Starting Chemo December 2015

Hi Opt4Life,

I am in Chicago. I had actually taken it twice last week after my first treatment and just wore a mask. Once to go into the office, the other time to go to an ACS look good feel good thing. Anyway very glad I get to work from home going forward. The commute in itself is exhausting...coughing and wheezing passengers are just an added risk. I did notice the mask guarantees you a seat and plenty of elbow room!

Hello, women! I am popping in from the July chemo group. I am about two weeks out from my last chemo treatment and just wanted to reiterate that you can do this! I made it through 14 treatments and can't believe it's over.

Here are a few tips that you only get from these discussion boards that make it easier to get through. They are not meant to scare you. Everyone will get some side effects, no one gets all of them, and nobody gets the exact same combo as the woman next to you. But, if you get these side effects, you are not alone and there are things you can do to minimize them.

If you're having problems with the Neulasta or Neupogen shots, try taking a Claritin the morning before the shot. If you still have bone aches after, you can take more Claritin or a couple Tylenol. If neither of these work, let your MO know.

Stay hydrated at all times. The chemo dehydrates way beyond what you are used to. The more you can stay ahead of this, the better the whole process goes. When water starts to taste icky, try adding cucumber or lemon or some other flavoring to it so that you will drink it. Popsicles count as water.

Stay ahead of the nausea. If you start to feel nauseous, head it off immediately with Zofran or any of the antinausea drugs they have. Don't try to tough it out, it doesn't work. Antinausea drugs slow your whole system down and create constipation. Take stool softeners and laxatives as needed to keep everything moving. At first I tried to minimize the amount of medication I was taking, but ended up in a bad way. I recommend gracefully accepting that your bathroom will look like an old person moved in and manage the symptoms.

Hair starts falling out about two weeks after the first AC treatment (Taxol is a little more hit and miss). Although it's the most publicly obvious side effect, it doesn't hurt. Sometimes the hair follicles are sort of tingly right before they give up. Enjoy not having to shave during chemo, it won't last.

If you're having some reflux/heartburn, take one of the over the counter meds, Pepcid or Mylanta. The chemo can kill off the stomach lining. If the OTCs don't work, ask your MO about prescription Nexium.

The chemo can also kill off the lining in your mouth and give you dry mouth. Use Biotene toothpaste the whole time. If you feel even a hint of a mouth sore, gargle 2-3 times a day with a mixture of warm water, salt and baking soda.

Food tastes weird on chemo because your taste buds get killed off. Avoid spicy foods (even though you can taste them) to protect your stomach lining. Try using spices that add flavor, but not heat like: cinnamon, cumin, coriander, cardamom, pepper, salt, nutmeg. I lived on fried eggs, chicken noodle soup, very mild stir fry and curries. A friend of mine made it through on fried chicken. Whatever works for you to keep eating. A lot of people have said to avoid your favorite foods so that you don't associate them with chemo. I ate whatever sounded good at the moment. It was a tragedy the day chocolate didn't taste good, but that has passed and I am doing some serious damage to a box of See's.

Put a stool/shower chair in the shower. Showers can be exhausting. Consider a warm bath. It soothes the bone aches and neuropathy and it's not as much work.

Get the exercise you can, even if this is just walking to the kitchen. Don't feel bad if this is as much as you can do. Your body is busy doing other things.

Again, I am not looking to scare you, but I see that many of you are already starting chemo and getting the first of the side effects and these are some of the things that I would have liked to know in advance. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions

My very best wishes to all of you and big hugs.

Lyra, sorry you have Strep. I've had a mildly sore throat since port placement. Hmmm. Glad chemo is going well but yes with a 3 yr old, you certsinly can't blame all your tiredness on chemo.

I'm on my first day after my first TC treatment. I woke up, worked an hour, took a two hour nap, then went into get my neulasta shot. I was absolutely exhausted all day. And now I'm feeling a bit better at night. My head was very foggy couldn't focus on much for work. Other than that just bad headaches and some stomach pain. The head fog and headaches are hard to get used to and trying to work.

Nebraska - Check to see if you have Zofran or onedansatron as an anti-nausea med. My MO had me drop it for round 2 because it gave me wicked headaches round 1. I have a different anti-nausea med that instead of stopping after day 3 (constipation is a SE but the chemo gives me D so it doesn't matter) I continue to take for about a week or as long as needed.

Twirp26, you made me laugh out loud this morning! I was thinking the same thing, bald with zits!! SEXY!! LOL - I think I find something new every day too. Yesterday it was my tongue!! Its completely smooth except for the tip!!! My husband thinks I've lost it. I too, still have my hair, but I noticed a lot of shedding when I blew it dry yesterday and quite the clump came out when I washed it - The onc nurse said it will tingle before it fully comes out and that might not be until after round 2.

For anyone having issues with their skin, I ordered a "chemo pack" from Lindi skincare. The reviews were really good and I am hoping it works. I am praying too that we all feel good and get through the holidays as well. We can do this!!!!

puremalarkey, what is the nuelasta pod? I haven't heard of that.

jg12705 lol, I just jumped on the Lindi skincare bandwagon;) I'll try anything at this point. I have been putting emu oil on my forehead and under my eyes and my skin sucks it up like it hasn't had a drink in a week! Lol it sounds like we have very similar SE's. On another note, spoke a little soon about my hair. It is starting to shed all over the place. I am supposed to get it cut on Friday if there is any left😉 Lol I also signed up for the look good feel better class. Hoping that will help with eyebrows etc.

proctor1725, I am so sorry to hear your husband isn't supporting you the way he should. It's supposed to be for better or worse! I'm saying a prayer that he will come around and give you the support you need. In the mean time, take the support from family and friends and focus on yourself and your little girl. I'm sure the transition from short hair to no hair will help both of you but Also remind her that it is only temporary!! I remind myself of that every day!! Best of luck ladies!

