Chemo in July 2015

Hey all! My first infusion was a week ago today. I've lost 6.5 lbs in that week, I don't eat much because my stomach always feels unsettled, and I still have diarrhea a couple times a day - but besides that and acne, I can't say definitively that I've had any other side effects. (I've noticed a couple small bruises I don't know how I got, and last night I had a sore throat for like, an hour. Can't really say if those things are related or not!) Every day I find myself being really tentative and careful, thinking that I'm going to be blindsided with major SEs.

Is seven days too soon to be optimistic that maybe things will remain somewhat normal, at least until next infusion?

hi All, Ruth here. I just cause up on so many wonderful friends. Bless you all.

Port - not an option. I'm only doing 4 AC treatments. I had 19 nodes removed, so that arm is out for any IVs. I have awful veins, so they only could use my hand. Today I went in for more fluids, which is almost every 3 days, and it took two jabs for the IV, and four for my blood work. They are running out of options.

Hair - I'm going tomorrow with my daughter for a wig. I had plans to shave before going, but changed my mind. I'm 12 days out, but I've been on such a roller coaster ride, I decided I will wait till it starts falling out. The gentleman where I'm going also said, it's kinda nice to shave and put your wig on if you want. I'm worried about the reaction of my 4 & 8 year old grandchildren, so I made arrangements for them to use the clippers on my head and make it fun. I will put a #1 attachment on, that way there is no chance of cutting the skin. I'm a hairdresser, and thought this was going to be easy. Not sure, as it gets closer. Unfortunately, I have had to shave more customers heads due to this awful disease. So I have to be strong too. One thing I always did, if you were going thru treatments, you got all your trims free, especially your shave. And, I also did at least 6 months afterwards till they were back to normal health. I guess, my way of giving back.

Neulasta shot - I took a Claritin the day of and day after my shot. I didn't take it more than that, didn't think I needed more. I must say, I got lucky with the bone pain. I'm afraid to even say it, but had none.

Red Devil - thanks for the advice on the ice chips. My hand cramped so much during the three vials, I thought I would cry. Luckily, as soon as she flushed the line, the pain went away. I will try the ice on Monday for my next treatment.

AC - I'm sure you all have read enough of my posts about my stomach pain and going into the hospital for fluids. It's been so overwhelming. I had a pretty sappy few days. But, I'm better. I get pains in my stomach, then can't eat and then get dehydrated. I've been winding up in for fluids 2x each week. Usually always on a Friday, just so I can make it thru the weekend. I hesitate each time I feel I need to call. Spent 5 hours in today. Was leaving and was already in tears. Saw my Onc doctor, he stopped and talked to me. Said he didn't care if I had to come in every other day. And then gave me a big hug. He told me I had to listen to my body, and that's why I usually call. I know what's coming....

Mouth - I an rinsing with Biotene every time I eat. Which isn't much some days. Especially before bed. My mouth just feels yucky so far. I'm hoping i don't get any sores. Doc said if I do, they prescribe magic swizzle, which has lidocaine in it. I'm hoping not to need it.

Water - I can't and shouldn't even talk about this, since I am always dehydrated. Haha. But, I can't drink plain water, it nauseates me. I have found that I can pour 1 or 2" of orange gator aid in a large glass, and fill the rest with water. It's working so far. So, I will take it. Otherwise, Hershey's root beer Popsicles are fantastic.

Hemmeroids - sitz bath. It took a few days, but helps. Hemmeroid wipes, witch hazel, Vaseline to wipe so t paper doesn't hurt. And soft stool. What ever it takes. 5 days out, it's still there but I don't feel like I want to cry every time I go to the bathroom.

I think I hit all of what I read. Bless you all. That's for all the updates, suggestions, encouragement, faith and friendships. Some days, you seem to be the only ones who understand. It makes me feel so blessed.

Keep the faith. Have a good night friends. Sorry, I rambled...

I forgot to put my name on the list for starting in July. I started Adriamycin and Cytoxan on July 23rd.

Hi ladies I will be starting ACT chemo on Monday 7/27. Nervous. I will have 4 rounds of AC & 4 rounds of T. Can any of you give my any advice on things that you have tried that are working to help minimize you symptoms? I have 2 little kids 3 years & 11 months & want to be as functional as possible. Thank

@Mel5, @Gretagirl and @mama26 (and anyone I missed), welcome! Sorry you're now in our "club," but glad you've joined us! You'll find lots of good advice, encouragement and friendship here.

@Batesburg, I got a port, and it was just a given that I would, but I'm glad I did. The surgeon said some people keep them forever, and I thought, huh? But, now I can see that as maybe some kind of insurance? I was put completely out and all went smoothly. They will "flush" with Heparin (I think) after each treatment.

