January 2016 Chemo!

tracyrosed: That totally sucks! I haven't gotten Neulasta either, I am on Neupogen (don't know what the difference is, my Dr told me I'd get Neulasta). I hope your medication will be helpful. I just looked at some statistics and for those who don't get anything for neutropenia, still only about 15% get an infection. Even with Neulasta, your leucosytes will go down just as much, but Neulasta brings them up in a couple of days instead of 5-7 days. You need to be extra careful not to catch anything 10-17 days after treatment. On another note: my friend whose son had leukemia a few years back told me that in Finland all cancer meds cost 3 Euros a package, no matter what it is. I had to foot the bill for all my meds, about $2000 CAD and now I am waiting for the insurance company to reimburse. It's been approved, they just take their time to give me the money back. Only in Quebec....

hi everyone,

Gearing up for round 2 tomorrow. I am going to take the suggestions for have icechips during first infusion. I didn't have a lot of mouth sores last time, but a lot of mouth discomfort. I got hit with SE on day 3 also. Not looking forward to it, but i will be halfway through. I have to cling to re knowledge that I start feeling much better day 7 and 8

My hair started shedding by the handful day 13 and 14, so I got it buzzed at the salon that gave me my wig. Then I buzzed it even more a few days later. It seems to have stopped shedding as much now that it's jus fuzz, but it's itchy and now I wish it would just go!

Had my second Herceptin only infusion yesterday. Mostly a breeze and this time the benedryl really made me sleepy which was nice because the lady next to me kept wiggling her foot and since the recliners were sharing the side tray tables my recliner shook with her fidgeting. Short visit, about an hour and a half plus crazy wait time. Both the MO and nurse felt it necessary to remind me that next week is the long appt for Taxotere and carboplatin. As if I could forget. My platelets are still dropping but still in the normal range so I'm continuing on warfarin. Anyone else on a blood thinner? I was told Tylenol only for pain, no Advil or Aleve. He did put me on Valtrex for a couple of new mouth sores and some weird spots and sores on my hands.

A tip for dryness- I started using organic coconut oil on the dry patches on my face and it has done wonders. Doc had me using rubbing alcohol for the rampant breakouts and while it did help you can imagine the peeling and flaking. It feels really oily at first but keep rubbing and every bit is absorbed. My sister in law said to use it on my head but I haven't yet.

Sorry to hear several of you are struggling. I know we are all aware, painfully so, that it is part of it but that doesn't lessen the suffering. I'm praying for comfort and healing for you all

I'm sorry to hear that so many of you of suffering. I hope things improve for all of you ❤️❤️

I had my first AC treatment yesterday, and it went well. I have a little nausea and fatigue, but nothing too crazy. I am having a hard time sleeping because of the steroids they gave me, but I have read that one I stop those on Saturday I should be sleeping better. My mouth is quite dry and the hospital gave me solution I can make for that. I am taking it one day at a time and trying to not think too far ahead. If I do that my anxiety level goes through the roof!

Citrine.

Mena4911, So sorry you feel so bad; really feel for you. I will start trying to clean myself this weekend before the chemo next tuesday.

Wendi you look gorgeous! My almost bald head is starting to grow on me, I live in Toronto so I won'tbe rocking bald for a while, but maybe by spring!

Wendi your wig looks great!

Well I am happy to report that Infusion #1 went great. Nurses were super nice, I had plenty of company and entertainments to keep me distracted, and the drugs went in without a hitch (though the IV had to be placed twice). I had a tiny bit of dizzy foggy feeling when each drug started, but it faded. I had a headache that developed about halfway through the Taxotere that could have been from the Zofran I was given first, or just from the stress and hormonal time of the month (because it's not enough to have chemo. I also had to have my period today. At least this will theoretically be my last one.) I took some Tylenol and that got rid of the headache. I also had a funky chemical-y taste in my mouth from the Cytoxan which hasn't gone away, and in fact now my lips are kind of tingly. Weird. Anyone else ever have that? Does it fade?

Anyway now I'm home trying to figure out something to eat so I can take my Dex and Ativan and go to bed. I guess it will be a couple days before I find out what other SEs are in store for me, but for now I'm just super grateful to have this first day over with. Whew. Thanks for all the kind words of support, and wishing all you ladies ease and comfort.

I was thinking not having a period would be a nice side effect of chemo (the only other nice one I can think of is when I won't have to shave my legs--if only it were so limited). But no, here I am six days after my first TC, "enjoying" my period.

On the plus side, the nausea quit a couple of days ago and the fatigue ended more quickly than I feared it would. Days 3 and 4 sucked for sure

quixhobbit,

Someone had suggested to me such on lemon or ginger candies or lozenges during the start of each of the Taxotere and Cytoxan cycles to kill that metallic taste. I've done it both times and haven't had the taste. Don't know if the candies helped or if it just isn't something I really experienced. I did have the hint of it this last round but popped a lozenge in and it went away. Do glad you got your first one done. I hope you have few side effects!

Wendi, how did your port infection manifest itself? Was it painful, red, bruised? I did some gardening yesterday and now the catheter part of the port doesn't feel right.

ditto on the vanilla ice cream cathytoo-for a while it was the only thing that I could actually taste. My son made fun of me because I had the biggest smile on my face when I first put it in my mouth and could actually taste it and it tasted the way its supposed to lol

My taste buds are a bit off, there's a metallic taste in the back of my mouth that I wish wasn't there, cycle one it was gone by day seven or eight so I'm hoping that will happen again. It's not too bad though, Immostly able to eat what I usually do. I was really worried about food aversions because I am gluten intolerant and vegan, and also watch my weight pretty carefully, so I'm already on a pretty limited diet! So far I am pleased that I've been able to eat mostly as usual.

Jill I didn't realize you were vegan...I take back my ice cream comment

I just want to say again that I'm really grateful for this group and all of the support. I am getting anxious about my infusion coming up in a few hours and the inevitable SE. I'm trying to be brave and even went with a scarf and no wig at work today.

Hang in there everyone. We are all bad ass, cancer fighting chicks!

no worries, I've got delicious coconut milk ice cream!