April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

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  • x1mel
    x1mel Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2015

    I'm being admitted to the hospital. My white count is low. They are going to keep me for a couple of days. The place on my hand is phlebitis and the doctor says that I can expect that kind of reaction each time that I receive chemo through a peripheral vein. So maybe they will think about a port. He says I will be in the hospital until Sunday or Monday. The oncologists haven't seen me yet so I'm sure I will have more news later.

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    Oh, Melanie, I'm sorry that this is happening to you! But, at least they are taking it seriously. I hope you can get out quickly (because you are feeling better). Can you insist on getting a port? Seems like a no-brainer to me.

    Lynne

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  • SpriteB
    SpriteB Member Posts: 49
    edited April 2015

    Melanie - sorry you have to be in the hospital but I'm glad you will be getting the help you need. I hope that do allow you to get a port. I didn't want one at first and was upset that I had to get one but after only one infusion I am already thankful it's there

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited April 2015

    Melanie - good luck - I hope they make you feel better quickly!

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  • jat017
    jat017 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2015

    Mel

    Sorry for the setback. All will be well after the weekend. Port will solve your vein issues. Will be thinking of you this weekend.


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  • gkodad
    gkodad Member Posts: 188
    edited April 2015

    Hello, everyone.  Sorry we're meeting this way but look forward to sharing and supporting each other on this journey.  I had a right mastectomy on March 30, and I'm starting dose dense AC/T on April 30. My doctor told me yesterday to stick to my regular schedule as much as I am able, so these posts were reassuring that I [hopefully] will be able to do some things that I enjoy. I'm more fortunate than some in that I am retired from my full-time job and work from home part-time, so have more control over my schedule.  This is my third breast cancer, but my first chemo experience.  Fast growing visible area of distortion in right breast with negative mammogram...go figure.   Doctor says "bad luck".  So to say I'm frightened is an understatement.  But I feel much better psychologically after meeting with the medical oncologist yesterday and mapping out my treatment plan.   

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2015

    Mel, So sorry you landed in the hospital. Are you getting Neupogen while there? When I was on TC, I ended up in the hospital too because my MO thought I was "young and healthy" and didn't need Neulasta. I am young nad healthy, but apparently I did need it. I got Neupogen in the hospital every day and was released after 4 days. The first 3 days I had little change in neutrophils, but on day 4, they shot up. My temp was always at least 2 degrees higher at night than during the day. I was in a research study for a vaccine, so I had to take my temp several times per day. I hope your counts rebound and that you are released soon. In the meantime, I hope you can entertain yourself in there. It is sooooo boring. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    gkodad, welcome! Sorry you find yourself here, but we're glad you've found this great group of gals. We will carry each other through these next few crazy months. Having control over your schedule is priceless. I also am able to do "light duty" at work and do a lot from home. The flexibility is such a gift. I had few if any side effects from my first AC. I have walked several miles each day, and have ran a few times. I wish the same for you!

    sheshe, I hope you are feeling better! Days 3-5 on Taxotere are horrible. I hope you have good days ahead of you!

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  • sheshe3
    sheshe3 Member Posts: 70
    edited April 2015

    Melanie, I'm so sorry to hear you've landed in the hospital, but glad to know that you are getting the care you need. I would think the port is a must have for your situation - a no-brainer as Lynne said. Get some rest and feel better. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Gkodad, welcome. Sorry for the circumstances that brought you here, but you've found a good place. Come, laugh, cry, b*tch, moan...we're here for you!

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  • allicat1214
    allicat1214 Member Posts: 84
    edited April 2015

    x1mel: Hope you are okay! Let us know.

    I haven't taken the bandage off of the port on my upper arm. The bruise and redness was below the bandage and above the elbow. I did call yesterday and they told me to watch for a few things: if skin was hotter where bruise/redness was, to mark the edge of the bruise/redness with a sharpie and see if it extended beyond that during the day, monitor my fever. All those things were okay during the day yesterday. I took Tylenol and was able to move around and get a few things done to get ready for my first infusion today.

    So I just remembered this morning that I have a large leopard print Snuggie that I am going to bring with me! I'm thinking it will be perfect to keep me warm yet offer easy access to the port in my arm! I'm also bringing salty snacks (gluten free crackers) and sweet snacks (organic gluten free animal crackers), cranberry water (organic cranberry juice blended with filtered water)

    I've lost 40 pounds since last summer when I first recognized my husband was an alcoholic and began a serious quest to focus on me and to get healthy. I eliminated just about all grains, dairy, processed foods, and red meat. It's killing me to think about having to eat things I've given up while going through chemo, so I bought the healthiest versions I could! I realize that I'm going to have to eat what I can to stay healthy though so I'm going to do what I must!

