Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
Comments
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thanks all!!
phew - made it - actually the roads were fine - just a lot of mom-school traffic.
Got a great nurse!!! She stuck me with one try.......ahhhhhhhhhhhhh the little things
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Joan-Excellent advice from Melrose. I wish I had the ativan in my pre chemo cocktail. My first, I was so wired but exhausted in my brain..was awful feeling. One of the infusion nurses told me to ask Dr for the prescrip..but he just gave me the pills. They worked ok. I would take them after. It seemed after each chemo, it took a little longer for me to feel the effects of pre chemo meds (little longer meaning hours). To me, they were the worst, I hate that jittery feeling. You will do fine..and the first one is not that bad..just kinda getting use to it all. My 3rd one was by far, the worst. 4th was kinda like the 2nd. Weird. Good luck and sending prayers for easy SE your way -
Joan, I had Aloxi and dexamethasone in my premeds cocktail. Bring drink...hydrate, hydrate. Bring a blanket. our chemo room was cold, and the only blankets they had were thin ones...and no blanket warmer...probably the only place in the hospital without one. Also bring ice to chew on, and if you plan to ice your nails, bring some bags of frozen peas. And bring lots to drink...hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I liked having my iPhone and headphones, and my iPad, so I had something to do. most people say their infusion rooms were pretty packed. I must have gone at an off time. There were very few people at mine, and I was by the window, so no one was really around. I listened to my music, and played mindless games on my iPad. Mostly, the infusion is just very boring. Did I mention you should be sure to stay well hydrated ?!?! Good luck today. You will do great.
Everyone be safe on the awful roads. -
My chemo place had ice mitts. They were great for keeping nails cold but impossible to use ipad or anything really. You could use headphones and listen to music or audio books though.
Hoping for the best for everyone going in tpday and the rest of the week and for those dealing with SE. xo -
Good luck JOan, Virginia, Bluegrass! I do agree the drinking is key, seems this TC sucks the water right out of me, I drank a ton this time and wake up in the am dehydrated feeling! It is ODD...
I am hoping to get my neulasta shot today as roads seem to be melting and apt at 3...
Have been taking Claritin since Thursday (overkill)...Had lots of body aches yesterday and tired, just feels like a flu...can't imagine the nuelasta being worse and hoping it's not!!
Have a HUGE rash around my port incision as I used a bandage waterproof to cover it when I shower...allergic to the tape part and it is causing me the most discomfort today...tickly and itchy. But at least my arm isn't infected this time, right? Trying to be happy for little things.
Interesting how white my scalp is, having never seen the sun...I try not to look at it too much, sortof creepy...I still have hairs here and there and then white white scalp...
I hated the expanders too and they were in my armpits, switching to implants definitely better. I got the gummies and the only drawback is they are freezing cold...they actually feel cold to touch when cold out, haven't had them in sunshine yet so maybe they warm up in warm weather too...they feel way comfier and not in armpits at all....so I definitely am happy with them. I was a 32dd before and those bras are too big so I think I must be a cc or a d now...still big enough and my husband is amazed and thrilled with how good they look..(of course)..
Happy day to all and hoping all have minimal side effects!
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Thanks for all the pointers everyone! I am in the chair now--received some Ativan and premeds stuff like steroids and Aloxi. The port has been great--healed nicely. Now the taxotere drip is going, then the Cytoxan. Should be here. Two more hours. Nurse is really good and informative! Calculated that my hair should fall by December 24th. No problems with that. 2nd TC treatment will be December 30th. More soon. -
Audra - cover or wrap with Glad Press 'n Seal wrap when you shower. No problems w/tape on your skin. I showered 24 hours after every surgery by covering this way.
Headed in for blood work & to see the MO this afternoon. Hemoglobin was so low last Monday they wanted to do a transfusion, but I asked them to wait until today's tests. So... it's either 3rd chemo Wednesday or off the hospital for 2 units of blood. Sure hope it's chemo. And isn't that funny - hoping for chemo. -
I'm in the chair now, too. The visit with my MO and the research coordinator was positive -- they seem really happy with my progress and of course that makes me feel optimistic.
