than my UMX.  It was very true but later on, you will really appreciate having a port.

Thank you all for letting me pop in and share what I learned during my time in chemoland.  Wishing each of you the best here.  Happy and easy times in the BGC and minimal side effects!!!  Before long, each of you will be able to shout out loud  " I am doing this and doing it well!!!"

Hi, I'm excited to finally officially join a "monthly chemo group!" I start my 4 doses of TC on the 13th, having finally gotten my port Wednesday. Excited? You ask, is she nuts? Not really.

It's interesting that there are several of us in November who appear to have been stuck in the infection zone. My first abscess burst at 4 weeks after surgery, went on oral antibiotics for a month. I went into surgery for port placement where my 2nd abscess was found, instead of a port my lumpectomy incision was reopened in surgery. For 2 weeks I had to have a nurse come to my house to pack the open wound, until it was small enough I could take over. Yuck. The oral antibiotics couldn't quite kill it, so then I had 2 weeks of IV antibiotics outpatient at the hospital. I was finally pronounced infection-free and got my port this week.

I really don't feel ready physically for chemo. My surgery side is still very sore from months of abscesses and cellulitis. I'm dealing with diarhea caused by months of antibiotics. I'm unbelievably weak from having been so very sick. Psychologically I'm ready for the next phase, but physically, not so much. Sorry to whine...

PatAlameda we start chemo on the same day! Are you superstitious about it being the 13th? And audra67 is right on our heels the next day.

I bought a really cheap wig and am all ready to go. I bet I will not get any sleep the night before. I am trying to get the time to pass by wrapping some Christmas presents. The baby is sick right now, I hope she gets better soon. Especially since I never got a flu shot.

Did everyone else get a flu shot?

Well we all sound like a motley crew!! I also have been on antibiotics for the last 6 weeks, plus yeast infections and meds for that, still finishing my last round of antibiotics for a 'new' sinus infection during my last surgery. I do not feel 'tip top' to take on chemo. this next week, but my oncologist likes the 8 week window too...and I worry waiting as I'm so estrogen positive is bad, I've already had 2 periods since my mastectomy to cut tumor out...so each cycle I think more hormones growing more cancer...? The worries.

I will be praying for you girls on the 13th...and let's try and post feelings/ side effects/ positive tips ~ I know I need the encouragement and it's got to help! I have had trouble sleeping since the initial diagnosis and hoping to be given Benadryl or something stronger as I have read other oncologists do....I have a chemo class 13 and then doing it and seeing DR on 14, so not really sure what they will give me to 'counteract' the chemo...

I guess I haven't really felt 'myself' or tip top or in shape since this all started, it's been such a whirlwind and emotionally draining as well as physical. I am just going to try to eat and drink fluids and force myself to be positive! Thank God for the chemo. ~ what would we do if it were not available or possible? I am looking at it as a positive and it will be letting me enjoy my children and grandchildren for extra years!

Bless you all!

Glad you are here with me!

Some achiness set in , but Ibuprophen is helping. No other symptoms to report. One round down three more to go! Bought a wig as well! Going to Feel Well Look Better class on Monday to get makeup class for chemo patients and getting my goody bag (brand new, free makeup).

should I get shots before starting? what about dentist?

for some reason I can only post very short messages before it starts duplicating random stuff..... Anyone else having this problem? Or is it my

what can I expect after port insertion and first dose? I have PTSD from past med stuff due to RADICALLY BAD MDs.. .I'm afraid.....I start Wednesday. ....I used to be the cheerleader....now I'm so sleep deprived. ..bummer...

forgive my short post and duplicates....I dunno what my phone is doing! I'm with yall for the run!! in my prayers!!!!! we will all make it....a three fold cord is not easily broken and we are growing stronger with each link!!!!!

Hi Paulette23 and welcome!