    I've tried off and on to lose weight before but to no avail. I had lost 20 pounds between summer and Christmas. When I got the BC diagnosis the day after Christmas, I got really serious and ate way more vegetables and lost another 20 in last 3 months. I honestly thought I would be heavy my whole life. I'm still amazed at what I did but realize now that the fat likely contributed to the strong ER+95% tumor!

    Now as I face my first chemo today, I'm ready for the next phase in my quest for health. I plan to have another picture in another 3 months, hopefully down a few more pounds and embracing the new bald me!

    I left my abusive and alcoholic husband a month after my diagnosis. All but one of my extremely conservative circle of women friends from home have abandoned me because I left the marriage. My 75-year-old mom is bringing me to chemo and staying a few days after. I do have two friends and an aunt who will check on me from time to time.

    You ladies are my support group and I just wanted to take a few minutes to say thank you for sharing your experiences to help me get through this.

    image

    I'll check in later possibly even from the infusion center! I want to get pics to show y'all how calm and serene it is with a view of the Mississippi River.

    Thanks to all of you and good luck to everyone with minimal side effects today!

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited April 2015

    Hi Ladies!!!!!!

    This is my 2nd time around at the age of 37!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mine cam back in an aux node....Crazy....They actually think its "leftover". I will be starting carbo/taxotere on 4.23. I did DD ACT 2 years ago. I am doing the cold caps this time. And Radiation! Lucky me....Chemo SUCKS, but it is Do-able. I think I saw a gal on here that is pregnant...A very close friend of mine, also chemo while pregnant...She has a gorgeous baby boy! Good luck ladies and I am so sorry we r here, but it helps we r together. xo

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2015

    day 1 post chemo...horribly nauseated despite the Zofran and compazin. Heading back to the hospital if I can get there in hopes they can do something..

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    Alibeth - sorry to see you here :-( Especially for the 2nd time - crap. KB is here for 2nd time too. Jeez, what is up with that. Can I ask both of you guys how you found out about a recurrence? Especially in a node (do you feel it like a lump?). That is just crazy!

    LBF - I am so sorry you are nauseated. The MOs just blow of nausea as a SE because they are all like, "we have really good drugs for that now", so I would expect to still be suffering. I'll let the other women comment on the meds you should be getting - I know that they give stuff via IV first, then follow up with the other drugs.

    ~Lynne

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    I'm going to go to Walgreens in a little while and buy all the stuff on my list, can you tell me if anything is missing:

    • Lysine
    • Baking soda (2 - one for each bathroom)
    • Sennokot
    • Saline nose spray
    • Epsom salts
    • Biotine (spray? wash?)
    • Coconut oil
    • Thermometer
    • Immodium
    • Claritin
    If something's not on the list, it may because I already have it, but feel free to mention so that I can make sure. I'm sure this won't be my only trip, but I just wanted to get it out of the way in case I don't get another chance before treatments start.
    Lynne
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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited April 2015

    what is the baking soda for

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

    Lovilynne, Biotene mouthwash, Brach's Lemon Drops for dry mouth, bottled water, popsicles, lip gloss and body lotion, kleenex, Biotin for hair and nails but ask your MO first when you can take it. Oil and/or polish for your nails. Sounds like you are going to be ready, battle on!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2015

    allicat, you look gorgeous!

    aibeth, this is my second time too. This time my body decided to make 2 tumors...nice....NOT! I'll have rads too after chemo.

    littleblue, I hope they give you something. Did you get Emend? If not, ask for it! You should have gotten it with your premeds! There is a lot they can still give you so get there and let them help you. I hope you feel better soon.

    Mel, how are you feeling today?

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    Baking soda - put it on your sink in the bathroom, and every time you go in, mix a tsp with water and rinse your mouth out, it helps with mouth sores. Probably after nausea, mouth sores would be my 2nd worse SE. I want to do everything to avoid them. Thinking of that - I need a box for work too.

    I added flushable wipes and baby wipes - MO mentioned keeping chemo off skin, and since it comes out in your p/bm, hygiene is key.

    So, there's Biotene and Biotin? Two different things? I'm going to get a mani pedi b4 I start and have nails polished a dark polish (I assume I can use gel), and then I'll buy a bottle from them with the same color to do touch ups. I'm going to use the coconut oil for everything - body, nails, etc.

    Lynne


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  • allicat1214
    allicat1214 Member Posts: 84
    edited April 2015

    Thanks Lynne for the list all in one place. I bought a new fresh toothbrush, too, just to start off clean after chemo...

