Starting Chemo in April 2014

Hello ladies, just chiming in to say hope you are all doing well following your recent treatments. It does bring so much comfort to hear all of your stories and how we can help each other through this journey.

I had my 2nd AC treatment yesterday. It was the first one with my port, which was much easier I must day. No bruising on the hand from the IV anymore! Yeah! I came home with what I call my loopy head feeling and slept most of the rest of the afternoon. But was able to enjoy supper and no major nausea. Restless sleep overnight, but got some Z's here and there. Took my nausea meds in the morning as recommended just to stay ahead of any that may come. Energy level is low, but was able to eat lightly and not so much of the metal taste this time around. Hoping this continues, as I am so thankful for the minimal side effects. I'm off to the office to get my Neulasta shot now. Hair is still hanging on, but beginning to feel lifeless to me. My GI Joe cut may be soon. 

Sending hugs to all of you. 

Thanks for the update makelemonade - one week behind you on the AC so will be watching for your reports.

mmtagirl I am so sorry you are going through that. Sounds like your headaches are gone so that is good but I hope you can get past this get home where you want to be!!! Huggggggs!!!!!!!!

Mmtagirl - sorry you're going through this.  And hoping you feel better and get home soon!

EverForward - good luck tomorrow!!

I am slowly, very slowly, better (minus the mouth sores which as long as I dont speak or eat are ok - grrr), so ill be heading into my office tomorrow to get some work done. Ive only worked two days in the last 11 days since round 1 of my chemo. I completely under estimated the "wave" of side effects (meaning, I would get over one just to encounter another?!?!). We'll see how it goes - still trying to wear clothes that hide my port stitches,  yet are loose and comfy because I am constantly fluctuating between warm and cold. 

Sunshine, I can so relate to the work decisions. I felt like I was shot from guns into a parallel universe when I was dx'd with eye mets and needed to start chemo. I began Taxol and a ton of testing two weeks ago, then got the test results and a port installed last week. I have not been back to the office since 4/7. I keep gearing up to go in and close up some projects but I still can't think straight, don't know what to tell people and feel overwhelmed at the thought. The oncologist is totally behind me just staying home while I get treatment underway. I think I drove me car twice since diagnosis. 

Hope you can take time to build reserves and not rush back to work, unless you feel like that will help you heal. Chemo is a rugged tx process, and tho some people do well through it, most people seem to find it taxing.

Thinking of you with great empathy! Mame

Thanks mame - its hard because I hate sitting home and not working (and not getting paid which does stress our budget!!!) But I hate going in, feeling exhausted, hiding my SE's from co workers, and just having to worry about things that seem so unimportant right now. Itd frustrating.  I want to maintain some source of normalcy,  then, when my kids go to school I want to crawl into bed and cry. 

I think im just in a funk right now I guess? From the day of my diagnosis I said i didn't want to throw any pity-parties, but days like this i'm pity-party-of-one.

Silver lining - tomorrow my port is 2 weeks old and therefore I think I can start to wash/shower the area like normal again?!

Hello Ladies

My first day of chemo was a true nightmare. I was given Taxotere throat began to close and was administered more steroids and Benadryl. That relieved that and then they tried abraxane and my chest had burning and pressure, so that was stopped. Tomorrow they are trying the Herceptin but I am so afraid of this now too. The other choice the doctor gave me is doing an impatient chemo discensitized administration. Has anyone did this? I am beyond upset and confused as to all of this. Are there some people that can't do chemo? Anyone know of other choices? Help!

Hello all!

I've been reading the posts and my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone for quick bouncing back from any side effects, along with full happy and healthy lives!! 

I just completed my third treatment of Taxol today. I will have 9 more, 3 weeks on and 1 week off. So next week is my chemo rest week. I'm also getting Herceptin weekly, but no break from that one next week, and will have it for a year. I too have a port and am very glad I do. I had the port surgery two weeks ago, Monday. It's really pretty pain-free when you use the lidocaine cream.

I've found that my side effects are pretty varied day-to-day. It's been nothing horrific, more annoying, I think. I'm going to list what I've experienced here, if it can help anyone who's behind me. I think the anxiety of what might be is so much worse than what actually has happened, at least so far for me.

