Starting Chemo, November 2013 Group

specialk -did you take anything for the big D or let it run its course, did you have severe cramping with it? Was it the same with each chemo? I think I may have ibs.

veronica - I had mild IBS due to reflux surgery in '95 prior to my BC diagnosis, so I am sort of used to this. I did let it run its course because while it was enough to keep me home, it was not enough to dehydrate me or cause any other issues, and I did not really have much cramping. It was the same with all my tx, except the last one, #6, then not as severe. The cramping you are experiencing may be from the GI distress, or it can also be from the chemo itself, as it causes soft tissue damage in the GI tract. Talk to your onc about how they want you to proceed. Also ask about using a probiotic - some will let you during chemo, others won't.

I had a strange scalp pain last night...is the hair loss already starting on my day 7 ?

I don't have a wig yet, and getting a bit panicky.

Where did you get yours?

Web sites?

Stores?

Amazon, I've had some weird scalp pains too, but no hair loss. It's actually my "lower" hair that's really acting up right now. I've heard it's the first to go, so I suspect the follicles are beginning to die. Check out TLCdirect.com online for wigs and hats. I got a little "halo" wig from them to wear under hats. I went to a local wig shop that specializes in alopecia patients for my "real" wig. Don't need it yet, but I'm ready!

Hi Pat...i heard that too...nose...girlie parts...go first. Glad to hear youre all ready...as much as you can be! Lisa....cool about your doc! doing all the right things. I wish I had differant kinds of antnausea med. Allergic....hopefully I wont need em next round. So far I "handled it" with just the phenergan...its functional. I know there are better meds out there. The cream is great! make sure you put in on in plenty of time to really numb that bad boy up!

I hope everyone had a good day!

Im trying to put together a roster of all our november buddies. If anyone is like me...trying to remember names and info is hard...especially now! I couldnt even remember my bank acct number yesterday!!lol!!

I still have about an hour and 45min till hubby comes home...want to get up and clean but dont have the strength....

Hi everyone. Hope you are all doing well with your chemo. I haven't had a chance to read through the thread yet. I start my chemo tomorrow with my first dose of FEC. Nevous, but ok...one day at a time!!

Lorreymom you will be fine! Hoping no side effects or at least minimal ones!

Paulette23 Hope you are feeling better!

Bec65 you made me laugh! "Fake boobs and fake hair" Ready to accessorize! Me too!

PatAlameda Was your scalp pain when you touch it ? Mine is sensitive to the touch right now.

Hi All,

I had my 1st chemo; Taxotere and Cytoxin on 11/14 and thought I would be doing better. Monday I had bad bone pain with a yeast infection and Thrush along with constipation. Tuesday wasn't much better and Wednesday my period showed up along with intestinal and menstrual cramps. Yesterday fatigue set in though the cramps faded a bit. I hate to complain because after reading everyone else's posts I know I have a rather mild course of treatment ahead of me. I am usually a very positive person and expected that would help me get through the tough times easier. I am hopeful that today will be the start of an upswing for me. I really need to get moving in that direction or the next chemo may hit me even harder.

One thing I've noticed since getting my port in is the feeling that my heart is closer to the surface of my chest. It seems that I am more aware of it beating and that it feels heavier some how. Has anyone else had that experience?

Thank you all for sharing yourselves here. It gives me perspective and makes me feel less isolated.

I need to give a shout out to my husband. He has been so fantastic! Monday night he went out at 8:30pm to pick up some Monistat for my yeast infection. Did not complain or even hesitate. I love that man!

Pompom, don't apologize for complaining. Bitch away. That's what this place is for! Out in the "real world" we have to smile for all the people who tell us to "stay positive." Bleugh! Easy for them to say. Delicae, oh yeah, I believe wrist infection. On Tuesday my demented cat bit my arm, it got red & hot & painful, saw Dr on Wednesday, got put on oral antibiotics. Didn't work. Got admitted last night to hospital for iv antibiotics. Well shucks. Shed a few tears feeling sorry for myself. I had 2 1/2 months of post-op infection, long nasty road I finally beat so I could start chemo this month. I just can't friggin believe it. Another infection.