One weird thing is that my WBC before chemo2 and today as well is actually higher than my baseline count before chemo1. Has this happened to anyone else on this thread? My MO says my WBC is actually going down during nadir, but bone marrow is working overtime afterwards to rebound. One bad thing (among many) about BC is that it has made me kind of paranoid even about "good" news. I'm of course happy not to need neulasta, but I have this secret worry that something isn't right with the treatment if my WBC isn't low -- how irrational is that???
Anyhow, I'm feeling fine and hope everyone else in the chair today is doing well, too. SC, I hope the weather did not give you any (more) trouble this morning! -
I was told, if they have you take steroids before blood work that raises the wbc. Mine is also higher now than it was before 1st tx. -
Marley2 -- I don't take any meds right before chemo, so that isn't an immediate factor with my blood work. But I'm happy to know your WBCs are high before treatment, too. How many treatments have you had? How many left? How are you feeling? Just curious if having higher WBC during treatment has been a plus for you with SEs. -
Since I'm getting chemo3 right now, I asked the onco nurse about steroids and WBC. She said that the steroid that Is given along with each chemo infusion can help boost WBC before the next chemo. Seems to be working for both of us. I am SO thankful we are getting treatments today, when so much more is known about managing SEs. -
Audra- Sorry to hear about your allergy to the surgical tape adhesive. I ask for paper tape whenever I need to have something taped down. I have the same probblem as you do. I also used the Glad Press N Seal plastic wrap that helps when taken a shower. You want to try to remove as much of that adhesive around that port area. You can use some rubbing alcohol and q tips to gently remove traces of the adhesive from your skin. Yes, it may sting but you need to get that adhesive off of you. If the area is not raw and itchy, you may try using some benedryl cream or Cortzone 10 cortisone cream to help with the itchiness. If you are needing to keep the port area covered, you may want to use a gauze pad and wrap prewrap over it so that the gauze pad doesn't slip out of place.
Joan- Glad to hear from you while you are in the chair!!!!
Blueharp, Virginia and SchoolCounselor- One more down!!!! Yippee!!!
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Bluegrassha..I am just a few days ahead of you..had my 3rd TC on Dec 5th. One more to go! I am not feeling too bad. My worst day is the night of the chemo, get bad stomach pains. Other than that, not unmanageable. Hope you are feeling well. -
Hey Melrose! I am home now. Took 6 hours for my first TC treatment. Feel a little tired but otherwise uneventful. Will post as SE hits me. IF. -
Yahoo Joan!!! You did it!!! Keep hydrated, eat your small meals and take your meds on time. Hopefully, the side effects will be minimal.
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Audra- TY for the kind words I have the same sensitivity to bandaids and tape often.... melrose is spot on they can give u paper tape . Nice to know too that the implants are better than the TE's. The nurse told me that my PS places the TE's low and that the implants will be higher and closer together. I have such indents at the top bc the TE's are so low - looks so ugly and I can see/feel my ribs. Will need fat put in there I'm guessing lol.
Joan- yay you for one down. I have my next on he 30 as well
Blue- I had my finger prick blood checked last Thursday and all my counts were also up. The MO said I didn't need a vial of blood taken, but the onc nurse wouldn't give me chemo without doing a vial... Got the chemo so I guess all was well lol. Never an option for me NOT to get Neulasta- it has been a given for me no matter what- they won't even check my blood again til who knows when!!!
Melrose- thank you as always for your kind words of encouragement. They are much appreciated
Didn't start my infusion until nearly 9 - but it was totally uneventful.....ok except for the time I spilled my full cup of hot tea all over the floor and my sister hollered and the chemo nurse came flying into the room bc she thought something happened to me lol oops. Chemo nurse found my vein on the first jab - YAY!!!! Had a pink face when I woke up his am from the steroid. Got sleepy from the Benadryl - but after chemo my sis and I went to best buy, bed bath and beyond, Christmas tree shop, target, H&M, lunch ... We were out from 8:00 am to 6:00... Aside from the sucky chemo it was nice to spend the day with sis. Oh, and I got a beautiful hand knit hat at my infusion place Made by a volunteer so nice that people do that......
