Starting Chemo October 2014

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2014

    Hello Leto, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry you have to be here, but so glad you've found us. We're glad to hear that you've found the site and the forums helpful. As you're already aware, this is a wonderfully supportive community where you can freely share your experiences. We're sure that others will be chiming in soon with their responses.

    Please do keep us posted as to how things go for you.

    Warmly,

    The Mods 

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  • Nara19
    Nara19 Member Posts: 17
    edited October 2014

    hello

    Don't worry, taxol is very easy :))) and if u allergic to it, the doctor will change the medication for u. 

    Use lots of ice on ur hands and feet, it is a miricale. Take food and iPad to watch a movie.

    Good luck ;)

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  • Nara19
    Nara19 Member Posts: 17
    edited October 2014

    HELLO

    I HAVE BEEN DRINKING JUMBA JUICE , every other day. Wheat grass and the other drink called Tropical green. It's amazing and ur blood will be perfect!

    Please try it.

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  • Fabian59
    Fabian59 Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2014

    I have just completed my first chemo treatment almost 2 weeks ago.  My oncologist told me about the penguin cold caps so I watched the video and decided to try it.  Instead of buying them they told me to get the hypothermia cold caps on Amazon.  They came in two days and with the help of my amazing husband started it 30 minutes before they started of Taxotere.  I am also taking cytoxin for my chemo.  I only wash my hair at first every 5 days but was so oily that I could not stand it.  I used 4 caps during my first treatment and changed them out every 25 minutes and kept them on for 2 hrs. post chemo therapy.  I used baby shampoo but it seemed to not get out enough oil so am using another gentle shampoo that is all natural with no chemicals and no phosphate.  I still get only 2-3 days between washes and this seems to be the worst part of my chemotherapy treatment.  I am fatigued but have absolutely no naseau at all and have not missed one day of work at all except for the day of my treatments.  Can anyone recommend anything that you can spray on your hair to get the oil out or another kind of shampoo to get me thru the 3 days between washes.  I realize that I may still lose my hair and already have a nice wig just in case.  Only a few people at work know what I am going through so don't really want to way anything unless I have to because we have a very gossipy office.  I also put my hands and feet in ice water during my taxotere treatment.  I just received some new cold packs so that part should not be that bad for my next treatment.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  Good luck everyone in out fight against breast cancer.  Oh by the way I was stage two and my two centinal nodes were involved so they say that I am only getting the chemo (4 ) treatments and then radiation as a longevity issue.  I am only 59 so would like a few year of retirement with my husband next year.   I had the expanders put in and won't be able to get my implant until May.

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  • Sjacobs146
    Sjacobs146 Member Posts: 770
    edited October 2014

    Fabian59 - funny that your MO recommended cold caps.  Mine said that they don't work and the reason that some people think that they do is that not all chemo causes hair loss.  Doesn't matter to me, I have short, fine hair so I'm not as invested in it as some may be.  Try dry shampoo to help with oil and dirt.  

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  • hyphencollins
    hyphencollins Member Posts: 109
    edited October 2014

    Hi everyone,  It's my "good" weekend so I've been busy enjoying it, I've been checking the board (it's busy! that's great!) but haven't had time to post until now.  

    Kerensa - YIKES about the Taxol, I think your doctor jinxed it by saying it was mild.  How scary! How are you doing now?  I'll be on Taxol once I'm done with the 4 ACs.  I think I'm doing 4 dd though and not 12.

    Trekgirl - glad to hear that the finding was a cyst.

    Leto - sorry that it seems like they are leaning toward mastectomy.  I had mine in July (it stinks but yet is also doable).  Is the thinking that the neoadjuvent treatment will shrink it and give you options for a lumpectomy?  (wishing you the best!)

    Having a nice weekend here; went to a local festival called "Honkfest" - a festival of activist street bands.  It was a blast and the kids enjoyed it too.  The music was very fun and energizing and the crowd was a blast.  Very family-friendly.  Then, today was apple picking.  Trying to make the most of things as well as squeeze in errands and chores. So, definitely tired.  

    I hate my recent haircut, I've decided.  It was a very poor haircut and I look 10 years older and also way more dowdy.  I'm almost eager for my hair to fall out so I can put on my wig (which still has yet to arrive so I'm getting a bit worried about that).

    Hope everyone is recovering from this week's chemo nicely and everyone else is enjoying their weekend!

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  • jc254
    jc254 Member Posts: 439
    edited October 2014

    sjacobs, your doctor is sorely misinformed about cold caps like so many in the medical community.  Cold caps work extremely well for those receiving CT chemotherapy and there's no doubt CT will cause hair loss.  There's a very active cold cap thread on breast cancer.org for anyone considering cold caps. 

