Starting Chemo February 2015

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  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2015

    Can't stand the wig. Wore it 4 hours and had such a headache I'm now sticking to scarves. Tonite I go to Look good feel better to learn how to draw on eyebrows I guess. Hydrating like crazy as tomorrow is CT #2. The hardest part for me right now is change in vision. Am very nearsighted and my prescription is so different now it's hard to watch TV. Just came from Livestrong program at the Y. Every day I have energy am trying to maximize exercise so I don't turn into a slug with all these days of rest.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    Hi Chloesmom, Have fun at Look Good Feel Better, I had a great time. Nice make up kit too.

    Maybe the wig is too tight? I wear mine all the time, and no issues. I also wear a stretchy cap under it, keeps my head warm it is so dang cold. Sally's has the wig caps. Our high is 6 degrees today! Ugh!

    I don't have any of the Live Strong places close by, but I wish I did. Going to try to join the local Y. Pretty pricey though. So wait and see.

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  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2015

    Y should have a sliding scale if you are strapped. I'd ask as it helps so much to exercise. I know some families that get a break. If not wonder if you could get a prescription and write it off as a medical thing

    For people over 55 insurance often pays for Silver Sneakers exercise classes there too

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  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 353
    edited February 2015

    duplicate post. Thought I was posting here to start with...

    Thanks Mardea, DaisyQ, and everyone for the thoughts and well wishes today. My second infusion itself went well. There was miscommunication amongst the MO and nurses which resulted in a later than intended start and I was the very last one there AGAIN. I was there from 12:45 to 6:00. The infusion itself was 3.5 hours vs the 5 hours the first time. The toe tingling and screwy taste buds have kicked in sooner this time around, but other than that, I'm feeling pretty good. I thought my tumor had shrunk but wasn't sure. It's still big to me but MO going by feel also, thinks it has shrunk by one third. Oh, I don't think I mentioned that I got the the results back from my myriad genetic testing last Thursday. They found nothing clinically significant. That is good news also.

    I will keep you ladies posted on my side effects this 2nd round. I will be thinking of you tomorrow as you get your second infusion, Mardea. Enjoy the snacks! When I am there, I throw the "do not eats" right out the window...and into my mouth! I had knotts berry farm cookies and a few peanut M&M's and hard candy! I also slept a little,thanks to the benedryl :))

    Hugs Everyone! I am happy to have received the 2nd infusion today! Ask me if I still feel the same come Thursday. Ha!

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  • Jerseygirl927
    Jerseygirl927 Member Posts: 438
    edited February 2015

    I start my chemotherapy on Thursday 2-27-15 and am scared, went to a class on what to expect, but guess there is really nothing that can prepare you for poison being pumped into your body. I am going to pray about it and tak it in strides I guess, hoping all goes well.


    Maryann

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  • Jerseygirl927
    Jerseygirl927 Member Posts: 438
    edited February 2015

    Hello, have been having terrible breat pain, phantom I am sure, saw surgeon Thursday and she drained surgery sight 3 syrnge foll from both side, it has filled again, not quite so much but it's there.I start chemo the 27 hope it goes well, did anyone have a chemo class prior, on what to expect? I did, and still scarey.

    Maryann

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    Hey Jersey, what chemo are you going to be on? The good news is everyone here has been on chemo, and we all are doing well. Do you have your chemo bag all set? If you need some ideas on what you may need, I would be happy to give you my list. Start drinking plenty of water, it helps to hydrate before, during, and after. Flushes out the drugs, and keeps all systems flowing! Fresh fruits, veggies, and plenty of protein is good for a start. And most of all relax. Treat yourself well, and rest. The infusion nurses usually know all the tricks, so ask questions. I keep a small notebook in my purse, and write down everything! You got this! Let us know what we can do to help you, and we will.

    Put on your cancer killing butt kicking boots and start stomping! Game On!

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  • PJfive
    PJfive Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2015

    Hi Jerseygirl. I start chemo on the 25th and I am dealing with the seroma problem myself. I had hoped it would of cleared up by now but no such luck. Will see my BS tomorrow and have it drained again.Just heard it could last for several more weeks and/or months. UGH!!! I had the chemo class but learned so much more from the ladies on this website. They are a godsend and an inspiration to all of us newbies. Hope everything goes well for you.

