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

Lynne, to add to my port placement instructions above, I can see stitches under the steri strips...I'm thinking that post-op instructions could vary based on how the incisions were closed? Just a thought....

karen30, I only. Have the long ones and am not familiar with a shorter one. But yes, my guess would be fuller coverage with the long ones. They have a great selection at REI if you're near one of those...

thanks everyone I've ordered the longer ones I should be well covered

Good Morning Ladies from Maryland! Today is nesting day. I have to overwhelming feeling of I need to clean and organize for this up coming week. Tomorrow I get my second AC infusion. I'm more nervous then I was getting the first. I don't know if the side effects will be better controlled or if they get worse as you go. Any pointers? I had nausea and headache.. not able to eat for 3 days then body aches from the day after shot. I'm trying to keep up with everyone here.. I must admit I'm more of a reader then a "poster"

My hair is slowly coming out I have 1 thin spot. I've been back and forth about just getting it over with and shaving it but I guess in the back of my mind I thought it would already be gone by now if it was "really" all falling out. I know... its coming.. just a fleeting thought.

My skin is horrible! I have almost pimples on my face. they are tiny .. not like a random pimple that shows up before prom. They itch a bit and hurt... then usually gone in a day or so followed by another few showing up. Is this from the AC or am I just eating too much ice cream?

I hope all is well with you ladies!

Oh and could someone add my first name to the list... Its Jen

Thank you

mamajencoz- your hair is falling out before AC#2? Yikes - this is my dread- I am scheduled to have mine shaved next Friday- May 1st before my 2nd treatment and I have this nightmare that it all falls out before then- the wig maker who is making my wig based this on his experience of when hair usually falls out so I am just hoping mine lasts

My MO examined that as this is a dense dose schedule symptoms may get worse with each treatment but he emphasized the importance of me telling them so that they could add or adjust prophylactic drugs as needed- I had 1st AC on Friday and so far no SE other than not sleeping great and not really being hungry. I'm waiting to see if the neulesta shot gives me the back pain they warned me about but so far nothing it may still come though- so my advice is make sure you report all your symptoms so that they can help you- as my MO said he wants me to call him anytime and if it is after hours no matter what I am always to tell the operator it's a emergency even if it's not because that's what he is there for.

Enjoy cleaning it's always so cathartic

Does anyone get a sore throat and a drippy nose And body aches from chemo? I don't have a fever and I feel like I've had these symptoms since my first dose, but was too nauseous to really notice until now. I'm trying to decide if I've caught a bug, got allergies, or just SEs.....Darn it I really don't want to get sick and get off schedule!

Hi everyone- I finally got released late yesterday afternoon. My WBC counts started to come up on their own, but not enough so they gave me the neupogen shot on Friday and by Saturday they were at an acceptable level. My fever went down and I wanted to get the heck out of there. I got the shot again Saturday a few hours before they discharged me. When my Onc visited me he said for sure I would be getting the neupogen next cycle . The bone pain is not fun,but didn't last too long. I hope this neutropenia stays away.

LBF- I had a sore throat starting around day 4 after chemo and it can be part of the chemo according to all my paperwork . So I just kept rinsing with salt/baking soda.When mine persisted I still thought it's the chemo. Then my fever spiked on day 9 and I knew something was wrong. The ER got me right in when I told them I was on chemo and had a fever. It was fast! Then they did labs and sure enough my WBC was super low and my sore throat was infected.If your not running a fever, then you are probably okay. Go with your gut. Even when I called my Drs the assistant said , "Oh it sounds like a common cold." I told her I don't think so and I am going to the ER. Glad I didn't listen to her.

Karen glad to hear your doing well. I got my first AC on the 15 and have been very tired ........no energy! Im hoping this doesnt last long but I guess I cant complain because I so far had no other s/e. Had my neuelasta shot took the claritin but no bone pain so I gues I can stop the claritin since I've taken it 4 days.

I m wondering if the more tx's the s/e are going to get worse? Hoping not!

(((hugs)))

oh I also got my neulesta shot same day as treatment but was not told to take Claritin - no bone pain yet but that may still come on day 4-5 we will see

It is so bizarre how we are told different things/treated differently for the same protocol. The NP told me "Neulasta shot 24 hours after treatment - not less than 24 hours, but can be more than". I understood it has to do with the timing of the dip in your white blood cells.

I was just entering my meds into my Medi Helper ap on my phone, and the directions on the steriod say to take it the day before, day of, and the after after (typo?). The thing is, the NP told me that I don't have to take any meds the day before treatment, she specifically told me that, and I confirmed and wrote it down in my notes. So, do I go by what she told me? Or go by what the prescription says? I know - call them. I'll do that in the morning - hope I get an answer quickly seeing as it says I should be taking them that morning with food . . .

Lynne- I think each MO has there own recipe- I don't take anything before either and then have day of and day after zofran and decadron - I also have compazine and Ativan but only if I need then and so far I have not- then he has me on a bowel regime while I'm on the meds - miralax and senna - I got my neulesta shot in back of my arm just before I left infusion center with no other meds associated with that

I'm on day three. So far noticing a bit more tired but also didn't sleep the greatest. Noticing more metallic taste change in my mouth. Otherwise feeling good. FYI I was told to take claritin for 7 days after. Also told no teas of any kind, black, green, herbal and iced. Doing a lot of water infused with fruit. A bit boring but...Anyone have any other refreshing, healthy beverage suggestions?

Great pics, Stacy. You are beautiful. This too shall pass.

Karen, yes I have felt full and bloated. My abdomen was sore for days (I didn't have any vomiting or diarrhea). My appetite starting coming back day 5, but i still can't hold much.

My nurse told me during training about kidney damage, that if I drank cola or coffeeto follow them with a glass of water. Teas weren't mentioned tho.

Interesting about the tea..my MO said to cut back on drinking green tea because it inhibits cell death, but any other kind was fine. He also said I could have a cup of green once in a while...I had a serious habit! Good luck everyone who has to belly up to the bar tomorrow! Love the image BTW kbeee....esp. since it gives you a 4 alarm hangover lol.