Starting Chemo October 2014

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  • cdg1992
    cdg1992 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2014

    I am new to this site and I as well will be starting Taxol treatments weekly for 12 weeks.  I am scared.  any informations about side effects and what to bring for treatment would be greatly appreciated please help….

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

    Hello cdg, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry you have to be here, but so glad you've found us.

    This is a wonderfully supportive and caring community of women and men who have gone through similar experiences. We're sure that others will be chiming in soon with responses to your post. In the meantime, you may want to check out our page on Taxol, which contains a list of potential side effects and links to suggestions on how to manage them. Our page Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects may also be of help to you.

    You may also want to take a close look at our different Topics in the Forum Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After, as there are several threads you may find useful, including Weekly Taxol Group.

    We hope you find this helpful.

    Warmly,

    The Mods

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited October 2014

    cdg1992 - First thing, take a deep breath, you will be okay.  There are some great ladies on this site and somebody has already "been there, done that", so you are in good hands.  It would help if we knew your diagnosis and treatments you are facing.  As far as what to take to treatment, you take whatever makes you comfortable.  I make sure I take Ginger Ale, crackers, laptop, book, husband and I wear a shirt that has easy access to my port.  I make sure that I drink, drink and drink some more starting the day of chemo and continue for a week afterward.  The more you drink the faster the drugs are flushed through your body.  You will be fine, just pay attention to your body and get plenty of rest.  Hugs to you!!!!

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  • kerensa75
    kerensa75 Member Posts: 83
    edited October 2014

    welcome cdg, you can do this! We are all here for you. Feel free to ask questions and we will try to answer them the best we can. 

    For treatment, I take a water bottle, snacks, book, my phone/charger, my knitting, just whatever might help me pass time in a chair. I do my treatments at lunch time and they provide sandwiches so that's nice. 

    Your first taxol will take the longest as you will have to be monitored closely the first few times with it. That's normal. 

    Try and relax, even though I know it can be hard.

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  • Mulligan
    Mulligan Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2014

    Aww thank you so much Becca, ml/mandy, ilovecoasters, kerensa,
    hyphencollins, wendee, nomatterwhat, cbooklvr, and Tobycc.     *blushes*

    Good to hear all went well Mandy!

    Speedcat and Sjacobs, I finally tried my wigs on this weekend. I think
    they look more real with a hat on than by itself. I’ve decided to only
    wear them when I go out. Around the house, I’m just balding it. Most of
    my hair has fallen off last night. The ones that are still stubborn on
    my head easily come out when I pull on them. For awhile I was
    obsessively pulling them out, now I just don’t care. hehe

    image

    Here I am being goofy.

    Welcome cdg, there are a lot of wonderful ladies here that have great tips and tricks to help get through treatment. Good luck!

    Ugh, even though I’ve been prescribed prednisolone for my rashes my hands still burns, hurt and itch just not as bad. Hoping my next infusion doesn’t continue this.

    Good luck ladies!

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  • Yurmani
    Yurmani Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2014

    hi everyone!  Been absent last few days trying to unplug and just BE! Had my hair party last Thursday so now I'm buzz cut bald! Crazy how much warmer all that hair made me! Had blood work Friday and I'm neutropenic and RBC is down to 3.9. Nurse called to tell me no work Friday (I work in a hospital) and to wear a mask out. Ugh! So now with the Ebola scare, I really look prepared with my neutropenic mask on! I am working tonight - trying to get in all I can while I feel good. Scared of neulasta - all the horrible side effects.  Nurse said I would probably have to have that following my next infusion on 11/4. So I guess we're all just moving forward on the chemo train! Ready for this ride to be over already! Hope everyone has a good week! 

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  • Becca9800
    Becca9800 Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2014

    Hang in there, Ladies. This is ALL just temporary. Just ride the waves of the nausea, bone pain, rashes, low counts, etc etc. This will all pass and one day this time will be but a blip on the radar screens of our lives. 

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  • ldkl2010
    ldkl2010 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2014

    Hi ladies!  I am new to this site.  It is terrible having to meet each other under these circumstances; however, it is such a blessing to be able to be in a forum of women who are going through this journey as well.  I will be starting chemo Oct. 28, Taxol weekly x 12 followed by AC every 3 weeks x 4 and finally 6 and half weeks of radiation.  I will have my port placed immediately before my first treatment.  Thank you ladies for sharing your stories and words of encouragement.  I am very nervous, but am happy to know that I don't have to do this alone!

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  • jedimom
    jedimom Member Posts: 34
    edited October 2014

    Hello ladies,

    I'm 3 into a 4 treatment string of taxotere & Cytoxan.  My chemo bag includes a large bottle of SmartWater, 2 or 3 books. One funny, one cheesy romance, & one educational (usually I don't get to this one, priorities you know). Also, I carry my Android, gotta CandyCrush, & lots of snacks.  But I must say I usually end up chatting w/ the other patients & my chemo nurse.  I've met some very nice people, & have learned some things, the time flys.  I lost my hair 13 days after my first tx,I have a wig but, just don't feel comfortable in it.  I wear lots of different hats.