    Beachbum I followed your advice from another thread and bought alot of stuff to have on hand to counter some of the SE's. I didn't know I needed a chemo bag to take with me to the infusions. I would greatly appreciate it if you could give me a few suggestions. Thanks for your help.
    PJ

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  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 353
    edited February 2015

    I have the BEST sales team and coworkers! A Harry & David's picnic basket with healthy snacks high in protein. Just what I need. I'm pigging out now, even though I had dinner. Apples and more pears underneath. Wish I could share with you ladies :))image

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    Hi PJ, I use a soft side cooler with a shoulder strap. It has a removable container so I can fill it the night before with bottled water, yogurt, fruit, and Jell-O. Then I just pop it back in the morning. The zip pockets hold all my SE drugs etc. I can take my Kindle, kleenex, plastic spoons and forks, whatever else I need. I usually take a few crackers and/or pretzels to munch on. I also tuck in a small notebook for questions or notes. I think mine is an Igloo lunch cooler. I picked it up at Dick's Sporting Goods. It worked well for me because I had everything chemo in one bag. My chemo brain forgets a lot :)

    My infusion nurses are great, and had great advice. Drink a lot of water to flush the AC, it's a tough drug combo. I would drink 4+ bottles per day starting two days before. The AC made me incredibly thirsty. A good thing though since it flushes all the drugs out, and keeps all the systems flowing. I always felt better eating at chemo, very small snacks just to keep something in my stomach. But whatever works for you. I always had AC on Tuesday morning, but the SE would hit on Thursday morning. I was dragging Thursday and Friday. If you are nauseous make sure you take the meds at first sign, it is hard to stop it if you wait too long.

    I cut my hair the week after my first infusion, and went to a wig. I didn't want it fall out. I must be a control freak, but I wasn't going to give in. :)

    And I was glad I did! I also went to Look Good Feel Better by the American Cancer Society. They have great make up tips, and you get a free make up kit to take home. I had a great time, and the kit is really nice quality cosmetics. It's online.

    Now the best news - my hair started to grow back right after the first Taxol. It is now about 1" long. Biotin is great for hair and nails. I hope to have a sexy short hairdo for Spring!

    I hope this helps, any questions, please ask!! Relax and take a breath, you got this! And everyone here will get you through!

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  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 353
    edited February 2015

    jerseygirl, I went to a chemo class. It was suppose to be one hour and general to all chemos. My boyfriend and I were the only two to attend. It turned into a 2.5 hour class specific to my chemo. It was great! I came out feeling much better than I felt going in. No way they can share things in one hour and have you feeling at ease, IMO

    One thing you can do is start reading about chemo at the very top of the breast cancer.org chemo articles and branch off into the specifics about the drugs and chemos you will be given. It's very extensive and also gets into things you can do to treat the side effects.

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  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 353
    edited February 2015

    I take less to my infusions bc the center has a host of snacks, sandwiches, candies, and drinks. They even have games like cross word puzzles and softly as well as books and magazines for "distractions". My first time there, a local church delivered bags with handmade blankets, hats, and pillows. The center gives us one warm blanket but sometimes run low on extras. I took a sleep mask today as well as my iPhone and MS Surface. There is free wifi but a TV at my chair as well. Next time I will take my own extrablanket. I do take all my meds. I also kept a log of my side effects using a chart from the American Cancer Society website. When I pulled it out today, my MO and nurse thought it was awesome! They had not seen it before. It was the best I could find.

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  • PJfive
    PJfive Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2015

    Thanks so much for the advice Beachbum and Sugarcakes. I'll run out and get one of those coolers in the morning. Not sure I can eat during the infusion but I just might suprise myself. The funny thing is I have not had much of an appetite since this whole thing started but I spend the time before surgeries and during MRI's, Pet Scans and other screenings thinking about food. My family jokes that I am not sick with cancer but rather pregnant because of the cravings. I went and had my hair cut very short today. I know every women is different but for me the thought of losing my hair is not that big of a deal. My eyebrows are a different story. I am going to register for the LGFB class that they are holding a few weeks from now at the hospital. I am scheduled to have five months of chemo then one month off before 7 weeks of radiation. During that month off I will be turning 50yrs old. My family is planning a (supriseWinking) party for me and I would like to look halfway decent instead of someone who is being dragged across the fifty yard line.

    Thanks again for the advice.

    PJ


     

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  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2015

    PJfive. Between diagnosis and chemo I lost 12 lbs. couldn't eat with the stress of anticipation. Getting infusions I kept asking my husband for more and more food was a bottomless pi

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  • PJfive
    PJfive Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2015

    HI Chloesmom.

