Starting Chemo February 2015

Bikerbabe17 · February 2015

Hi Everyone, I've been following the board, not knowing when I was to start. Port goes in next week on the 19th (it's you and I Cher22), then my first chemo on the 26th. I know how to prepare, I ready the Jan chemo posts during the superbowl. Going to get my hair cut this Friday, a cute pixi cut, blond with pink highlights Going to have some fun, darn it. I feel so relieved to at least have a plan and know when the end will be. I'm so thankful you all are here.

Damselfly · February 2015

Welcome Bikerbabe17!

Sorry you had to be here but happy to meet you. The haircut sounds great! I haven't had anything but long hair since I was in the 6th grade and am going to get it all chopped off in the next couple of days (I start chemo next Monday). I have no idea what kind of cut to get, I'll come up with something fun... I am going to donate mine to Locks for Love, which makes me feel better about it, helping out some little girl. They need 10 inches from end to end (which I've got) and you can just package it up in a ponytail/braid and mail it off to them.

I had an orientation visit at the infusion center today which will make next Monday more comfortable. I highly recommend it if you can get one.

Good luck with your port and chemo, and I'll see you up here!

Chloesmom · February 2015

biker babe I love the idea of highlights. my hairdresser was almost in tears. We started with punk styles and worked our way down to the summer buzz my big brother sported in the 60's. Didn't realize how much I looked like him until I got the buzz. We did selfies of all the photos and laughed a lot along the way. Lots better than tears. Wishing you an easy time.

Today is the first day I feel human, but am not quite. I'm in the week 2 where you stay away from people. Wore a mask to get out of the house and go pick up our vqcuum cleaner at the shop 20 miles away. Went in the shop, put down my purse, came home. The shopkeeper called and said there is a purse here and we close in 30 min. Guess this is what they call chemo brain. Good thing my DH is a saint

Cher22 · February 2015

hi bikerbabe ... Looks like we are on the same schedule !! I am just starting chemo 3 days before U

chloesmom ... Tell me more Bc I need to read up more so week 2 is when your white blood cells are low right ? When should I be staying away from people wk 2 to wk 3 ? And is it true that on TC you feel sick usuallu around day 3 and it lasts a little longer each infusion ????

I ordered a wig this week I have long hair and so to feel like me chose a wig simlar color and long still I plan to shave my head around wk 2 haven't decided if I want to cut it short first or just go for the shave .....

Beachbum1023 · February 2015

Hi Cher22, I had ordered my wig and when it came in I had my head buzzed short. That way I didn't have to fuss with any shedding. Just pop on the wig and go. A lint roller is helpful with the little tiny hairs. Any questions just ask, you will find a lot of help here.

Chloesmom · February 2015

Cher they told me everyone is different.

Week 1 some get sick some don't. My doc said keep ahead of nausea and I only had a little one evening, but I alternated Zofran and Compazine plus took Ativan. The last 2 make you sleep so I slept about 14 hrs a day with naps days 2-4. Cut back to just the Zofran days 5 -7 and was ok as long as eating light Day 6 I got a little bone pain but not bad. No longer nauseous. Did as told and lots of light meals. No heavy greasy ones. Someone told me one woman wanted Big Macs and another was violently ill. I would say it was no biggie

Basically with the CT I understand that you are vulnerable mostly week 2. One of the meds starts to drop your counts day 4 and the other after that and then it drops as you get to day 14. They told me no fresh fruits that aren't peeled, no salad bar foods etc. no social gatherings, restaurants. I get sick easily so am extra cautious. Went to my gentle yoga but stayed away from everyone and had a mask on. I walked the dog but had mask in case I met anyone along the way. Washing hands constantly. Changing towels etc.