Hope everyone who was treated today has minimal SE's and that those who are on a different schedule are also okay!!!!
Thanks for the support - means the world to come here and "see" you all -
Sorry the pic is sideways. A dear friend made this for me for chemo. It is so warm. 3 down one to go yeah!!! I saw the PS today he wants to do the exchange in February. Then I should be healed and back to work I believe by April. Not sure I am looking forward to it, I work in a high stress school. I'm going to have to learn how to manage my stress. I plan on doing a mid day walk. We will see. I can't believe I am almost done.
Neulasta shot tomorrow. I will take Claritin starting tonight. More snow on the way tomorrow. I can tolerate it as long as there is no ice. Today was a hard drive in. I was 30 minutes late for my PS appointment and infusion was backed up an hour!!!
Glad to hear everyone did well. Don't forget to drink drink drink!!!! Flush the toilet twice with the seat down. If possible use your own private toilet for the next 48 hours. -
Thanks Minus Two and Melrose! I didn't think that wrap would hold..but I will try it and good idea to get it all off my skin, it is HUGELY red and swollen and looks awful...must still be on the skin...duh..don't know why I didn't think of that...?
Yay for School Counselor- darling blanket! And you must be a saint to work in a high school
Virginia = Can't BELIEVE you went shopping all day! How fun! I was tired after this last chemo.../ drugged probably...
Joanmj and Bluegrass, Marley2- Yay for you all, and hoping no side effects!
I finally got neulasta shot today and hoping no effects from it...taking the Claritin..and drinking still....feel stuffed and waterlogged daily the first week or so...
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I got a homemade blankie tooooooo!!!!. Sorry my pic is sideways too lol. I will have my exchange in March - 8 weeks post chemo - actually need to call my ps to get on his calendar......new boobies for my birthday . I am very tired after shopping all day - hoping I sleep and don't have the SE's I had last time. Tomorrow is an oil change on the car at 8:30, then a bit more Xmas shopping, then Neulasta at 1:00. SC - glad u were able to get ur fill...
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SC and VirginiaNJ: So pleased that your infusions were as uneventful as mine was
But the weather prediction for your area doesn't sound very promising -- I hope your local meteorologists are just doing their "drama queen" thing and your nelasta trips tomorrow are uneventful. Before retiring to Colorado, we lived north of Syracuse on Lake Ontario for 40 years in lake effect country, and know exactly how miserable a winter storm can be in the northeast! -
SchoolCounselor and VirginiaNJ---I am loving these pics with the blankies!!!!! Thanks for posting those!!!
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I am so happy for all the ladies that had their chemo treatment today! One more down and closer to the finish line!
TC4 day 5: uneventful, just small cramps after I eat and stomach moves, but no bad diarrhea. Eating bread to calm down my stomach and it works. Less swollen today but still with pumpkin face.
Answering the question about WBC higher than base line: mine was higher on TC2 and TC3, without Neulasta (never got it). My blood test was done same day of chemo, just before infusion.
And yes, Ativan is the best medicine they can give you before infusion.
Nice blankets! I got a hat made by a friend. I use it to sleep.
Fluids include soups and juices! -
Melrosemelrose- Thank you so much for your answers! Wish you Happy Holidays. -
NICE SURPRISE: One of the minor annoyances of this journey has been that my lumpectomy and node dissection sites are so close to my armpit that I can no longer lie comfortably on the couch on that side to read at night. (My port placement makes it impossible to sleep on my other side -- I'm sideless!) So my DH let me take over his recliner until we could find, order and get a recliner that fit me. (I'm a 5ft shrimp.) While I was having chemo today, LazyBoy called my DH that the chair had arrived. When I got home, he had it all set up and ready for me to plop into. It feels so good -- the chair, and having my (sometimes oblivious) DH come through with such a sweet gesture! -
Bluegrassharp, that is a very nice surprise! I know what you mean with not being able to be on your sides. I have been up since 4 because of the same reason. -
I thought I would do a little research about the precautions one may want to take post chemo at home. I found this info on the American Cancer Society website http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/chemotherapy/understandingchemotherapyaguideforpatientsandfamilies/understanding-chemotherapy-chemo-safety-for-those-around-me
Chemo safety
Can I be around my family and friends while I’m getting chemo?