The port is more a pain in the neck (literally) than anything else. The good thing is you'll be so caught up in the chemo thing, maybe you won't notice?!? I've needed a couple pain pills in addition to ibuprofen, just to be comfortable at night. It's not scary really, but my neck looks like a messy vampire messed with it where my jugular was accessed. My incisions are superglued together, which means no bandages and a lump of glue. Lovely. Sigh.

I've had my wigs waiting for me for months. The good thing is you can get cracking on it right now and order some hats/wigs/scarves and they should be here in time for our baldness (several of us start the same day, so we should go bald together). Distraction! I wish I had more things to distract me. I've been taking sleeping pills since I was diagnosed, but at this point some Ativan sure would be nice. Instead I'll try for walks.

I think you've got time for a flu shot today, but I don't know if its too close. If you can see the dentist Monday or Tuesday, do it. Not supposed to get routine stuff during chemo. I wish I'd gotten a shingles shot, but I've been too sick.

Aypone else planning for a head shaving? I've got a friend who had chemo a couple years ago that I'm asking to do the honors. I figure she will understand whatever emotions it brings. Bald just in time for thanksgiving!

If you are in need of a wig and can't afford one, you may want to check out the American Cancer Society's  "Look Good Feel Good" program.  You may be able to receive a free wig from the ACS.  There is a make up session where one is given a free make up bag filled with goodies.

I know some of you have yet to reach the point of seeing yourselves in the mirror with less hair and without eyebrows/eyelashes.  I know the next step for many of you is to decide what to do about your hair.  There are no rules; no right way or wrong way.  The only way is your own way..... the path that you are able to handle. 

I had waist length hair at diagnosis Feb. 2012, then cut my hair to a short bob March 2012 for my UMX and then a short short boy pixie cut in May 2012 after my first round of chemo.   The shower was my moment of truth when my hair started coming out in handfuls.  I said to myself that I have a choice here.... I can breakdown and fall into a heap of crying in the shower or I could just say it's time for the hair to go bye bye and time for me to do something about it.  I chose the later.   I actually cut the pixie cut myself-- I put my hair in a bunch of little pony tails and snipped those little pony tails off.  It was rather liberating to do that.  I never shaved or buzzed my head after that since I had decided that I wanted to see exactly what the chemo would do to my hair.  I was left with a very thin veil of sparse hair by the end of my 6 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere.  I finished chemo August 2012 and have not cut my hair since that self pixie cut.  My hair came back, a little wavy and evenly.  I'm letting it grow out as a part of my continuing self science experiment with my hair.  I know that the way I have handled my hair is not for everyone.  Each of you will figure out what is the best way for you.  I had a wig and never wore it.  (The poor thing is still in the ziploc bag having abandonment issues ... lol)  I wore knitted caps, bandanas, Buffs ( stretchy tube of fabric), hats and baseball caps. 

Just remember, you are beautiful no matter what. 

I got my teeth cleaned this week. It might be a very good idea to get it done before chemo to reduce bacteria and the plack that the bacteria likes to grow on. Use the cancer card if they can't get you in sooner, they were suddenly very accommodating after they heard I had BC, otherwise they were booked until February. Turned out my hygienist's sister was a 2 year BC survivor, so I got 2 for 1 treatment, clean teeth plus pep talk and lots of advice.

My oncologist recommended the flu shot , but the appointment took 1.5 hours and baby was getting restless, so I decided to get the shot at my primary care office. But my appointment at the PCP went downhill very fast - just like audra67 I had a yeast infection (welcome to the Pillsbury dough boy club) plus abdominal pain for one week. And since I am now "cancer" patient they sent me for blood work and abdominal and vaginal ultrasound (yeah me). I have a feeling that it was all an overkill and they are just trying to overcompensate for the lack of care I have gotten since I had the baby.