Week 3 you are supposed to feel like yourself but maybe tired. That's the get caught up week. We hope the N eulasya shot did it's trick and the white counts are up but don't know for sure unless we get the blood work back. We plan to go out to dinner at 3 when the places are empty and be cautious. I work with runny nose kids so am not working at all

The doctor told me to buzz my head as soon as I could psychologically handle it but not shave it until it fell out. She said if there is length it can be sore falling out but if you shave it it can prickle like a guy that needs a shave. I have a soft buzz that looks like my brother going off to summer camp. Someone told me hers fell out day 13. Another said she lost it below the waist first. Another said it took 3 weeks. My do cite said 2 weeks on average. I ordered the wig, got my supply of funky hats and am ready to get it over with. My friend said the kids rubbed her head as the clumps came out rejoicing "it's working" as she programmed them to celebrate it as a sign that the chemo was doing its job to make her well. Trying to look at it from her perspective. Have my lint roller handy and ready. Hope this helps.

Chloesmom · February 2015

SugarCakes · February 2015

went wig shopping today. Everything I liked was colored for white women. I think I can pull off being blond! But I ordered something closer to my natural color

SugarCakes · February 2015

it's intersting to read that some of you are staying away from people. I have been out and pretty much doing things as usual. Granted, I work from home. Actually, I have had more people than usual over to the house. My MO encouraged me to live life as normal as possible. I can tell the nurses don't totally agree and it seems they bite their tongues to avoid getting in trouble. Did you girls receive the neulasta shot? I did. I understand that helps fight off infection. I am one of those people that RARELY get sick. I may be rolling the dice. I was saying today that side effects may need to kick in a little heavier for me to become a little more diligent with everything I should be doing. Ok, let me find some wood to knock on now!

Beachbum1023 · February 2015

Hi SugarCakes, I avoid going out just because the germs are bad this time of year. We also have a lot of flu here this year. But I finished chemo 11/25, followed by a mastectomy on 12/15, and started rads on 1/26. So I am dragging enough without getting sick. My nurses also told me to stay home when possible. I was never sick either, but now I have everything under the sun. But I am most concerned about the heart damage I have from the Adriamycin. So I am being cautious until Spring. Stay well!

Ewt717 · February 2015

hi guys. the first week was terrible for side effects. no bueno. It was like the flu, with constipation, then diarrhea, sore throat, headaches, sinus pains, and oh the horrible hip pain and pack pain from the nuelasta. and sweating profusely at night. Anyway, I went back to work after a 5 day weekend and slowly poked around but make it through, finally feeling better on day 8. Now my sinuses and lips just hurt and I pinch my face several times a day. I feel pretty good now though, and my hair started falling out today. Time is just moving so slowly. another round on the 19th. I think I better bring a wig to work tomorrow, my hair may not last the day!

Cher22 · February 2015

my dr also mentioned living life as Normal as I could. Avoiding sick people and make sure everyone uses hand sanitizer etc when tney come over just like a baby. So far he said he doesn't think I'll need the Nuelasta but we'll see . I am getting nervous. I have 2 young daughters 10 and 7 . My oldest bday party is the sunday after I start so 3/1. I start 2/23. He seemed to think I'll be Ok that week. ....she also dances competitively and has competitions that Fall the weekends before I have my treatments on Monday so hopefully I will feel okay since I will be at the end of the three weeks. So worried about not being able to be there for them. And the hair. Ugh. I'm so sad about it. I know it's just hair. But it stinks.

I guess I need to start getting my supplies for chemo. My wig should be in next week

Chloesmom · February 2015

Sugarcakes the blond wig is fun. You'd look good curly or smooth.

Cher you are doing everyone you can. Good to have supplies just in case. All I needed wigs warm sox, iPad , neck pillow and scarf/ that I used for a shawl, lip gloss, pretzels and my daughter gave me a stuffed animal for the chemo chair

For home I needed one can of ginger ale, lots of yogurt, and a bottle of prune juice so a small glass a day counteracted the Zofran

Ewt sorry you had such bad SEs did they medicate you a lot before the symptoms kicked in?

