January 2016 Chemo!

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  • fightergirl711
    fightergirl711 Member Posts: 300
    edited January 2016

    MissBee123 - I am keeping the Immodium and baby wipes handy! Feeling a little achy this evening, but that could be from sitting all day - I had to crank at work today, lots going on. I know when the side effects hit I likely won't feel up to it. I should have gone for a walk at least.

    LovesToFly - I cut my hair boy short this weekend after lifelong long hair, and wondering why I never did it earlier. :) When I start to shed I'll shave it, maybe do a mohawk for a couple of days to embarrass the kids.

    Zinny - I am impressed you are doing the cold caps! A friend did them and was trying to get me on board, I'm too chicken to wear such cold stuff for so long!

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  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited January 2016

    Had 4 appointments today, including a wig fitting. Muga scan was normal. Met with oncologist. Start AC on Friday the 15th (please update me, MissBee!), four doses at three week intervals instead of the normal two weeks. I also have to give myself a daily neupogen injection for TEN days for at least the first cycle because of my pre-existing low white counts. Oh boy, not looking forward to that!

    I asked her about my recurrence risk. She said due to the type and grade of my tumor, if I did nothing but the surgery last month, my risk is 35-40%!! :-O. Taking chemo cuts that in half.

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  • montanalivin
    montanalivin Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2016

    New here  had surgery dec 23rd healing and doing well.  Having port put in Jan. 18th and first chemo Jan. 19th. Just not sure what to expect.  Thankful for this site lots of great info.

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  • KimmieM
    KimmieM Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2016

    today I had my nulasta booster. It wasn't that bad. I already take claritan daily so I guess it helps. I have been eating as I feel hungry and keeping my teeth brushed as my oncologist says it helps with avoiding mouth sores. I worked today but felt sluggish and unfocused. My spirts are high and I'm trying to stay positive. I did walk some today which was good. Round 2 is 1/28. Hang in there chemo buddies.

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  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited January 2016

    Hello everyone-

    I start chemo on 01/11. Taxol once a week for 12 weeks.



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  • ladyhumps
    ladyhumps Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2016

    Hi, all--been lurking since the possibility of cancer came up a couple months ago. I had a port placed today, I'm getting 12 weekly Taxol and also herceptin starting on 1/13.

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  • Ivegotthis
    Ivegotthis Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2016

    Hello, ladies! The whirlwind of a breast cancer diagnosis sucked me into its vortex back in November and a lumpectomy in December. Suddenly I find myself this weekend facing the port placement on Monday and chemo Wednesday. Of course, the week is filled with appointments each day, despite working full-time. Post op appointment with my surgeon Tuesday, PT for the cording down my arm on Thursday, and nutritionist on Friday. This is a bit overwhelming for me. I've been fortunate to have enjoyed perfect health. Until now. I feel like I went 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds.

    I'm getting worried. My pharmacy ordered my anti-nausea meds Dec. 31. I still haven't received them. I start chemo on Jan. 13. I was told I must have the chemo within a few days of the port placement. I don't need this anxiety. I'm calling the pharmacy today.

    I am concerned over the large amount of water that is required to hydrate for chemo. I'm worried I won't be able to drink that much. Any advice?

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  • Char1110
    Char1110 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    Welcome to all the new ladies! I'm totally understand Ivegotthis. Our timelines and treatment are very similar. I will start treatment on Jan. 18th and I am praying to be able to stay hydrated enough for chemo. I am not a fan of water, but I am trying to start new habits now so it won't be so difficult once I start treatment. They say room temperature water is easier to drink, but I really like it cold. I am going to drink as much as I can and when I can't do that I will stick with clear liquids.

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  • fightergirl711
    fightergirl711 Member Posts: 300
    edited January 2016

    Ivegotthis and Char1110 - my second-opinion oncologist said I didn't need a port, I have herceptin, perjeta and taxol on Thursday via IV in my hand and it was absolutely fine. I did drink quite a bit of water, and found myself having to drag the IV stand around with me to the bathroom, but it was steady frequent sips and drinking, making sure I had a bottle nearby, nothing more than that. I wish I had some vitamin water nearby to mix it up, I'll bring a few bottles this week. You'll be ok. You'll be surprised how uneventful it is! They have to cover all of the side effects, but it's unlikely you'll get many. Yesterday I was fine, last night I was a bit tired and only a little achy so went to bed early, this morning I have a slight headache but nothing out of the ordinary.


