February 2014 Starting Chemo Club

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited April 2014

    Vision changes are a normal side effect for some after chemo.  I had mild vision changes.  I did see an opthamologist - I returned to normal within a few months after chemo. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    Njmom3 yes I did experience vision problems. A few days my distance vision was messed up from the Emmend. Then of course the dry eye does effect your vision. I went to the ophthalmologist soon after my last chemo because I occasionally got these blood bursts when on chemo. They were all ready to give me distance glasses and up my reading glasses till I told them to wait and check again when I come back in a few months. Ended up I did not need distance glasses, my reading prescription was increased slightly but get this… my astigmatism went away. Granted now I do have dry eye but not doing anything but drops now. Need to see her again but I put that visit off till July. Too many other doctor visits to pay for right now.

    Lakegirl I'm sure your age will play into the chemo decison. Also if you have family history. This is why you might consider getting at least 2 points of view. You may be in a grey area. 

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  • Njmom3
    Njmom3 Member Posts: 143
    edited April 2014

    I woke up this morning after yesterday's taxol with my cheeks red and feeling sunburned also some red warm splotch on my arm.  Anyone else have anything like this?  Not sure if this is a side effect?

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    Njmom3 have you called your MO and let her know? It may be an allergic reaction. It may be as simple as taking something OTC but  best to check before the day ends.

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  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2014

    NJ my eyes are shot too. Was told that would be a SE. was also told they would get better after chemo and to hold off on changing my glasses. 

    My eyes are also watering like CRAZY these last few days. Which makes my nose run. I know someone else mentioned it before. Gotta scroll back. 

    Had a sono yesterday. No more node in my arm pit but the BC is so diffuse that they can't really determine if it shrunk. So not sure what to make of that. 

    Ok vent warning. Does it drive anyone else crazy when the first thing people say when they find out you have BC is. "Haven't you had a mammo????" Ummmmm getting routine mammos doesn't PREVENT cancer!!!!! Ok vent over. Thank you for your time!!

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  • 3doglady
    3doglady Member Posts: 50
    edited April 2014

    My eyes were real bad the first week of AC.  A little bad with the first weekly taxol, but seems "o.k." now.

    Yes!  My cheeks are red the morning after taxol.  Like I'm flushed from a fever or slightly sunburn.  Usually only first day after.  

    Also, talked to nurse practitioner about my "fullness" symptoms.  Had no Iidea what it could be or related to.  I'm beginning to think it may have been an anxiety thing.  Being that it happened the night before my infusion.  They warned if it happens again and feels like my throat is closing up, I should head to ER.  I have an over OTC homeopathic remedy to help with anxiety.  Might just take that if it happens again and see if it helps.  I also have a homeopathic remedy for hot flashes which seems to help and one for inflamation.  I had read on another msg board that sometimes breast pain during chemo can be caused by inflamation.   Made sense to me.  If chemo bothers all other body parts, it can cause inflamation in the breasts.  Also, I had realized I hadnt been out of my bra for 4 months!  I was dealing with an open wound due to dead skin after my partial mast/lumpectomy that my bra was the only thing that was able to help the wound heal and not pull apart from the weight of my breast.  The wound is finally sealed up and I've been sleeping bra less at night and a lot of the breast pain has subsided.  Not all, but most.  It feels so good to take it off! 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    Jules_NY When people hear how big my tumor was (total with non invasive was 6.5cm in a barely 34B breast) I got that too.  I can't help it if the radiologists were blind! They also don't understand that HER2+/Grade 3 is a bit faster growing then some other breast cancers.

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  • babyduck
    babyduck Member Posts: 63
    edited April 2014


    Cannoli....did you do chemo first? If so...has your breast changed?

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  • gatorgal89
    gatorgal89 Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2014

    Hello Everyone!

    First, Njmom...wanted to say that, yes, I wake up the next day after Taxol with a red face and a red chest, but it goes away as the day goes on and I drink my water.

    Had Taxol #4 on Monday and I feel okay, but I'm over the weight gain.  I know this probably seems dumb, but two-years pre-cancer, I lost 70 lbs and had been successfully keeping it off, so this is traumatic. I am feeling very frustrated and sad today.

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    The red face is flushing from the steroids. It's the only time I have Rosie cheeks!

    Gatorgal. I feel your pain! I talked to my MO about the weight gain and he said don't blame the treatment...what are you eating?? Lol, he's half right. The steroids make you hungry!!!

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  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 125
    edited April 2014

    Weekly taxol ladies - you're still getting premeds? My MO is taking away my premeds (including steroids) after second taxol tx. He told me the premeds are just in case I have an allergic rxn and since I've had 2 tx's without a rxn, no need for premeds. 

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    Interesting....I am on treatment 6 today and get premeds with each one.  I will ask!

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  • gatorgal89
    gatorgal89 Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2014

    jbokland...I hear you! My MO made the mistake of telling me I could eat whatever I want. Thank goodness I know better. The quality of calories matter, but comfort food tastes so much better to me on the days I actually can taste. I still have to make good choices, even in treatment. No justice, as you say. Good luck on #6.

    h0pe...I still get the premeds before my weekly Taxol. Truthfully, I believe I still need that anti-nausea pre-Taxol because I still get a funny stomach for a couple of days after treatment.

