January 2016 Chemo!

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  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited January 2016

    My advice for self injecting: if you have stretch marks in one of the approved injection sites, use that area. The needle goes in easier. For me it was the side of the hip.

  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited January 2016

    Don't forget that lint roller trick for the last of your hair too.

  • DFWFLYGIRL
    DFWFLYGIRL Member Posts: 146
    edited January 2016

    Ladies,

    Getting ready for round #2 tomorrow. Had bad nausea after Round #1. Doc wants me to try the Sancuso 7 day anti nausea patch with my chemo. Anyone try that and any feedback?

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

    thanks lmv. Finding stretch marks should be easy!

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

    sorry dewflygirl I don't but good luck!

  • keepsake
    keepsake Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2016

    For anyone dealing with the big D, Balneol cleansing lotion with Kleenex is soothing. Available in portable packets

  • iluvgsd5
    iluvgsd5 Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2016

    Hi all, I will be joining the group in 2016 as well. Starting A/C-T in mid Feburary. I have to go on 1/28 for a second surgery from my original lumpectomy not having clear margins and getting port put in. MO wants to wait at least 3 weeks for evertthing to heal.

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

    good luck jackqueline. Sorry you need another surgery :(

  • buttaflydiva
    buttaflydiva Member Posts: 88
    edited January 2016

    im using the sancuso patch. the main problem with it is keeping it on. I put in on before my 1st treatment, but by the next day it was starting to come off. I tried taping it and everything else but eventually just took it off the end of day 3. I had really bad nausea day 3, but my pharmacist told me that once it starts to lose the stickiness that it becomes ineffective, so im not sure if that's why my nausea was so bad day 3 and 4 or not. (I was also taking Zofran as well). so the next day I went to the pharmacy, got another patch and after I put it on the nausea seemed to get better. but this time the pharmacist gave me a tagaderm patch to put on top of the sancuso patch. she said she has a guy that swims every day and his patch never comes off. mine is still holding with the additional patch on top. so just make sure you reinforce it to keep it on.

  • fightergirl711
    fightergirl711 Member Posts: 300
    edited January 2016

    It's official, my hair has started to thin and fall out. Not clumps, just strands everywhere. I got it cut short over 3 weeks ago and was just thinking yesterday "Wow I need a trim." I do think I need to cut it shorter. I may not lose everything until I start A/C after this THP round, so I'd hate to shave it only to have it grow back in the short term. But who knows really.

    I think out of all the AC/T ladies here I'm the only one on Taxol first. To those on AC - are you on a dose-dense every-other-week schedule? Or every three weeks? I've been thinking going every three weeks for recovery, and as a result I may not need to take the Neulasta, according to MO. I'm concerned that after 12 weeks of Taxol, I'll be run down enough, and not sure if I could handle the dose-dense schedule of AC. But that's still literally 8 weeks away so have time to think about it. I'm on round 4 of twelve Taxol tomorrow, and round two of Herceptin and Perjeta.

  • buttaflydiva
    buttaflydiva Member Posts: 88
    edited January 2016

    im on a dose dense every other week schedule. originally I was scheduled to be doing it every 3 weeks, but my insurance stepped in and said I have to do it every other week. im kinda of glad though, because id rather get it over with as soon as possible

  • fightergirl711
    fightergirl711 Member Posts: 300
    edited January 2016

    buttaflydiva I'm surprised that insurance made that decision for you. Because I'm on Herceptin first I worry about the heart SEs going dose-dense with AC. Frankly I'd rather get it over with too but I don't mind recovering a bit to feel a little more normal in between. MO said there was no medical advantage between one or the other, but I'm going ask the NP tomorrow again anyway.

  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited January 2016

    Hi everyone, I only get a regimen of taxol, every week x12 weeks. This is my third week of chemo. I've had minimal SE.

    • Taste buds are shot
    • My hair started to shed yesterday. I am hoping that it just thins out as I have thick hair.
    So far platelets are good (knocking on wood). I have not had neulasta or neupogen shots. My level of energy is better than prior to my dx. I think it may have to do with my eating habits. I've eliminated all processed foods, sugars, and meat with the exception of salmon, eliminated caffeine, drink ginger tea for source of energy, and 2-3 liters of water per day. I am crossing my fingers and hope that I continue to do well.
    Best of luck to you all my BC sisters, sending you all virtual hugs. Keep on fighting!
  • fightergirl711
    fightergirl711 Member Posts: 300
    edited January 2016

    Geeper have you tried sucking on ice during treatment? My first week my mouth was definitely shot. But these last two weeks I have cups of ice handy and it has made a difference. Round 4 tomorrow, hair thinning just started. I also seem to get tired at night, but that could be normal stuff too. Otherwise right there with you, not a lot of SEs so far, and feel very lucky. Only makes me more concerned about the crazy rounds of AC later. #scaredofwhatyoudontknow


  • Veronica31
    Veronica31 Member Posts: 97
    edited January 2016

    Fighertergirl- I'm on dose dense AC. My hair started falling out day 15 and now its almost all gone. I actually can't wait for the shedding to be over. Everything is SO itchy!

  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited January 2016

    ((Geeper))

    Buttafly, I can't believe your insurance is dictating your schedule.

    I think normal AC is dose dense every two weeks. I'm doing every three weeks because of my lazy bone marrow. I'm glad for the extra break, but will likely need it for my counts to improve enough for the next dose.

  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    Oooh I feel so much better today!!!! Thought my shoulder/headache was from sore muscles, but I think it was Neulasta - took an ibuprofen last night and so much better today ( had tried Tylenol day prior and no better.)