    Love to all, god bless.  If we can take it, we can make it!

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  • nottoday
    nottoday Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2014

    Dear all,

    I'm a late-comer. Starting chemo (CT, 4 cycles) this Wednesday. Wanted to wish you all well. Thanks for your tips and support.

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  • ml143333
    ml143333 Member Posts: 658
    edited October 2014

    Just a question - I had my first chemo treatment (CMF) on Friday.  Saturday was an okay day.  Sunday was a good day.  Today, I was in bed all day.  I've been tired and maybe slightly queasy, but just generally felt ick.  Is this normal?

    I have to go back to work tomorrow.  I sure hope I will feel better.


     

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited October 2014

    ML, I 'm sorry you feel icky.  I have chemo (CT) on Thursday and work on Friday, feel icky on Saturday and Sunday and back to work on Monday.  Monday is usually a brain dead day, but I am there.  Sometimes, I feel like I have the flu over the weekend and just lay around in my pj's and watch football.  I make sure I have my Ginger Ale, crackers and Zofran with me at all times.  I hope you get to feeling better.  Hugs

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited October 2014

    same here pretty much.  

    Treatment Friday....okay Saturday. Sunday and today are NOT good.  Most know the shot kicks me to the curb.  Thank goodness MO gave me pain Meds.  It actually breaks through that.  Still taking the claritan also. 

    Went in today just for staff meeting, and had one son w me....so I had planned to take rest of day off and tomorrow also.

    Should be good for Wednesday. I am very blessed in that I control the nausea very well.  Feel blessed in many ways. 

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  • BookLady1
    BookLady1 Member Posts: 253
    edited October 2014

     After a great weekend, I'm packing bag for Chemo #2 tomorrow, and my hair starting coming out and I was all ready for a pity party until I checked in with y'all! I think I didn't really believe I'd lose my hair - denial, I guess.  Okay, I'm ready. Bring it on! Thanks so much, everyone, for sharing so much. Linda

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  • BookLady1
    BookLady1 Member Posts: 253
    edited October 2014

     After a great weekend, I'm packing bag for Chemo #2 tomorrow, and my hair starting coming out and I was all ready for a pity party until I checked in with y'all! I think I didn't really believe I'd lose my hair - denial, I guess.  Okay, I'm ready. Bring it on! Thanks so much, everyone, for sharing so much. Linda

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  • April8
    April8 Member Posts: 65
    edited October 2014

    I start 12 weeks of Taxol and Herceptin on 10/23. Nervous about the sensation of the infusion in my port and potential heart issues. Hope I can sit still for 4 hours! 

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  • geishagal
    geishagal Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2014


    Hi April8 - My first infusion of taxol & Herceptin was today.  I also, am on 12 weeks of taxol and Herceptin and Herceptin following once every 3 weeks for a year.  My port was put in last Thursday and I had no issues today, phew.  Did not hurt and all and felt no sensation at all at the infusion site or anywhere else.  Hope next week goes as easy.  I was there 4 hours total.  Wishing you good luck and please feel free to ask me any questions at all. 

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  • cbooklvr
    cbooklvr Member Posts: 66
    edited October 2014

    Hey April8, we start infusion on the same day. I'm also concerned about feeling the infusion. I can feel where my port connects to my vein in my neck area.  Hopefully we are both worried nothing :)  will check in to report on my session.

    Cherice

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  • Sjacobs146
    Sjacobs146 Member Posts: 770
    edited October 2014

    Mulligan, you give me hope!  You don't look like someone who has cancer and is on chemo, you look mahvalous!

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  • kerensa75
    kerensa75 Member Posts: 83
    edited October 2014

    hang in there ladies! We can do this. We are strong!

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  • Mulligan
    Mulligan Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2014

    Sjacobs I bet you look fabulous!

    Welcome new ones and good luck to all that have infusions this week!

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  • Becca9800
    Becca9800 Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2014

    Summary of my 1st experience - Port placed on 10/10 - piece of cake, chemo on 10/15 - felt absolutely nothing throughout the entire process, took about six hours from start to finish. Neulasta received late afternoon on 10/16. 10/16 and 10/17 - felt great, worked both days, "Is this as bad as it gets?" By late afternoon on the 17th my bones were aching and I felt cold, icky, flu-like. The 18th was the same but worse, needed narcotic pain pills in addition to the claritin/advil/pepcid cocktail. Bone pain was better on the 19th but the nausea had begun. Compazine took care of the symptoms but had no appetite at all. The 20th found me with some pretty intense nausea, every time I moved it worsened. Compazine wasn't holding me. Just the thought of eating caused me to vomit. And diarrhea had now presented itself as well. Called my treatment center and Ativan was added to the Compazine. Worked like a charm. Of course I slept pretty much continuously from 6 PM through the night, but I wasn't hurling! Woke up at 4 AM this morning feeling almost normal again, maybe just a tad weak. I swear I can taste my coffee again! Hoping that's it for Round 1. Not what anyone would choose but so much better than for those who did this in days gone by.  

