Starting Chemo in December 2013

Hang in there Lorreymom.  Hope your rash clears up!!!

KLI - my onc prescribed 3 rounds of meds for me. I pick them up at the pharmacy prior to each chemo. My 3 rounds of dex & stemetil were dispensed all at once to cut down on my co-pay costs. But the aloxi, emend & neulasta are all individually packaged and dispensed a few days before my chemo. Co-oay would be the same regardless of when I get them. Basically, I just call in a renewal on my original script. Does that make sense?

For my first chemo, I brought all my meds with me. Blood was taken, and when the reults came back good & chemo was a go, I was instructed by the nurse when to take them. For my next round, I have bloodwork & see my onc on Tuesday. Chemo is tentatively scheduled for Friday. If all is good with my results, 2nd chemo will go ahead. Since I will know in advance if chemo is a go on Friday, I will take my meds at home one hour prior to going to the Cancer Centre. This way the nurses won't have to wait & chemo can start ASAP. Does this make sense too?

They never want you to take your meds if they are not sure if chemo is a go. It would waste the meds & put drugs into you that you don't need. They always want to confirm chemo before you take the meds...it depends on whether you have bloodwork the same day or in the days prior.

Neulasta is always given 24 hours after chemo. I have a community care nurse come to my house to do the injection because it will be Saturday & Cancer Centre is closed.

rash is getting worse, now about 4 -5 "(doubled since this morning). Still no fever, but very itchy. Trying not to scratch it. I just took an antihistamine & had an oatmeal bath. Smeared all the red areas with antibiotic & antifungal cream . Put on freshly laundered PJs. If that doesn't work...off to emerg I go. Worried!

kim, i hope i am not repeating myself, but my nurse told me to try Claritin for bone pain with Neulasta. Thanks for your feedback. I am learning so much from these discussions. Just a bit of whining today! Good night. Amy

momat927 - Decadron will cause a red face and flushing - this is a normal SE and will dissipate within 24-48 hours usually.  It happened to me every time.

Those who don't want to take Zofran, there is nothing wrong with eliminating it and just using another anti-nausea drug, such as Compazine. I had Zofran, Compazine and Ativan as take-home anti-nausea meds - I could use whichever one worked.  Zofran was totally useless for me and I got a wicked headache.

goldie - Sancuso patches are usually the anti-nausea drug of last resort (most likely due to cost - about $1500) and usually are used only for intractable nausea and vomiting.

For those receiving Neulasta, the first injection is usually the worst as it is the first expansion of the bone marrow to produce extra white cells.  Subsequent injections function a bit like a new pair of shoes - they get more comfortable each time you wear them because they are broken in - as is your bone marrow!  For those receiving Neulasta after a taxane drug (Taxotere or Taxol) bone and joint pain are also SEs of those drugs so it can be difficult to determine what is causing the pain.

lorreymom sounds like a rough night maybe you can get it checked during the day so you don't have to worry again about ER. Glad it is getting better. I guess taking your premeds at home gets you out faster they do mine through IV before chemo drugs so long day of infusions.

Momat I have not been sleeping since steroids started either know what you mean just laying there wondering what your body is doing. My onc said I could take a Benadryl but I did not feel like putting more in me.

Woke up sweating soaked anyone going through that?

Taking my first zofran now will see how it goes.

Nice to share our troubles .... Hopefully easier days ahead.

Here is a site that will send you free hats - I remember when I received mine - I was so touched and it really made me feel better.. I just wanted to share it with you ladies..

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Hi Ladies!

Just wanted to stop in and offer support. I had chemo three years ago and had a difficult time. However, whenever a SE hit I would focus on the out come ~ cure! You can handle whatever you need to handle. Try not to focus on the negative, but focus on how good things will be when this part of the journey is over. Nothing that happens during this time is permanent. Your life will get back to normal, this is just a side trip. My oncologist prescribed ativan for me which helped in many ways, but mostly helped me sleep. I wish I had found this forum during my chemo time, but I am glad to help anyone through their personal journey. Believe, and remember, this is not how you will spend the rest of your life.

Hi All:

Well, I had my first bout of nausea late this AM. Most likely the banana I ate before taking the Cytoxen was not enough. I took a Compazine at 11:30AM and feel better...just a little weak. No headache..not even slight, so I will assume the headache yesterday was from the Zofran.

Gonna try and head out and do a little shopping in a few hours - After I eat. LOL

How is everyone feeling?

Hi ladies,

I had my #3 chemo on Dec 4 and so far I feel better then I did for the first two.     I take Emend, Zofran and Dexamethasone 1 hour before starting chemo and then for a couple of days after.    I take Metoclopramide if I need it for a day after that and so far no nausea at all.     Sometimes on day 4 & 5 I get a queasy stomach.     I take Biotene mouth wash and brush my teeth after eating with Biotene tooth paste and so far no mouth sores.    Colace & Senokot controls the big C. 

These boards have helped so much and I am very thankful for all the info I have received.

Hang in there everyone.     

Steph:

You deserve to be pampered. Take advantage of it. I am sure your family is glad to pitch in.

had first TCHtreatmentThursday. Felt ok untl earlyafternoon yesterday. Then tired and nauseated. Took care of that by s,eepin if off,

Today not so lucky. Diabetes going nuts- glucose readings all over the scale! Finwlly have gktten some control over them.

Dr concerned about this and heart history. I just don't feel too good right now!!

This too shall pass!

Nctrout, sending hugs and prayers your way. Hope your sugar counts stabilize and the nausea stays away.

Hugs!