    I am on the Dense dose AC every two weeks, with neulasta for 7 days, starting 2 days after chemo. I self inject the Neulasta, belly fat is my area of choice:0 They were giving my separate 3 mL syringes and needles, but I needed an emergency supply ( forgot them at the ski hill) and the pharmacy gave me 1mL insulin syringes - ladies, so much better!!! Tiny little needle, still gets deep enough, less packaging, one less step. Highly recommended.

    I appear to be the lone cold capper so far. Shedding a fair bit the last few days, apparently to be expected. Seeing all of your gorgeous wigs makes hair loss much less scary. As for the body hair - um, wasn't it supposed to fall out!? Haven't shaved my legs in weeks, 'cause they said I needed to use electric and it seemed pointless, but it is rather unsightly now, and my hairy arms are still really hairy. Did shed some of the down there hair ;) but not enough to be dancing around with glee. Guess I should be grateful, as my brows and lashes are still in, too, but it is very confusing.

    I too wanted to be a Pink Lady from Grease. That pink lady, in particular!

    image

  • DFWFLYGIRL
    DFWFLYGIRL Member Posts: 146
    edited January 2016

    ButtaFlyDiva,

    Thanks for the note about the patch. I was wondering myself how that stays on for 7 days. I was going to put a Waterproof big bandage over it. I had bad nausea day 3-5 so hoping this helps. Thanks for the Tagaderm patch tip. :))


  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    On the topic of food, putting in a plug for "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen," Rebecca Katz. Going to make some minestrone now:) Full of ideas of how to make food more palatable when your tastebuds are not themselves, as well as lots of anticancer/healthy choices. And it is delicious, foody food, not bland:)


  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited January 2016

    Hi fightergirl…

    I sucked on ice during my first treatment of chemo and on these last two chemo sessions I usually suck on ACT lozanges to help with the dry mouth. I have treatment at noon and the hospital feeds me, I eat everything they give me and thankful because I haven't had any nausea. Thanks for the tip.. I am going to suck on ice next treatment and hopefully that makes a difference. I just got out of the shower and I lost a lot of hair. I got a prescription for a wig from my MO and they started working on the authorization. The hospital has a wig shop and I am going to call them tomorrow to see if I can go in for a fitting. I am glad that you don't have a lot of SEs so far, very lucky indeed!  Hoping that you continue to do well :) 

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

    I am so ready for my body hair to start falling out, I was shaving today thinking WTF!

    Shedding was horrible and looked ridiculous, so I stopped by the hairdresser today and got my hair shave down as low as she could without hurting my scalp. I feel much better about it, it looks awful I look like a baby check, but I know I'm close to being bald now.

    I'm feeling pretty good considering I had chemo yesterday, I walked around the mall and ran a bunch of errands. No problem. I'm starting to feel a bit worn out now but it's 3 PM so I can't feel too bad about that. I'm going to do my Neulasta shot soon, cross your fingers that I can do it myself!

  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited January 2016

    I'm on day 17 of AC+T and my hair hasn't budged at all. I'm pretty surprised, to be honest, but I still think it might be coming. My body hair has definitely slowed in growth; I only need to shave every few days.

    I used a regular razor all through my last chemo. At this point I've been shaving a good 20 years of my life so I'm pretty good at not cutting myself. To be honest, I even used my razor on my head once it was shaved because I had weird little hair patches that I wanted gone. Not saying you all have to be rebels like me, but I didn't feel like I was living on the edge here!

    My eyebrows and eyelashes fell out after chemo ended, which I have heard is common, so don't be surprised if they're the last things to jump ship. When my eyebrows grew back in they were BLACK, which looked very funny with my blonde hair!


  • LifeAloft
    LifeAloft Member Posts: 150
    edited January 2016

    I'm on day three post AC, not having a good day, exhausted, nauseous...please tell me that I'm not going to feel like this for the next two months. Possibly the steroid crash I've heard a few talk about? Blah...this sucks. 

  • Sheri64
    Sheri64 Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2016

    Had neulasta shot today so far so good. Go for blood work Wednesday to make sure it is working. Hoping to go back to work for next 2 weeks before next round on 2/16

  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    life aloft - for me, it kind of goes like this - day of chemo (1) ok, day after (2) good, next day (3) brain fog starts and tired, following day (4) more brain fog and more tired, til about day 6/7 when it lightens up and I feel normal, though now I think i am getting more Neulasta effect and some bone pain/aches/fluish feelings in spite of Claritin. But I can go for an hour walk most days, and even skied on day 7:) The second week is pretty good, almost normal most of the time.


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

    same for me Zinny.

  • LifeAloft
    LifeAloft Member Posts: 150
    edited January 2016

    Thank you zinny and LovesToFly... I was panicking a bit thinking this is how it's going to be from now on. 

  • ladyhumps
    ladyhumps Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2016

    Had to skip #3 today due to wbc and started on Neupogen, and will get 2 more this week. Hope to be back to the cancer killing business next week!


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

    good luck ladyhumps. Grow wbc grow!

    My almost bald head;

    image

  • Nclark6
    Nclark6 Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2016

    Starting chemo tomorrow morning with the TCH combination for HER2 Breast Cancer (1st of 6 rounds every 3 weeks). Nervous and don't exactly know what to expect but all the comments above have been awesome because they give me a little insight, which alleviates the nervousness. When I try to ask about side effects from chemo, the doctors are like you'll be fine, you're young (I'm 28).That doesn't make me feel any better at all....because I don't think side effects take my age into account. I'm pretty sure I 'm just as susceptible to neuropathy and chemo brain as anyone else going through this. Anyway, thanks everyone for your helpful posts!

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