Starting Chemo March 2015

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    Rleepac, sounds like you had a lot on your plate for one day. I hope you can take it easy today and start feeling better.


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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    I'm feeling better this morning. Still a little shaky and lingering headache but I'm staying ahead of the nausea (so far) with meds.

    The pain from the port is going away too so that helps.

    Hoping for a better day today.

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited March 2015

    I think you pegged it rleepac - keeping ahead of the nausea is just as important as keeping ahead of the pain after surgery. They give us those meds for a reason! So glad you're feeling better this morning.

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  • sparklysue
    sparklysue Member Posts: 68
    edited March 2015

    Hi all

    I'm new to this site - been reading it for a couple of weeks so feel I know you all though you don't know me. I'm not sure if I really belong as I was diagnosed stage 4 with mets from the get go in 2011 and had my initial lumpectomy radiotherapy and first lot of chemo then. Then went on tamixofen, Letrozole, capcetibine and now eribulin, the latter beiing only the 2nd infusion chemo. So I'm new to this all over again so hope I can still join you. (Moderators please!)

    I'm on cycle 2 as of yesterday and no sign of hair loss yet. Apparently it's only 50% that lose total though I lost it all first time round. Got wig ready and waiting!

    It's day 2 so I'm getting the steroid headaches. Hopefully for only the next few days. Everything else seems to be ok though as we all know things can happen any time. Actually think I spoke too soon as I've found a few loose hairs just! Damn!

    Anyway I will check in a day or two but everyone keep your chin up and take it easy. We are all in this together!

    Nice to meet you.

    Sue xx


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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    Welcome Sue! You've been through so much but you seem to have an incredible attitude and I hope you continue to participate in our March group!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    welcome Sparkly Sue! You're in! No need for mods. I'm pretty new here too, but I know they will welcome you with open arms as I do.


    Rleepac- so glad you're making a bit of a comeback today. It's very, very quiet here today. Hope that means everyone is out enjoying their life outside of the bc.I'm rocking the Yul Brenner now. Everybody says they love it. My girl took the earrings right off her ears to give me an "accessoried" look. Like I mean it! Haha! Still feeling ok. Had the Neulasta, took the Claritan this morning. Still have good appetite, nothing turning me off, No metallic taste . Yet. Yet yet yet. But I will enjoy while I can. I'm ready with projects I can do on my backside.

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    Just had my Neulasta shot and I did take the Claritin earlier today. I plan to take the Claritin for the next few days. My MO didn't mention anything about it but I'm going to draw on the wealth of experience here and give it a try.

    Nausea is mild but I'm still taking the meds to be sure. Mostly I'm having trouble focusing on anything for more than a minute and I can't seem to get comfortable. Able to keep water and a few saltines down.

    I sure hope I don't also get hit on Day 3 like most people describe...I don't know if I can handle that again so soon!

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  • avmom
    avmom Member Posts: 324
    edited March 2015

    Hello, all. Just checking in after a rough couple of days. Had pretty heavy nausea yesterday, but got caught up enough to get some sleep last night. Woke up this morning very connstipated and spent the day at the hospital. Home now with yet another scrip, but able to rest a bit.

    Note to self - avoid constipation!!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    Welcome home Avmom. Sounds pretty tough. I started colace and Senekot several days before because of pain meds. But had diarrhea immediately after chemo and didn't take them today. Now I fear will get cnstipated again. Hard to find the happy medium. (Happy?) kidding myself..

    Katy

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    Thanks for the reminder avmom...I just took my Sennekot!

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    Sparkly Sue, you are in our group! I don't know if it helps, but my husband gives me magnesium for constipation and it seems to work. It is shorter acting so even if it gives you diarrhea it goes away fast. I have been taking the Clairitin, and so far, no bone pain. My shot was on Tuesday.

    Stomach has been a little funky like shaking like an overstrained muscle, but I quit taking anti-nausea meds two days ago and so far, so good.

    But man, does my mouth taste terrible!

    Taking my last Clairitin tomorrow morning, then I should be off all meds if things go well. Keeping my fingers crossed.

    My best to everyone. Trying out a bike ride tomorrow!

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Thanks Katy. Its not been a good combination. I feel confident I'm over the worst now. You're very kind, I think this group is wonderful. I hope everyone is recovering well from chemo. And those that are about to start... Together we can do this. Just keep reading and dropping in a post when you can. 

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Thinking of you avmom. I'm also constipated, I'll need to do something about that tomorrow. I started a course of antibiotics today. Do all of you do this? 

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Hi Sue, you are very welcome to join us. I'm sorry you find yourself here! I'm sure we could all learn a lot from your experience. Thinking of you and hoping your SEs are minimal. 

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Italychick your a legend

    I haven't been told to take clairiten. Is that just the anti allergy drug that I can get from the chemist? Or is it something else?

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    Yes, Shaz, the Claritan is available over the counter. Just the regular Claritan, without the "D" at the end. My dr scripted it for some reason, but if it's 10mg, and no D it's the same. I took my first pill the morning before the shot, which the shot itself was 24 hrs after end of chemo. So beginning of day 2. My instructions are day 2-6 to take in the morning.

