Starting Chemo January 6, 2014

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  • rabbitvelvet
    rabbitvelvet Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2014

    I just returned from getting all my hair taken off.  I haven't cried and that surprised me.  I believe that having my very long hair cut off in piggies,sent to HatswithHairand made into a Halo wig was the best decision I've made so far in chemotherapy.  However I've been super conscientious about sharing the balding process with my 12 yr old grand daughter. She needs small steps right now.

    My 2nd chemo is next Wednesday and I am starting to stress.  Last time I was hospitalized with critically low white cell counts.   This time I'm prepared with meds, food and water/water/water...but living alone I'm afraid I'll zone out and dry up!  All I can think of is to set my iPhone clock to alarm every 90 minutes during the day, to leave water bottles all over the house...  Any suggestions?







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  • desimone
    desimone Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2014

    Finished my 2nd AC on Monday.  WBC was low - Sunday my WBC was 2.9 and Neutrophils was 1.  My oncologist wanted my blood work repeated on Monday before my chemo and at that time it was WBC 3.6 and Neutrophils 2.1.  I feel ok but worry on how my blood count will be for the next cycle.  I also worry about going on the weekly paclitaxel -  if my counts are low now what will they be like when I start the weekly?  I guess I worry as I do not feel bad (maybe abit tired) and my sister who is fighting ovarian cancer (which has come back for the 2nd time) is going through chemo at the same time as me and is having a terrible time.

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  • otceb
    otceb Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2014

    Hi rabbitvelvet, sorry you're anxious about your upcoming chemo. I don't have any good advice for staying hydrated, I think your ideas of water bottles all around, and iphone alarms are good. Of course, if a friend is available to come for a few hours during those first days, it would be ideal, but life is not always that way. Good luck, we will be thinking about you.

    Hi desimone, I'm glad your WBC was better and you were able to get your 2nd AC. I think it will be discouraging if/when we start to have our chemos delayed because of low WBC. I've been told just the regular common sense stuff for keeping WBC high enough, like staying away from germs, resting, or even trying to improve your red blood cells by eating more iron (spinach, liver, etc.) which can't hurt your overall health.

    belleb, I hope you were well enough for your daughter's birthday and you had a good rest after! She must have been just so happy to have you part of the celebrations!

    Day #3 for me after first chemo and still feeling good. I'm taking it really easy with activities and food, and nausea and fatigue have been very manageable up to now. A few more days of being careful, then I will ease back into work and more normal meals. Maybe I'm being too careful but it's working for me for now!

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  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Member Posts: 216
    edited February 2014

    *Rabbit, I drink club soda and when I get home from chemo I grab a two liter and keep it with me till it is gone. That may help.  I also have a two liter water bottle I fill and put in the freezer till icy  cold.  I can carry that also.  I make sure I have one or the other and I carry  it around with me all evening  until it is gone.  I make sure to get the 2 liters after chemo.  Good luck.

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  • Asb
    Asb Member Posts: 99
    edited February 2014

    Today has been the worst. 4 days after THC/perjeta and I can't get off the couch. Completely exhausted and have done absolutely nothing today. Hoping that today is the low point and I will start feeling better tomorrow.

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  • Mor
    Mor Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2014

    First chemo was this past Wednesday.  This is Sunday and I think I am on the road to feeling better and will be able to do some household chores tomorrow.  I will see.

    Question...does the "off-taste" of certain foods go away or is it with you for a long, long time.  Cannot eat clementines, applesauce, even water feels thick and syrupy and tastes strange.  We drink so much water so this is not good!  I tried apple juice but if I couldn't eat the applesauce, why did I think apple juice would work?

    Just opened a bottle of Pelligrino, and that was "off" also.  Has anyone else had a problem with water?

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  • Pnak
    Pnak Member Posts: 21
    edited February 2014

    Curlyq,  I have also been nervous about the hair loss.  My doc told me that some people don't lose their hair on my chemo (Cisplatin).  I don't know.  I also have a new boyfriend of about 6 months (my husband passed from cancer 4 years ago).  I know that I'm just grateful to be able to be cured and feel a bit silly about worrying about my hair....but I know you ladies get it.  

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited February 2014

    lots of stuff has an off taste to me. I feel so waterlogged drinking so much water. I find that the orange vitamin water and ginger ale taste okay and I alternate it with water. I tried gatoraide this past time and found it to be awful. 

    I think what bothered me most about the hair loss is that it is an outward sign of what is going on. I'm reminded every time I look in the mirror. It makes it all that much more "real"

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited February 2014

    Feeling a bit better today, phew! Hoping I can move forward and not backward with feeling better. I didn't even require a nap today! 