     I too couldn't eat much and lost 13lbs. I do have to credit some of that weight loss to eating healthier. I haven't had a chance yet but I am planning on making an appointment with the dietician to gain a better understanding of what to eat and what to avoid. My MO is not too concerned with what I eat but rather that I make sure to eat something during chemo. He has only cautioned me too avoid soy. It was a shock to open my kitchen cabinets and find soy in so many of my favorite foods. I have been checking out the healthy eating threads but I know I am going to have a problem. I love fruit and vegetables but I am basically a meat and potatoes kind of gal so strictly vegatarian is not going to work for me. Open for suggestions if you have any to offer and I hope your treatment goes well without too many SE's.
    PJ

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  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2015

    I just had an oat granola bar while sitting in chemo. It had soy in it. I wouldn't trash your cabinet. Just stopped eating tofu, soy milk, and other products that are mostly soy.

    They don't want you to have fresh veggies and fruit you can't peel during chemo so stock up on frozen ones that were washed and blanched at the factory

    I just weighed in this morning 3 lbs more than 3 weeks ago. The MO was pleased. She said you might but be hungry week 1. ( I only wanted things that weren't a lot of work to eat as was tired on meds) but week 3 of it wasn't nailed down I ate it. Just ate 2 snacks and a sandwich in the chemo chair. My daughter loaned me her moose so it would take my mind off of infusion. It's no biggie! image

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  • PJfive
    PJfive Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2015

    The moose is cute but I really love the hat. Good to know you can keep your sense of humor through this mess. I just returned from the BS and finally had my drain removed and the seroma aspirated. He said chemo will slow the healing process and most likely will need to have several more aspirations before it stops. I am ok with that because I now get to take my first shower in a month with out tubes and bandages. I am not going to stress too much about the food but will avoid the soy. Hope you are feeling good because the hat makes you look marvelous Happy
    PJ

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  • Bikerbabe17
    Bikerbabe17 Member Posts: 116
    edited February 2015


    PJ--no shower for a month!  I get cranky when its only been a day, take a nice long hot shower and enjoy.  Love the moose and the hat!  My daughter just sent me Olaf, in a Hawaiian outfit, we both are looking forward to warmer temps.  So now in my chemo bag I have my lap quilt, which was made by my co-worker and is oh so beautiful, and Olaf :)  Are there other must haves fro my bag?

    Did yoga today, and my right arm was very sore, which is the side the port was put in.  Feels like the carpal tunnel I occasionally get from typing to much.  Hope it doesn't last to much longer.

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  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2015

    No problem with the chemo today except a little tingle for a minute in the IV which went away when they kept hear on it. I ask for warm packs on my arm for the whole time. The time flew by so much better than the first time when I was scared out of my mind

    Go back to Baltimore tomorrow for the Neulasta shot. Came home today full of energy - we stopped to pick up prune juice to counteract the effect of the anti nausea meds. Nip that issue in the bud before it has a chance to slow things down.

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  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2015

    Thanks beachbum for suggesting wig too tight. I have a Charlie Brown shaped head and discovered it was pressing on my temples even though the back was loose. It was the right size, but too tight in the front Took some elastic from the fabric store, cut the tight part and expanded it. No more pressure! No more headache.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    Hi Chloesmom, I am so glad that worked! My wig has velcro tabs inside so I can adjust it for the no hair or hair days. Sally's have little stretchy caps to wear under the wigs. They feel smooth, and no itchy feel on your scalp. I think they come in a 3 pack, and are pretty cheap. I just handwash them with my panty hose and boob. LOL This is so weird, I get up and slap on the hair, put on glasses and add a boob and go! Had my port flush today before rads, glad it wasn't chemo today!

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  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 353
    edited February 2015

    Glad your infusion day went well, Chloesmom. Love the hat and moose!

    Mardea15, let us know how you're doing. I hope your infusion went well, too!

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  • HopeInTheStars
    HopeInTheStars Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2015

    chloesmom, I love your hat! Glad to hear your infusion was better for you this time around


    I had my second AC yesterday. As soon as the anti nausea and steroid combo was started, I ate and ate and ate. I think I ate my way through chemo yesterday. I didn't do too bad in the weight loss department, considering I'm bald now - 3 pounds down. I lost more (6 pounds) waiting for test results. Feeling pretty good early am. I did just take Zofran to be sure.

