Starting Chemo in April 2014

Hi Ladies. I had my port put in yesterday and my first chemo session today. I'm happy to report that all went well. Even though I couldn't use the lidocaine cream because  my incision was too fresh, I didn't feel more than a quick prick when she stuck the needle in the port. I have terrible veins and it's always a painful hassle to get stuck in the hand or wrist, so I'm in LOVE with my port. No immediate bad reactions to the chemo. I even walked home after the treatment. Had Morroccan food for dinner before my taste buds get all wonky. Hoping that the side effects in the coming days won't be too bad.

Holly you look great! I love your positive outlook too. 

Janet I hope tomorrow goes great!

Kazzy - I'm also from Chicagoland! This weather has been amazing especially last weekend. Hopefully it holds up and we have just as mild of a summer as last year since I plan on rocking different wigs throughout!

Ladies - You all look lovely with your new haircuts and shaves.  I hope I can pull off the look when its my turn.  1 week until chemo starts.  Feeling nervous but anxious to get this over with and move on.  I've been watching old episodes of SATC when Samantha was going through this for some laughs and inspiration!

Hay Makelemonade - I think the chemo day is considered day one but maybe someone will confirm. I was told to take the antil nausea to prevent it because once it hits it is harder to knock down. So for days 3-5 I took one in the morning and one around 4 - so just 2 a day. I did feel queasy bit full on nausea never came on. 

Sorry you are feeling so bad…I know it is rough waiting for what is going to hit. I finally made myself go outside for a walk and get distracted.

Today is day 7 and I feel really pretty good! 

I did take the compazine. Will take the Zofran in a bit. Forced myself to get up, did the dishes. Am going to take a shower. - hopefully that will make me feel better. 

I also have spondylolisthesis (L4 is shifted forward on L5) and didn't do any exercises yesterday. Am feeling it in my back today if I stand too long. 

I am hungry but nothing appeals to me!  Usually I like potato chips - one of my weaknesses. Hubby brought me a bowl and I didn't want them. Suggested coffee - didn't want any. He said that now he KNOWS I am not feeling well :-). I like watching FoodTV - not appealing right now. 

Could go to work from 4-6. That would distract me. I only work 1/2 mile away. They would understand if I didn't last. Seems like so much effort!

And this is only my first round! 

Plus still not 100% from surgeries - have a seroma, still have swelling, stitches still feel a little pulling sometimes. Don't have 100% range of motion yet. Last surgery was only 2 weeks ago! 

Feeling tired doesn't help this little pity party I seem to have going here!

Sorry to hold this pity party here , but I think this the only place where people might understand! 

hello all! Sounds like many of us have had a time of it with our first chemo:(

I am happy to report that I came home today.  The silver lining of it all is that I have learned a lot about WBC levels, hemoglobin levels and ANC (Absolute Neutrophil counts) and what to expect on certain days of chemo.  In the end I was diagnosed with neutropenia and colitis.

Day one is considered chemo day.  I was hospitalized on day 6 which was Sunday.  Generally, our WBC and neutrophils will be lowest day 6-11.  Mine continued to fall to zero through day 8 and began to recover day 9 and home day 10.  I did have three neupogen injections.  Hated the back and hip ache but Tylenol helped.

My MO said he will probably change me from Taxotere and cytoxan. To an AC combination.  Not sure how I feel about that since the SEs read similar except for the added heart concerns.  I am assuming 3 rounds since I was doing 4 with TC but I need to confirm that when I see him.

Lemonade, I was also told to take the anti nausea to stay ahead of it and it worked pretty well for me.  I took them for three days.  I still had a yucky tummy after that but I attribute it to my new found colitis.

I do not have a port either.  After all the blood draws the last 4 days I am almost wishing I did.  I am pretty bruised up now.

Holly, you have beautiful eyes that shine with your new bald look.  You look amazing!

Ann

mmtagirl I am glad you are home! I hope every day gets better!!!!

So yesterday was Round 2 of AC for me.  And I have to report much better so far!  The nausea, dizziness, and headaches are half of what they were last time.   Not sure if it was the granisetron, or the extra litre of IV fluids, or having pantaloc on board, but I am pleasantly surprised.   The neulasta today might knock me down for a few days, but I think it will be better all around!  There is hope ladies

Sharon, aloxi is a wonderful anti-nausea drug.

Sending thoughts to all that your treatments will go easy and you will be done with chemo before you know it.

