Starting Chemo May 2015

So far, so good. Haven't taken any Zofran since the initial dose 21 hours ago. I did buy these pressure point bracelets for nausea and I've been wearing them since yesterday evening. Only SE since I woke up is still a slight headache that goes away with Advil.

justmaximom15--that was my original plan for working but the holiday week threw a monkey wrench in that idea. My next round will actually be 22 days to get back to Thursdays. My days off are Fri/Sat/Sun and I took Monday 6/1 off "just in case" so I'm giving myself 6 days this time and 4 next round. The bracelets were at my Kaiser pharmacy but I saw them at Target as well.

Thank you and best of luck to you through this!

Sorry I haven't been on. Been dealing with several personal issues.

First treatment was May 20th as planned. Infusion went smoothly. Later that day I had long lasting hot surges with lots of sweating. They said this was due to the steroid they gave me. Lost my appetite, but no nausea.

Today was my follow up to that first treatment, and many good results. FIRST my genetic tests came back negative all around! I feel so blessed to know that this is not something I am passing on to my sons. SECOND the MO said that I handled the treatment much better then most people do. THIRD I confirmed I have Aflac coverage for critical illness and I'm just waiting for them to process the claim. This has taken a HUGE burden off me emotionally.

My next treatment will be June 2nd. Another AC round with steroids and other anti nausea meds. The steroid will be cut in half as I had major side effects from it.

The plan for today is to go for a walk, and try to mow the yard (in small sections). My MO said as long as I don't exhaust myself I can do anything I want to.

Jenjenjen, I am hitting the water wall too. I found eating watermelon helps to keep me hydrated without the "ugh" feeling of drinking water. A few days ago lime Perrier worked...today low-calorie Gatorade is working. Each day is a new "what liquid won't make me want to hurl" scenario! And this is coming from a person who normally loves drinking water!

I also did acupuncture (one round so far) and felt it helped a bit, but mostly just to relax. Although funnily enough, I had my acupuncture, felt great, and then about 2 hours later started my period which is horrendous now that I can't take birth control pills. Not sure if the acupuncture "triggered" it coming on or if it was just a coincidence, but let me tell you how fun it is to have chemo SE's and cramps!

t100angel, I also just got the news that I have no genetic mutations. Also no breast cancer in my family (although yes to other types of cancer), I don't smoke or have any other major risk factors. Guess I am just "special" for getting BC at 31!

Justmaximom and Magnolia, I feel the same way. I just want to hurl every time I drink water.

Justmaximom, I did do acupuncture during my second chemo. I told the acupuncturist the symptoms I wanted to control such as nausea, fatigue, and my daily hungover headaches. I didn't feel like it helped me that much, maybe because the cyclophosphamide has been giving me sinus headaches during infusion. It didn't give me much relaxation because I had needles poked all over my legs and on my hands. The chemo room was cold and I just wanted to cover with a blanket but couldn't because all the needles were everywhere. Also just FYI girls, if doing acupuncture they do put needles all over your legs so beware because I didn't shave my legs in awhile and I was a bit embarrassed

Success !!! I made it thru the 2nd treatment today. Went in a little after 10 and was out around 4. Dare I say I drove for coffee and Taco Bell afterwards because I was so darn hungry. I had carrot sticks, a nectarine, Gatorade power zero lemon lime flavor and water but I needed a meal. After treatment I felt tired, like I wanted to get a headache between the eyes but it didn't fully present itself, and my mouth goes dry right away. Next Thursday the dr wants to see me probably to see how everything is healing and how I'm doing. I got my neurlasta shot too. Why do a lot of you go back another day for it

Hair went bye-bye this morning! Actually, it was a relief. I knw it was coming, and, now feel good that THAT is over. Here is a selfie I took after getting back to the car! Had blood work done later and all was good! Now, I hope to have a "sort of normal" week before doing it all again.

my sunshine you look great!! This morning I was brushing the bed with my hand and felt some hair. I was so hoping it was my dogs hair, but nope it was mine. I said, "bad dog". Not really. Then the guy that does the Meds said you still have hair. I shrugged my shoulders & said just luck I guess? He said that I may not after this treatment. I just turned around and said, " gee thanks" and grinned. I do have a weird sense of humor. You know I walked out feeling good. It was like a sense of accomplishment. I have to psyche myself up in doing it and probably will before every time I go in. Then I walk out happy because I'm alive and it didn't go too bad at all.

lindatwo--I just have 2 this time around. My WBC's were still over 13k on Tuesday due to chronic esophagitis and possible celiac or non-celiac gluten intolerance but my MO didn't want me to drop any more white cellsbecause my body is already busy fighting that infection. My PCP suggested a EGD scope but that was the same appointment that he examined "The Lump" so the BC diagnosis has that fun on hold for now.