If you sneeze I catch a cold. The doctor said not to vegetate but lots of people have the flu. I'm not taking a chance. Wearing a mask until the end of week 2. I'm still going to go swimming at the Y just not when it's crowded

Mardea15 · February 2015

Hi Sugarcakes, I love your picture & that blonde hair looks really good on you! Thanks for sending me a private message & letting me know about the Feb 2015 board. I had posted on the Jan discussion board not realizing there was one for Feb. so I decided to answer you here this time as this is my first post on this discussion board.

It looks like you & I have the same diagnosis, are on the same chemo regimen & are on a very similar schedule. My 1st chemo was 2/3 & my next chemo is 2/24 on my birthday! Not really the way I had it planned to spend it.

I had a lot of SEs starting with the day of chemo #1 (2/3) through day 7 after chemo. I had severe heartburn on day of chemo followed by constipation (days 1,2,3), then diarrhea (days 4,5), some nausea day 5 as well. I ended up having to go back to the Onc Clinic for IV fluids on day 6 & 7 & that got me over the hump. Really made a difference as I had gotten dehydrated with the diarrhea & nausea. In addition to all that GI stuff I had a lot of other SEs - flu like symptoms - sore throat, headache, swollen & painful glands in neck, muscle aches; also bone pain (from Neulasta shot) flitting from bone to bone to practically every bone in my body. Bone pain was in spite of taking Claritin & Aleve every day, although I know it would have been much worse without it!

I used various things for the SEs I had. Senna-S for constipation, but very carefully & slowly to prevent switching over to diarrhea, but it still happened. Then Loperamide (OTC) for diarrhea, but that didn't work really well. I got a prescription for Lomotil & it took only one of those to stop it in its tracks! I also took Zofran, but when I went in for IV fluids, they also gave me IV Kytril Both days & that took care of any nausea I might have had.

Yesterday was the 1st good day I've had this time round so right now I'm ok with waiting until the 24th for the next round! I was actually able to go wig shopping yesterday & then went to a local BC support group for the 1st time. The thought of losing my hair has been extremely emotional for me. I finally came to the decision to have my head shaved next week & have my hair stylist help me choose a wig out of 2 or 3 that I'll take with me so she can make any adjustments that are needed. I'm taking a friend with me for moral support & my stylist who I've gone to for years, was kind enough to give me an appt after hours when no one else is at the salon as I know there will be a lot of waterworks going on!

I also have a power port & it was placed prior to 1st chemo. I'm very thankful for the port as chemo can ruin peripheral arm veins very quickly & can cause serious problems if the infusion starts going around the vein instead of through the vein!

I too, rarely ever get sick. In fact, I haven't had a cold or the flu for more than 3 years so suddenly finding out I have Her2+++ BC was a major shock to me & every one else in my family. As long as my WBCs & Neutrophils aren't too low, I go out & about, but I do avoid crowds, sick friends or family members & try to use hand sanitizer often. Those counts can drop significantly even with a Neulasta shot, & if I know they are down I will restrict my outside activities. The last thing I need with all of this is a major infection of some sort!

I hope your round 2 will be easy for you & your SEs will be minimal. Hopefully mine will be better also. My MO said my body is trying to adjust, but I also know the effects are cumulative with each dose & that each person responds a little (or a lot!) differently. I definitely want to keep in touch with you to see how it goes & you can post me privately at any time as well.