Hello fellow December Ladies. I'm just now joining the group, although I started my first chemo on December 4. Friday will be my 3rd treatment. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories. It's helpful to hear how others are doing with the chemo and side effects. Praying for victory, strength and minimal side effects for us all!

Hi ladies,

This is my first post, though I have been reading everyone's comments every day. I'm grateful for all the information you are all sharing. Thank you, it helps to wrap my head around this whirlwind knowing that there are so many other warriors going through this journey with me.

I had my first AC treatment on 12/8 with Neulasta injection on 12/9. Minimal SE until today. I have horrible pain in my hips, sternum and lower back. I also have thrush. I got a prescription for the thrush and am giving ibuprofen a try for the bone pain. I assume the pain is from the Neulasta but I expected that it would have happened sooner.

I tried the penguin cold caps and decided it wasn't for me. I got a wig instead. I still have all of my hair as of day 8 post chemo.

I decided not to work through treatment so that I can stay focused on healing and use my energy on myself and my family. It was hard to make this decision but now a huge weight has been lifted.

Even with BC I can still say that I am lucky in life:) I believe wholeheartedly that staying positive and focusing on the good in life will push us through our treatments

Sending you all love and light.

Proctor1725:  there are clinical trials going on now testing Herceptin and ... one other drug ... it must be Perjeta ... for women with comorbidities which make full-on chemo inadvisable.  Wouldn't it be great if the results show that we could get away with no chemo?  Many of our ER+ sisters now avoid chemo with good results.  I am optimistic that we will find better solutions in the future!  (Best of all would be to prevent this nasty beast of an affliction all-together!)   

Hi everyone! I was diagnosed in November right after my Mom passed away. Like within days...My first chemo was December 8th which went easier than I thought. They had a bit of trouble finding my port at first because I had it placed the Thursday before and I was still swollen. Otherwise besides being a very long day,I had no problems! Prayed and praised God all the way through it. The only thing I felt when I got home was some really low cramps which felt more like the chemo had instantly caused constipation,even though I was drinking lots of water. Also my legs were a bit crampy probably from sitting so long. Beyond that I felt fine until the 11th.That was the day I started to have a bit of nausea,and heartburn. When I was pregnant with my boys,I never had nausea,so this was new to me. It made me totally understand how my daughter-in-law felt when she was pregnant with my grandbabies. I tried taking Zofran which made me vomit so violently I will never take it again! The nausea only lasted through the 13th. Monday I felt fine,I was expecting to feel tired but didn't. Tuesday I began to have diarrhea which I still have today. I had a very slight nosebleed this morning so took some Ester C which seems like it helped. My mouth is pretty sensitive which is hard because I wear partials,so I bought some Biotene which helps. So that was my first experience with everything,hoping the other times go as well!

I have my 2nd chemo treatment tomorrow. I've been through it before so why am I still nervous? I had issues with nausea the first time so hoping a change of anti-nausea meds will help this time

I've had such a difficult week since my first round. I felt fine the day of chemo and the day after, however after that it all went downhill. I first experienced constant and strong nerve pain radiating down my legs and causing my feet to either throb or feel numb, I felt very unsafe walking and I didn't have anything that could touch the pain. That lasted about 3 days--I talked to the nurse about it on Monday and she said that is a possible SE of the Taxotere but it was unusual for it to start with the first round. She let my MO know and hopefully they will make some adjustments for round 2....because the next 5 rounds are feeling so scary to me right now.

I didn't have any nausea until my 4th day chemo, the first day I didn't take the nausea medicine first thing in the morning. I quickly tried to get back on track, but that was a horrible day and I just thought that is what happens when you get behind on things. But I haven't been able to eat anything but toast and white rice (and chicken noodle soup today) since Monday, along with peppermint and chamomile tea. I've almost given up trying to drink water--I was assuming it was nausea, but now I wonder. My stomach just cramps up and I feel like I'm dry heaving, then it goes away for a little while and then comes back. Is that cramping more likely from nausea or diarrhea?

I have to go in tomorrow for lab work and by herceptin injection. Right now the thought of going back in there is revolting to me. However I am happy that I will be able to ask my questions in person. I'm just really crabby.

On a more positive note, I am not gaining weight or eating any of the Christmas snacks that have taken over at work.

Good morning ladies!!

Proctor - so sorry to hear about your husband. My heart goes out to you. Hopefully you will find support from family, friends or even your daughter. Even though it's a hard thing for children to comprehend, sometimes kids do better being involved. I'm not sure because my children are grown but I show my 2 1/2 year old grandson my "owie" and he always kisses it and tries to make me feel better.

Peabrain - thanks for the advice. Getting by with all the advice from the veterans.

rbylake - I hope everything gets better for you. Sucks when things aren't working. Hopefully they'll find something that works for you. I'm saying prayers for you.

Song - so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Couldn't imagine going through this so soon after losing my Mom. You must be very strong woman. Good luck!!

I'm on day 7 of my first cycle. So far, minimal SEs. Working as I go. Lucky because I work for my Mom so when I get fatigued (which is early afternoon every day), I usually go home to rest for about an hour. Go for blood today so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Have a good day and stay strong and positive.

Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. St Francis of Assisi

I am new to this group, I start my TC treatments on Dec. 29. Reading all your comments is reminding me I am not alone in this. I will definitely look to all of you for guidance!