Chemo in July 2015

madrew: Cute! Wish I'd gone the mohawk route beforehand! Naked noggin', now...

MissBee, I've tried putting a lemon slice in my water, which helps a little. Also, you could try those MIO flavoring drops. They come in five or six favors. I try to have a few on hand to flavor my water, so I have options and don't get sick of one flavor. Changing the temp of your water may help too.

missbee- try ice or Popsicles

Triple Negs - I also will follow the AC with amix of Taxotere and Carboplatin. My onc says that recent studies, mostly in Germany, have indicated this is a very effective regimen against the triple neg tumors. I will have 4 AC every other week and then 12 weekly TC doses. Of all the treatments I've seen people list, this one is very aggressive, so I asked him about it. He basically said this is our one shot at getting it all, so let's make sure. Especially since it was in my nodes and I am BRCA1 positive, we don't want to leave the door open to mets.

As bad as the SEs were the first round I have no idea how I'll make it through the next 15 but I'm game. Glad to have found you all to share this weird ride with. It must have been really hard and isolated before the Internet

Madrew, looking like a true rebel! Awesome idea. They sprung a granix shot on me today. One week out of first TC was just supposed to be lab work. Have to go back tomorrow for another shot then cbc Friday. Thank you for sharing pic, it really picked me up.

Thunder7

This is what's left of my hair. Quickly going. I wore a scarf out today and felt fine.

I go in for my secon TC round today. Hoping for no reactions. None last time.

I love seeing everyone's haircuts. Beautiful ladies!!! Toni I am so glad you hair is growing back. Gives me hope for the future.

My one tumor was TN and the other tumor >90% Er and or positive. Getting chemo for the TN tumor. Has any of the TN ladies read about the Pink vaccine for TN? Dr Vincent Touhy is the researcher out of Cleveland clinic. He had a hard time getting funded but finally was. Suppose to be starting phase I trials. I am going to ask my Onc about it next time I see her and she what she thinks. Imagine a vaccine that can cure TN. Is it legit? Only time will tell but watching information as it progresses. Anyone have any information on the pink vaccine from their Oncs? You can search pink vaccine for Brest cancer and Dr touchy name to find information

Question! I had my second round of TCHP yesterday. Last time I didn't start feeling queasy until Friday. I feel okay so far today but I'm wondering if you can take Zofran BEFORE you start feeling sick, to stave it off? I was only told to take it "at the first sign of nausea." Thoughts?Experiences?

Thanks!

T

Welcome Welcome auroaya - never to late to join our group here - so sorry you have to go thru this again - you will find a great group of strong women who are all here for each other as we fight and beat this ..

Hartrish - thanks so much for re-posting the Soda/Salt Solution tips

Ruth - what a beautiful picture with your Grandchildren - so so sorry your 2nd round was put on hold - hugs for you and hoping you are feeling better to get those lbs back

Inkster - what you went thru is one of my worst fears!! I had anaphylactic shock from an antibiotic over 10 years ago - rushed by ambulance to ER.. I have a fear of taking any new meds!! I had chills reading what happened to you - so glad you are OK and your Med Team was all over it!!

Yoxter123 - I am truly in disbelief at what happened to you and your port and then having to worry also about your loved ones - so so many hugs and prayers for you and your family...

So many beautiful ladies - Ruth, Suzanne, Tizzylish,Tonia and mandrew - love seeing your pics - thanks for sharing!!

For those questioning other drink options - I bought those MIO little flavored squirt bottles to add to my water when it starts to taste nasty .. I also got Propel and Minute Maid flavor drops too .. got them all at Target and I used the Fruit Punch MIO today - have to play around with how much to squirt in to find the best flavor but not bad ..