Uh, Paulette you mentioned separate laundry. Uh oh, I never got that memo. Makes sense, but oops. Was everybody else told that? Ugh. My chemo start was rushed because of the long delay so I never got formal instruction. So have I poisoned my husband?

Lissy, my scalp pains come and go, so follicles are dying in fits and starts. Or maybe they just feel sick right now, and don't know what's in store for them. It's the lower 40 that are the touchiest right now.

Inks - my plastic surgeon refuses to do fills while you are on chemo. He says he does not want to risk an infection. Makes sense and I sure don't want to have to take expanders out because of an infection and then start all over again.

Paulette - didn't know about the laundry, I am asking onco today about that.

Lissy - thank you so much for your info. Now I am definitely inclined to postpone my fills until after chemo. The last fill has made it pretty uncomfortable to sleep anyways, the TE are into my armpits. I do not need any more discomfort plus a risk of infection. I was so grumpy when all I wanted to do after first treatment was to sleep but I could not even curl up on my side.

Audra67- So sorry you are having a tough time.  Hoping that things improve for you very very soon!!!!  To answer your question about the Neulasta and why you may not have received it after the first round, this is what I was told by the oncology dept pharmacist and my onco.  Both explained to me that it was necessary to see how my body would react to the chemo and whether my WBC could sustain at a level that I could receive chemo without it.  Not everyone needs the Neulasta.  If I demonstrated that I needed it ( ie infection, high spiking fever w/ chills) then I would receive the Neulasta shot after the following rounds.  The Neulasta shot is expensive and some insurance companies will not automatically cover the cost unless the patient demonstrates the need.  What the shot does is to give a boost the bone marrow capabilities for making white cells since the chemo affects the WBC.

As for the laundry situation, my husband and I have always kept our laundry separate and fortunately, he does his own.  So I never had the issue about mixing laundry with chemo/no chemo. 

Make sure you write down how you are physically feeling after this first chemo so you can let your onco know.  He/She may have some solutions for handling some of your side effects.  You are heading into your nadir week so take it easy and rest and try to eat well.  (((HUGS)))

I keep reading these posts with my morning tea...

PatAlameda: Thanks so much for the wig tip. I like the web site (TLCdirect) and going to order one today. My choice is the pixie style called: Bonnie wig

So sorry to hear about your infections...hang in there...you are a real trooper

VirginiaNJ: I am starting to feel pretty crapy myself, as my period is on the way...hurray!

Inks: I had a mastectomy, but opted not to have the reconstruction done right away to scale down my chances for complications. Sure it's hard to look at myself in the mirror after a shower (even resorted to adorn myself with some eyebrow pencil "tattoos" around the scar to give it a certain 'look'), but so far didn't have to deal with any infection and the healing process was fine. For me, beating cancer is first, cosmetics ( hopefully) later.

Deliciae: My thoughts and prayers to you. Keep up your spirit.

Pompom21: I have noticed that my heart beat is somewhat stronger after CT especially at night.

Lissy2304: Talking about a fake boob. I ended making one myself out of some foam and a sock. I wanted something right away to go about my daily life, but the lady at the store where they sell them suggested that they can fit one in for me 'once I am fully healed, in about 2 months time'. Got to say, that the homemade job actually does the trick for now!

Ok ladies, finally starting the AC on Monday morning. Should have been today but the doctor's office said the insurance hadn't said they'd pay and the insurance said they hadn't gotten anything about it. But anyway, I no longer feel like I've been forgotten. Is there anything I should do, or don't do, this weekend to get ready? I got three Rxs for nausea last week, so hopefully that will stay under control. To me that's the worst sounding SE. Can't stand to be sick to my stomach. Can[t even hear it on TV or a movie. Hoping to get back to work some next week, since I had to be off this week because of the port placement. No simple numbing for me. Knocked out, throat tube, Dr tried 5 times to get it on the left, couldn't get a straight shot, so put it on the right. Pain is gone, just a pulling sensation left, but I couldn't do anything for a week. Normally I sleep on my side or stomach, but with holes on both sides I've had to sleep on my back. Keep waking myself up snoring. It's amazing how just having the first one scheduled has calmed most of my anxiousness. Now I feel like we're fighting back. I really feel better than I have for weeks.