Chemo group starting December 2014

blueflowers...glad you did well. Had my first round 2 weeks ago...didn't really exerience anything other than being a little tired, a little bathroom issue one day.. hair starting to fall out.. Did you have to go for the neulasta shot the next day? I took the claritan and didn't have any bone pain that was unbearable.. May I ask what your diagnosis is? Stage, Grade..etc... ? Thanks. Hope you continue to do well.

Thinking Positive (Karen)

OK... Finished first chemo infusion of TCHP today... lasted from 9am to 3pm, so a pretty long day. Had a talk with the Radiologist for the first time, so I know something about that--even though it is yet to be decided. So... a longer day!

I was hungry so my sister and ate dinner at 5:30pm.

I feel OK, but there's the beginnings of a light warm/burning feel in my stomach... Is this a sign that I should take a nausea pill before going to bed?

I have Zofran and compazine, I think. The person at the infusion clinic said to try the Zofran first. It says on the bottle it takes an hour to kick in. Do I wait until I actually feel nauseous?

What does a slightly burning feeling in the stomach indicate? Or is it just a weird totally personal thing of mine?

I have neuopogen shots to take, but not until Friday... THAT should be fun (not!). I mean, who is a fan of needles? But so much has been stuck into me lately, I can't really complain about a fine little needle, can I?

So... after Neuopogen... that's the cause of the bone aches? So Tylenol? Zyrtec?

I had four pages of messy notes that I took, plus a TON of printed hand-outs about all the chemo components and what they do to you...

It's a LOT to take in, but what's new with this whole wild ride?

April,

Here are a few any tricks/tips I want to share that helps with the SE's of Zofran that I have

(of course check with you MO first to be sure this ok for you)

1. Take a Zantac (or other acid reducer) about 15-30 minutes before taking your Zofran. Helps to relieve that heartburn or indigestion that Zofran causes for me.

2. Take 2 Tylenol about 15 -30 minutes or with the Zofran to counteract the headache Zofran causes me.

3. I found out that even though my scrip says take one Zofran (mine is 8mg) every 8 hours that I can take up to 4 of those in a 24 hour period. So one every 6 hours instead of 8.

4. I took a Zofran Monday morning at 5:30 am before getting ready to leave for treatment yesterday. Then another one at 3 pm to try and head the nausea off at the pass this go around as I had it really bad last time what with last Tuesday was the worst for me. Then I took another one at 9pm just before going to bed. I did have some nausea that night but it wasn't nearly as severe as last time. I got up about 3 to go potty and was feeling nauseated so I went ahead and took a Zofran, zantac, and Tylenol

It seems to have worked because I am feeling better this go around.

I take the Neulasta shot. I'm trying Zyrtec this go around for the pain that shot causes because Claritin didn't work for me. I took one on Sunday, one Monday, one Tuesday (day of shot), one on Wednesday, and then one a day for the next 3 or 4 days. So far, so good as the pain is much more manageable this time.

You're welcome April.

If you do start hurting, you can try a warm bath or shower or even a heating pad. A friend said a heating pad worked wonders for her.

It definitely helped me Wheelygirl. My scalp pain decreased significantly once I shaved. I think it's because there's no longer as much weight or pull on the follicles.

wheely - do you have electric clippers or an electric razor?  If so, use them with a guard and don't drag the clipper across the head, it will hurt your scalp.  I would not use a regular razor - or go into the hairdresser or a barber shop, they will usually shave it for free there with clippers.  My husband was military so I had a set of clippers at home and I used a 1/4 inch guard. 

Want to say hello to all of you in the December chemo group. I had my first chemo FEC a week ago after a mastectomy for triple negative breast cancer, Grade 3 Stage 2b. 3 x FEC followed by 3x docetaxel. This is my second mastectomy - first was in 2001, also grade 3, stage 2b but positive for ER/PR back then. Had left nephrectomy shortly thereafter. That tumor was found on the ultrasound done after surgery. Had aortic valve replacement in January 2014. Life has been busy!! I took away from all the messages I have read that chemo is "doable" No one said it was good. First 5 days were the worse - tired, achy, zonked out. Developed a fever which went away pretty quickly on it's own. I am now day 8 after that initial infusion of poison and am feeling much better. Hair is still in. I expect it will fall out just in time for Christmas. Yes, I bought a wig. What more could I want from Santa? I am listening to myself as I write and hear a need to have a place to be grumpy occasionally and also to share experiences with others. I am not normally a grumpy person so I should say "one down, five to go". Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Hey there - so I developed a weird swelling of my left cheek. Looks like I am saving chestnuts for Christmas! It doesn't hurt, puffy, slightly red, warm to touch - teeth are okay not an abscess tooth, nose is okay, ears okay, mouth okay...Went to the Doc, they gave me more ciprofloxacin and another medicine to kill bacteria in the mouth and did some blood work (CBC). Just got a call, my neutrophil level is 0.1 - they are changing my prescription and gave me directions to watch for infection and to go directly to emergency if my temp goes to 37.9 or higher.

Wonderful...just wonderful. But I wanted to share with the group just in case it happens to you. By the way I am day 11 after first treatment.

Connie

wheely - basically I meant not to drag the clipper without the guard, lol!  The guard will protect your tender scalp from the scraping metal on the edge of the clipper. Use the guard and you'll be fine - good luck!  I cut my long hair off pre-chemo and had it made into a hairpiece so I had short hair when it started falling out, but I put my shaved off hair outside for the birds so they could use it for nests.

blueflowers -- I hope your nausea lessens.

I'm on day 2 out from my first cycle of Taxotere Carboplatin Herceptin Perjeta... Feeling a little more tired and slightly achy today. Not nauseous, but I still have that slight heartburn feeling in my stomach (seems to be better with an acid-blocker). ... But I get the Neupogen shots tonight, so I'll see how that affects me.

Best wishes to you all, for getting through all this!

SpecialK - I cut 12 1/2 inches off of mine before it started to fall out and donated to "Locks of Love".  I didn't think about the bird nest, great idea.  Thanks for the tip about the clipper...I will be shaving this morning...my scalp is prickly and I did not sleep last night because of the discomfort.  Sure hope shaving it helps with that.

Hoping everyone is feeling better today.

Any suggestions for a itchy scalp?  Does washing it with baby shampoo help and should I still be using a conditioner?  Anyone know?

WheelyGirl, you look fabulous!!

Has anyone else experienced a frequent urge to urinate.  I thought it was the Cipro so quit taking it (thought I had strep throat) went to the PA at my Onc's office, they did a urine test, no infection, they said maybe a side effect of chemo (which I thought was weird since it happened around day eight) then I read it was also a side effect of Priolosec so I quit taking that about 4 days ago.  Although it is getting  better, I still have a frequent urge to urinate and do every time I go to the restroom (which is about 15 times a day).  Anyone else have this problem?  I should also add that I have always urinated a lot throughout the day but not this often.

Hope everyone is doing well today my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Hi pretty lady ...I like your new look ..I'm already feeling emotional about losing my hair, but like all of you precious ladies I will adjust.