February 2014 Starting Chemo Club

lago -It sucks that ins makes the patients suffer.  I needed to work this week, instead of listlessly watching Gossip Girl and Dexter on Netflix.  You rock!  Thank you for the Metamucil suggestion.  Heading to the store now...

For those of you on AC-T, are you taking a steroid during the AC portion?  I didn't get a prescription for one yet (just for the Emla and anti-nausea meds) so I assume that it will just be during the Taxol portion.  I know the RN talked about it in my chemo education, but can't remember what she said about it.

I was only given the steroid in my cocktail, nothing rx'd.

So...a funny or giggle for the night. I asked my parents to bring Tylenol over when they came to check on me Saturday. I've been taking it alot, lots of headaches. I just tooks some again(dang headache)and I just now noticed that they accidently got me Tyenol PM!!! So, how much of my tiredness is from that LOL?

Anyone have any rapid heartbeat issues? I've been having that this afternoon....I know it can be from anemia so I'm wondering if its that or the chemo. Almost feels like anxiety attack.

tangandchris - Some of the chemo drugs can cause rapid heart beat, and so can some of the SE meds.  I got it from having anxiety attacks due to the cancer diagnosis. (It feels good to blame the C for something.)  The diagnosis is visal vagal syndrome, but it basically is a panic attack. It might be hard to figure out what is causing yours at this point with many meds in play, but you should definitely let for medical team know, as some SEs include rapid heart as symptomatic of serious heart issues leading to congestive heart failure (it is usually reversible if caught and ends after chemo ends).  Adriamycin and Herceptin are known offenders.

Well, I get an unscheduled "walk in" appt to my MO in the morning due to chemical face burns/blisters, raised red rash (hips,butt,things), and a low WBC count yesterday during my scheduled draw.  Anyone have rashing?

Also, Ive seen many posts about the importance of drinking lots of water to clear the chemo out of your system after it is done doing its thing.  How do we know when it is done working?  I asked my MO about drinking extra water and he said not to do it.  I'm not sure if it is because he know that I usually drink water constantly throughout the day and evening.  Or whether I'm missing a good tip.  But more than that, i'm more concerned about patients deciding when the time is ripe for the chemo to be done with its work - are your doctors telling you when it is done?  When is it done?  

Is this linked to Nadir?  If so, how do you deal with a chemo cocktail having different Nadir periods for different agents?

formydaughter...my oncNP said everyday for 64oz water.  I also asked what supplements and I was recommended to take a multi vitamin and a probiotic. So I am.

tangandchris- I recall having a rapid heartbeat during the last rounds of my 6 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere.  My onco knew of it and told me that it was a side effect of chemo.  I was also receiving Herceptin via a clinical trial and was being closely monitored and had quarterly echocardiograms..  My RBC had continually dropped but did not reach the point of needing medical intervention.  I was short of breathe when walking and easily fatigued.   My internist was concerned with my rapid heart rate that he ordered and extra thyroid blood test panel so make sure I hadn't developed sometime else.  Fortunately, all was fine.  Fatigue, low RBC counts, being short of breath, borderline anemia from the chemo may be causing the rapid heart rate.  I was told to keep walking and moving and not just sit on the couch to help my RBC to get better.  Of course, there were times that I couldn't muster enough energy to move off of the couch and I wondered where did all of my energy go. 

formydaughter- The reason for the drinking of fluids is to help flush the chemo through the body and out.  One does need to be careful to not drink excessive amounts of water because that can cause water intoxification.  There are some who never drank 8 glasses of water/liquids a day before being diagnosed and need to have the 64 ounce fluid target amount so they will drink enough fluids.       As for your rash, glad you are going to see one of your doctors about it.  It could be a side effect of the chemo which your onco needs to know about before you have your next round of chemo.  Also be aware that it is possible to get the shingles during chemo.  I know some gals that developed the shingles during their time in chemoland.  Hope you are okay.

I got gummi one a day vitamins. Lol. Tiny fruity things 

formydaughter , I had a rash the first week ,after my my first infusion. Went in to get checked out, not shingles... But not regular acne either. It was on my shoulder blades, up my neck into my hairline and across my upper chest. It was between acne and chicken pox...no temp. Some itchy ,some not,  kept lots of calamine lotion on them....they are almost gone now . I am in week two , past first  infusion.hope it clears up and is not shingles for you . 