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  • Cher22
    Cher22 Member Posts: 18
    edited February 2015

    had my first infusion monday of taxotere and cytoxin. Didn't go to bad. Side effects started with me later in the day yesterday ... I thought I had Until today. Came out of no where stomach issues etc and very tired. Taking the zofran since I m nauseous and just feel achey and blah.

    Spending the next few days laying low

    I have no appetite at all yestetday or today but did eat well on infusion day

    All I have been able to choke down are pretzels and ginger ale or water

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  • Bikerbabe17
    Bikerbabe17 Member Posts: 116
    edited February 2015

    Hang in there Cher, I'll be right there with you in just a few days :) 

    Hope, guess I better be sure I've packed plenty of snacks in my chemo bag. Happy to hear you are feeling good.

    I have to keep reminding my self to breath...


     

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  • live_deliciously
    live_deliciously Member Posts: 346
    edited February 2015

    hello everyone. New to this site. Have been a bystander and decided I need more emotional help getting thru all this its all gone so fast (diagnosed in Dec) and I'm a control freak so feel like BC and the Dr's are controlling me instead. They took my girls in Jan. But now I have new to me ones. Expanders!

    I just had my first chemo yesterday ac dose dense. I will tell.ya I was scared to death. The whole thing was much less eventful than I thought tho. I had it direct in an iv in the arm and was worried I didn't make the right decision with no port. I've been taking the nausea med and so far only a little queasy/dizzy and headache. I give myself the neulesta shot later today. I've taken clariton and have some leftover oxy from surgery if needed. I'm really hoping for no mouth sores. Praying.

    Thank you everyone for sharing your stories. Never thought I would participate but you got to me.....lol

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  • CarolynAnne
    CarolynAnne Member Posts: 57
    edited February 2015

    Hi Beachbum1023!

    Playing in the Point Park fountain huh?! Too funny!

    I grew up in Bay Village so not too far from you! My parents are still there! Loved growing up on Lake Erie! We were Browns fans too but have been converted to Steelers fans after 20 years here. Actually the conversion started the year we moved here in 1995 when the Steelers went to the Superbowl. Hard not to get swept up in the excitement!

    So my MO ordered an ECHO for me yesterday. It came back "perfect" so that is a relief and at least now We have something to compare with in the future. Maybe all these pains are just related to my stupid port. Still, I don't know how not to worry about the A/C regimen. Second dose is Monday. Can't wait til this phase is over.

    So the weekly Taxol was tolerable? They didn't continue the Neulasta for those, did they?

    My hair started to go today. Not chunks but a lot of individual strands. boohoo. I was starting to like my short hair. Getting my wig tomorrow whether I decide to get it shaved then or not. My husband was actually looking forward to having the honor of shaving my head because I do his every week, so I may wait until it really starts to go and let him. after all, if he can get some little joy out of this, why not?!

    So how are you feeling?

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  • Damselfly
    Damselfly Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2015

    Hi Live_Deliciously! Welcome to the group. Glad your chemo has been relatively uneventful. I would hydrate like crazy and take your anti-nausea on schedule the first couple of days regardless of whether you feel you will need it. I got a single MX in January and had my first A/C dose just over a week ago. So far it's been bearable for me and I'm taking the good times when I get them. I hope yours goes well, and the headache goes away too.

    Bikerbabe17 Good luck tomorrow! I hope it's uneventful and the SE's are minimal. I don't even remember much of my infusion day -- I think I just dozed through most of it.

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  • CarolynAnne
    CarolynAnne Member Posts: 57
    edited February 2015

    Hi Cher22,

    One treatment down! Yes, blah is how I felt for the first few days after my 1st, but then I started to feel pretty good. I hope you will do well with this too. Animal crackers (w/out icing) and unsweetened applesauce and jello were my best friends! Keep drinking or get fluids in with soup, jello, crushed ice, etc whatever your tummy can take. I didn't feel like drinking but I forced it to get those drugs moved through.

    I started taking Miralax a couple of days after treatment and that helped keep my constipation under control. Wasn't sure which way I would go; diarrhea or constipation so I had stuff for both on hand.

    Take it one day at a time and be good to yourself!






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  • HopeInTheStars
    HopeInTheStars Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2015

    hi live_deliciously. I'm glad you decided to join us. I am two weeks ahead of you in AC and it hasn't been as horrible as I imagined. I had one node test positive at biopsy so chemo was the best decision for me. Waiting for genetics to make surgery decisions but I have some time. I don't want to jinx it but I have not gotten any mouth sores so far. Some of my gums felt a little rough last week but that's gone now. Best of luck to you!

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