Hair: Yup, my head hair started coming out day 14, (pubic a couple days earlier) but just in strands (shedding), so I'm keeping it for now since it's just thinning, but will go wig/scarves shopping Friday after my 2nd treatment. The wig shop I've chosen is a salon, too, and offers some onc services like massage and they shave heads for free once ready. My 15 yo daughter's excited to shop for scarves and hats, too, and hopefully my DH and sister can come with us to make it a family affair.

@cheesequake, I was pretty much SE free after 7 days, but still not quite myself with fatigue and just an overall blah feeling until about day 10 and then I felt great, could taste again and was actually hungry! Although I still have this dry, crusty, scabbing nose that is very bothersome!

@mdoc524, glad you got to enjoy a vacation with your family!

This is me after DH shaved my hair down. (He didn't want to shave it all off as he was afraid he may cut or nick me). I even went out today in public for the first time. Didn't care what people thought as they "looked" at me.

Want2BeCamping: YOU are BEAUTIFUL!

Hi to everyone. Sorry this is in bold print but I can't get another font to come up! I had to take a bottle of Mag Citrate yesterday about 4 and I am still not able to control this!! I have never taken the stuff before any one out there know how long this is going to last?? I have no control over it! I am NOT DOING IT AGAIN, oh my the mild constipation was a breeze compared to this! I am also having some pain from the Neulasta shot. It's controllable with antihistamine and Advil though . I really was feeling well until they made me take this Mag stuff! Some fatigue and I feel fuzzy some but besides that I was going along. I have been rinsing with either salt/baking soda or Biotene and so far mouth ok. Pushing fluid like crazy!

I like that thought "don't blame me". Thanks! May check the wigs out

Gretagirl, I had to take mag citrate before my hysterectomy a couple years ago and it took several hours before things felt like they were wrapping up. IIRC, I drank it down around 9 pm and was still feeling like I could "go" around 5 am when I was getting ready to go in for the surgery but mostly done by 6 am. Hang in there. I promise it will stop.

@ Jbandkb1 - It sounds like you are having the same treatment as I am. I am on day 4 after my 1st round of AC. Of course, everyone has different experiences, but for what it's worth, this is what I've done and how I've felt:

All of the drugs and instructions I was given were prescribed by the onc doc & nurse as their protocol for managing SE's. I am given two anti-nausea meds and a steroid prior to the infusion. I was given a presciption for Zofran (Ondansetron) 8mg for nausea, and told to start taking it anytime after leaving the chemo center, and keep taking it whether or not I felt nauseous. I took it every six hours around the clock through the first day and night, then only during the day, but would keep one by my bed and take it as soon as I woke up and keep taking during day whether feeling sick or not. The only time I had nausea was the morning of the third day because I got up and ate something before taking it because I didn't feel sick. This morning (4th day) I didn't take it and have eaten and feel fine.

I get a Neulasta shot the day after the infusion, and was given a prescription for Claritin-D 24hr, and told to take that once a day starting the morning I get the Neulasta shot. I have had no bone pain except an aching back and shoulders the evening of the 2nd day.

I was told to drink lots of water, especially in the first 24 hrs. to help prevent bladder issues and burning when urinating. Had no problem with that.

The worst so far has been extreme fatigue and feeling shaky which was the worst starting on the 2nd day and throughout the 3rd day. By the evening of the 3rd night I finally felt like I could safely stand up long enough to take a shower (I live alone, so am careful about trying to do too much without someone here unless I feel well enough.) And, although it's not really a problem, right from the start, my tastebuds turned on me, and everything tastes a little "off". My mouth feels slightly sore, although I have no sores yet. I rinse with Biotene and clean my teeth gently, and was given a prescription for "Magic Mouthwash" if I do develop mouth ulcers, which is a compound of lidocaine, diphenhydramine, and an antacid. Also had a slight headache which was ok after using Tylenol.

I'm hopeful that this will be my routine for the next 3 infusions, although I've heard that the SE's can sometimes get a little worse with each successive infusion. Then when I start Taxol, SE's may change.

Hope this helps. It's just one perspective, and everybody's different in how they react to treatments. Good luck with your treatment, and I hope your SE's are minimal.

Janet: OMG, I would *never* guess that that was a wig - looks completely natural!

Camping: You look beautiful!

You two look great! Thanks so much for sharing the photos!!

(I know it's weird, but I almost cried.

Here's a pic. I'm getting used to it!!

Also, I had my hubby do a quasi-buzz with regular scissors this morning. It's not pretty, but feels 100% better. I will shave it soon. Shocked at how fast it came out.