Starting Chemo in December 2013
Comments
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djj, welcome to the thread. I am glad your sponsor directed you here. It is a very good place to be while you are facing BC. It IS very much an emotional roller coaster for sure. But, at least for me, once I had answers and started my treatment (lumpectomy), it did get easier, mentally and emotionally. Just knowing that you are on the road to recovery gives you a little bit of peace of mind. If it gets too much, don't beat yourself up-get your Dr to give you meds, if needed. It sounds like you have a great medical team. I love your comment about tatooing the eyes on the back of your head!
Humor in the face of adversity is a good thing!
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hi onetexasday yes I will be trying the penguin cold caps they should arrive Tuesday. Sounds complicated and quite uncomfortable but worth a try. Which caps are you using?
Hi dJJ it is definitely a roller coaster, I completely lost it on Wednesday feeling a little better since. I have been told this is the hardest part before you start the fear and not knowing....
Lorreymom hope once you get regular it is smooth have you tried probiotics?
Emq2 they have to check my veins Monday but suggested possibly a " pick line" which goes in the arm. It must be very hard to be home alone I hope you have someone taking you to chemo. Hope we can all help each other long distance.
Warm thoughts to all of you as we start this challenging journey. -
My Mother-in-Law bought us a robot sweeper. I am sweeping my kitchen floor right now as I relax on the couch. LOL. Bless her!!
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I had my port installed on Nov 27 then chemo. I didn't feel anything but at 5pm the room started spinning like I drank way to much cheap wine. My brain was hurting and everything was LOUD and BRIGHT. Ugh. Thanksgiving was a blur but I got my shot for bone marrow. I have been sleeping a lot. I am still recovering from my bilateral mastectomy. I appreciate any tips. They gave me iv meds for nausea and under the tongue and phenergan. I want to try acupuncture next. I am so tired. I for my appt to add to my expanders Tuesday. Any tips, please? I miss hanging out with my kids. I have serious chemo brain. I am the one who remembers everything for the family and I feel like everything is falling apart. -
Hi allbraves: my second chemo is on December 3/13. My first chemo wasn't as bad as I thought. The second day I was dizzy and nauseated so I took the pills the doctor gave me and I went to sleep for the afternoon The next day I was okay. I go for 1/2 hour walks daily -
hang in there Goldie...It does get better!
Advice? Stay hydrated, eat small meals frequently, easy to digest meals of things like soup or rice or broths if you still have nausea. Take your meds as prescribed, even if you don't think you need them. Both pain & nausea are better controlled BEFORE symptoms start or get bad. Rest lots...naps are my best friend. You will heal faster & can spend time with family on the good days. To have more good days you must rest!!! Gentle exercise (eg. Walks) can help if you have the energy. Ginger can help with nausea too.
If I think of more tips, I will add them. -
I tried to drink diluted water (3/4 water and 1/4 canned green tea). I took the mess faithfully what they gave me. Next treatment tell your oncologist what you are experiencing -
take meds as prescribed even if you think you don't need them. Also drink lots of fluids. I dilute my drinks (3/4 water and 1/4 canned green tea or other juice). I also eat small amount of food. Drink like an elephant. Lol -
stay on top of the meds, don't wait that you become nauseous, I learned the hard way got sick all night and they had to call a home nurse to give me a injection to stop the vomiting( and I didn't have it at home because I thought she would bring it) so in the end she couldn't do anything for me. I will be very organize for round two! Gatorade, ginger ales and lots and more and more water! Drink drink drink! I found soda crakes really helps, small snacks instead of 3 meal a day. Chicken broth and homemade smoothies were really helpful. -
KLI:
I begin chemo on Friday. My OC advised me to have someone with me the first several times in case she needs to give me Ativan IV? I have reached out to a few people and they have graciously offered to help although it is a fear that for whatever reason (not within their control), they will not be able to follow through. I pray the side effects are not that bad.
I have been reading the boards and taking the advise of all. My OC prescribed me two different nausea medications. Not sure why two? I will have to ask when I call tomorrow. Someone said to take one the morning of chemo injection even though I will get it again through IV, and to take it for several days afterwards even if I do not feel sick. Am I accurate in my reading?