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  • Msgirl4
    Msgirl4 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2014

    hey y'all !! I have been reading all topics for little while. I start chemo on oct 16. So I want to join group. I will have  andramycin / cytoxan/ taxol. I am a  pharmacy tech . Just wondering if I am gonna have bad side effects. And if anyone taken same treatment  I need to work ! Out of vacation days and sick days and no short term insurance. Doin treatment every 2 weeks . Thanks!!!

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  • wendeeB
    wendeeB Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2014

    Just checking in to give info on how things are progressing.  I'm 10days post infusion and have been feeling pretty much normal since day 7.  I still have achy pain, but in a scale of 0-10 its a 1 where, day 3-5 post it was a good 4 or 5.  

    Here's my plan for what I'm going to do differently next go-round on Oct 23:  I'll start the Claritin and Advil 48 hours prior to Neulasta and keep taking Advil every 4-6/with my hydrocodone on standby.  I'm making veggie soup and chili to take for the first 2-3 days lunches (I lost 4 pounds last time...not good) and I'll begin rinsing with baking soda and water the night of infusion.

    As long as CT doesn't pull any fast ones and give me new SE, I should be good!  

    OH! Speaking of new sides....got a yeast infection this past Friday.  Joy.  I really couldn't believe it.  I eat NO sugar (save for 80g blueberries and 2oz pom juice in my protein shake) and was really surprised to feel...that itch :/ ugh.

    Keeping the ginger tea, training, tons of H2O, etc.

    What are anyone else's new plans for round two?

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2014

    Welcome to BCO as an active member, msgirl4. We have many lurkers (readers not yet joined) as many people just need the information, but haven't joined for a range of personal reasons. Which is fine, as we are still providing an educational resource for them and that is one of BCOs primary focuses.

    You will be able to obtain valuable feedback on
    your own concerns now you are a member of the community. You will find
    excellent responses to questions and sisters with similar problems and
    interests that you can chat with in the safety of this forum.

    Re possible SEs from chemo, everyone reacts differently and we hope your reactions are minimal but the chemo does its job.,

    We wish you all the best for the next part of your journey

    The Mods

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited October 2014

    WendeeB -- The only thing I might add to that is to eat a couple of crackers and drink something in the middle of the night and first thing in the morning, even before you get out of bed.  That helped me with the nausea.  We have the same date only mine is #4 and LAST!!!!!  YAY!!!!!! 

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2014

    For those of you discussing Cold Caps, there is a Topic on here Cold Cap Users Past and Present, to Save Hair that may be of interest. There is also a new article (only 4 days ago) has been put up on the BCO Main site Cold Caps that may provide some quality information.

    All the best

    The Mods

     

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  • Mompv
    Mompv Member Posts: 110
    edited October 2014

    Hi all! I just thought I would check in here and offer some advice. Background first....I was diagnosed in march 2014 with stage 2 grade 3 Triple negative. Elected to have lumpectomy first followed by 4 AC treatments every 2 weeks then 4 treatments of Taxol every 2 weeks. I finished chemo on sept 18th and start radiation October 20th. 

    My advice is this....do not try and be superwoman! You will be tired. You will need help. Do not try to grin and bear it and act like everything is OK. You are fighting for your life!! Rest as much as possible. Everyone experiences SE differently. Hair loss happens and yes it sucks but in the scheme of things it is a small thing to bear. When my hair started coming out in clumps I had my DH shave my head. 

    I wore hats and scarves as wigs were hot. On the plus side I did not have to shave my legs or armpits....still don't but hair on my head is growing! Oh I lost pubic hair as well. 

    If you are taking neulasta shots try taking Claritan 2 days before and about 4 to 5 days after. Its not the claritan D. Always check with your oncologist before taking anything. I had people tell me before I started Taxol to take L-Glutamine for neuropathy. My oncologist said no. He sited research where some tumors could grow while taking. Some say OK so always ask!!!!!

    I guess my bottom line is this.....rest rest rest!!!! Drink lots of fluids. If water tastes bad try other things. I liked lemonade and chocolate milk. Some find Gatorade good. Eat what tastes good now is not the time to diet! You need energy your body is fighting. 

    If you are on the AC treatment, while they are doing the injection sip water it helps with the taste. Again do not try and grin and bear it and be superwoman.....rest. Do what you can of course but don't push beyond. I hope this helps. Good luck to all of you!!!!

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  • wendeeB
    wendeeB Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2014

    Thanks nomatterwhat!  So awesome that you are done!!! Wish I could hug you.   I never had nausea,  thank goodness.   Just a gurgly tummy that the ginger tea and twice I used zofran settled it right down.   Im keeping h2o by my bedside.  

    Hi Mompv, fellow tn here!  Thanjs for your advice and experience.  As you know, diet and exercise are the ONLY thing we tnbc peeps have for post tx control!  Im going to continue to eat as cleanly as I did prior to surgery and train like mymlife depends on it.., because it does.  I'm a competitive powerlifter and former figure competitor and asking for assistance or admitting I need help is something Ive not learned how to do.  Probably why I'm in this mess to begin with ;)  I aappreciate all advice in that (or any) arena.

