Starting Chemo May 2015

Shanann...today has been a good day Thanks

StefLove...I was told the same I don't know why they bother to say this because the first thing people do is google it...I wonder what they would do? It is like you say we don't need follow up after chemo and radiation which is real good...I have been keeping busy and not thinking to hard on the chemo...I have brain fade big time at the mo...so that helps. lol

Welcome Composmentis! I have to ask, are you Catholic by any chance? I converted to the faith in the Jubilee year, and I'm just wondering- not that it is relevant to your post.... just an inkling. It's all grace. God is good. -Shan

Me too!! I slipped off down to the beach with my oldest son, and my grandchild before I begin my chemo! What a joy those little ones are.

I'm on Day 10 after first TC chemo. For me, the chemo part has only given me a weird tongue/bad taste in month - which I combat with spearmint gum. I took my anti-nausea pill for the first four days to dodge that bullet. I'm having to take a lot of colace because I'm very constipated. For me, I think almost all my problems were from the Neulasta shot and Mistletoe. Even though I took the claritin, about 36 hours after Neulasta I developed a fever and bad joint pains. My reaction was worse than normal because I also did the alternative medicine Mistletoe injection. Here's a summary of the past 10 days

Day 0 - chemo day - went well.

Day 1 - felt fine, just a little weird. Gargled with baking soda/salt water a lot because tongue and mouth were "off." Went for a walk, did all my normal daily stuff. Gave myself mistletoe at 3pm. Neulasta shot at 5pm. Taking claritin for bone aches.

Day 2 - normal day. felt fine.

Day 3 - not fine. developed a fever courtesy of neulasta and/or mistletoe. bad bone aches. went to ER about 10pm because fever was consistently at 101. All blood work came back great - no infection. Came home after just a few hours.

Day 4 - fine. good, normal day. bone pain gone.

Day 5- developed fever and horrible back pain. Still managed to go to son's band banquet which was pretty stupid with a fever but I didn't want to miss it! Called doc who told me that it was just neulasta fever/pain and take two Aleve and call her in AM. I'm happy to say, Aleve did the trick!!

Day 6-9 - normal, good days. chew a lot of gum because of weird mouth taste. Evening of Day 9 finally gave myself another mistletoe (one week overdue but I was afraid).

Day 10 - Today - good in morning but I've been told the mistletoe is supposed to make you feel like you have the flu. Sure enough... started to get really tired and took a nap this afternoon. Woke up with a fever. At least now I know the fever might totally be all mistletoe related and maybe not neulasta. It's supposed to be good that I feel this way because that means it's working. Hah. I might just finish my last two injections and be done. It's supposed to boost white blood cells just like neulasta so maybe I'll just stick to that. I'd rather not give myself a fever every three days!

I enjoy reading through posts but does anyone know of or want to start a google "log" where we can each have a column and Day listed on the side and we can jot a note how we feel each day? We'd probably need a different spreadsheet for each treatment protocol so maybe that would get too complicated, but I wish I could just look at something that showed "here's what everyone else experienced on day 11" based on personal experiences. It would be easier to glance at than reading through the boards looking for things.

- regarding eating on day of - I ate normally - and ate a lot during chemo. (the steroids made me hungry.) I had brought ritz crackers and peanut butter because I wanted protein. I also ate a bagel.

- water - holy moly - I thought I was doing good drinking 32 oz the next day. I see I'm an underperformer so I'll have to step that up!

- port - I have 4 treatments of TC so University of Michigan did not want to do a port. My IV was in my arm and I was able to move it around with no problem. I'm switching to West Michigan Cancer Center for my next three injections and they were really surprised that I didn't want a port, but the IV didn't hurt at all so I'd rather not add to my scar collection which is extensive after DIEP BMX and then lumpectomy.

- I brought a complicated photo album project with me to chemo that I really was feeling driven to finish. I actually thought I got done with chemo too fast because I wasn't done with my project yet! I got sleepy for about 10 minutes when the benadryl went in but I fought it because I wanted/needed to get this project done.

Oohh, this is way too long. But I wanted to help relieve some of the fears for you. I won't lie - day 3 was horrible for me. BUT, I honestly think it was self induced with that stupid mistletoe injection. You all are going to do GREAT this week!! You can do this!!

Next injection for me is May 21.

Kristin

Tomorrow is my port day and it's freaking me out more than the chemo at the moment. Also ran around a little bit today to try getting the last few odds and ends purchased. Next fun step left is hunting down dry ice for the cold caps I'll be trying.

I've been trying to hit the 100oz of water today that my MO nurse demanded I drink during treatment and HOLY AMOUNT OF WATER! It's insane. I'm definitely the most hydrated I've ever been and I'm pretty sure my water bill is going to skyrocket the next few months with the amount of time I'm flushing the toilet.

Glad you're feeling better klanders and that hopefully you've narrowed it down to the mistletoe. Hoping the next treatment won't be as 'eventful'! The google log sounds great and I'd contribute to it if it went live!