Very few treatments require you to avoid close contact with loved ones for a short amount of time. If this is something you will have to do, your doctor will tell you about it when going over treatment options.
Most chemo drugs do make you less able to fight infection. It’s very important that you stay away from anyone who is sick. The best way to prevent infection is by washing your hands often, especially before touching your face, nose, mouth, or eyes. Ask your family and friends to do the same when they are with you. For more information, see “How will chemo affect my blood cell counts?” in the section called “Increased chance of bruising, bleeding, and infection.”
For more information on being at home with family and friends during treatment, please see Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer: Dealing With Treatment and Caring for the Patient With Cancer at Home: A Guide for Patients and Families. They can be read online, or call us to have free copies sent to you.
How can I protect myself and those I live with while I’m getting chemo?
There are many things you can do during and after chemo to keep yourself and your loved ones from being affected by the drugs while your body is getting rid of them. It takes about 48 hours for your body to break down and/or get rid of most chemo drugs.
Most of the waste comes out in your body fluids – urine, stool, tears, and vomit. The drugs are also found in your blood. When these drugs get outside your body, they can harm or irritate skin – yours or even other people’s. Keep in mind that this means toilets can be a hazard for children and pets, and it’s important to be careful. Talk to your doctor about these and any other precautions you should follow.
During – and for 48 hours after – chemo:
- Flush the toilet twice after you use it. Put the lid down before flushing to avoid splashing. If possible, you may want to use a separate toilet during this time. If this is not possible, wear gloves to clean the toilet seat after each use.
- Both men and women should sit on the toilet to use it. This cuts down on splashing.
- Always wash your hands with warm water and soap after using the toilet. Dry your hands with paper towels and throw them away.
- If you vomit into the toilet, clean off all splashes and flush twice. If you vomit into a bucket or basin, carefully empty it into the toilet without splashing the contents and flush twice. Wash out the bucket with hot, soapy water and rinse it, emptying the wash and rinse water into the toilet, then flushing it. Dry the bucket with paper towels and throw them away.
- Caregivers should wear 2 pairs of throw-away gloves if they need to touch any of your body fluids. (These can be bought in most drug stores.) They should always wash their hands with warm water and soap afterward – even if they had gloves on.
- If a caregiver does come in contact with any of your body fluids, they should wash the area very well with warm water and soap. It’s not likely to cause any harm, but try to take extra care to avoid this. At your next visit, let your doctor know this happened. Being exposed often may lead to problems, and extra care should be taken to avoid this.
- Any clothes or sheets that have body fluids on them should be washed in your washing machine – not by hand. Wash them in warm water with regular laundry detergent. Do not wash them with other clothes. If they cannot be washed right away, seal them in a plastic bag.
- If using throw-away adult diapers, underwear, or sanitary pads, seal them in 2 plastic bags and throw them away with your regular trash.
Last Medical Review: 03/07/2013
Last Revised: 03/07/2013 -
Just thought to try to add photo, I am computer challenged and that is my last chemo photo....my blankey is my own from home and I bring it every time. The blue bag has my stuff and this shows the large room with 90 million others in their with me...you lucky private room girls!
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beautiful pic, audra! you go, girl!
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Audra, the first time I saw the large room with so many recliner chairs I thought it was a factory. Then I thought, OK, I guess this is now a common illness, so I shouldn't worry too much. I still cried, but now is over! You look beautiful! -
Looking good Audra!!!!! Love that smile and your sparkling eyes!!!
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