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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2016

    I had two different opinions regarding a port. One oncologist said port without looking at my veins. A second brought in the chemo nurse who looked carefully and said "no port needed". Of course, that's the choice I made. This is all scary to me. I'll be starting either the 13th or 19th. Hope my veins cooperate

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    hi ladies I too am doing IV not port, I am only doing six, so that might be why.

    I've always like to drink water, it did taste gross during chemo and after, so I drink power aid instead. I am now 4 days after my first chemo, and able to stay hydrated and not feeling too awful at all, I even went shopping at the mall with my friend yesterday and I plan to return to work Monday. Absolutely make sure you have your medication before you start, they had me take my meds there. Yes this certainly is a whirlwind, it is still hard for me to believe this is my life right now, and I found my lump in September. I was very very healthy until this, I guess I still am, except a touch of breast cancer! We can get through this, this is a wonderful community.

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2016

    Hi...you and I have a pretty similar situation. My tumor was 2.5. I'm doing TC. Was that suggested to you or just the AC+T. I'm probably older than you and my oncologist thought the A might be too much for me

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2016

    Hey...thanks so much for organizing this January group. We'll be done before we know it and moving on to living long healthy lives

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2016

    Welcome to the group. You and I are doing the same chemo...TC. Let's keep in touch. I wish us both an easy journey with little side effects

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2016

    Thanks for the welcome and advice. I've been reading your previous posts and I believe you wrote that you couldn't handle Zofran? Is that correct. I've been prescribed Zofran to take 3x daily whether I need it or not.

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2016

    Thanks, Miss Bee. Interesting that you described me as "spunky". I'm trying my best not to crumble from this Dx. I'm older than all in this group, but I don't take one pill for ANYTHING!!! Guess my right breast didn't get the "healthy" memo. I hope we all have an easy journey

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  • KimmieM
    KimmieM Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2016

    The water is hard but you can do it. I have a text group of my friends that send me daily reminders and encouragement which include for me to drink water. I have a 60 oz water bottle which I drink out of all day which helps a great deal. I bought it months ago before I was diagnosed. There are all kinds of water bottles that have timers and motivational messages and apps you can download on your phone to remind you. I hope this helps.


    I am also taking TC 4 round. Today is day 3 and I just ate a good breakfast. I am looking forward to trying to stay moving today to keep my energy up.

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  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited January 2016

    Hi Cathytoo, I think you were trying to reply to me about Zofran? It's tricky on here because they offer you the option to "Post a Reply" but the replies just show up as regular messages (not as a reply directly to a person).

    It wasn't that I couldn't handle Zofran, it was just not strong enough for me. I had very strong delayed onset nausea the first time around (nausea that appears more than 72 hours after infusion) and struggled quite a bit with treating it. In the end, steroids were the only thing that helped me, but that doesn't mean it's true for everyone. I hope in your case it works.

    Welcome forspdn, Geeper, and ladyhumps glad you're here. forspdn, I've never heard of someone getting adjuvent perjeta (only neoadjuvent). Is this a new protocol, do you know?

    Ivegotthis, you will also have premeds before chemo that should help with nausea. But yes, stay on your pharmacy! The water is a lot to do, but part of it is building the habit and part is finding what works for you. Water is going to be best of all liquids, but that doesn't mean other liquids won't do the trick. I had a point where all I could tolerate was gingerale and I drank a TON of it. Small tips: 1) you'll drink more liquid through a straw, 2) Try to simply keep a water bottle with you at all times, as you'll drink more if it's in front of you, 3) Like Char1110 said, room temperature is easier to drink, but if you like it cold then drink it cold.

    So glad to hear that most people are tolerating treatment well. I've heard AC+T is cumulative in its side effects so the lighter round 1 is the better the possible outcome for future rounds. Two more days of "freedom" for me before it's back to chemo. Hoping to go for a jog today, while these NYC temperatures are still tolerable.

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  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    Thanks Miss Bee for all of the encouragement for everyone!

    Jittery feeling has died down - wonder if they are also a side effect of the claritin :0 Upside is no bone pain yet from the neulasta! Hooray. Sleeping is so so. DH is determined to find me some medical MJ to use instead of Ativan - anyone with experience there? Legal in freeloving BC.