Day 2 after 1st TC chemo session and I am feeling pretty good. Went for a short walk this morning, did some gentle yoga and mediation. Then had a nice ebsom salts bath and face mask. Ah, hopefully it will all be like this!
Yesterday wasn't as good. Had constipation, diarrhea (didn't know you could do that!) nausea, headache and fuzz brain all day. I am guessing I felt so bad because of combination of the other drugs I have been taking (steroids, and the stress. Also took the nausea med too late. It helped but gave me a headache. I also took some Sundrider NuPlus that helped my stomach and gave me some nutrition. Much better today! I was able to get an appointment for acupuncture yesterday as well, wow, just about immediate relief for the fuzz brain and headache! I didn't take any nausea medicine so far today but did the NuPlus, feel great so far.

The acupuncturist has experience with chemo patients. He said some people are good doing it the day of chemo and they don't need more, others need a booster after a day or so and others like to do it throughout their treatment, a couple times per week. I think I am going to give it a try for the stress I am carrying as well.

JenJenJen - I found a pitcher that is about 100 grams and filled it up with filtered water, lemons and limes. Overflowing the bathrooms and runng out of TP but it keeps me on track with how much to drink. Seems mornings are easier to drink more.

Found a cute picture of a hair cut. Think I am going to try this one.

Here is my hair now.

Love hear how everybody is fairing!

xxoo

Hello. I had my first treatment yesterday, FEC-D. I had the first of three FEC treatments, the three D treatments will follow. I also had my PICC line inserted yesterday, a couple hours before treatment.

Everything went well until we started with the C, at which point my blood pressure went up and I was feeling pressure in my chest. The infusion was stopped. They gave me an injection of something. I believe hydrocortisone. They also gave me Benedryl. It took some time to feel better and at one point they talked about sending me to emergency but fortunately the situation improved so I got to stay and I finished the infusion. It was very stressful, my poor husband. The Benedryl really knocked me out. Overall we were there two hours longer than scheduled.

I was ok for most of the evening, had one bit of nausea but took something for it and slept through the night.

I am feeling some odd sensations in my chest mostly when I am lying down, and always if I try to lie on either side. I am wondering if this has something to do with the PICC line. Or perhaps the dexamethasone (I think that is the correct name). I am wondering if anyone else has had odd heavy feeling sensations in their chest. I've left a message with the MO, and am waiting to hear back.

Picked up the cranial prosthesis (wig) yesterday and wore it to work,  my first day back after 5 weeks off. Thought the transition would be better than waiting for the fallout next week. I even wore foobs too. Both were the first tocome off when I got home. Day 2 at work going well,  physically mentally and spiritually. My department coworkers (11 total) have asked about the wig and side-effects but nobody else has. I don't know that I would make comments to anyone other than admiring the cut or color of a new hairstyle.  

MO has agreed to let me try 1/2 dose or oral decadron day before and after but the IV dose will stay the same I have the choice of being swollen or sweet . I did pick up some lidocaine cream to put on port site prior to access. I know it only hurts for 30 seconds or so but why have to even put up with that? 

Watching the caffeine, sugar intake and taking blood sugars twice daily. 

Little-k the feeling in you chest could be due to steroids or the picc line. It's weird how we now notice every new thing but do talk to MO or nurse if it becomes bothersome. 

Marlanab- good to here you are doing well and way to go about keeping up with the water. My last 32oz of the day are the hardest so I picked up some Mio flavor drops to break things up. I do need to add some electrolytes as well. Still have a bit of a funk mouth but gum or peppermints seem to help.

Perky- welcome! Like the pix. Keep up with those nausea meds. Thanks for the report on the accupuncture. My Aloxi IV and zofran po have kept things in check. Constipation and diarrhea … ugg... reminds me of Jack Nicolson's line in Bucket List 'Never trust a fart' 

Update from MO is that my first treatment was way better then most people do. No nausea, only hot sweats from the steroid, and they will be doing a half dose on the 2nd. No major (hair) fallout at this point. My mother said she didn't notice hair loss until her second treatment. I'm hoping it comes soon as this hot weather (in Seattle area) has me sweating all the time. I'm thinking a short buzz may be happening soon if there isn't hairless with this next infusion.

A few days after my first treatment the back of my neck hurt like crazy. It felt like I had huge mumps on my shoulders, and was very tender and sore. It only lasted that one night. I had my worst day on Friday after my nuelasta shot. I got tired, and went to bed at 2:30 in the afternoon, and didn't wake up until the next morning. Not a lot of bone pain, thank God! My second treatment will be this coming Wednesday, and I still have my hair; however, the nurse told me that it WOULD start to fall out in globs soon after the second treatment, and that my head would hurt and that's how I'd know-- hair loss would soon follow the hurting head. I am very glad that the tell me what to expect before it happens. I bought a wig the other day. I'm going to go get a satin do-rag. They're nice and soft (just to wear around the house as the wig is not comfortable (for work). Hope everyone is doing well. I'm feeling normal, and am dreading Wednesday. URGH