    Hugs love and blessings to you all.

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  • Sjacobs146
    Sjacobs146 Member Posts: 770
    edited October 2014

    crazy question, what do you wear during the treatments?  Do you have to wear a hospital gown?  Short sleeves?  What?

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  • Grammy863
    Grammy863 Member Posts: 15
    edited October 2014

    Not a crazy question at all Sjacobs.....I wore comfy short sleeve shirt with buttons so my port could be accessed easily. You might want to bring a sweater and your own comfy blanket! My treatment center is so cold!

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  • kerensa75
    kerensa75 Member Posts: 83
    edited October 2014

    sjacobs, I wore a wide boat neck shirt so my port could be accessed, this week I am thinking I am going to wear a tank top with zip up sweatshirt.

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  • speedcat88
    speedcat88 Member Posts: 37
    edited October 2014

    Hi Everyone

    Haven't stopped by in awhile.  In fact just came back from a short vacation in Charlotte, NC.  Love spending time with friends at the track and does my spirit good.   Really feeling more like myself these days.  No problems with the Neulasta shot except a few "twinges" here and there.  Took the Loratadine, MO said for 7 days and all I ever really needed was the Tylenol for the lo-grade headache.  Sorry some of you ladies have experienced the bone pain.  My biggest SE was probably the constipation.  MO said use MiraLax and that along with more exercise seemed to work.  No nausea thank God.  I lost a few lbs., too, but can afford to do so.  I think the flu shot I had to get last Monday kicked my butt worse than the chemo did.  Still have my hair, but I think I can tell it's thinning a little.  Oh well.  Later, Ya'll.

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited October 2014

    Speedcat -- I'm jealous!!!!  My husband and I had planned to go to the Charlotte race this year, tour the shops and even try to take in the Biltmore Mansion. But, my MO said no to travel, so we got to watch it on TV.  Love the post-race action!!!! Go Smoke!!!!!!!

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  • ml143333
    ml143333 Member Posts: 658
    edited October 2014

    Had my port placed today.  I got a Bared Power Port.  It wasn't bad at all.  I feel like I have a stiff neck and it is a bit sore where the port is to my armpit, but this too shall pass, I guess.

    Friday is my first chemo date with CMF.  I have my chemo bag ready to go.  I will go to work for about 3 hours, then pick up my husband an go over.  We only live about 10 minutes from the office.  There is a bbq that evening not far from the house.  Crazy question, but does anyone think I will be well enough to go?


     

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited October 2014

    ML143333- Welcome to the group.  You should be well enough to go.  My SE's didn't hit me until days 3-4.  Go, enjoy, just pay attention to your body and don't push it. 

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  • speedcat88
    speedcat88 Member Posts: 37
    edited October 2014

    ML14333 go.  You'll be fine.  Nomatterwhat I'm so sorry and wish you had been able to go.  Had a great time in the garage on Fri.  We have tickets and camping for Martinsville as well, but I'm afraid that one is going to be a no go.  It's the weekend after my 2nd chemo.  Hubby is hopeful, but I know how tired I was those 3rd and 4th days.  It's a great campsite, too.  Last time we were there we cheered JJ jogging thru our campground on the backstretch.   

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  • Grammy863
    Grammy863 Member Posts: 15
    edited October 2014

    has anyone noticed any hair loss yet?? I am curious to know how many days it usually takes to start losing hair after first infusion?

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  • Mulligan
    Mulligan Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2014

    Grammy I hear the average is day 14-17 after first chemo. I'm coming up on day 11 so far no hair loss for me. I'll let you all know when my day 14-17 (this Fri thru Monday) if I've lost my hair then.

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  • Grammy863
    Grammy863 Member Posts: 15
    edited October 2014

    thank you Mulligan!!! I love your pic...it brought a big smile to my face this morning......so cute!!!!

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited October 2014

    hi Grammy !   I started late September. Second one this Friday. Day 14 was magic number for me. Was coming out in bushels. Next day was trip to stylist where I pre picked my wig...she buzzed me and the. Styled my wig. Everyone LOVES it. It is hot tho...ordered cotton caps

    Blessings 

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  • Grammy863
    Grammy863 Member Posts: 15
    edited October 2014

    thanks for the info Toby!! Cotton caps are a great tip! I am only 5 days post infusion and trying to prepare mentally for upcoming hair loss.

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited October 2014

    And don't forget a sleeping hat.  Your head will get cold. 

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited October 2014

    and satin pillow cases!!!!

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  • Grammy863
    Grammy863 Member Posts: 15
    edited October 2014

    great tips!!! Thank you....

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