I start tomorrow and while I am really nervous - glad to get started - the stress of waiting is getting unbearable. I am going tonight to get my thick long hair cut really really short with my Sister in law - will post pic later or tomorrow after 1st round

Hugs to all currently not feeling great .. hang in there! Stay Strong

Mary

Hi All,

Had my 2nd round of TCH today.....feeling pretty good right now (thinking steroids are the reason.....didn't get tired until couple days after treatment last time when I stopped taking the steroid). Hoping for a relatively SE free week ahead! They're closely monitoring my white blood count this time since they dipped too low last time. Getting Neulasta tomorrow also which should help.

Mdoc524 - glad to hear you're finally getting started tomorrow! I can honestly say waiting for that first treatment really was the most torturous part of this process so far. The not knowing what to expect is tough. Here's wishing you a smooth treatment day and SE free week!!!

Hoping everyone else is fairing well this week! Thinking of you all often.....so much good information on this board! And the pics are great!

hi everyone. Ruth here. As my last post, chemo was cancelled till next Monday. I was a little upset, but must admit, I feel awesome. I got to work for the first time, in the shop and was loving it. I even worked 7 hours Thursday. Felt human again. Gained 3 lbs, have been eating really good too. I must admit, I liked what I lost so far, but I'm sure it will go again next week. I feel guilty for feeling so well, but I will take it. Onc says he will keep chemo the same but change my mess with the hopes of not getting so dehydrated and sick.

As for drinking, so far I mix one inch of the orange tarot aid in water. I eat a lot of Hershey's root beer Popsicles. They are awesome and can be ordered. I even went so far as to get pedialyte. Orange. Just in case.

Mama26, I am also triple negative. Scares the heck out of me. I got lucky and my tumor was only the size of s pea, nodes clear, so st this point, 4 AC, and that is all that's planned. My daughter and I both did the braca testing and came back negative. My daughter was told she has a 32% chance of getting breast cancer, and her insurance MUST give her a mamo one year and an MRI the next for monitoring. I pray she stays clear.

I wish all you beautiful ladies all the blessing, rest and as good health as we all can get thru these hard times. My husband has taken a hard turn. He has always been a different cookie. But, life has been so hard. He just doesn't get it. Thinks I'm bringing on everything myself. Didn't talk to me for a week. Didn't help or even ask when I was vomiting and diahrea and crying in the bathroom. Sorry for all of this.... If it weren't for all of you, I'm not sure what I would do. My daughter has been my rock, but she is also having marital problems me and her dad passed 15 years ago from cancer, so she has no time for my husbands nonsense. Some days I feel like I'm only hanging on by a string. But, we al have our issues and I'm keeping strong. My mother in law just came in from Florida to stay for a few weeks. I'm hoping she will keep him under wraps. Only three more, I know I can do it. Just sucks some days. Enough of my pity party....

I'm enjoying my early mornings in the flower beds. They really do calm me. Hope each and every one of you can find that peace.

I need to check out the elite electrolyte. I suffer hard with the dehydration. I must admit though, I go in and get 4 hrs of fluids and come out a new woman. Onc says he doesn't care if I have to do it every other day. I hope to be able to control it next week. But keep it in mind ladies, it's there for the taking.

Well, I gabbered enough. Got about 4 hours of sleep. As soon as the sun comes up, I might be up for a walk. I get to feel good till Monday, and even feeling guilty about it, I'm going to take advantage of it.

Love and hugs to you all. Ruth

Thank you, TizzyLish, I'll give some Mio a try! Plain foods are okay, for the most part, but I'm having trouble swallowing. Apparently that's not uncommon, but might fade with time.

Ruth, I'm so pleased that you are feeling well but I'm sorry that things have been tough with your husband. There is a company, Cancer Care, and they do free therapy sessions. If you don't live in one of their cities, they also offer phone counseling: http://www.cancercare.org/counseling I have been seeing them for awhile now and they are so good. Their therapists work only with cancer patients and specialize in their field. It has been an incredible resource. If you think you might benefit, it may be worth giving them a call. I will be thinking of you.