SugarCakes · February 2015

Thanks for the detailed response Mardea15. My heart goes out to you! You have definitely had a more difficult response after the first cycle than me. I was surprised going in when my MO guaranteed I would not have nausea. It pretty much held true. I may be repeating myself but they gave me Decadron and Zofran in tablet form before infusion. They also gave me Emend and Compazine via IV. All of that for nausea. They then gave me prescriptions of the Decadron and Zofran to take twice daily for the first 3 days only and a Rx for Promethazine to take as needed for nausea. I had a general icky feeling and decided to take the P on Friday and it helped. I was also given Ativan via IV for anxiety. Oh, and IV Benadryl which caused me to sleep for part of the infusion. I took Claritan also for the Neulasta shot. I felt pings and tings but nothing major until Saturday night. My back seemed to be seizing or spasming Saturday night in sync with my heart beat. Worse back pain I have felt ever. I hopped in my massage chair which was painful and took an old prescription of hydrocodone I had around the house. It eventually subsided enough for me to sleep. On Sunday, I alternated applying ice and heat to my back and took Motrin regularly. After Sunday it was fine and I have not had to take anything. I felt constipation was coming on the night of the infusion and started taking colace every night for three nights. Never got constipated but definitely was hardened. Then like a switch it changed to dirarrea but not too severe. I have taken immodium only twice. Hands and feet have been extra dry. I have a rash / bruise about 3 inches along my vein above the IV site. MO days its a reaction to the Taxotere and nothing to be concerned about. No plans for a port, still. I have felt about 95% normal the past 2-3 days. Kinda eager for the next infusion on 2/23 to get here. I see a chiropractor regularly and will start going there twice per month. I will get an adjustment the morning of my next infusion

rossileo18 · February 2015

Hello all,

Hope you are doing well (given the circumstances). I finally went to work yesterday and look forward to a few days of somewhat normal life before the grind starts again next Wednesday. No nausea meds today and I feel basically OK! Compliments on my hair-cut at work! On TC, my hair actually lasted nearly a month. I heard that with AC it goes more quickly. Oh well.

We're all going through the same thing - but all you need to figure out what works for you. Wig/hat? Avoid people/carry on as normal? What to do about that icky feeling in your stomach. Do what makes you feel comfortable. There is no one way to deal with it, but you ALL will get through with it.

One thing that I enjoyed about the boards last time was cheering on our friends as they reached milestones -- one down, half-way done, one more, Celebration!!! I've got more infusions this time, but will do the same. One AC down. Three to go! One phase at a time.

wrmbrownie · February 2015

I love reading all your responses...I'll have A/C after I finish Taxol and I'll know how to prepare for that. I have pre-op for my port tomorrow and will get it the next Friday. Tomorrow is my #3 Taxol.

Bikerbabe17 · February 2015

sugarcakes, love the blond. You wear it well. My mom made me some hats, it's going to be really cold here this weekend, and of course tomorrow is when I'm get my hair cut really short. So I'll be glad of the hats. She made one I could weave my scarves through. Have any of you experienced weight gain since starting treatment? Just wondering if I need to dig out some of my other clothes. Planning on working as much as I can, so trying to get my work clothes in order. So appreciate the detail of theses posts, just to know what may be coming my way

rossileo18 · February 2015

bikerbabe,

When I was on TC x 4 every three weeks, I ended up losing a little weight, just because the chemo interfered with my appetite. I worked through my treatment -- chemo on Wednesday, rest Thursday/Friday and the weekend. Back in the office Monday. If you're in otherwise good health, you might be able to do the same. I tried to stay somewhat active but cut down on a lot of social activities to save my energy.

Mardea15 · February 2015

SugarCakes, I am glad you are doing well! I am so much better yesterday & today also. Next round I will know when to be more proactive with my prn (as needed) meds. The only oral meds I'm on prior to chemo is Decadron day before, day of & day after which is fine. During chemo I also get IV Aloxi (long-acting anti nausea med). I have Zofran available but didn't need that until day 5 - maybe next time I'll start it earlier even if I don't feel nauseated!

Still have a constant drippy nose, sore throat, & tend to lose my voice for awhile each afternoon - maybe that's because I talk too much & it's telling me to give it a rest!

One down, five to go. The countdown is on...!

CarolynAnne · February 2015

Hi Kaw45-

My port is feeling better. I still have a oinch occasionally on my collarbone and some soreness in port area. Had first treatment 2/9 (adriamycin and cytoxan) it went fine. Had Neulasts shot next day and have been taking Claritin , no pain.

My SE have mostly just been tiredness. Felt the worst the night of treatment with sore stomach and headache. Was given IV Aloxi and Emend, took one Zofran that night and then was on Decadron days 2-4.