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  • desimone
    desimone Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2014

    I was wondering if you have low white counts for one cycle does that mean you will be low for the next cycle?

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  • otceb
    otceb Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2014

    Hi desimone, I'm no expert but I don't think so. I think if you happen to be fighting something during that one cycle (so low WBC), and you've fought it by the time you have blood work for your next cycle, your WBC count will likely be higher. Although I'm not sure if our WBC will naturally tend to keep going down throughout the weeks. Sorry, just realizing that I'm no help here!

    belleb, glad you're feeling better, enjoy!

    RHGSR, yes, I'm not looking forward to that very visible sign of chemo either...

    Mor, I have not had a change in my taste buds yet, no metallic taste, not sure if it's due to the FEC versus the AC you're probably on (although they're supposed to be very similar chemos).

    Pnak, we definitely get it!  Our health is so important, but losing our hair is a major impact, it's not something normal.  Good luck in your relationship, it's unfortunately being tested early. I'm sorry about the loss of your DH. 

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited February 2014

    my WBC after each of three AC cycles fell to 1-1.5 range at one week, but at two weeks, before the next treatment, the neulasta brought it up to 10-11.  Will find out on Thurs how low it goes this 4th and last AC cycle. 

    Someone told me that if you get a really bad metallic taste it may help to use plastic utensils instead of metal to eat. 

    Hoping to get to the Look Good, Feel Better program today. It was canceled 3 times in jan due to weather and woke up to some snow falling today.  I really need to know how to draw eyebrows since mine are definitely thinning esp the other third is almost gone. 

    Good luck to all those getting treatments this week. 

    Barbara

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  • desimone
    desimone Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2014

    I had my first chemo on JAN 6 and my hair started to fall out on Jan 21 then I shaved it on JAN 23.  I don't know if this reaction was normal but it did not seem to bother me.  Maybe because my husband said I had a pretty face.  I bought a real hair wig and I actually do not wear it a lot.  I have some cute hats and if you don't like me bald then don't look.  Actually the one good thing about being bald for me is it is so easy to get ready. I wish I didn't loose my hair but I know I will get better and this is just one thing that I have to go through to get there -  then I guess I will be wearing many hats!!!

    I went to the Look Good Feel Good Program and had a good time.  I lost my eyebrows a couple of years ago I guess due to hormones so I thinking after chemo maybe they will grow back and I actually will have eyebrows - lol 

    Good luck to everyone this week going through your treatment.  Remember WE CAN BEAT IT!!!!!

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  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Member Posts: 216
    edited February 2014

    I am so irritable at every one around me I want to slap them senseless.

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited February 2014

    I'm sorry, tekwriter :( I had a blow up last night at my husband when I felt he was being too hard on the kids and it was so out of character for me that the kids were like "whoa, mom, what was THAT?!" I think it's to be expected. There's a lot going on in our brains right now in addition to all the physical junk, so it makes sense that our tolerance for BS would be low.

    I had my one week post infusion appt this morning and my blood counts were "perfect" so on to round 2 on Monday, Feb 10. My mouth is all irritated and it hurts to swallow, but other than that I feel pretty decent today. Hoping I can have some normalcy this week before I have to do it all again next week.

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  • Warrior_Woman
    Warrior_Woman Member Posts: 1,274
    edited February 2014

    2nd TC tomorrow.  I'm finally starting to feel like my old self- energy, health, appetite, cognitive focus and here we go again.  The good news is that I will be half way done.  

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  • maltomlin
    maltomlin Member Posts: 343
    edited February 2014

    You're all doing great girls,,,,,,,,chemo is the pits & you just have to put your head down and get it over......it soon is.

    I know some people have no side effects, and that's great, but the majority of us do.......but it doesn't last long.......soon you'll be out the other side.......getting over it..........and then looking forward to future holidays, or time with the kids..........whatever makes you happy.

    Hair??It soon comes back....maybe not as you would like, initially, it takes a while. But it will come back.

    Mal

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  • Mor
    Mor Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2014

    I am 5 days out since 1st Chemo.   Is it unusual that I still have achey bones?  Will they go on until I am finally done with my 6 sessions?

    I think I am the oldest person (age 76) on this board.  Might that have something to do with how I feel?  I feel like venting so please have patience with me.

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  • Asb
    Asb Member Posts: 99
    edited February 2014

    Finally starting to feel human again. 

    Tekwriter, I have felt very irritable as well. BC, chemo or both has severely lowered my tolerance for stupid.