    Wishing everyone lots of love and laughter this weekend. I am going to go for my favourite walk, up a lookout where I love the view and find energy. Where is everyone else finding their joy this weekend?

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    I had my Neulasta Thursday, it is Saturday and I still have no bone pain. Well maybe a bit of an ache in my hips, but I'm not sure because my hips always seem a bit achy, I am a runner with some lasting injuries. I plan to continue the Claritin through all my Neulasta, I don't want to find out if it works or not, I figure it won't hurt me taking it seven days a month!


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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    everybody is telling me to look into medicinal marijuana, but to be honest I hate nonmedicinal, so I don't think I want it. The nonmedicinal makes me a paranoid psychopath! Have been taking Tylenol p.m. to help me sleep and it's been working pharmacist okayed it

    I am down to a half dose of steroid today, and none of the emend, I did take a PRN antinauseant around 11, I'm feeling so-so now. A bit like I'm walking through clouds and rather irritable, but that's probably because the kids are running around and I had quiet the last few days. I love them to death but little girls are loud!!!

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  • Jinx27
    Jinx27 Member Posts: 238
    edited January 2016

    Happy Saturday 😊

    Hope everyone is alright. Today I'm tired and will be listening to my body and rest. I have the worst headaches. They have no specific location and are all over my head. I wonder if it's my hair follicles reacting to chemotherapy? The rest of my body feels good but my head feels horrible.

    I'm soo concerned with cognitive disruptions. I plan on entering school to be a nurse and everything just seems compromised now, I don't even know if I will be able to concentrate and focus. I apologize for my moaning but mental disruptions need to be discussed. I don't feel the same.

    Anyone else having headaches? Or trouble focusing ?

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    buzzed

    image

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  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited January 2016

    Hi MissBee123-

    Thank you for taking the time to put this together and for your support; much appreciated.

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  • Skittlegirl
    Skittlegirl Member Posts: 428
    edited January 2016

    Jinx, I had really bad headaches my first round. Round 2 they had me skip the Zofran and no headaches. I was in the ER about a week after Round 3 and they gave me Zofran and I got a headache again. So Zofran is not my friend.

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  • songbird72
    songbird72 Member Posts: 68
    edited January 2016

    Good afternoon ladies. Had my MUGA scan and CT scan of abdomen, pelvis, and chest yesterday (precautionary). The barium I had to drink for the CT has upset my stomach a little. Not the way I wanted to spend my weekend!

    On the positive side, I've got my list of things to get at the store to prep for my first treatment on Tuesday. And yesterday I found a wig that looks a lot like my natural hair, just styled a bit differently. I was pretty happy about that. A funny story---when my friend was a teenager in the 80's, her mom had lymphoma. Her mom bought five different wigs in five different colors and styles. She said she hated going to the mall with her because she could never remember which wig she was wearing. She said try finding you mom in a crowd when you can't remember what color hair she has. :)

    I hope everyone has a good weekend.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2016

    Ladyhumps and Ivegotthis-

    Welcome to BCO! We're sorry for the circumstances that have brought you both here, but we're glad you've found us, and we hope you find this community to be a source of support and encouragement as you begin your treatments. We're here with you every step of the way!

    The Mods

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  • montanalivin
    montanalivin Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2016

    MissBee - yes my oncologist said they have just started using it and have had good results, she's hoping my insurance will pay for it.



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  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    Hooray. Brain fog lifting, had a good fast walk today, starting to feel more like myself (ok myself with a big hangover!). However it is 12:30 and i am still up:)



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  • robyn31024
    robyn31024 Member Posts: 51
    edited January 2016

    Ok today is day four from chemo.My onc PT said would hit today more as far as tiredness. I think i need to stop anticipating these side effects because the worrying has been worse than them so far. I feel a little queasy at times so i do take zofran and zantac when due. Hasn't really messed with my eating to much. Went to olive garden last night but ate small because didn't want to get sick. Trying to do small meals.The surprising thing is i have always kept something nearby to sip on and now find that drinks are not as good. So have to make myself drink. Any suggestions on things that still taste good to drink? Smoothies are ok. Good luck ladies. Hope everyone else's side effects are minimal. Got to work tomorrow.

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