Also, I believe someone else said something about taking Claritin the day before? I don't recall the reason why.
Yes it gets very lonely and is frightening being alone but despite the fear, I cannot panic. I learned this from an awesome movie, "Chasing Mavericks". Lot's of life lessons. -
emq - they prescribe multiple anti-nausea meds because they work by different mechanisms, and some do not work for everyone, so you have options. Because they work differently, if one fails you can move immediately to the next one - you don't usually have to wait 4-6 hours for that first one to "wear off". I did not have success with Zofran (odansetron) but did fine with Compazine (proclorperazine). I was instructed to start the anti-nausea meds the evening (same day) of chemo, as I had received several drugs by IV for anti-nausea prior to chemo, both Decadron and Aloxi. Ativan is also given sometimes, both to calm you but also for its anti-nausea properties. It is not advisable to drive if you have received it. Some docs also give Tylenol and Benadryl to help stave off allergic reactions - the Benadryl can also make you sleepy. The Claritin is for the Neulasta injection that is given 24 hours after chemo - it helps with swelling in the bone marrow caused by the expansion to create new white cells. Will you be receiving that injection? If not, I would skip the Claritin.
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Emq2 - I start chemo on Thurs. I heard it can take up to 4 hours for the first round. If you cannot get someone to stay with you, try to get someone to drop you off and pick you up. I hear the nurses will be watching us closely, as it is our first time. I was also prescribed two different anti nausea medication, Zofran & Compazine. Are you meeting with your onc.the day before chemo for labs, etc. ?
SpecialK - I will be asking my onc. what time I can take the Claritin on Thurs., as I get the neulasta inject. on Fri. Thanks for your help. Can I put you on speed dial? I hate the not knowing crap. At least with surgery, you pretty much have some idea what to expect, but the potential side effects of chemo is making my head spin. -
kj - yes, you can put me on speed dial, lol! If you need a quick answer you can PM me as I will def see that, may not be as fast if I don't come and check this thread. I would time the Claritin on Thursday so that the 24 hours has elapsed an hour prior to the injection on Friday. I did not start with Claritin the day before, but did take it an hour prior. So if your Neulasta injection is Fri. at 1:00 p.m., start the Claritin at noon on Thurs. That may be problematic if you are in the middle of chemo though. You are taking 24-hour Claritin (not Claritin D) - I took the Redi-Tabs, they dissolve on the tongue in case I was out and about right before Neulasta, I didn't need to worry about having water with me. Maybe if you want to start the day before you can take a 12-hour one in the evening and time it so you take the 24-hour one an hour prior to injection, just a thought.
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Hello everyone. My first chemo is Wed. Dec 4. My oncologist said that they would be giving me Benadryl via my port after the chemo. Perhaps, that is why Claritan was mentioned...? Apparentely, there can be an allergic reaction to the TC cocktail and that is why the Benadryl is provided. Also, I have steroid pills to take the day before, of, and after. I think this is all to prevent those allergic responses that are possible. I am going with TC and hope that I am not losing out by not accepting the dose dense ACT first offered. On the other hand, U of Penn recommneded the TC and that is a first rate hospital & my very brilliant local doctor is comfortable with this decision. I can feel myself getting increasingly afraid now that the hectic Thanksgiving holiday and first night of Hanukkah are over & the house is quieter without a college student & other visiting family. I will try to check in more regularly with this group of December/ end of Novemeber warriors. -
By the way, I found this wonderful service - Cleaning for a Reason. It is nationwide and will come to your home and clean for free. It contracts with your local housekeeping services. They came to my home last week and I am so grateful. Cleaned my mess so I am ready for chemo. All you need is to go to their website and you will need a doctor's note. Great resource. xoxo -
Dear Chaille, How did it go? Let us know how you are. Amy -
Hi girls. I start chemo on Dec. 5. I broke down a little while ago when it finally hit me that I will never be the same again. There will be life before chemo and life after. It is surreal. I have a vivid imagination and I am hoping that it goes smoother in real life. Hoping for the best, expecting the worst. I was all geared up to say no to chemo because my tumor was only .06 mm. After my second meeting with my MO and the facts that she presented me with I could not say no. TNBC is too scary to not do absolutely everything you can to avoid recurrence. I can't wrap my head around my hair falling out. I think this is going to be very traumatic. I have never truly accepted my hair and always said how much I hated it. (It has always been very fine and thin.) I have always been self conscious about it. Maybe this will be the best thing that ever happened to me. If I get a good wig I will always have a good hair day. (That's what I keep telling myself anyway.) I am grateful I have your support. Please know that you all have mine as well. Good luck everyone.