Carol

Hi Ladies,

Had my first chemo today. It went very well, no allergic reactions. I even made it to the bathroom and back with my big rolling IV thingie without tripping over it, LOL!! I felt a little out of it when I left but I think that's from the Benedryl. Unfortunately, even though I live 5 minutes from the facility, I don't think I'll be able to drive myself  because of that    But maybe my body will adjust to the benedryl after a few treatments? I haven't had any nausea problems--yet, thank goodness!! I've eaten a couple of times. Going to take a Lorazepam in a few minutes and try to get some sleep. My chemo room is very nice, there were quite a lot of other patients. The chemo room is very nice, they have music playing and the walls are painted with murals of flowers and such. They also have light snacks, coffee, tea and blankets and pillows available for us. and they let my friend Crystal sit with me the whole time I can stay by myself from now on, just need a ride there and back. so far so good! Hope everyone else is faring well!!

SharonDe- heartburn was terrible!  I am now taKing pantaloc for it...it's magic!  Get some tomorrow!

Hallo all you brave ladies!

Thank you so much for all your amazing stores, words of wisdom and motivation.  You have no idea how much you help people with your posts.

I too joined the April group last week.  My first TC was on Wednesday, 16 April.  I am now 9 days post chemo and can honestly say my side effects were minimal.  How blessed am I?!?!  YAY!!!

The anti-nausea and anti-histamine drugs that were administered to me before the chemo totally knocked me out.  I was in such a fog the whole time and slept through the actual chemo.

I am trying the Elasto-Gel cold caps to preserve my hair.  The only time I woke up was every 30 to 40 minutes when my hubby and the chemo nurse had to change my caps.  Other than that I slept.  The caps are not as uncomfortable or bad as I was preparing myself for. 

My session lasted just under 4 hours.  When I got home I was still very drowsy and slept for another 2 hours. 

That night I was even able to cook supper for my husband and I and got to enjoy the meal too.

On Thursday I felt a little light-headed and tired, but still managed to get the house ready for my mom's arrival on Friday.

The only other side efffect that I'm experiencing is the furry, yuk, metalic mouth.  Gross!

I decided to use the Annique vitamins (www.annique.co.za) while on chemo.  I have read numerous success stories of other chemo (and particularly breast cancer) patients who used them with great success.  Maybe that is the reason for my side effects being so easy to deal with.

At the moment the only thing stressing me out is an appointment with a surgeon next week to discuss having a port installed.  I had Lymphoma at 16 and went through CHOP chemotherapy.  Thanks to that my veins are completely damaged.  They got the IV in after the 3rd attempt last week.  I don't mind the pricking but the chemo nurses seem to mind.  I was also told that there will be problems if the chemo leaks into my tissue so they need to keep a close eye on me.  And the port is considered the "safer" option.  I'm still not convinced that a port is really necessary.  I only have 5 chemos to go...

Living one day at a time, enjoying the little moments, spending extra special time with my baby boy and husband and keeping a positive attitude is definitely seeing me through this journey...

Good-luck to all of you starting chemo in the next few days and to those who have your next treatments coming up!

Much love from South Africa, x

Glad to hear everyone else is doing well! I'm attempting to go to work today. But I'm wondering if I should take an antinausea med this morning? My only concern is the "may cause drowsiness"--what if I need to come home from work but can't drive? *single lady problems* 

I'm also making every attempt to continue eating and drinking nutritiously so my WBC counts will be ok for next week. I want to get this DONE!!! I'm meeting with my BS on May 19 to discuss the results of my gene testing (Positive for BRCA1) and my surgical options. I'm wondering if I choose a bilateral mastectomy if that might cut my chemo treatments short? It would be nice. 

Hang there ladies, we can do this!!

Hey Everyone,

This is my first post. I started chemo 04/11. TAC 6 every three weeks. I had a port inserted on 04/09. I'm so grateful I did. I don't have the best veins and for blood draws and chemo, it has been awesome.

My first chemo went well. No reactions. Then the side effects started to hit me on day 2. I actually passed out. That was scary. I was practically in bed for three days straight after that episode. Still light headed, profoundly weak, restless, achy, not able to sleep. Miserable. I had some nausea and like many have stated, hungry but nothing appeals. I also developed mouth sores. Watermelon was wonderful. I worked hard at staying hydrated. It really helped me feel better. Also, keeping a little something in my stomach kept the nausea under control.The side effect I wasn't expecting so much was the 'chemo brain'. I felt very sedated. Dopey. Not able to concentrate on anything. Normally I'm the card shark amongst my friends but i couldn't keep track of the cards and they beat my a$$ for the first time ever. After about a week to ten days after my treatment I started to feel much better. Much more like myself. Back at work. Still tired but I'm ready to get my money back at cards this weekend!

My hair started to really fall out yesterday. If I touch my head, it pours down. I have short hair and had it cut even shorter before I started chemo. I will get my head shaved tomorrow. Bald patches are appearing. I have very thick hair and I'm shedding more than my German Shepherd!

Great to have this forum. Such an amazing resource and wonderful to hear everyone's stories. Nice to know I'm not going through it alone.