Calling all TNs

Thank you Crocker! I will do whatever I can to beat the beast! I am just not so into taking medicines. I guess I need to take them way before the syndrome hit me. Eating better now. Thanks!

jianchi - my first chemo wa the very worst of all eight of them. I threw up 8 times the first night aftr chemo because the meds didn't work for me - I thought I was going to die, and I said I will not do this any more - but I did, albeit very reluctantly. You will feel better with each chemo because you will know what to expect - it is a very tough journey, just take each day as it comes - eat when you are hungry and rest when you feel tired. I personally found it worked best for me when I took a couple of short walks outside every day whether I felt like it or not. Good luck. Remember this is a place that you can come with any concerns as there are many of us who have travelled the chemo road and we are willing to put our 2 cents in!

Jianchi I had EMEND just like Belleeast and it was great. No nausea, no vomiting which is what I was afraid of. I took it for the first three days and never had any problems of sickness. May be your Onco will prescribe it for you as well, hope so because it really works.

jianchi - I agree with cocker about asking for emend - that's what I did, and it made all the difference in the world. You have to be as comfortable as possible through this journey, so my suggestion would be not to risk the same drugs again if they didn't work for you the first time. You must be your own advocate. Glad you are feeling better though - are you on a 3 week cycle?

adagio and Carol - I will call in tomorrow and ask my MO how come I am the last person in the world to know about EMEND! I am doing Does Dense so cycle 2 will come soon. I just hope I will feel better then so I can join our family Thanksgiving dinner. Lorazepam is for anxiety but also said to anti nausea. Anyway, worked nothing for me. What is this marinol? I haven't tried but heard it's super expensive. Doesn't seem to be a good thing.

I agree with the rest on Emend - I used it and never had much nausea through DD AC/T! It's a godsend, even if I had to pay $25 co-pay every two weeks for just 2 pills! And my local Wal-Mart didnt carry it until i started using it- had a challenge getting the first prescription filled. Lorazepam is for all 3 - nausea, anxiety and sleep - I used it before bed - my MO said that would help me sleep more than the prescription sleeping pills. For those still going thru chemo stay strong! We all fight together!

LanaM- thanks! Emend will be asked for sure. Thank you gals!!!

Tiffany, I did have some nausea med through IV, not sure what it is. Also two blue pills before chemo. I need to ask my MO to confirm. I am like you, really do not like to rely on meds. Thanks!

jianchi - before you fill the prescription, you can look up the side effects of the drugs for yourself. I never used Ativan because I am terrified of anything that can become addictive - that's just me! Also, we should be able to choose which drugs we take and which ones we don't want to take - always have plenty of questions for your MO. Information is power, so be sure to question everything and be your very own advocate.

LovinMyMom- You are in our thoughts. Your MOM was such a HELPFUL and POSITIVE person.  May she soar with the angels.

Jianchi, drink plenty of water.  I know it sounds redundant, but trust me, as time goes along it will make you feel so much better.  I don't know why chemo tends to dry you out??  I ended up having to get a humidifier.  I drank water constantly to flush my body, and also to combat that dried out feeling.  Once you find the right meds your side effects should be mild to something you can put up with.  There are so many little tricks, please inquire.

Question Ladies:  I had a BMX so I am wondering how long does a breast surgeon need to follow me, or should all my imaging be scheduled through my Med ONC.  I put in a call to my Med ONC's office, I'll let you guys know the answer.  Maybe it can help someone, because I am no longer required to get mamos only MRIs. 

Ada, fighter-34, Luah and all the ladies that offered me advice, all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you so much! I am much better today, and I even drove my son to school today! I haven't been able to do so and I was so glad I did! After that I even went shopping, very relaxing picking up small Christmas goodies for friends family who live overseas. Life is so beautiful and I enjoy every minute of it when I am off side effects. I have learnt my lesson that I will take my meds in advance to avoid SEs.

Hugs to you all!

Lovin' - that was lovely.

lovinmymom - what a wonderful tribute to your home.  always with a smile your mom!  always remember that smile dear.  warm regards - jen

Lovingmymom thank you so much for your post. Your mum was very special on this thread. Always cheerful, always happy, always smiling. She will always be in our hearts as will you and your family.

lookingforw that is such wonderful news. Take each day as it comes and go and do something special. All will come right.

Jianchi hope you are feeling good today. It isn't nice to lose your hair but I had mine cut off at the first sign of hair coming out so that it was my decision and not cancers. At least it will come back though after treatment.