    So far, no bone pain, but the feeling of an over trained midsection resonated with me. I thought it might be the steroids. I am bipolar I, and very, very, sensitive to steroids. All my docs know it, and don't see away around my course of treatment. We, they, but mostly me, are quietfully watchdogging my behavior for any mania. Like the $200 in new clothes I just spent on line when I couldn't sleep..which everybody experiences to some degree when they take steroids. That is minor, I need the clothes, but I know me, and it smacked of a little high-flying! I continue to eat a lot, knowing that any day now I will probably not feel like it much anymore. I have lost a lot of weight since dx, almost 40 lbs. not sure how many stone that is, is it divided by 12.5?, if so a little over 3? Some of that is boobage of course. I was sick all of last year with an unusual lung condition, and never regained my fitness. But I am trying to walk. I go slow, but I am huffing and puffing less. And the wonderful Jack, therapy dog-in- training, urges me on. His motto is therapy starts at home.

    I was trying to post another picture of me rocking the bald head. I'll try again:image

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    And Italychick- you are a legend! What you are doing will do two things, help avoid SE's and give you the knowledge and power that the beast isn't taking your life away. I am aiming for such fitness! Amazing! You give me such a standard to aspire too! Mentally and physically! Brava! Bravissima!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    BB- just wanted to let you know I've been thinking of you too....I know your nerves were bad and hope you are feeling ok. we've all had you on our minds, I know that.

    And Rleepac, I'm so glad you are starting to level out. It seems, and I hope, that you had your day 4 on day 1. I will be hoping that will be a sufficient initiation. The port might be sore for a little while. Mine was for about 10 days. I can't take anything with Tylenol or Advil due to elevated liver enzymes, so I popped a few oxys and that helped. The area was very tender, and I seemed to have pressure on my windpipe when I got in or out if bed, or bent over. But it functioned perfectly yesterday and the onc nurse prescribed a cream of lidocaine and something that Beachbum suggested that you put on an hour before you go for infusion, and that helps lessen sensitivity in the area. I feel quite a wuss, but am learning to take any help, even if I'm on the fence about needing it. Staying ahead of pain, and now it seems nausea has the same principle applied, is very, very, important.

    Avmom, wishing you a peaceful Saturday. Your posts have been very helpful, and feel bad you have been suffering.

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  • sayah9501
    sayah9501 Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2015

    TAC tx!!! I like it😉!!!

    Me too, first tx was Thursday. Keep your head up we are not alone!!!

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    bike ride went great today, 25.5 miles, just a little slower. Actually feeling pretty much like normal today. A shout out to all, and I hope everybody is doing fine today.

    We fight this beast one day at a time!

    Xoxo.

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    Jackbirdie, you rock. You have the most beautiful face!

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  • marciabh
    marciabh Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2015

    I have just been diagnosed with stage 1, HER2+++. I am 70 years old and very active. My oncologist is suggesting treating me (after lumpectomy this coming Thursday) with Navelbine plus Herceptin, followed by anti-hormone drugs and possibly radiation. He says that Navelbine has far less drastic side effects than Taxol. Does anyone have experience with Navelbine?

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Katy, you have a gorgeous face. You definitely rock the bald look.

    Keep reading and posting when you can Sayah. I'm hoping for minimal SEs for you. I'm feeling better each day now. I think I should be able to go for a walk today :-)

    Italychick I'm so proud of you. I did get on my indoor trainer but only for a few minutes.

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  • DavisD
    DavisD Member Posts: 338
    edited March 2015

    Thanks for starting this thread! I'm starting sometime this month. Need to have an echocardiogram on Tues then waiting to hear from BS about having the port put in. I go Thurs for the final appointment with the Oncology nurses to make sure I understand the benefits and risks...ugh!

    I scanned over the posts and I'm sure I will have more relevant feedback but I'm beyond worn out today. This thread sounds like just what I need to not feel all alone on the journey.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    hi marciabh. I can't help you with your question but I wanted to say hello. I'm so sorry you have had to join us. If no one can answer you on this thread I'm sure the answer will be on another. In the Chemotherapy forum. Sending you warm wishes. And know that you will beat his!


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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    Marciabh: You might want to ask your question in the main chemo forum as a separate thread. You are only getting small section of chemo patients here and none of them might be taking your drug.


    So Claritan D is for bone pain? I hate taking antihistamines. They make my heart race.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    welcome, Marciabh- I can't help with this question but I welcome you sorry we have to meet this way Someone will come along soon with pointers and answers soon.

    Italychick- you made my day. So proud if your long ride today. Gives me hope. My bestie and I worked a bit in the garden since it is SPECTACULAR on the Oregon Coast today. We are going out now to the seal colony about 20 minutes away and maybe get lucky and see some whales ! So happy to be alive!


    I wanted also to pass along a tip the head (rockin) onc nurse gave me yesterday. I'm worried about mouth sores. That's my bugaboo. She said put some baking soda with a small glass on your bathroom counter and rinse out your mouth EVERY TIME YOU GO INTO THE BATHROOM. one tsp in tepid water no gargle just swish. This is in addition to brushing 2-3 times of course. She says this natural habit will cut way back on the chances of getting thrush and nasty mouth sores. Bon appetit, ladies!!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    Trvler- it's a small point but it's Claritan without the D. Just plain antihistamine without decongestant. You'll probably still have the reaction but so far no bone pain for me! Good luck

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    hi Diane, so sorry you are here. The people in this forum are amazing. So inspirational, helpful and supportive. It's mind blowing. The amount of information that is thrown at you, we should all have medical degrees by the end of it. Take a few deep breathes and if you can find a day without cancer to enjoy before you begin. I managed 1 night away and it helped both myself and my partner. We were able to reconnect before I started. We can do this!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    and Dear Shaz- thanks for the wonderful compliment !

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