More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited January 2014

    Sunshower:  This is a great thread to keep bumping.  How are you doing?  I posted on the Feb. 2014 chemo starters group

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  • Njmom3
    Njmom3 Member Posts: 143
    edited January 2014

    Starting my chemo on Tuesday, port placement on Monday.  Will they use the port for blood draws as well as infusions?  I hope so my veins are the worst!  Are there any secret tricks to keep nausea at bay? My dr gave me zolfan and Ativan.  I'm not sure when to take these, before or after, together?  I heard Claritin helps as well?  I'm having the ACT treatments. Two cycles of four every other weeks of ac with a Zulestra shot the next day, then 12 weeks of taxol.  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2014

    Njmom, if you have a power port they can use it for blood draws, infusions, and even dyes for any scans you might have.

    Typically you're given nausea meds just before chemo, either by mouth or IV. The Ativan & zophran are for the off chance you might have nausea after chemo. Most people don't. Ativan is great for nausea, but also for anxiety.

    The Claritin (or the generic Loratidine) should be taken the day before your Neulasta shot and for 4 or 5 days after. It will greatly reduce the bone pain associated with Neulasta.

    Please continue to check in with us here.

    Blessings

    Paula

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  • SyrMom
    SyrMom Member Posts: 862
    edited January 2014

    NJmom3 ... your port should be used for labs as well.  I have a "power port" it can also be used for CT scans, etc.  It's wonderful.  While I don't like the bump in my chest from the port, the benefits far out weigh that, I'm so very glad I have it.

    As far as your meds go, check with your onc asap.  I have not had ACT, but am on weekly taxol.  I get premeds at the time of my infusion - you may too, but the meds they gave you could be to take afterwards as well.  So get the instructions from your onc so you can get the most benefit and least side effects.

    Wishing you well ...

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  • Njmom3
    Njmom3 Member Posts: 143
    edited January 2014

    Thanks guys!  The big day is coming and I'm starting to get a little apprehensive.  I do have another port question, I have heard mixed reviews as to whether or not you can feel it inside if you after it heals and how sore it will be the next day since that will be my first chemo.  Thanks guys!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2014

    Njmom, make sure you get a script for EMLA cream. About an hour before chemo rub a dab on the port site and cover it with a small square of plastic wrap like Saran Wrap. There's no need to tape it. The Emla Cream will hold it in place. It will numb the area so you don't feel it when then access your port.

    Some people do an awful lot of complaining about their port. I had NO problems at all. I watched on the monitor as they placed it. I was completely relaxed from the meds, but was aware. NO PAIN at all. I even slept on that side the same night.

    I finished chemo in May, but since I was diagnosed at stage III, they suggested I keep the port for at least a year. I never know its there, unless I happen to touch it and feel the little bump.

    Ask them to place it so it's not rubbed by bra straps.

    Paula

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2014

    I too am very happy w/my power port.  I've never had any problems.  I drew lines on my chest where my bra would go so the BS could place the port outside of these.  I too am stage III & a recurrence, so I expect I'll have the port for awhile.  It really doesn't bother me at all & I seldom notice it.

    I've found the access isn't bad if I'm not going directly to infusion & forget to put on the EMLA cream.  But for the most part - EMLA's great - no feeling.\

    And yes, they use it for everything - blood draws, infusions, contrasts for tests, etc.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2014

    MinusTwo, thanks for your input. I think it helps when people get more than one testimony. Then they know it's more likely to go that way for them too.

    Best wishes

    Paula

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  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
    edited January 2014

    Njmom, I also have a Power Port. They put it in after my first chemo because I was getting 4 rounds of Adriamycin/Cytoxan and then 12 rounds of Taxol. I had multiple lymph nodes removed on my right side, so my left arm is the only on that could be used for blood draws/IVs. Two weeks after my first chemo I developed febrile neutropenia (low blood counts) and ended up in the hospital. At that time I did not have the Port and they used my arm for the IVs and blood draws. A week after the second chemo and the Port insertion I ended up in the hospital again. They were waiting for a nurse to come in to access the Port, and while waiting they tried to use my arm. But no success....I got stuck 9 times and finally the specialty nurse came in to access the Port. I am so glad that I have it! I keep the EMLA in my car so I have it anytime I might need it......going for labs/chemo or an unexpected trip to the ER/hospital.

    I will ask the MO next week how long they will leave it in after the chemo.....I was staged at Stage II but my case is complicated......all the doctors say it's "interesting!" I don't want to have it removed too soon just in case. I can deal with a monthly trip to get it flushed if necessary, since they cannot use my right arm for blood draws or IVs.

    Good luck to you!

    Martha

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    Bumping out January

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  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
    edited February 2014

    Bumping in February! Spring is on the way!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    BUMP

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2014

    bump for the newbies!  ♥

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  • Njmom3
    Njmom3 Member Posts: 143
    edited February 2014

    thanks guys for your comments!  I will keep that cream with me always!  I wonder if I can use it on my hand prior to IV on Friday for port surgery?  First chemo on next Tuesday!

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited February 2014

    In case you don't have this link. It's a drug site that is great even though it was done by the government. Why is it GREAT! 1. after putting the drug name in the search box and the list is pulled up the first drug manufacturer is the one that originated the drug. 2. importance---all the pre-approval clinical trial documentation is there 3. all post marketing data is there 4. hyperlinks throughout to connect within the report for easy referencing between topics.

    http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/about.cfm?CFI...

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2014

    bump it up!

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2014

    bump for the newbies!  ♥

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    I just got back from the Stephanie Center. Appointment was with Carmen, the nurse practioner. I showed her the tiny lump above my surgery site, and she found a second one.


    She went to get my onco, Dr. Mrozek, who was there within 2 minutes. I told her, "If this is another cancer, I'm going to be so angry!" She said, "and I will be angry too!"

    They called downstairs and got me right in for an ultra sound. I only waited a few minutes to be seen.

    Thank God it's only scar tissue! Hallelujah!

    Nobody likes scarring, but after BC, scar tissue is excellent!

    I so love the Stephanie...everything under one roof. Hugs from my Dr. and nurse/pract.

    My doctors, surgeon & onco work together. They're the DYNAMIC DUO!

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  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 455
    edited February 2014

    Soterio, that is great news! A few weeks ago I though I saw a lump on my right side near my axilla by the scar. Scared me to no end. But I went to physical therapy, they were continuing to stretch out the scars and the myofascial (muscle tissue on the chest wall), and viola it went away. Must have just been a tight area. I am trying to be very vigilant, but not paranoid. When my cancer was found on mammogram, no one felt anything.......

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited February 2014

    Soteria, congrats on the scar tissue and such a great team :)

    Does anyone know if a comparable thread to this has been written on Rads?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    Sassy, during the summer (2013) I was on the Summer Rads thread, but it wasn't quite like this.

    Paula

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2014

    Sassy:  I'm in the Winter 2013-2014 group right now.  The tips tend to be scattered through out the thread, but there's such valuable advice.

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited February 2014

    bumping

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited February 2014

    A bump for the best bumping buddies a girl could ever have ! ! You know who you are ! :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    Bumping with Nico & Badger, & all my other BCO Sisters.

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2014

    bump it up!  ♥

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited February 2014

    Picked up this link from April485 "How to talk to a cancer patient"

    http://www.cancercenter.com/community/caregiver-ti...

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2014

    ♥ bump ♥

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2014

    bump for the newbies!

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2014

    bump it up!  ♥

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