Starting Chemo in December 2013

Options
1…78101213…168

Comments

  • KLI
    KLI Member Posts: 52
    edited December 2013


    okay third horrible night feeling like I can't do this I will need to take something to sleep. Still sweating at night. Small cat scratch on my hand is now all puffy. I feel like I have had a flu for days. Now officially constipated so hard to decide what to take so you don't overload one way or the other. Thought I would feel stronger I have made myself walk and exercise which feels better when I am doing it but back to yuck when I am still. My head always feels achy and dull. This is feeling harder than I thought I feel wimpy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • atlbraves
    atlbraves Member Posts: 50
    edited December 2013


    KLI,


    You are not wimpy! I think everyone has different reactions to the treatments. Your experience sounds similar to mine, despite our different cocktails. We'll call it the Granite State Effect! :)


    I *think* dietary fat and fiber helped me more with the constipation than any pills did. Whatever high-fat foods you can stomach may do the trick. I craved roasted salted cashews, so I ate them whenever I wanted. And prunes, which I love, but usually avoid because they don't sit well with me, but I used that to my advantage last week. LOL


    I also stopped taking my Compazine two days after my infusion because I was concerned about it making the constipation worse/continue. The trade off was I still felt seasick, but for me, that was the lesser of the two evils.


    Have you ever taken melantonin before bed? It may help you relax, but won't give you a cloudy head. And it's not adding yet another drug into your system.


    A moisture-wicking shirt or pj set is a suggestion one of the November ladies had in order to combat the night sweats.


    You will get through this, though I know it's super-tough going right now. Day 4 was my breakthrough day, and maybe Day 3 (today!) will be yours. I hope so!


    Hugs from Keene to you in the east!


    -Chaille

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited December 2013


    it's starting! I have an answer now as to why my scalp is so tender...my brush this morning was full of hair, and I am shedding like crazy. I may have to keep the vacuum handy...LOL. I am surprizingly ok with this....so far.


    Keep on smiling! :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momat927
    momat927 Member Posts: 173
    edited December 2013


    Good morning everyone! I am just waking up- almost 11 am! Finally talked to dr about sleeping last night and took two Benadryl. Brilliant!


    Nctrout, how are sugar levels?


    I keep waiting for nausea but that is not an issue here. Mostly, I crave foods I generally won 't eat- bland carbs and sweets. Whole Foods Mac & Cheese is now my staple so I better not weigh myself for awhile!


    Mostly, it feels as though my fibromyalgia is back with a vengence. If this is it, I am moving from fear to ready to deal!!!! What an emotional journey- not just physical.


    Thank you all for being here. Let yourselves be pampered girls, Amy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momat927
    momat927 Member Posts: 173
    edited December 2013


    KLI, you are not wimpy. Last night, the dr told me describing this as an awful flu is pretty accurate. It 's day 4 since first chemo & the curtain is lifting slightly. Why do we women have to be so strong? I have a feeling cancer is going to teach me honest humility & even vulnerability. I can 't control everything I guess.


    Lorreymom, thank you for prrparing me. I am about to order a wig from TLC. Hopeit doesn't look like I am wearing my cat on my head.


    Signing off. It amazes me that women I have never met have become one of my lifelines. Amy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • summerhappy
    summerhappy Member Posts: 19
    edited December 2013

    Today is my 3rd day of doing chemo, feel muscle sore everywhere on body, blood pressure is pretty low, I wonder how long it will last? No taste on food except salty and sour ones

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • summerhappy
    summerhappy Member Posts: 19
    edited December 2013

    Today is my 3rd day of doing chemo, feel muscle sore everywhere on body, blood pressure is pretty low, I wonder how long it will last? No taste on food except salty and sour ones

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • summerhappy
    summerhappy Member Posts: 19
    edited December 2013

    Where did you get the scores? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • summerhappy
    summerhappy Member Posts: 19
    edited December 2013

    I do not have port in advance, got my 1st chemo on dec 5, they found my vein after 3 times of shot, terrible. Now it is already bruised

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • summerhappy
    summerhappy Member Posts: 19
    edited December 2013

    My injection is cyclophosphamide, other name is procytox, is it the same as tc?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momat927
    momat927 Member Posts: 173
    edited December 2013


    summerhappy, day 3&4 really hard for me. Muscles, low grade fever, couldn't stand foods I love. I felt relieved after I called dr and said "normal" reactons. Much better today. Still weak but better. It won't last forever.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited December 2013

    Hi ladies, I am now day 5 since 1st Tx; this morning was different, but not too bad. I finally got my bowels moving! YAY! Lol.   Have been taking senekot and since I haven't been on allergy meds also the past day or two, I think that helped. Now, trying to keep it up! My taste buds have drifted by the wayside pretty much, except for tart...not really excited about eating, but trying to. Yeast infection, some body and head aches now and then. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and maybe it has! I took tylenol pm last night, but didn't help with my sleep much. I guess I will go back to Ambien tonight. Have to get rest to re-coup!