The major effect for me has been the fatigue for sure. The day of treatment, I usually just come home and nap for a couple hours. Then I'm usually functional. I haven't slept well the night of treatment, but did take a Tylenol PM (one is better, after taking two the first round was way too much the next day I had a hard time functioning). The metallic taste was definitely the worst for me the first week. That has subsided a bit. Unfortunately, though, food just doesn't taste the same. The only thing that appeals to me is salty, so I have to be careful not to overdo the salt! I also just want a lot of soft breads and cheeses. I have managed to walk the dog most days - I was in pretty good shape before all this started, so I'm trying to get back through a lot of walking. I have to vary the routine, as some days I can do 20 minutes but a few days after treatment, I'm back to a 45 mile fast-ish walk. The steroids have caused some acne (on my face, chest mostly) a couple days after treatment and I also have a lot of sores on my head - which fortunately for me is still covered with the shorter haircut I got week one. Brushing my hair is uncomfortable, but I'm really thankful to still have it, I do have a wig back up plan if I end up needing it. I also have some 'flushing' the morning after treatment, it feels a lot like a sunburn from the inside out, but it comes and goes and is not really disrupting anything, just a feeling. Finally, I have some water retention for a day or two (I have been drinking a ton of water), but that is usually gone a few days after treatment. 

I get my infusions on Tuesday mornings, and I've found that by Friday, I can deal with a short cat nap in the afternoon and I'm in pretty good shape. Before all this, I was in a Masters Program, worked full-time and have three kids 7-17 and husband, so I had a lot going on. I decided to take a leave for work for the first few weeks to make sure I could continue my program, which is scheduled to end June 26. I think working would have been do-able for me, but I wouldn't be able to do that, kids and school, so I'm able to take some time off, fortunately. Plus my brain is not at full speed, so work will be a challenge when I do go back. Haven't decided on a date yet, but will have to soon.

Hope this is helpful to someone! Best of luck everyone!!

Shellbell,

So sorry things are feeling crappy for you, or were on Monday.

My husband wants to think he is great and caring, but it is hard for him, with his own health issues. I think he is a bit of a hypochondriac and somewhat self-centered. But, I love him and I know he thinks he is doing the right things. 

Anyways, keep putting one foot in front of the other, one day at a time and know that we are here for you.

~Rambling Rose

Shellbell - so sorry to hear chemo is difficult.  Hopefully things will go much better with the herceptin today.  I also hope you have a doctor or nurse you can talk to, and who will truly listen to your fears and concerns.  Hugs to you.

jhodro - thanks for sharing your experience so far.  My hat is off to you, going through this with work, school, and 3 kids!

Nana - I hope you are able to figure out what's causing your side effects.  Does Tylenol or something else help with the bone pain?  You have such a great attitude about this whole thing, sorry to see you have to deal with the rolling side effects.

The dreaded day came: exactly two weeks after my first chemotherapy, my hair is starting to fall out  

After this discovery, I drove immediately to a low-cost salon for a shorter cut.  I figured short hair falling out all over is better than long, right?  But I hate the cut.  All you girls with the cute pixie cuts are so lucky!  I wanted cute too, but I think I got more of a "I am giving up on my looks" generic short haircut.  Ugh.

Chemotherapy yesterday was tough, and I am dreading going out in public with this hair.  But on to the neulasta injection!

Sorry to be a downer today

Hugs to you all!

Good Afternoon, Ladies! I was reading through some of your posts and I just want to give you all a quick hug of encouragement. I am about 8 months post-final-chemo, I have a full thick head of beautiful hair on my head and all my body hair has been back for sometime now. 

I went through chemo from May of last year until September. One of the best tips I can give you is watermelon! This time of year it is readily available and was a savior to the dryness I felt from the chemo. 

With A/C, I found the 1st 48 hours to be the worst. However, I refused the steroids with that course, so the fatigue set in right away. I would be in a "chemo-coma" for a couple of days and then okay until the next one. The Taxol is way better on the SEs comparatively. But, that drug has its own that made me feel like I was 90 yrs old. Some days I moved slower than a tortoise.

I wish you all the best. You will get through it! 

Suzan

Make Lemonade I had no side effects from Neulasta - praying for the same for you! Good for you about the Starbucks.  I just might do that Tuesday after my infusion.  Something cold and sweet for a change!

Reading through all the posts and it looks like it's been rough for a lot of you ladies.  :-( Hugs and hang in there!  When people ask me how I'm doing, my "go to" response is: "It could be worse".  I think by repeating that over and over it makes me feel better and look for something positive in the moment.

I didn't shave my head, my sister in law buzzed cut it as short as she could.  I've attached a picture just for you Cold.  :-)  It's amazing! I feel bald, brave and beautiful!  Much better than my pixie....just burrrrrr cold.  I went for a 3 mile walk today and it's only in the 40's here in WI.  I had layers on my head lol.  I am excited to start wearing all my cute hats and scarfs now too.  

Take care friends,

Holly 

Thanks Janet!  I wish you the very best tomorrow and hope you breeze through it.