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  • Sicilian
    Sicilian Member Posts: 49
    edited April 2014

    I would get the really red face the morning after treatment and my doctor told me that it was from the Decadron. I looked like I went a little wacko with the blush brush!

    Saw the radiologist yesterday. I have an appt. for a CT scan on Wednesday and then to get tattooed the following week. I will start treatment on the 19th, six weeks plus a boost. This will put me into late June, but at least I'll be done before the 4th!

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  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2014

    lgoldie how ya holding up girl????? Have been thinking about you!!

    Got through my first taxol and targeted therapy loading doses today for HER2. 5 hours in the infusion chair. Glad the Benadryl knocked me out cold for 2 of them! No reactions during infusion. Was told the herceptin and perjeta could cause tremors going in but I was ok. And no reaction to taxol either. The only problem was the Benadryl burned going in but a warm pack helped with that. And my stomach is a tad icky but completely tolerable!!  So we will see how the post chemo days go. 

    Hope as far as I know the premeds will continue with me they may just decrease them. 

    Lago did you get herceptin? If so how did you do?

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    I went for #6 of 12 yesterday. I asked about premeds and they will continue. Honestly, I am fairly SE free and would hate to risk changing that.  My weight was up 4 lbs in a week, but I have fluid retention in my legs and sporting some lovely cankels for it!   Another typical SE in addition to done fatigue. 

    Off to see the PS on Tuesday to see if the slightly flat spot on my left "breast" is a small TE leak or just a weird shit in the muscle. 

    I'd like to hear if anyone has started Rad yet!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    Jules_NY I got herceptin every 3 weeks for a year (this includes doing it with Taxotere and Caraboplatin). I didn't have an issue. Power walked through most of my chemo and    of course when chemo ended. I did not get Perjeta since it wasn't approved yet for early stage and the studies didn't included node negative anymore.  I had hearburn issues through chemo starting days after the 1st tx. Took several drugs for that. Stopped slowly once chemo ended. No heartburn issues with herceptin only.

    jbokland I would blow up/retain water at least 4 lbs every time I stopped the steriods. Start the steriods again and I would lose most of it.

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  • lgoldie
    lgoldie Member Posts: 120
    edited April 2014

    Got first Taxol Thursday.  No allergic reaction.  Friday felt pretty good.  Saturday....not so much.  Achy, sore throat,   Taxol or Dexamethasone?    Are we supposed to be pounding the water still?

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  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 125
    edited April 2014

    Update on not getting premeds - I had a reaction! Infusion was set for an hour, and about 50 mins into it I had rapid heart beat of 141 and blood pressure shot up. Flushed in the face and hands. Throat started to feel like it was closing. I had to get IV benadrly and IV steroids. Didn't finish the last ten minutes of the infusion, which kind of upsets me. I should've just done it, but was drained after all that. :( 

    Back to premeds next week. I get so sick during infusion. Bad taste, rapid heart rate, just feeling horrible. BUT after the infusion is a whole new story - I feel fine! Need to figure something out. I feel like #3 taxol is more like #2.5. Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Stick to your premeds - lesson learned! Have a great weekend, ladies. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    H0pe suck on lemon drops when getting infusion. Will help with the yucky taste

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited April 2014


    Happy Saturday :)

    I have Thrush...nasty really! I'm on antibiotics for a UTI so that is probably the culprit. I got some "magic mouthwash" that eases the discomfort. I had a rough week ladies, but today I feel like the fog is lifting. 2 more to go and I just gotta keep telling myself I CAN do this.

    I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. ((hugs))

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    h0pe- how scary for you! Glad to hear you rebounded

    Tang- thrush is the worst! Been there!  Feel better 

    Celebrating my birthday tomorrow!  Will do so with a bald head, swollen body and a big smile!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    tangandchris Damn Thrush!

    Happy Birthday jbokland linky  

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  • babyduck
    babyduck Member Posts: 63
    edited April 2014
    Jbokland...are u doing chemo first?? I might have asked u before...anyways if u are...how is your breast responding? And Happy Birthday!
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  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2014

    Happy birthday jb!!!!!!!

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    thanks all!!  

    Babyduck-  I had Bmx 12/23 and chemo afterwards.  5 more taxols to go!!   

    Getting married June 29th, then 6.5 weeks of Radiation.  

    Feel like I'm sprinting!

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  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 125
    edited April 2014

    Happy Birthday JBOK!

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited April 2014


    Happy Bday JB!

    My Thrush is clearing up already, my mouth just feels incredibily dry all.the.time!

     

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    tangandchris Yay for the thrush clear up. I hear it can be tough to get rid of unless you get it right away. Do you use Biotene mouthwash? I used it throughout chemo. Also was taking acidophilus supplements but check with  your MO to make sure that's OK. 

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  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2014

    Trying to sort out which SE is from what. IDk why but I am. Had taxol/herceptin/perjeta on friday, no post steroids . Saturday was fine. Just a little tired. Yesterday, fatigue got worse had to nap twice, had a lil bout of diarrhea and nausea, and lots of aches and pains, kind if like the aches from neulasta. Today slightly better. Still all a million times better than the SE of AC. I'm hoping most of this is from the target therapy especially since they were loading doses. Oh and I have a yeast infection, second one since starting chemo. Gotta get me some yogurts!!! I guess I thought I'd feel better. Feeling a lil bummed. 

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