Chemo in July 2015

Hi, I had my first treatment on Thursday (7/30). I had TCHP and then the Neulasta shot on Friday. I have had fairly mild SEs. I was fine Thursday and Friday. Saturday I felt like I had been hit by a bus and am now starting to feel better on Sunday. The nurse mentioned that they may want to "speed up" my future infusions but if I have had manageable SEs, I think I would prefer to keep it on the same pace. I think it was perjeta and taxotere that she said they would give me faster next time. Is it true that this could make SEs worse? What would be the benefit to giving the infusions faster? Thanks.

Sheri0402 - Only advantage is less infusion time. I talked to my MO about this before my 2nd infusion and she agreed I should keep it the same. It may not have made a difference, but I certainly felt better taking it slow. I'm glad I did. I've managed SE's better than the first and I like the idea of keeping any "variables" similar.

Faime - glad you are better and love the detail of your ambulance ride .. hope fever does not come back ..

roserx - thanks for stopping by to check in on us and for sharing your tips - we take all we can get!

Ruth - beautifully said - Hugs! Just hope it keeps getting better for you!

Day 3 of 1st AC for me - managing OK - good and bad moments- mainly wiped out today and just want to do nothing - one nagging feeling I have had since Day 1 is that throat feels inflamed like Sinus Junk - sometimes making it hard to swallow without water close by .. I am pretty sure I have read others having this - does it go away?

Hope all are having a happy relaxing se free Sunday!

Mary

Gorgeous photos Freeandflying!

Hey ladies, thanks for all your advice regarding the nausea!

I do have two anti-nausea medicines I was given- prochlorperazine and lorazepam. The lorazepam I only take at night because it's also for insomnia and anxiety. I have been able to get the nausea under control the last couple of days by staying on top of my meds. Today I finally had a day where I wasn't taking the prochlorperazine every six hours and wasn't too bad. I got some ginger chews which have helped. I also have saltines and ginger ale which helped. I got an aromatherapy oil that has ginger in it as well today and we'll see how that does in controlling without medication; with everything else obviously.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it! And thanks for welcoming me here everyone, it's been a scary ride and though I hate anyone to be a part of this club, it helps to know there is this community helping us all through it.

Hi Jbankb1 - I wish you had a network of friends you could rely on to help you. Have you met any neighbors or parents of children same age? I have found that people want to help - if there is anyone that you have met, maybe reach out to them and perhaps they can cook you a meal or watch your kids for a few hours a day.

Reach out to people - you will be amazed how supportive they can be. My BS gave me a certificate for a free house cleaning that was from some organization that does it for women who are going through BC treatment. There is free help out there. Ask your doctors.

I hope you get some support. Nap when your kids nap. Put in some disney movies. No guilt. You have to take care of yourself.

Good morning everyone. FreeandFlying and mdoc524 the pictures were beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Mdoc524 I also have the SE of sore throat. Mine is about two weeks now MO said SE of chemo. Some days it worse than others but not intolerable. I am almost 14 days out from first treatment and feel good. My hair is still full but my head has been itching! I bought a bike over the weekend and try to ride a mile a day. I have discovered muscles that I never knew existed! Oh my. But it's fun and as long as I can I want to stay active. My next TCH is next week this Wednesday is herceptin day. Hope everyone has a great day

Dear Ruth

Hope your tx is going well and you get to "those good days" fast.

I know what you mean by feeling guilty for feeling good. I'm going Thursday, so I know I start over. If I could be guaranteed the first 5 days being horrible, days 5-8 being manageable and 9-14 being normal.... I would sell my soul. So get to those good days quickly

How are you all doing this??? I have never felt so miserable in my entire life.

• I'm on anti-nausea meds and yet I have this constant underlying sensation of being queasy. Trying a new one today, no results yet.
• I have a horrifying rash on my face, chest, and scalp that they thought was shingles but now aren't sure.
• I had to see the oncologist today so he could look at my rash. By the time I got home I was so exhausted my legs were shaking and I vomited. Fatigue is controlling my life.
• I still have diarrhea regularly despite taking Immodium.
• I keep trying to eat but everything tastes like sawdust and swallowing is downright painful. I haven't even bothered today.

I am 8 days out from my first treatment. I feel like I shouldn't still be this bad! My oncologist thinks it might be related to the rash I have (seeing a dermatologist tomorrow for it) and had me do bloodwork to check everything since I'm doing so poorly. I am just so frustrated and angry.

Is anyone else having this much trouble?

hi everyone. Second chemo down this morning. They changed all my meds. I got decodran ?, not sure what that is. Have to look it up. Amend for nausea, and a steroid this time. I have a herendous headache, but so far, that's it. Came home and slept for 2 hours. Just ate mashed potatoes. Nervous as to what comes next, but the first one was so bad, I think I can handle it. At least I'm trying to stay positive.....

I take senekot for constipation. I'm going to start it today as a precaution. I read some of you did that, so I'm going to try. I also got some probiotic yogurt to try too. Haven't eaten any yet, but will try.