Good luck to everyone as we head into the weekend. I've been amusing myself thinking about how going through chemo is a lot like being an infant:

1. Lots of crying

2. Frequent nighttime wakings

3. Not quite ready for solids

4. Sitting up is a big accomplishment

5. Bathroom habits are closely monitored

6. Nothing feels nicer than being held by someone who loves you

Happy Friday!

Hi All,

Is there a thread just dedicated to nausea that you all know about? Just had my first infusion yesterday and was fine after but woke up in the middle of the night wishing the nausea would just kill me. Never experienced anything like that before. I've got two nausea medicines, one helps for insomnia so I was able to fall asleep after while but I'd love to read about any ladies experiencing nausea and anything that actually helps. Was planning going to work today but I can't risk having to curl up in a corner until someone can pick me up and take me home.

Thanks in advance, absolutely love this community!!

weolf - I had a full week of nausea after my first treatment and here is an essay of what I learned.

There are several different anti-nausea drugs that each have their own characteristics. All of them slow down your digestive track so watch out for constipation with all of them, make sure to take stool softeners, or gentle laxatives as needed to keep everything moving. Other reactions are probably more person specific, so you'll have to decide which ones work for you.

Zofran - not sleep inducing

Ativan - this is less anti-nausea and more anti-anxiety, it cuts the nausea and you don't care so much, makes it easier to sleep

Compazine - old school drug, knocked me so unconscious I didn't know who I was when I woke it, but no nausea

Kytril - similar to Zofran, but only administered by IV

Each drug uses different mechanisms to combat the nausea so you can take all of them in a staggered timeline, for example, take a Zofran every six hours, but at hour 2 you can take an Ativan and at hour 4 you can take Compazine. While this seems extreme, if the nausea is overwhelming, take the drugs and then taper off as you feel better.

At some point, I felt like the constipation was as bad as the nausea and stopped taking the drugs. Big mistake. I ended up back in the treatment center for hydration and more anti-nausea meds. Treat the nausea first, deal with the stomach issues as you go.

Sometimes, I couldn't tell if I was nauseous, had heartburn, couldn't swallow or if I was hungry. The nurse mentioned that all could be possible at the same time, which had not occurred to me. Once I got the nausea under control, I realized that I had not treated the heartburn at all and my stomach lining was stripped. So even though I am hungry and not nauseous, I cannot eat without severe burning. Try taking a Pepcid or whatever OTC product you like as you go, along with probiotics to keep from getting this bad. I am having to reestablish my digestive track from ground zero - just broth, thenprobiotics, then soft food, etc. Avoid this if possible.

PM me if you like and know I feel your pain. Let's hope the next treatment is not so rocky!

Hey, Pavlov!

Sorry to hear of your delay and discomfort! (although I do still envy your port - my right arm is all bruised, but they are intent on doing all treatment and draws this way)

Note that my doctors talk about Compazine as a drug that they used to use but most people prefer Zofran. I was not prescribed it until I had such a strong reaction and the other drugs weren't getting on top of it. I've talked to several others at the treatment center and none of them have (or feel like they need) the Compazine to manage their symptoms.

I would definitely push for some info on the Carboplatin. When it looked like my nodes were clear, I would have gotten 8 Taxotere/Carboplatin treatments and when the nodes were compromised, I got 12 instead. Your nodes are clear, but tumor is larger, so I don't know how that weighs out.

I lived in Lexington when I was a kid. Say hi to the green countryside for me

RuthElizabeth,

My heart also goes out to you. I have a great support system in my husband and the rest of my family and I still feel alone in this journey some days so I can't imagine what your situation must feel like but do hope that you'll reach out to a support group to find some in person interaction. I too love this board and it helps me feel not so lonely, but I know that talking with people (even on the phone) is also helpful. If you're not sure where there's a group in your area, you can call the American Cancer Society and they will help either find a support group or put you in touch with a survivor to talk to (either on the phone or in person) so you can give that a try.

Best of luck to you and enjoy these last few days pre-treatment! I think I wasted too much time dreading it and not enough enjoying feeling good! Now that I've started, I take each good day and enjoy it to the fullest!