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  • ml143333
    ml143333 Member Posts: 658
    edited October 2014

    Becca - glad you are feeling better.  I am back at work today after my first infusion on Friday.  The infusion went well.  The nurse accessed the port and I didn't feel a thing.  My husband was with me and we just talked and had lunch.  Our local ACS (American Cancer Society) brings in lunch daily.  It was a nice treat.  My infusion took about 3 hours and then we went home.  I went ahead and took Zofran "just in case" and I'm glad I did.  Saturday was a bit rough with nausea and went for my Neulasta shot.  I even had to use Compazine too.  Sunday, I felt GREAT!  Yesterday, I felt just overall icky and slept most of the day.  Today, I am at work.  A bit tired, but overall feeling a bit better.  I find that my stomach feels better if I have something in it.  I brought applesauce, oyster crackers, jello and chicken noodle soup today.

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  • Radical2Squared
    Radical2Squared Member Posts: 460
    edited October 2014

    Hi from the June 2014 chemo group. I see many of you experiencing a little to a lot of nausea. One thing that worked for me was sucking candies. I found as long as I had something in my mouth it kept bad tastes, lack of hunger and nausea at bay.

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  • BookLady1
    BookLady1 Member Posts: 253
    edited October 2014

    Becca - unfortunately your description of your 1st chemo experience sounded like mine. Round 2 for me today and I'm hoping those gut wrenching SE's are lessened, at least. Changed anti-nausea meds, flooding myself with fluids to get the poison moving out of my system, hard candies, saltines, ginger tea, Miralex and ducolax for constipation, Claritin and ibuprofen for neulasta, and back up pain meds as needed. Also, I do have my husband smear lidocaine over port area and cover with glad cling wrap and medical tape a half hour before my infusion. I felt no pain last time. I'm not comfortable with my port, yet, as I had lots of discomfort with it at the start, but better now.

    The dizziness was the worst because I couldn't read or watch good trashy stuff I had on Netflix! Hoping everyone has a good day, and I am so grateful for all of you sharing your lives, here! Linda

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  • Leto
    Leto Member Posts: 42
    edited October 2014

    My first infusion was on 10/16 and only took 2 hours. I received 3 different kinds of nausea
    medications via the port before the chemo.
    I’m not sure what the first one was, but the second was Dexamethasone,
    then Emend, then the Red Devil and finally the Cytoxin. My MO also gave me a
    prescription for the Dexamethasone to take on days 2 and 3 after chemo. I also have Zofran and Compazine to take on “as
    needed” basis. So far, I haven’t needed
    the Zofran or the Compazine. I am taking
    the clariton-pepcid-aleve cocktail for the Neulasta and have not had any
    pain. My biggest SE is a little
    dizziness, headaches, and some constipation from the Dexamethasone. Other than that, I am feeling quite “normal”. It’s like waiting for a bus to hit me – I know
    it’s coming but not sure when.

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  • speedcat88
    speedcat88 Member Posts: 37
    edited October 2014

    Mulligan you are gorgeous!  I am wearing my wig at work today.  I'm quite a bit older than you and my hair had quite a bit of gray in it.  My wig doesn't.  I"m a little self-conscience.  I tend to do it bald around the house too.  Round 2 tomorrow.  Hope it goes as well as the first.  If I could just get rid of these mouth sores. 

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  • Mulligan
    Mulligan Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2014

    Speedcat you are so nice to say. Biotene mouthwash I think has been working for me as I haven't had mouth sores yet. The first week of treatment, I swished every time I went to the bathroom. Sorry about your mouth sores. :( Hope tomorrow goes well for you! 

    Welcome Leto, I know what you mean about waiting for the bus to hit. I've been expecting so much worse, I guess I can't complain about my hands/feet pain. Hoping that it doesn't continue with the next infusion on Friday.

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  • speedcat88
    speedcat88 Member Posts: 37
    edited October 2014

    Thanks Mulligan,  I use Biotene as well and have a prescrip for Magic Mouthwash.  It's from the Red Devil I'm getting.  I iced my hands and feet for the 1st round and have had very little SEs, some minor tingling .  Tomorrow I'm trying frozen sponges.  I just can't see frozen peas lasting long enough.  Let ya'll know how it works.

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  • BookLady1
    BookLady1 Member Posts: 253
    edited October 2014

    Speedcat - I finished Round 2 today. Just figuring the lessened anxiety made it better. Gut issues did me in last time so I'm changing things up a bit. Fine tonight, a little spacey and wired I guess the steroids? You'll do great tomorrow but they gotta get rid of those mouth sores for you! I'm rinsing/gargling with warm water, salt and baking soda and like it better than the rinses. Also, I have sucked on ice during chemo sessions - supposed to be cryotherapy for the mouth to keep it to cold for the chemo - same as for extremities, I guess. Good luck to you!

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