Starting Chemo in December 2013

crazywabbit: Here in Canada, they charged my insurance approx 2,700 Can for one Neulasta shot.

crazywabbit, I was shocked that my neulasta shot billed was $5800, and BC paid it all...this was one shot, and yours is x4... That doesn't make sense.... The shot is as pricey as my chemo rounds from looking at my insurance explanations.   Blue cross did make me change to Walgreens specialty pharmacy now for my next two,,,,,,but that cost you had is very HIGH! 

My MO ok'd me to have three week reprieve after last AC on 1/23 before taxol, so we are planning a nice little getaway for a few days,,,,nice to have something to look forward to, will just need to wear my arm sleeve and have my mask readily available.  Round 3 in two days and I'm just anxious already about it, wish it was the last one.

Hello ladies -

I have been out for the last couple of days and catching up on your posts.  I need to review my medical bills, it is crazy how our prices are so varied. 

Kimmie - I am so sorry about the loss of your brother, I will be praying for you.

Re Taxol - My MO originally had me on the weekly taxol plan, but changed it to douse dense.  After reading your posts, I am going to tell her that I want to go back on the weekly.  Do you have to take weekly Nuelasta shots with those treatments?  Just wondering, that shot wipes me out for about 2 days.

My last AC treatment is next Thurs. if everything goes well.  

NEskir99 - I am glad I ended up having a port put in.  My arm is still a little sore from my first IV round.

Kim

Jackieak. The charge and payment was for just one neulasta shot not all four of them. Maybe the charges are higher since it was administered in the infusion center. Still 12,500 paid for one shot is ridiculous even with the conversion for Canadian currency a far cry from $2,700.

Glad my insurance year goes from July to July, so I do not have my deductible again in jan.

My buzzed remaining hair is so tender, every time I move the cotton cap I wear at night it hurts. I will rub the stubble with a wash cloth today in the shower to get rid of the loose stuff.

Barbara

Question to those wearing wigs, do you use a cap or liner under it?  

Mikesgirl17,  When my hair all came out there was still sparse stubble left all over my head that a friend clipped down.  It is still growing and will probably need to be clipped down again in about a week.  It's not new growth its just the stubborn bits that are hanging on and not willing to let go.  I'm hoping my eyebrows are taking advice from this stubborn head stubble and they hang on too!! And my eyelashes too.  Hold on eye hair!!!!!!!!

Is everyone aware that the American Cancer Society will give you a wig?  I had the best day.  I got my wig and I am over the moon.  I feel incredible.  It's the hair I always wanted.  It was going to be synthetic, but I lucked out.  They sent a human hair one because that's all they had.  They sent it to a hairdresser near me.  She helps the cancer society.  She measured me first, then went to work acquiring a wig.  It is absolutely wonderful that this is available to anyone with cancer.  I feel like I won the lottery. it's nice to have something good happen for a change. I will be changing my picture so you can see it. Please contact them if you are in need.

mikesgirl - I got my wig at ACS also like you,  I think it is nicer then my natural hair.  It is synthetic but looks so real. I also got a couple of wigs through the Cancer treatment center but not as nice as the ASC one.  Did you sign up for th Look Good,Feel better  program when you were there? 

Blood count tomorrow. Hoping it is >1.0 I really want to go to an annual banquet on Sat. 

Barbara

I wore my wig to work for the past 3 days. I have a Velcro headband that I wear under it to keep it in place. I haven't worn a wig cap under. I find the wig pretty uncomfortable but I don't think a wig cap would make a difference. It's the headband & where the wig touches my head that's itchy/bothersome. I still have a fair amount of hair - not buzzed, just really short. I'm hoping that I'll either get used to it or it will get better when my hair finishes falling.

I will say that when I get home & take off the wig it is the most awesome feeling!

Waterdog - good luck today. are you on a 3 week chemo cycle?  We had the first chemo on the same day but I had my second last week, just back from a port draw for my blood count.  I found the second round was similar to the first with the expect ion of much less anxiety since I already knew what to expect.  Fatigue about the same. I really need to deal with the constipation earlier. Pushing fiber but I think I will just start low dose  daily senna the day after chemo instead of waiting 3 days like last time.  That was miserable. 

The nurse who drew my blood today was the same one who did my chemo last week,  she really loved the wig I wore today.  Still find it difficult to wear it more then a  few hours.  Always tugging at the back of it afraid it will slip off.  I really need to start playing with scarves and learning how to wear on other then Babushka style. 

Barbara

Couple of questions for you all. Anyone else on A/C breaking out in random sweats during the day and night? Night sweats, hot flashes and chemopause? Or random SE?

Anyone else feel like their body fluids smell different? Sweat, saliva, and urine? I can't tell if it is my sense of smell that is off or what I am secreting that is medicine like. The smell does not go away with washing....really frustrating, and embarrassing....

I will have round 4 on 1/16. Didn't know, AKA remember, if A/C brought on chemopause. Had a hyst. in '99, kept ovaries, so I cycle but no period, have no idea where I stand on the menopause timeline. Need my hormone levels checked, chemo/menopause is fine, but really didn't remember if it was an SE. 

I do use scented lotion, but my armpits are bugging the hell out of me. Deodorant helps, but I can wash these pits numerous times in a row, and they still reek. My husband has a horrible sense of smell, and I have always been hyper-sensitive to smells. He says he doesn't notice and my PT says "the male lymph clients are worse." Not an all clear....better than nothing I guess. I too HATE the urine smell. Ugh....

off to round 3.... Wishing it was 4.  I have a different body odor too, and I never had smelly armpits, but I do now no matter what I use on them.  Maybe lack of hair as well?

Also need to get my menopause checked, have ovaries but did have hysterectomy years ago...no sweats or hotflashes yet...that sounds miserable!  

urine definitely has an off odor.   I also find my nose is really runny esp in the mornings, just clear mucus.  The onc nurse said that is common from cytoxan. 

My WBC 1 week post round 2 of AC was only 1.0 with 10% neutrophils. The onc nurse called to ask if I was having any fevers, chills etc. told her I felt OK. She said that if I get any symptoms to call immediately and they will put me on levaquin. I guess <1.0  is the threshold for prophylactic antibiotics even if you feel good. 

After round 1 my WBC was 1.5 with 16 % neutrophils. I hope round 3 next week does not drop it even lower. 

Luckily not hot flushes but I went through all that about 8-9 years ago. I expect I will get them from  the estrogen blockers again.   Do not start that until after chemo and start RT

Barbara

yay, water dog, good news!

I'm still in the big girl chair for chemo#2. Almost done. Hoping for milder SEs this time.

Day 4 of chemo #2 and the side effects have been much milder this time plus I know what meds work better for me.

I also have an off urine oder and day after my first chemo I had a 12 day period and started again day after 2nd chemo. Hoping for the chemo menopause.

Kim-I also have that salt taste in my mouth. I haven't had metal taste-just salt. Some foods still taste good and some foods that I usually like I have to spit out because they taste so bad

Leealice