    I bought senokot and miralax just to have both!

    I read on another board, forum or somewhere Tears eyedrops. Now can't remember exactly why???

    What is lysine for?

    Sorry LBF..... hope you get relief!

    I called my insurance company the other day to see which nausea drugs listed in the chemo guide book required prior approval. Emend was the only one. I sent an email to MO's nurse to ask because my chemo is scheduled for 2 today and by the time I would get out and go to drug store, it would be too late for a prior approval and I'd be stuck all weekend. She said he never prescribes Emend, only zofran and compazin. ugh.

    Good luck to all!

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

    Biotene is mouthwash and other dental products. It is OTC.

    Biotin is supplement and found with the vitamins for hair and nails. I usually find it on sale BOGO at Drug Mart.

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  • sheshe3
    sheshe3 Member Posts: 70
    edited April 2015

    Lynne, why dark polish?To cover the discoloration you may get as an se? My MO said to use tea tree oil on my nails and I did for a few nights before bed,but then I got really sensitive to smells and that's a strong smell so I stopped using it.

    Alibeth, this is my 2nd round bc too. One for each breast! Not a great thing,I know. Glad you joined us in spite of the reason.

    Allicat, awesome transformation! You look great! GL with the chemo today.

    Here's something I was advised of by a friend who survived ovarian cancer. She told me that when you are hating the taste of food and can't stand eating, go for white foods. Rice, potatoes, milk, yogurt, crackers... white food. Amazingly enough, I tried it during those days that eating was difficult and they tasted closer to normal than anything! I was able to get some calories that way w/o hating it. Has anyone heard of this? If you try it, let me know how it worked for you.

    Sheila

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  • ankledolphin
    ankledolphin Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2015

    hello.....what is everyone eating that isn't causing their stomachs to go haywire? I have yet to find something that tastes good and itsn't making me run to the bathroom a half hour later!

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

    Hi ankledolphin, I had AC/T and I ate a ton of mac and cheese, mandarin oranges, bananas, popsicles, noodles, Jell-O, baked potatoes, and chicken. The same things that worked I just ate over and over. It is a lot of trial and error. I also drank a lot of cold mocha, the chilled one in the dairy aisle.

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  • ankledolphin
    ankledolphin Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2015

    Thanks! :)

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  • StacyMc329
    StacyMc329 Member Posts: 48
    edited April 2015

    I am currently on my off week of cycle 1. I feel like normal.!. Last week I went thru a slew of side effects. Day 1 super jacked up from steroids. Day 2 was just yuck a few mouth sores but went away quick. Day 3 a terrible headache day 4 flu like feeling in the evening. I did not eat much and was very careful to not overeat on Easter..afraid to get sick. But I am feeling great this week. Cut my hair today. I am a bartender and worked my shift last night and it was great to feel normal

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2015

    My blood counts are good a week after the first chemo. I'm now filling in supplies like baking soda to add to my mouth rinse. Side effects from round 1 were tolerable. The port site still aches and is impeding my motion, but it's still better than all the recent vein-hunting that's banged up my left arm. I'm going to make individual frozen portions of unspiced lentils, macaroni, broth, and rice so there's something easy on hand.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2015

    When nothing appeals to me, I eat a lot of applesauce. I also make slushies out of gatorade and eat some frozen yogurt. I hope everyone has a relaxing, side effect-free weekend.

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

    Sorry I forgot one - have you tried frozen seedless grapes? Easy to eat a few at a time, and cold.

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  • Karen30
    Karen30 Member Posts: 135
    edited April 2015

    hello ladies- just checking in to say have a good weekend- I am enjoying my last weekend of " normal" before treatment starts next week- it's moms weekend at my sons college so I am here spending the special time with him. My port site has settled down nicely and doesn't feel bad at all now - thanks for the shopping list - I plan to pick up all my goodies on Sunday- nice to have a list!!

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  • mamajencoz
    mamajencoz Member Posts: 52
    edited April 2015

    I had my first ac on Tuesday.  Then shot the next day. It's friday and i still feel achy and flu like. Not hungry at all. Only able to eat about 1oz of veggie soup at s time. at what point should I worry

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2015

    hi ladies, it doesn't seem like the steroids worked to give me my post treatment good days...maybe just cause I was so darn nauseous even on emend and Zofran and compazine. Had to go back to the cancer center and get fluids, intravenous zofran, and ativan. ATIVAN, who knew? Is also an anti nausea! No body aches yet from neulasta...took Claritin yesterday and today. Now just trying to wake up enough to enjoy this beautiful weather! Hope everyone is feeling groovy today!

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