Hello, this is my first post and would love to join all of you November Chemo ladies. The info on this website has been so helpful. I also am starting TC chemo on the 13th ( has always been a good luck number for me). My port was placed last Wed. and is very bruised with some neck soreness but overall is ok. I had my flu and pneumonia shot when I was diagnosed. I work as a dental hygienist so I had my teeth done also. I am ready to get the chemo over with and on with my life but very nervous at the same time, I find that working and keeping busy with the family helps. I have bought a couple of hats and plan to go wig shopping next week. I found out that if I get a script from my MO that I can get re-imbursed for a wig at a local wig shop, yeah! I plan to shave my head as soon as it starts falling out, it will be a family event with each of my boys getting a swipe! My fiancé plans to shave his head also! I can't wait to keep in touch with women who are in the same place I am.

Paulette23-

You are NOT way behind without a wig...I have gotten lots of hats and scarves and then on one of these pages it had a wig link and I bought one there...haven't received it yet and might not EVER wear it..... who knows? But I thought good to have in case...

I used to work as a nurse and there really are a lot of bad M.D's out there, hopefully your oncologist isn't one of them and you researched and /or had great recommendations...but always ask questions and don't just blindly do everything ...I think you are your best advocate and maybe ONLY advocate so hoping you can make this a better experience. There are also some wonderful M.D's and people that genuinely care about what they do...

I like Melrose post- about when hair started coming out you cut it super short but left some to see what happened?? Did you still have bits falling out on pillow or in shower or just a fine layer stayed?? I like the experiment part...

audra67-  Some oncos wait to give the patient scripts for pre-chemo steroids at the first chemo infusion appt.  What they do instead is to give the steroids and other anti nausea meds in with the pre chemo IV drugs.  If you are having anxiety issues, do ask your onco for a prescription of Ativan at your next appointment.  I was given Ativan in my pre-chemo IV drug cocktail which helped me keep pretty calm and relaxed during my infusions.  I did not have anti-anxiety meds to take the rest of the time but if I thought I needed them, I certainly would have asked for a prescription.  You can also call your onco's office and speak with the nurse and ask when you will receive prescriptions for the steroids and anti-nauseameds,and which ones you will be taking.  Never hesistate to ask your onco/onco's office for help.  Try to hang in there.  You will get through this.  Make sure you hydrate the day before the infusion so your veins will be plump.  Eat breakfast the day of your infusion, don't go to the infusion on an empty stomach.  The infusion nurses may ask if you have eaten before you came in and prefer not to give you the pre-chemo IV drugs on an empty stomach.  Some of those pre-chemo IV drugs can cause nausea if one's tummy is totally empty.  Expect the first round of chemo to last a little longer than the ones after that because you will be going through the process for the first time. Take snacks with you that you can munch on during the infusion.  Yes, you can eat and drink during the infusions.  If it becomes lunch time, have someone get you a sandwich/lunch.  I hope that you will have a significant other or chemo buddy there to keep you company during the infusion.  Always good to have emotional support.  Just remember that you are not alone; you will not be self administering the drugs and the infusion staff will be there to monitor you throughout the process.  Wishing you the best...... You can do this!!!!

Just saw your post about the hair.... the hair just came out over time.  With that being said, I didn't wake up one morning and find all of my hair on my pillow.  It just fell out and fell out anywhere and everywhere.  I used a lint roller to pick up that hair off of me, my clothes and wherever I had been.  I also found that sleeping on a polyster satin pillow case better than a cotton pillowcase since the hair stubs didn't seem to get caught in the cotton fibers.  I did find myself rubbing my head as the hair left.  I found it extremely comforting.  My husband and children also rubbed my head.... I told them it was okay to rub my head for good luck.  My family never said to me that I was bald; they would simply agree with me every time I said that I still had hair on my head.  The reality was that I did have hair on head but not very much though.  I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet but the hair from other parts of your body may also go ( eye brows, eyelashes, nose, ears, legs, arms, arm pits, down south.)  My eyebrows started to fall out by Round 4 and were mostly gone by Round 6.  Only my bottom eyelashes fell out; the top ones stayed.  They did return just fine post chemo and have stayed.  Some experience the eyebrows/eyelashes coming and going several times post chemo but I've been lucky.