Starting Chemo in April 2014

I learned that with round 1 as well - take everything ahead of time!! :-)  Anti nausea, anti Big C, Biotine rinses.  I did do the Claritin so never did get any bone pain.  

Had a lot of energy today .... Such a change from a few days ago!  Mouth sores healing up as well and don't have any other SE.  

Looks like my lowest energy days will be day of infusion and then days 7-9.  Hoping to not repeat the stint in the hospital next time :-)

Feeling some mild prickling on my scalp off and on .... Signal of things to come this week :-). I hope I can coordinate it when I am in the hospital area anyway ...we shall see.  I think I am mentally ready - but expect a teary moment when I get shaved.  Just don't want to be raining hair at work on Monday afternoon!

Hi there,

Is anyone else on FEC-T treatment?  HEre is my update so far:

1st infusion was last Wed., left with a head rush which then turned to nausea and the vomitting.  Only threw up twice but quickly learned signs so I've been able to keep that under control.  My regular anti nausea meds were done by Friday - I was given 2 pills a day to take morning and evening on Thursday and Friday but I have some others to take "just incase".  It seems to have worked well.  I had my neulasta shot on Thursday in the stomach.  As of today - Sunday - no pain - I've not taken any Clariton.  I spoke with my pharmacist about it and while he said that he has heard women praise this, why take a pill if you don't have to.  So, I'm trying to do without.  So far, so good.  I went for a nice walk Thursday with DH, Friday walked on the treadmill.  Friday morning I felt wired until approx Noon and couldn't sleep last night - hubby said that this is from the steroids which are the anti nausea meds.  Went out for dinner with some friends last night and to see a lacrosse game.  Other than feeling wired, I was okay.  Today I did some gardening - feel tired but am fighting it because I'd like to sleep tonight.  I've had a few challenges with pooping, but the plumbing seems to be working.  As for diet - I treated myself to a burger and fries last Friday night - had spaghetti for dinner with a salad at The Spaghetti Factory last night then had a slice of pizza at the lacrosse game.  I don't usually eat like that but I was HUNGRY!!  I was starting to get a bit of a dry mouth but it comes and goes. I have had some mild "gut rot" - anyone else feeling that?   Hopefully things stay this way as it is fairly doable but I fear that it won't.  Funny - I can't bear the though or sight or smell of celery and veggies do not seem appealing to me at all.  I'm focusing on fruits and trying to get veggies when I can.  It anyone else is on FEC-T treatment, I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences.  Enjoy your day all!

Longisland - My nutritionalist has just about insisted eating fruits and veggies etc etc.  I know that she means well but I am at the point that if fruits and veggies were the 100% cure of breast cancer, none of us would be here, would we?  Yesterday I had waffles with  brand buds and sugar free syrup (yummy) and while I have made some adjustments, there are days when I can't even look at lettuce!  I'll do the est I can and count down the days to when I can get this port removed and have a drink!!  lol   

:-)

Longisland - I do try with the veggies but to be honest, I was never good with them.  But you are right - on the good days - it is important to eat them.  Today I will have a small salad (all the right greens) with some flax seed (sometimes I have unsalted sunflower seeds), and possibly sweet and sour chicken with veggies and pasta. mmmmmmm

Funny thing is that I never cooked so am always looking for friends to do that for me..... I've had several offers so should take them up on it!!

:-)

Hi everybody.  I just wanted to report in on my SE's.  My first infusion was Wednesday.  Pretty uneventful.  I felt ok afterward, maybe a little more tired than usual.  Day 2 I was fine and worked the entire work day and even went out to dinner.  Day 3 I felt more and more tired as the day progressed.  I ended up working until 3:30 and had to take a nap.  I feel very lucky that I can work from home.  When I woke from my nap, I had muscle aches, like the beginning of the flu.  Day 4 I woke up and felt like I had the full blown flu.  Pretty significant body aches on my shoulder, neck, legs.  Legs felt like very weak.  My scalp also had pulsating pains/sensations.  Today, day 5 I woke up and felt much better.  Body aches still here but much more mild.  So far I've had no nausea whatsoever.  I'm hoping tomorrow I'm pretty much back to normal.  My appetite is fine.  In fact I think I've gained 5 lbs in the past 1.5 weeks.  I've been walking 1-2 miles daily.  I don't have the clearance yet to go back to my old workout program...hopefully soon since this weight gain is making me depressed!  I've been diligent about my claritin to ward off bone pains and have been taking tylenol.  Other than that, I'm not taking any meds.  I found if I'm tired, a walk is a good boost.  I've also been juicing fruits and veggies to increase my nutrient intake since I've been eating and craving carbs like potatoes, bread, etc.....

Sunshine, you're entitled to your bad days. Never feel guilty about allowing yourself to feel icky (physically and emotionally). The bad days WILL pass, but that doesn't mean you have to pretend they're not happening. Hugs. Btw, I'm dreading the bald thing myself. I've been putting off calling my hair stylist to cut my wig. I guess I need to do that soon. 

Sorry you are going through the blues Sunshine - hang in there!!

Linda - I have done that several times since initial dx - watched a comedy or mindless fluff that I could get lost in :-).  I do find it helps ...  Was also "there" with my hubby. Day 3 was a "contrary" day for me and hubby didn't know what to do to help me and also got aggravated and frustrated. I think it was over the whole situation, not at me, but still :-)

This was supposed to be my last day of feeling good this cycle, chemo #2 tomorrow. I know what to change or tweak for this round. However, I have an added twist - I am getting my period, so today I have cramps. :-(  I am in my mid 50's and still get my period - has been so irregular the last 2 years, anywhere from 7 days apart to 3 months.  Had a mother of all periods on Apr 15 and my GYN thought that should be it, especially with getting chemo. Nope :-(. 

