Starting Chemo in December 2013

sounds like my zofran regimine.  The very expensive one is the neulasta shot, that is billed anywhere from $5000 to $20,000, my copay on that was $40.  That needs to be pre certified, so ask about that also, you will get a shot the day after your chemo.

hi linda. $75 for the RX is a lot cheaper than what mine was going to be. Mine was $500. So my MO puts it in my IV. That way the insurance pays for it. 

Also, we get our RXs from SAMs. If you have the member plus card it gives you 8-40% off RXs. That has been a lifesaver for us. 

At MO for follow up and blood work. He is sending me to hosp. for a chest scan. Since I get so out of breath and my heart races with small tasks to rule out a pulmonary embolism. 

I'm probably fine. But he is erring on the side of caution of I guess. Ugh. Another scan. 

Holli, hope all goes well with your scan. 

Hair...my nether parts lost it first and found it first. Armpits, legs and head all starting to fill in. What sucks is, I can't shave until chemo is done. Electric razor does not cut the hair and causes severe razor burn. PT says no more electric because of LE. MO says no regular razor until chemo is done, go without shaving.

Yep - thank God I have insurance but why does everything have to be so confusing and complicated LOL.  I think the MO's and insurance companies just make it up as they go - not really - but look at all the differences in how we are treated and how we are given meds and it really makes you wonder...

I'm waiting to get this scan... 

Lisa, if you use the EMLA cream instead of plastic wrap use Glad Press and Seal.  It works wonderful to contain the cream to just over the port. 

Hollie you are going to do just great on the next taxol.  They know to give you lots of premeds. I do not go until the afternoon this Thurs, beats getting up at 6 AM. Hope scan comes out normal. 

Linda only get the kytril in the premeds and do not need anything after taxol for nausea at all. 

Barbara

thanks to you all for the info on the emend and nausea med alternatives 

Barbara- thanks for the press and seal suggestion. I only have 1 treatment to go but my sister may be able to get me some Emla so I don't have to get a whole prescription for just 1 time.

Yea Hollie, glad to hear about your scan. Have you girls on taxol been icing hands and feet. I have and also taking L-glutamine (powder that's mixed with juice) 3x/day day before, day of and day after chemo.  Have slightly funny feelings in my fingertips sometimes but nothing I would call real neuropathy. Same with the bottoms of my feet, sensitive but I have full feeling.

Had chemo Monday and the steroid high is wearing off. Achy muscles, joint pain, sore throat, and crappy feeling setting in. Had a great day today and even went to yoga this evening but I knew when I got home it would start and sure enough it did. My muscles feel bruised or like I was lifting weights, they are sore to touch, shoulders, biceps, triceps,, neck, hips, quads, butt..... Usually last 3-4 days then gradually gets better. Going to LI on sat-tues to visit my family. 4.5-5 hr ride, by sat should be somewhat better.

My sister scheduled a private restorative yoga and reiki session for us on Sunday. She's going to be starting chemo on thurs for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma :-( and so us chemo sisters will get some special attention. Have never had reiki. If any one out there has let me know what you think

Hi girls.  Congrats on the wide margins and clear scans ladies.  That's awesome!  Icing hands and feet....I did this all the way through a/c and Taxol and did not suffer any neuropathy.  I would tell anyone to do this.  Neuropathy was my biggest fear and I'm so glad I iced.  I will be going for my 4th radiation treatment today.  It is quick and painless.  I'd say it is 10 minutes from the time they get you in the treatment room until you are walking out.  Things to buy before hand.  Toms aluminum free deodorant, unscented mild soap. (I.e. dove, ivory, etc.)  I bought baby wash.  100% aloe gel.  No deodorant before you go, but you can use after.  This is true of any lotions or aloe as well.  I made the mistake of going on a thread here and wished I hadn't.  It was "Starting radiation spring 2014."  I thought it would be nice to have support from women that were going through the same thing at the same time.  Well, some woman who had finished radiation went on and posted her horror story.  I don't know why she did this.  It's not like anyone asked her to share her worst case scenario, but misery loves company I guess.  She managed to take my positive outlook on rads and turn it into constant worry.  She had severe skin issues at the end and described them in depth.  This is not the norm.  It is the exception.  We will all have different experiences.  We don't need to worry about "What if?"  I have taken myself off that thread.  I would much rather go through this talking to everyone of you as we venture into this new territory.  Did anyone respond to the lady a couple days ago who asked us all to take a survey about chemo.  She was stating that she had researched about the dangers of chemo.  I didn't think it was very nice to come on a site where women are going through it already and talk about it's dangers.  Have a good day ladies.

Hi ladies - Just catching up on posts.  

Holli - Glad to hear no blood clots.  That's great news.  

kimie - As soon as you finish the mapping, they should have your start date if you don't already have one.  I can't wait for these next 6 weeks to pass.  

Mikesgirl - I missed the chemo post you are referring to..... glad I did.  I have been using aloe and olive oil at night.  Wondering if you are using aquaphor?  I did notice that my breast is a little pink this morning, doesn't hurt. I have posted on the rads board a couple of times..... I will be hanging around this board, you are all a bunch of awesome ladies.  

Wishing you all a good day.

Kim

KJ, I am using Aquaphore at night.

Oh - thanks Mikesgirl and Lisa for the pictures and descriptions - this will really help me put something together for this.  I am in a retirement town and the majority of the patients at the cancer center that I will be going to are in their 70's and up - I am thinking I may be the only one there interested in doing this and may be their first - hope they don't give me a hard time about it.

hi, linda, I also ice my feet and hands during taxol. I bought Elasto-Gel cold Mitten and shoes from amazon. I put them in freezer one day before chemo and put on during taxol. My MO highly recommended it and everybody in my treatment center seems to be doing it. Good luck!

For those of you who have finished chemo, Yippie!!! When you finished did your body ache?  Especially legs?  Mine didn't ache when I was doing Taxol but they sure ache now.  I don't know how I'm going to make myself go back and finish the last 4 low dose.  This break is horrible, every time I think about having to go back I cry.  Any volunteers to make me go back by gunpoint?!?!?!? Isn't 12 chemos enough poison to kill the cancer...sigh

ughhhh so many body aches tonight.....had my 10th Taxol on Monday, 2 more left to go but tonight i feel like crap...the muscle aches in my neck and shoulders and hips are so miserable....been in bed since i got off work at 4:30!!  Is this normal? i haven't had much up until now, only with the AC and the neulasta shot..  

So tired of all this! Tomorrow is a new day though, right???