    Remember, there is a light at the end of this tunnel...and we are not alone. Having a meltdown, pity party, whatever is normal. This is no fun!

    momat-glad you got some rest!:)

    lorreymom, I love your attitude about your hair. I will be with you soon...

    KLI, I'm sorry you are having such a hard time; try to stay as hydrated as you can, especially if you are having sweats. I used to love water...now, I force myself to drink it. I add lemon to it to give it some flavor. I would ask Dr about sweats to see if there is anything they can do...and the cat scratch! Your WBC's go down about 7-10 days after TX, I think. Don't let it get infected.

    I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!:)

    ((HUGS))


     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited December 2013


    In anticipation of my next dose of chemo on Friday, I was reseaching ways to improve my veins. I don't have a port & want to make it easier to get a catheter in. Some typical things are heating the arm & staying well hydrated. I wondered though if you could actually increase vein size somehow...apparently you can!!! I found this study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/12640286/


    To summarize, regular forearm exercises by squeezing a ball will build up the size of your veins! Off to squeeze a ball... :)


    Hope this helps!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KLI
    KLI Member Posts: 52
    edited December 2013


    thank you for the encouragement everyone. I stopped taking the compazine and feel less strange. I may try a Benadryl to sleep I did try the melatonin maybe now that the steroids are done it will help. Have put antibiotic ointment on the cat scratch.


    Lorreymom your attitude seems great I will get an arm port before my next tx so if you still have issues there are options.


    Chaille I am wishing we were the limestone state but here is hoping that granite will keep us tough through this. I did not realize how much the cocktail of other meds does to you. You have to figure out which ones make you feel worse instead of better...


    My head is less heavy tonight I think we will wake up to snow and a school delay tomorrow .


    Thanks everyone it has been rough patch hopefully we will all figure out the tricks that work to make it easier.


    I wish all of you a restful night!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • count_it_all_joy
    count_it_all_joy Member Posts: 130
    edited December 2013


    First time posting - I think. Fuzzy already?? :P


    Started chemo (TAC, 6 sessions) on Thursday. The first couple days were not too bad… today I feel like I was hit by a truck. My neck and back feels all swollen and tight, tho my dh assures me it's the same size as usual. ;) Good bit of bone pain overall from the neulasta. Trying to get used to how much of my day it takes up to rinse, take pills, drink, eat, nap, walk, nap, rinse, put on lotion, put in eye drops… assuming this will not be like this every day, but at the moment it feels like all I do is try to stay ahead of SE. Ended up at the eye dr yesterday b/c my eyes got so dry that the edge of one of my corneas was kind of tearing away. I think the antibiotic drops are starting to do their thing.


    Next time I will write more than complaint, and will try to read on how you all are doing these first days. Hang in there. Hope you each have lots of support, fluffing pillows and bringing you what you need. Grateful this group exists, I'm sure it will be a blessing for us all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013


    count it all joy - go right ahead and complain. It's good to get it out and we are here for you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OneTexasDay
    OneTexasDay Member Posts: 162
    edited December 2013


    TCH+3....


    I had such a good day.... Took my last steroid and worked on housework and Christmas decorations all day.... Great, productive day. Was thinking I had avoided any really bad SEs


    .... And all of a sudden it hit me, and I ran to the bathroom and thew up. Ugh. Hope that was the end of that. Gonna go try to hit the hay and sleep this off!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Goldie8469
    Goldie8469 Member Posts: 90
    edited December 2013


    Apple juice helped me with the horrible constipation. Has anyone tried the anti nausea patch? I am going to try it. I have round 2 A/C Wednesday. I am trying acupuncture for the first time tomrrow. The headache was tough and I am hoping this will help with the brain fog. I had hot flashes last week but started my period yesterday,. I thought that was not supposed to happen. Thank God it is cold in Louisiana. That has helped!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • atlbraves
    atlbraves Member Posts: 50
    edited December 2013


    Goldie,


    Good call on the apple juice! Us New Englanders might try cider. :)


    Awesome...I hope it appeals to me when I need it, but I'm psyched to have more ammunition.


    Woot, woot!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Goldie8469
    Goldie8469 Member Posts: 90
    edited December 2013


    altbraves,


    Nothing was reality working. I was taking colace and a few other over the counter softened and nothing. Apple juice is my new bestie. Once I was back on schedule the side effects seemed to go way. I will have to have cider on hand also. I drink a glass every day :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • atlbraves
    atlbraves Member Posts: 50
    edited December 2013


    I like cider, but only have it when DH buys it in the fall.


    I think Chemo Cider will be my bestie, too.