My main concern is this mild ache in my chest and I swear my heart flutters every once in a while. I worry about the Adriamycin and the heart. Any body else?

CarolynAnne · February 2015

beachbum102-

Do you have actual diagnosed heart damage from the Adriamycin? How many infusions did you get? I just had my first A/C 2/9 and wil have 4 total (every 3 weeks) followed by 12 Weekly Taxol.

The heart thing really scares me!

Beachbum1023 · February 2015

Hi CarolynAnne, I would tell your MO about the heart symptoms. I have permanent heart damage from Adriamycin. It affected the EF function of my heart. When I had my mastectomy, I was in the hospital for 4 days. My blood pressure dropped to 70/34 and would not come back up. I have 2 Cardiologist, and I have to go for a new ECHO every 3 months. I have meds that I have to take twice a day for the rest of my life. I have maxed out on Adriamycin and Taxol also. The tumor regrew quickly after the first dense dose, and I have maxed on it as well. Did you have a baseline ECHO before chemo started? Do you have shortness of breath or a cough? Please tell the MO, my symptoms started after the first dose. Good Luck!

CarolynAnne · February 2015

Sugarcakes! Love the wig!

CarolynAnne · February 2015

Beachbum1023- no shortness of breath ( although I haven't done anything cardio or strenuous), no coughing. Just kind of this nagging mild aching/tightness in chest and I swear my heart flutters. Every once. In a while.

I didn't have any tests before treatment. I did have a lot of pain with port and it is on my left side, so I wonder if the issues might still be from that?

Did they do your Adriamycin in an IV Push?

Thanks!

Beachbum1023 · February 2015

Hi CarolAnne, Yes I do. That is why I maxed out on it. I still have the shortness of breath, and cough. I see the Cardiologist in March for my next ECHO. Heart damage is a uncommon side effect, the info is on chemocare.com. I think it is a 10 % risk. But you can also look at EF, ejection fraction of the heart. But the other thing is that I am 58, so my age may have added to the risk. I noticed the shortness of breath after the first infusion, but I wasn't concerned I just thought it may be anxiety. But now I know, please tell your MO. My blood pressure is still low, I check it daily to be sure.

Beachbum1023 · February 2015

Hi CarolAnne, I had a 10 minute Adriamycin push. It always felt "thick" like my heart had to really pump hard to get it through. But I go to the Cleveland Clinic, and they do a baseline ECHO before AC so they can check the heart function. When they compared my EF function after the AC they noted reduced % so off to the Cardiologist and he went and spoke to my MO, and told her that I could not have any Adriamycin again due to reduced heart function. UGH!

rossileo18 · February 2015

CarolynAnn,

I'm also on AC x 4 (started 2/4) followed by Taxol and I am feeling something similar, but i think I've had it ever since the port was placed (2 days before treatment started), so I didn't attribute it to the AC. I had a 'clean' echocardiogram the day I had the port inserted. I do feel that my heart has to work harder to do things like climb stairs.

Beachbum's problems do scare me though. This has been incredibly stressful.

Beachbum1023 · February 2015

Hi rossileo18, I have found out that the squeaky wheel gets the most grease! If you think it is a problem, please ask the MO. My second ECHO was after the second Taxol, so not too quick as the heart damage was already done. And when I told my MO that the tumor was growing on the Taxol, she said that the Taxol was necessary due to the size. But it did not help me at all. It in fact grew fast and I had my surgery on 12/15. But my tumor is very invasive. So I am not a expert by any means, but I hope rads solve the problem. I did not have any problem with the port, and mine is on the left side, tumor was on the right. So right mastectomy.

momof32015 · February 2015

I am 1 week out from my first treatment. I am finally starting to feel normal. Now, my scalp is starting to tingle a little and has been a little itchy. Is that a sign my hair is going to start falling out soon? I have very long hair and haven't cut it short yet. I do have an appointment to cut it short tonight though. Which I am not looking forward to.

Starting Chemo February 2015

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