KAT4856- I start my chemo on Feb. 25.  I go in for my echocardiogram on Fri, so I will ask then if they meant to give me the prescription for the Decadron or maybe I'll call and ask the PA.   I guess I should have taken notes during my chemo education visit, but since I had read up so much on all of it before, most of what she told me I already kind of knew.  Of course, she may have just forgotten.  I even had to point out to her that one of the allergy medicines I take was specifically listed on the info they gave me as possibly interacting with the chemo drugs. They had it right there on my list of current medications but didn't say anything about it. So I asked her if I should stop taking it and she said oh, yeah, you probably should.  I had to call my internist to check to see if I needed to wean off or just stop because the PA didn't know.   I guess asking questions is a good thing sometimes.

I don't mind.  I live in the Dallas area and I go to the Baylor-Grapevine Breast Center.  Texas Oncology-Grapevine location is in the same building, and that's where I will get my chemo.

Have any of you ladies worked during chemo?

I got my answer about the steroids.  The PA confirmed that I will only take the steroids during the Taxol portion, not the A/C portion of the chemo.  So I will get a prescription prior to starting the Taxol after completion of the 4 rounds of A/C.  

Had my first chemo Monday, did great with it. got shot and fluid Tuesday did good with it. Went in today to get fluids and couldn't get them. I told them my chest felt like a tight cold and i was wheesing. I hadn't taken my fluid pills so they sent me home and said I had fluid overload and to take my pills. Feeling a little achey but other wise doing good.

One down and 3 more rounds to go, then rad and then hormone blockers.

Siniberry... do you normally take a water pill?  Prior to chemo I mean? Or was that part of your scripts for treatment?

Babyduck...  I am planning to work.  I work 9/10 days.  I have my chemo scheduled to go Thursday afternoons and then work Friday. Neulasta shot on the way home from work on Fridays and then off weekend and Monday.  I am hopeful that I will be able to do that.  I work a desk job primarily.

Kat4856...  Did you take the Claritin daily with the Neulasta shots?

Formydaughter... what's your breast cancer diet? What did the doctor say about your rash? What I meant about the fluids was to stay well hydrated, always.  Being dry can effect heart rate, skin, kidney functions, lab results and so much more.  I am hopeful that I can keep getting 64oz of stuff in everyday.

Melrosemelrose and Lago...thanks for all the helpful info!!

Truthfully, I am most concerned about home.  My three boys are good but they are 17, 14 and 9.  My littlest is scared.  He is so uber lovey right now.  He kisses my port and tells me that everything will be ok...I start tomorrow, TCH.  No steroids in premeds at all that I am aware of, Aloxi and Zofran. Anyone do all three drugs every 3 weeks and not just the TC and the H weekly?  They said my loading does of H will be a lot.  I'm a teensy bit petrified

Before I go to chemo though, I go to the LE PT for the cording in my left arm.  My seroma in the breast is improving daily though not gone. Still a third or so of the breast that is very firm. I am hoping the PT can relieve some of the arm discomfort and teach me some exercises to further resolve things.  I will be pre-medicating for this!  

princessrn- I did Cytoxan/Taxotere and Herceptin every three weeks.  The first infusion time may run a little longer than the others because the infusion nurses will be watching for any reactions.  I always had my Herceptin run for at least an hour rather than over 30 minutes.  I also viewed my infusion day as my day to spend at the infusion center.  I was never in a hurry which I think helped the infusion nurses and me through all of the infusions.  Sometimes, lab work doesn't come back quickly and the ordered chemo drugs arrive a little slower from the hospital/infusion center pharmacy.  These things are out of the control of the infusion nurses but yet I heard one too many times other patients getting angry with the infusion nurses.  Slow and easy.... that is how you may want to have your infusions.  I know that you are probably anxious tonight.  It's okay.... once you get there tomorrow and learn and go through the infusion center procedures, you will find yourself less anxious.  You have one of the best support teams at home.  They love you and will love you because you are Mom and not how you look.  Keep your head and spirits up because they are doing the same.  One day, you will hear the words " Mom, I love you no matter what and as you are.  Doesn't matter what physical changes you have gone through.... you are still Mom.  I would rather have you this way than you not being here".  These are the words of my then high school son that he said to me almost 2 years ago.  Your family and friends and people here will help love and support you through this.  Sleep well..... and please check in to let us know how you are doing.