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mikes girl, I also start chemo on 12/5 too, also to prevent recurrence, though I am triple positive not triple negative. Do you know what drugs you will be on? How many cycles?
I may be naive and I am really wishing I didn't have to do this, but I am taking the attitude that when this over and done with, most things should be a piece a cake. If we can go through chemo and come out the other side, we are rock stars, right?
This is gonna suck but we will come out the other side, changed but better for it.
I am so so so thankful for those who have gone before us as we have the benefit of of knowledge that they did not. -
Hi Amy and All,
48 hours after leaving the chemo center and it's been a bit of a roller coaster. Ginger in all forms (candy, tea, cookie) has been most helpful. The Decadron is awesome...took care of a good chunk of the nausea and gave me some pep, but today was the last day of that prescription. The Atavan made me feel weird, so I haven't taken it since Friday night. The Compozine helps greatly and I am trying to stay on schedule with it! even during the night.
This morning I felt very foggy-brained despite the 17 hours of sleep last night. I did go out for two walks with my dogs and did some grocery shopping with the hubby today, so I'm not just slugging out. But it's 7pm here and I'm ready for bed and thankful I planned on not going to work tomorrow.
As far as eating, it's been a very carb-y thing...crackers, basmati rice, a small part of a scone, ginger cookies, and a few bites of spanakopita which tasted horrible, but I was looking for some much-needed fiber. Senecot and a small cup of coffee (which tasted surprisingly good) haven't done the poop trick today (God love us for being able to talk about poop!) so I'm trying to gauge if I can handle the prunes sitting next to me. I usually love them but they are not calling my name.
I have this sense of impending doom...but it's probably the hair loss looming in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for listening! Hugs to all! -
Hi ladies, It looks like a lot of us are starting next week. I will be looking for your postings on how you are doing. I know SE's are different with everyone. I am glad we can wear hats/caps w/o looking too out of place this time of year! I think once my hair is gone, I will have overcome a big hurdle, emotionally. I got my sleeping caps and wig cap in the mail. My wig should be in next week. I am going to try to schedule with Look Good Feel Better class the next round.
I hate that we are all going through this for sure, but glad we have each other to lean on when our friends and family really don't understand, as much as they try to. I live alone, so I will need some encouragement along the way, I'm sure!
thanks for the info on cleaning, momat.
atlbraves, I hope you find what works for your BM soon:). If there is a magic trick, pls share! Have you added Metamucil to your diet?
Let's get in the Big Girl Chair and kick some C!
((HUGS))
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I actually applied for Cleaning for a Reason. I was told they had no cleaning services in my area which surprises me since there are a ton of cleaning businesses in my area.
KJF: No, I am not meeting with my OC prior to my first chemo tx but get the port put in on Thursday.
SpecialK: You are a wealth of information. Did the Compazine make you tired? Also, how much water/gatorade during the course of the day? -
OneTexasDay - you're absolutely right about feeling like living through chemo will add a real and positive sense of perspective to your life. I haven't started chemo yet but went through something truly horrific years ago and since then nothing really phases me because nothing comes close to that level of terrible. And it's made me a happier person day-to-day because it gives you better eyes to see how truly wonderful life is, even the minute details. So while I'm anxious and unhappy about cancer and chemo, I'm not afraid. I've been through the fire and know that I can do this, too. I hope all of you are able to complete treatment and feel mighty and strong when you are done. -
Today has been a tough one for me, as the reality of my impending hair loss has hit me too. What a roller coaster we are all on. I am thankful for all of your posts.
Mikesgirl17 & OneTexasDay - I start Chemo on the 5th too.