    Mor, my joint aches last round didn't  hit hard until day 6 for me and only lasted a day. I have had little twinges this time but not the aches yet. I am hoping extending the Claritin will help this round. 

    This round was defintly harder both physically and emotionally. I am not one for lying around, I hate feeling like I can't take care of myself or family. I guess the ugly reality is finally setting in.  I am hoping to feel good enough to go back to work tomorrow and hopefully have a couple of good weeks before doing it all again.

    I miss the hair, but love how easy it is to get ready now.

    Hope everyone has a good night and day tomorrow.

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  • 2ndtime4me
    2ndtime4me Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2014

    MOR my joint aches lasted a week.Try extra strength Tylenol. do you have any pain meds left from surgery you could take?

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  • Mor
    Mor Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2014

    2ndtime4me:

    Yes I do have Claritin, but I would not take it unless I cleared it with my MO.  I have a call into her, and she will call me tomorrow.  I have a list of about five questions to go over.  I appreciate your input.

    Mor

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited February 2014

    My MO had never heard of the Claritin "trick" but said it wouldn't hurt to try, and gave me the ok. I took it the night before Neulasta and for three days after and had no pain this cycle, so I'll be doing it again!

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  • Wipa
    Wipa Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2014

    my MO said there were no trials on the Claritin but said no harm in trying.  I used it starting the day after my first round and only needed it for about 4 days.  Have my second round of AC on Thursday , starting to ramp up on the water.  Had very bad headaches w the first round, definitely felt the 'vice' comments from previously.

    Starting to get another stye on my upper eyelid, never had any prior to diagnosis in November and now this is my third.  Anyone have any good home remedies ?  Trying putting a warm tea bag on it currently.

    Have a good night ladies.

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  • GrammyR
    GrammyR Member Posts: 702
    edited February 2014

    Desmone -as far as WBC and some types of chemo. I had ACT and mine dropped,after each treatment despite Neulasta. Hospitalized one time w/ fever of 101. So yes it could happen after each dose. I did not tolerate the Neulasta well ( bone pains) but this was before they came up with Claritin thing. Neupogen was substituted but it  did not work for my low WBC.

    Mor-it could be the Neulasta shot effect which for me was worse than tbe actual chemo. 

    All off you guys are so brave. It will be tbe hardest thing you will have ever experienced. So try to remember the light at the end  of the tunnel. Dehyration is a biggy too so always have a water bottle next to you. If you prefer it icey cold then keep a small cooler in the bedroom or at work.

    Hugs to every single one of you.









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  • Diamond_lil
    Diamond_lil Member Posts: 76
    edited February 2014

    hi all, luckily I didn't get any sides from the neulasta, so I can't say whether the Claritin works or not. I'm hoping the neulasta has propped my wcc enough that  I am ok at work!

    Have a great night

    LIL

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  • Sunshower
    Sunshower Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2014

    I just finished 5 days of Neupogen shots on Sunday. Even with taking the Claritin the whole week I had awful back pain especially the past 3 days. I took Advil Sunday, but the doc is gonna call in a prescription for Celebrex instead since that won't affect my platelets. Also, I got my blood work yesterday and my WBC count was down to 1.78 and my neutrophil % was 29.30 and granulocytes were 0.522, which showed up LL when compared with normal. Does anyone know at what point you are considered neutropenic?

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  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Member Posts: 216
    edited February 2014

    MY worst is lower back pain on Sunday after the shot on Thursday.  Hurts like crazy all day and then goes away.  Thanks for the cranky tips.  I did blast all of them last night.  I will let them know it was the chemo.  That is unless they get off their little behinds and actually do something today. lol

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  • 2ndtime4me
    2ndtime4me Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2014

    Hi Ladies

    I seem to be the only one NOT getting Neulasta shot. I asked about it and they said wanted to see if I do ok without it. I had Rd # 2 yesterday so we will see. Nurse told me Decadron helps to keep your counts up too. My counts were fine yesterday. We will see. I hope everyone has agood week..

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  • Sam2U
    Sam2U Member Posts: 233
    edited February 2014

    Sunshower--I thought below 1.7 was neutropenic.

    I am starting to feel a little better after A/C#2 on Thursday--hope the other Thursday crew is starting to recover too.

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  • Diamond_lil
    Diamond_lil Member Posts: 76
    edited February 2014

    morning everyone, 

    2ndtime4me, my onc wouldn't prescribe neulasta until there was evidence of a significant drop in wcc, once that dip was captured I was able to have it, so not until round 2. 

    LIL

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