Happy Mothers Day... Not looking forward to starting TC on Thursday but yet glad to get started and getting it done! Let's hope all goes well for those of us starting this week....and of course to all on this journey whichever wherever you are up too. I got my hair cut shorter this week and had a manicure and pedicure so I'm ready... I think....maybe not.... eek!!

Happy mother's day to the mom on this thread.

I have my third TC on Thursday. Just like the surgery, the port, the echo, the PET, the blah, blah, blah, I found it has not as scary to do it as to anticipate it. Good luck to everyone who starts soon. Hydrate!

Good luck to all of us starting this week. Let us know how you all feel and I will do the same. I have the my bag packed with IPad, book, coloring book and pencils. I will pack banana, tangerines, and crackers tomorrow and the water bottle. I am up to 80'ounces a day and only 6-8 trips to the bathroom. Lab husky.....you are so right about the insurance. We are sitting at $125,000+, luckily we only have to pay $3000. Cyber hugs all around:

well just left the hospital after getting my port in! Luckily feel ok right now so I'm grabbing lunch with my father. I know I'll be sore later but no complaints just yet.

I am about 1/2 way through first round, started at 8...definitely information overload. But feeling ok. DH went out to get me some lunch.

Dear Group--I had my very first infusion today. I am starting with Dose Dense AC (dose every other week x 4 cycles). My husband accompanied me and while we had been to "chemo class" we still were not sure what to expect. First order of business was check in, go to the correct waiting room (the infusion waiting room, not general), meet nurse, get weighed and height measured again (to confirm to calibrate our doses properly). Our nurse then gave me the big comfy chair (scrawny little metal chair in corner for husband :-)...

My port was installed on Thursday, and I was favoring it a bit, not sure I had smeared enough painkiller on it this morning or even if I put the cream in the right place, but all went well. The port "stick" was painless and we were off and running. The nurse discarded the first blood draw, got the blood for labs, went away and then came back to show me results with a thumbs up--good to go.

We had three pre-meds for nausea first--decadron, aloxi, emend. Each took a little bit of time to drip through, during which time husband and I chatted, drank water, imagined Starbucks fancy coffees for afters and just waited to see what this new experience would bring. The "A" (and yes, it sure is red!) was next and took about an hour. No oddness during the drip. I had a conversation with the nurse about ice chips, which she said are fine, but that the real ticket to managing mouth sores is excellent oral care, along with swishes of baking soda/salt/warm water every time I stop by the bathroom. After "A" finished, we had an hour of Cytoxan. Nothing alarming. Then, we were declared finished for the day, she cleared my port and injected "heperin" to put it to sleep, and off we went.

She did have cautions for me as the days roll on:

1) Stay ahead of the nausea. They give us a LOT of anti-nausea meds up front. But if we start to feel a niggle of nausea, take one of the back up pills indicated and provided for home by the nurses. Also, stay on top of the Miralax (ohhh poop-or rather--can't poop?) because the one called aloxi in particular gums up the works.

2) We should all listen to our bodies--if we feel like a walk will help, a walk will help. If a nap is better for that flash of fatigue, nap.

3) We are all doing something that is absolutely CRITICAL for our recovery, and we should acknowledge that while chemo can be very hard at times, it is our ally.

I know that the "crash" days come later in the week...or that is what I surmise. I am keeping a daily log of my chemo infusions and my reactions for each day. That way, I might have a better understanding of patterns and what works/does not work, etc.

My nurse was named Regina. She was truly a professional and I felt safe and cared for her in hands and company. Thank you, Regina.

Oh -- and group -- are you doing anything special to commemorate your journey through treatment? My husband and I are pondering something, but haven't thought of the "ah ha!" idea yet. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Wishing all my fellow travelers the best experiences, fewest side effects, and all that is good. Thanks for starting this group and for the compassion, humor, and strength we share with one another.

Best-

-Angela

My first chemo is tomorrow morning, 5/12. I am having TC. I haven't slept well the last few nights as I am anxious; also have been really emotional. I had my port placed last Thursday, not a big deal. Ice packs and ibuprophen took care of the pain.

I will probably send my husband home during the infusion. I sat with my late husband through his lung cancer chemo and I know how boring it will be for him. I have my noise canceling headphones all charged and a small quilt to cover up with.

Maree, today is Day 11 after TC and no signs of hair thinning or hair loss... yet! My daughter's 20th birthday is tomorrow and I half expected to be shaving my head on her birthday but I think my hair is going to hold on a while longer.

klanders, hope that hair stays well rooted! :-) I begin TC on Thursday and I think I am ready.

Had a good boost today as we met with the RO for an opinion.... an emphatic rads not needed!! Yeah. He was so positive, way more positive than any other doctor I have seen and exactly what I needed right about now.

Thanks all for your support. I'll let you know how I am doing.

Very tired, major heartburn. Oncology nurse on call said Tums are fine, but if it comes back tomorrow to call clinic for Prilosec. Good Night and goo dc luck to those starting later this week.