Keepthefaith - When is your chemo date? I too signed up for a Look Good Feel Better Class, I will need it. I will probably have to go to a couple of classes to figure out how to do my eyebrows and lashes.
Momat927 - I hope all goes well for you on Weds., keep us posted.
Emq2 - Let me know how your port placement goes. I wish you well.
Atlbraves - Thanks for your post. I will make sure that I have ginger ale on hand.
SpecialK - Thanks for helping us all out. I will get some of the Claritin redi-tabs, I think that I can get the shot on a walk-in bases, so I have a little flexibility regarding the time.
Kim -
Hello All. (If I miss someone, you are truly part of this) Hello OneTexasDay, Keepthe Faith, Emq2, Atbraives, SpecialK, Kim, and QuirkyGirl.
I will try to contact Look Good Feel Better. I am oddly less worried about hair loss and more about eyebrows! Today, I am beginning to feel the fear. First chemo in two days. I just want to survive the first round and know what to expect.
atbraves- Thank you so much for the head's up and your sharing. I am going to the market before Wed. and want to stock up on any items I think might be needed. I happen to love ginger so that works. Trader Joes, here I come.
I am terrified. I mean of knowing we are putting drugs in our bodies, even though they are our soldiers. It is really what makes me most afraid. I will be both grateful to the drugs and terrified of them. I am not a Star Wars fan, but I feel as though I am entering the dark side to do battle. I only feel some sense of certainty when I talk to breast cancer survivors or others going through this right now. What a strange country, this cancer.
Love to all, Amy -
My Dec sisters,
My screen name (one Texas Day) while is quite clever if I do say so myself is quite a bother to type. My name is Stephanie Day. Steph is good too. Hope that makes it easier... -
Hi Ladies, feeling UGH today...fighting allergies, I think. I called nurse at MO's office left a voice mail. took 24 hr Claritin at 7 last night , but my allergies laughed at it. I guess I will try something stronger. Maybe I am over-analyzing, but am worried about getting infections bc of it...start chemo tomorrow. Taking my first dose of steroids as soon as I eat breakfast. YUM YUM!:)
((HUGS))
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Hi, all:
Hope everyone has a good day! Just got my port placed! I start at the end of the week--6x TC. Any advice is welcome! Have chemo class on Thursday followed by my first treatment. Oncotype score will be available on Wednesday. But since I have such an aggressive tumor which has been removed--the oncotype test according to the BS will confirm that the number will be most likely high. I am not nervous just want the cancer cells out of me! Will post updates.
Joan -
December Sisters & keepthefaith, i know what you mean about fear of getting infections. I have been getting many hugs this week & of course that is great, but thinking it might be best to not hug or shake hands for awhile. I am dipping myself in Purell. I think I am particularly fearful of pneumonia as I do tend to get that winters. How far do we go in terms of our immune systems ? Amy -
3 days before Chemo 1, and it appears me, my DH and DS are all coming down with a cold.... ugh! -
Hi All,
I'm so happy I found this site! I start chemo on 12/11 and am a little nervous. So many things to prepare for and no idea where to start! I have IDC TNBC. I had a bilateral mastectomy with recon and am still healing. Now it's time to prepare for chemo! I'm a very young 39, most people think I'm 30, work in real estate, am a newlywed and I've been told I'll lose my hair. I'm having a tough time with this, because I work in a high end luxury market and will want to wear a wig, but also want comfy scarves for at home and running around town in my free time. I would love help on how to get through chemo feeling as good, normal and beautiful as possible!
Any tips on what to bring to CHEMO treatments? Also, anyone else TNBC getting TC?
WIGS: Where did you buy your wig? Synthetic or Human hair? What cap material is the most comfortable to wear under a wig?
Anyone have a HALO? Do you attach to a headband or a cap to wear underneath a hat? Where did you buy the halo? I found some online, but have never seen one in person.
Anyone have a cap with hair attached inside? Is it comfortable? I found one online for $95. Is it worth it?
SCARVES...where is the best place to buy these? What material is the most comfortable? What size scarf works best? I have a petite small head.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ANY SUPPORT AND HELPFUL TIPS YOU HAVE! Deb
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