Mary, I'm assuming when you get your red devil, they had administer into the IV. I was told the slower they go with it, the fewer SE. I get three vials over about 10 minutes. And thanks for someone's advice, I ate ice during it. Not sure, but I think it did help keep my mind off my cramping hand. I hope you feel better quickly.

JAnnG, I think and am hoping, since the first one was so bad, that at least I know what to expect and anything better will be so appreciated. And remember, we can go I for fluids. I went 3x in two weeks. It was my saving grace. I'm hoping not to do that.... I want to try to do it right this time.... Good luck to you too.

Thanks Peabrain. You get me, haha. I'm so trying to find laughter in it all. I was ready to put this one behind me too. My daughter keeps telling me I'm 50% thru.... I like the sound of that...

A little funny.... I was so excited that I lost weight. My weight the day they told me I had the big C, was 199. I have struggled with it for over 30 years. Lost a lot of weight after my husband died of cancer, met new hubby and gained it all back. So when I dropped to 182, I was soo happy. But, this past week, I ate almost normal. Even had some sweets, which packed on the 3 lbs. it's pretty bad feeling like crap but loving the scale. Haha! I did start walking a bit. And hope I can continue to. I guess what I'm trying to say, this is one advantage of the chemo, along with zapping those seeds we definately need gone...

Love, peace, health, and especially smiles go out to each and every one of you, my friends.

Ruth

missbee123: I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. I hope you can get a handle on everything and figure out what all is going on. Positive thoughts your way.

Ruth: decadron is also a steroid they give to help prevent reactions.

Well I had TC round 2 last Thursday. Sunday was my rough day. Muscles in back, arms and legs very sore. I could not stand for anyone to touch my body because of the soreness. I was also very fatigued and could hardly function. Just a tad nauseated but nothing big. Tried one dose of compazine (instead of zofran since zofran increases constipation) and that did the trick. Went to bed at 6pm and slept pretty much through the night till 6am.

Today I feel much better. Muscle pain just about gone. Eating well. Been taking colace in am and pm that has prevented constipation. Yea!! One major side effect: gas. 😁 not sure from colace or chemo. Able to walk Sunday and today about 15 minutes and hoping tomorrow I can get back to my 30 minutes.

Losing all hair on the sides of my head and the top has a few bald places. Glad I got it buzzed earlier.

I gained 7 lbs this treatment but down 3 lbs today. I think from the steroids that they give me. Walking seems to help get rid of the weight. Really have to watch my appetite from the steroids as I am hungry a lot which is different since I had my bil mastectomy and reconstruction. Have lost 34 lbs since surgery and want to lose 46 more before revisions but need to wait till chemo is completed before dieting.

Hope everyone has an easy treatment week with no or few SEs.

Hi all - first treatment went very well! The taxotere they introduced slowly so that took a long time. Then on to cytoxen. That was an hour. The penguin caps were the most challenging. I hope they work as they are a hassle. But we shall see. Thanks for all the encouraging words. I was pretty encouraged that they day went so smoothly. Love to all!

@Free, both great pics! I've lost about 80% of my hair now and have clipped it very short myself. I bought a scarf and a couple caps/hats over the weekend, but also picked out a wig. I haven't gotten it yet though since this insurance guy couldn't answer my questions about reimbursement and I know I have coverage for it. Anyway, I hope to get it this Friday, and by that time with a good shampooing, my hair will probably all be gone!

@mdoc, glad to hear you're doing pretty well with SEs after your first treatment and thanks for sharing your photo; love the shirt!

Hugs and best wishes to all you fabulous ladies; we've got this!

Good luck Erika!

I am about 6 days post treatment #2. Feeling more and more human each day. The weekend was definitely "the hit by a bus" side effect. Even my cheekbones ached. It was rough.

Other than that, I STILL have hair! (Technically I am on day 28 or so of chemo)- I always had a thick head of hair, but this is just crazy. It's getting super patchy, and I cover it when in public, but I may actually have to get it buzzed down again.
Pubic hair is as stubborn as my head hair, apparently 😜

The worst side effect for me has been the heartburn. I'm taking Zantac as needed- anyone taking Prilosec? Or something else? i'm a bit of a heartburn newbie (for the record, I'm pretty much a newbie to being sick. I barely had more than a bottle of Advil in my house prior to this).

Wishing you all a strong, healthy week! And good luck to those receiving treatment.

morning.

Adarkadaptedi, I ate ice during the red devil. Someone suggested it, I think it helped a little. I have very thin crappy veins, and she told me this time she pushed the red devil and then used a little flush in between. It wasn't as bad as before. Maybe it will help you too.... Good luck

I had a good first day. Woke up this morning with just a little nausea, took a composine, walked a mile, my new must try to do. Haha. Clears my mind. Off at lunchtime for my shot. Here's hoping for an ok day. And wishing all you friends for the same. Rut