I am so lost with the abbreviations here.  I thought the big C was cancer.  Does it stand for something else too?  Is the big D - depression?  DH, DD etc. Any others you think will help.

I am on my 5th day out from my first treatment.  I have a few side effects; mostly bone pain and some headaches.  I have metastases to spine, ribs, hips and liver.  I am worried because my liver hurts a lot and my bones hurt but that may be arthritis.  Did anyone have their symptoms get worse after they started treatment? 

I feel very depressed today.  I woke up with another UTI which I thought I had cleared a couple of weeks ago.  My regular doc called in another prescription but said that she wants to send me to a urinary specialist if it doesn't clear up this time.  It exhausts me to think of throwing another Dr. into the ring. 

As the song says - I sure could use a little good news today.

I am sure a walk and a couple of accomplishments will make me feel better.  That is my goal.

Thanks for listening.

brigadesoonbenson - sorry you are having pain.  Did you get the neulasta shot, as that can also give bone pain?

"C" when used in regards to side effects refers to constipation.  "D" = diarrhea 

Here is a list of other appreciations used on this forum: Link to Definitions

brig, I hear ya!  I don't know the abbreviations either.

Today is one week since the first infusion (T/C) and thank Gd the worst of it seems to be passed but oh how I suffered!  And yes, what makes the pain worse is wondering what the heck is causing it?

Cancer?  Body parts disintegrating?  What is it that causes such pain?

brigand ponder- I heard that the pain can be from tumors dying. I am sure the UTI isn't helping things. I hope you feel better soon. 

Sunshine36- chemo messes with your body and your Mind. I think the mind games are almost worse than just making you feel bad. 

As for me I woke up last Thursday with This knot I have had forever on my neck being a little larger. I guess when I go for my I between oncologist appt tomorrow I will ask about it. Along with my back has what looks like an infected area grrrrr.  Not happy about it at all. 

So I overdid it this weekend. . I woke up Friday feeling great and did a ton of running around trying to get things done. Saturday I woke up early 6:50 and decided that my front garden needed to be cleaned out and mulched. After that we went to my daughters lacrosse game out to eat and then we went to go shopping but I had to go home because I was exhausted and not feeling well . Yesterday was three kids games supervising my company while we shot a sports league and just more over doing it. Grrrrr.  I hate not being able to do everything that I normally can. 

Round one side effect for me with AC;

Dry mouth. Immediately. As soon as the drug is started to be pushed in.  Dizziness. For three days.  The worst was Thursday after treatment I felt like crap emotionally and physically. My bones hurt but I need to take Claritin for longer.  I gained about 4lbs with infusion which I slowly lost plus a couple other pounds. I am done about 2lbs so far and not from trying. 

Hello kazzy! 

You are really an encouragement to my sis! Similar case on you and I shared your story with her.  

Hi all,

It sounds like most of us are having a tough week.  I am five days out from my second infusion...and feel like crap.  They were able to use my port this time, so that was a plus, but my SE's are worse this time around.  I'm on my last day of antibiotics for my UTI.  I sure hope that is the end of that.  My tummy has NOT been happy on those.  My fatigue is unreal.  I feel like I'm literally dragging myself around the house.  I don't know what I would do if my DH wasn't here this week.  I am going to call my MO again about the phlebitis...it is flaring up and my arm aches like crazy.  I never did get my head buzzed, as I was too sick to have my friend come and do it for me.  So I now have a head covered in baby-like hair.  You can see my scalp, but it seems to have fallen out pretty evenly.  Hopefully, I will see my hairdresser this week, and have her fix up my wig.  I also had a gall bladder attack this weekend - fun- NOT!  Haven't had trouble with that for over 30 years.  Sorry, I am in such a down mood.  But I can't complain to my DH.  He has been so helpful and positive...I can't bring him down with me.  Thanks for listening.

Wishing you all better days,  lilyrose

Sunshine, I'm so sorry you're having a rough time of it.  I have the mommy guilt too and find that sitting and reading aloud or playing games helps everyone feel connected.  We also try to get out and walk to the park, but I can't always do it.  Laundry is slipping in our house too.  My 15 yo. daughter happily picks up the slack. I try to look a the benefit of her being able to do this herself, but I still feel bad about the necessity of it.

Nana, you're so right it is hard to be up when you feeling so down. Really, it just makes me more tired and down. Thanks for the note about your kids. It's a nice reminder that the guilt isn't necessary.

Lemonade, good luck with your infusion tomorrow.  I hope your SEs are minimal and that you stay out of the hospital this time.

Brigadoon, Claratin is an allergy medicine.  It also helps to minimize bone pain after the nuelesta shot given in some chemo regimens to stimulate white blood cell production.  I don't think there is research on this, but my MO (medical oncologist) explained that the additional white blood cell production inside bones puts pressure on your bones and sometimes triggers a histamine response which causes the pain.  Claratin is designed to interrupt the histamine response for allergies and can work in this case too.  Also, I use Zyrtec for allergies and had no bone pain with nudists.

That bone pain with nudists can be a killer LOL

Just FWIW, my MO explained the same thing re bone pain/Claritin. I was told to take one the day before the Neulasta shot (ie day of chemo), day of Neulasta and then every day for 3-5 days.  I was kept on it while in the hospital - maybe because they expected my counts to come exploding back.  I don't remember what they told me :-)

Quite frankly, give the nasty chemo drugs that I am being given, the thought of taking an OTC drug like Claritan once a day doesn't bother me in the least. I have friends that live on it every spring and fall due to allergies.  And I was never one to take any meds lightly in the past!