    Funny, DH is building a cider press for a Christmas gift for my parents...I may hang onto it until after I'm done with my chemo. ;)


    I am beyond excited at the prospect of not being constipated following Round 2 on the 20th.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Goldie8469
    Goldie8469 Member Posts: 90
    edited December 2013


    did you have problems with nausea? I did. Oh my,

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • count_it_all_joy
    count_it_all_joy Member Posts: 130
    edited December 2013


    2 a.m. here - stayed in bed til I couldn't stand it any more, now trying some roasted veggies to settle my stomach. the bone pain is about to kill me. walking scares me, because my feet hurt and feel unsteady. this is not for the faint hearted. eying the hydrocodone, tho it didn't seem to help earlier. do wish I could fast forward and see some progress ahead.


    hope some of you are sleeping comfortably - and my heart goes out to you who are not.


    in the midst of it all, God is still good. and near.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joanmj58
    joanmj58 Member Posts: 68
    edited December 2013


    A bright cheery Monday to all! OK. Today my first TC chemo infusion. Feeling anxious. I'll see if they will give me Ativan or something similar to settle me down! Breath. Hopefully this week will be little or no SE for us all! Will post from my iPad during the procedure. I am glad they have wifi. What should I bring with me???


    Joan

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kimie06
    kimie06 Member Posts: 215
    edited December 2013

    OH MY WORD .. I cant even read the above posts, I have been having a rough go gals, Friday was the first treatment and I cant get out of this haze, Friday nite was terrible, lots of nausea... and just yuck.  Heres hoping the rest of you are coping better then me, I have to put in a call today to oncology and let them know, maybe some changes can be made.. :(

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited December 2013


    hello, this is my first time on this board, I am starting chemo next week. IDC, Brac1+, DMX with recon. 11/4. I has to go back in on 12/2 for implant repositioning.


    I'm nervous about getting sick from low immune system mostly, I plan to go back to work this week and try to work throughout treatment. Of course being Christmas time &seeing people I feel like The germs will be everywhere! Am I being nuts?


    How soon did you feel the beginnings of hair loss? My treatment is A/C 4x every 2 weeks, nuelasta.


    Thank you, brave ladies:)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OneTexasDay
    OneTexasDay Member Posts: 162
    edited December 2013


    Kimie,

    Sorry you are having such a rough time,... hugs!  Hopefully, some changes can be made quickly to help you feel better!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momat927
    momat927 Member Posts: 173
    edited December 2013


    good morning all!


    count it all joy, i know exactly what you mean. The bone pain was so bad for a few nights that i was afraid to go downstairs alone. The good news is that it has lessened a great deal. Two days were horrible, but better now. Here is hoping yours improves.


    NEskir99, my dr told me that about a week after the treatment, my blood count may be low & that will be when I may be vulnerable. So, my first chemo was Dec 4 and around Dec 11 12 & 13, i need to take care. Since i received the Neulasta shot, there is a chance my immune system will be okay though. I am not a moderator here- just another woman starting chemo, but hope all of our sharing is helpful to you. By the way, i bought Hibiclens. It is what surgeons use to wash hands. My nurse recommended it.


    Today I feel weirdly foggy, girls. The actual pain and illness has subsided, but I don't feel like me. The thing that seems so difficult about this is just not knowing what will come next.


    Thanks for being here ! Hugs, momat 927 (Amy)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Goldie8469
    Goldie8469 Member Posts: 90
    edited December 2013


    Hang in there Kimie! Mine was like hell also but it is better. I go back Wednesday. I am going to try the Sanuco patch for nausea. Sleep through it if you can. When I could get up and walk a bit, it helped. I am dreading Wed. I need a sedative or somthing that day to not freak out. The Neulasta shot did not bother me. I am glad that I dont feel so alone.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited December 2013

    joan, hoping your first Tx goes well today. It really isn't as bad as you think it will be. I met some nice people in the infusion room, my friend went with me and it went by pretty quickly. Take a book or handwork if you need to have something to do; snacks, water. In your pockets!

    I'm so sorry some of you are having such a rough time. The aches were not fun but luckily I had no nausea on top of it; at least not this go round. I wake up every morning with  a head-ache and my mouth feels like it has a fuzzy sock stuck in it...if I can get my bowels to make up their mind what they are going to do, I may feel like I've go this! I thought for a second yesterday that I was back to "normal", but then starting having cramping.

    I go for my blood draw tomorrow-keeping my fingers crossed.

    Amy, you're so right about not knowing what to expect next. Just when you think you have it figured out, along comes another SE!

    neskir, welcome! I'm on 4 TC's and am told about 14 days from first infusion is when you lose your hair... not sure about AC. I have had a few pains in my scalp but no loss yet, 6 days out.

    kimie, goldie, countital,  I hope you all find some relief soon! Hang in there!
    We will be on the other side before you know it.

    ((HUGS))

     

     


     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories