Starting Chemo March 2016

AZrescue, first of all - like Nancy said, this is s safe space and ventilating our frustrations is ok! And we need that safe space for it! So don't feel bad.

I think yes, antidepressants or anti anxiety meds can help. I am taking an antidepressant and though it's been helpful for me (prior to and including this crisis), I will in fact have to change it once I start tamoxifen as its contraindicated.

I just got home from first chemo and feeling good so far. Got the neulasta patch - which is really odd - but saves me from going back to the clinic tomorrow do I can focus on housework (boo!) and haircut (yay!)

Hope everyone is feeling well. Sending love and light

Heidi

Hello ladies! Well I survived the first treatment, although it wasn't without a hitch. I am doing docetaxel and cyclophosphamide. During the docetaxel, I was about 80% complete (they ran it over 2 hours instead of 1) when I started getting flushed in the face and on my arms. They stopped it, contacted the MO in charge at the time and gave me Benadryl. Apparently here they don't give Benadryl first, only if you have a reaction. In any case, I had a really mild one, but they were on top of it right away. The Benadryl made me so sleepy! They started the docetaxel again and then within 5 minutes I was overwhelmed by dizziness and mild nausea so they stopped again and gave me an antibnauseant. Finally I was able to finish the last 20%. They cyclophosphamide went fine. In total, I was in the chair for 7 hours. Ugh. So thankful I finished, however.

Tonight, I came home, slept for 2 hours solid, and than had some soup for supper. I have a bit of heartburn, but no other side effects and feel pretty normal actually. Hard to believe. I am going to take some Senecot tonight as I feel constipated, but realistically I couldn't ask for much better right now.

I wonder if any of you ladies have any thoughts about how the next few days might go. I know the dexamethasone ends tomorrow and then the ondansetron the day after. I have Prochlorperazine as a third line, emergency, anti-nauseant. I find myself wondering how coming off the meds will affect me. The nurses said to phone with ANY SE that is not controlled because they have many options. I feel comfortable, but still worried about what will happen.

Take care,

Candy

hi yenniC, I'm not familiar with the zarxio, is it an alternative to neulasta?

I'm sorry that you had a bad day.

And Candy I'm sorry you had some comlivations too but it seems to have worked out ok, I hope.

I myself spoke too soon I guess when I said I had no side effects from today's session... I can't get to sleep and feel very restless, like restless leg syndrome. And I keep running to the bathroom feeling as if I'm about to have D but instead I feel constipated and gassy

Welcome Yenni and Teaner. Geez I'm eating Zofran like candy! But I'm drinking my miralax too. I'm always nauseated to some degree!

Sorry you had a rough time Jonsey. Maybe next time will be better.

So thankful to have you all here & thank you for the encouraging words. I am going to speak to a counselor & see how that goes. Thank you for helping me see there isn't anything wrong with anti depressants for this too.

Hope everyone is feeling better everyday. We can get through this together. I know for me it was much more fatigue then I'd imagined. But starting to feel a bit better.

I've been on here since Feb. My chemo was delayed once again to start March 11. My fault this time. I changed MO's late last week. I had many many reservations about my proposed treatments and my attitude was negative. I could find nothing positive to continue where I was going. I dreaded a whole year of going to a depressing facility and meeting weekly with a person who had no empathy for what I was going through. Since a positive attitude is so important to recovery I felt the need to seek help elsewhere. 

Once I made that decision, a burden was lifted. I have confidence that I made the right decision. 

I am sorry to read about the SEs that all of you are experiencing. Seek help for depression and feel good. A positive outlook goes a long way to getting well. 

Today is my Day 5, Week 1-- feeling zero side effects today. I had a little nausea on Day 3 evening (addressed with a compazine & small meals). I think I'm focusing really hard on every twinge that my body makes and waiting for the other shoe to drop - it's stressful all by itself and makes me feel like an invalid to think so hard about *maybe/possibly* being sick this week. I've decided to stop holding my breath and get on with the days I have left this week.

I have a make-up lesson tomorrow in preparation for losing hair & eyebrows. Very excited to discuss chemo skin care with someone knowledgeable.

Wig shopping on Thursday. Just exploratory - not expecting anything revolutionary to occur.

My employer is being so awesome, I'm really not sure how to contain my feelings. I'm so excited and happy about the career blessings that appear to be coming my way in the space of this horrible health tragedy. I'm spending a lot of time being very, very thankful today.

My big goal this afternoon is to walk the little doggies. I have an Australian Shepherd and a tiny Pomchi. The Pomchi takes his role as Chief Snuggle Officer very seriously.

hi everyone

Candy - I'm sorry about the side effects- I'm having some of the stomach ones as well, but so far not too bad.

As BKGamegirl said, feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Oh! The doggies!! "Chief snuggle officer" too too cute!!!!!

Sending hugs to all

Hi, Ladies. I'm sending love and support from the March 2015 group. My chemoversary is Thursday, and I'd love to donate my wig and wraps. If you think you could use them or want more pics, PM me, and I will gladly send them your way.

My hair fell out on day 15 after my first chemo. My scalp got very sore and very itchy a few days before the tufts started coming out. If you start getting those sensations, know that the time is close.

Every chemo infusion was different for me, but I used to get a bag of fluids on days 3 and 6 post-chemo. It really helped, so don't be afraid to ask for it! Sometimes, they'd even give me extra injection ofAloxi or Emend to try to combat my nausea at that time. If you're struggling with nausea, ask about those.

I also got bad recurring rashes on my arms and trunk from my Taxotere on day 4. (It looked like acne, but it burned.) My MO gave me Prednisone. (It helped knock out the rash, and it also helped with energy and nausea.) MO's don't like to use steroids more than needed due to immunosuppression, so don't be afraid to ask for it if you notice any redness or bumps.

Hope this helps! Sending love and strength.

Hi! I'm dropping in from the August 2014 group. I had 4 rounds of AC, followed by 12 weeks of Taxol then 28 sessions of radiation. I am almost one year PFC and things are staring to return to normal.

I have to say I had more good days than bad once I learned to stay ahead of the SEs, which is very important as each of you probably know already. Stay well hydrated, rested and most of all stay strong! What I learned most during this journey is to let go of things that I didn't have the strength to do -- accept help where needed -- I was Ms. Independent but quickly learned to let the laundry go, tell friends I was not up to a visit, except cooked meals, cleaning and most of all rest an relaxation. Saved my strength for my kids and family. That when I couldn't open up to friends and family this site was a God sent! I had to learn to adjust my sails and course correct as I walked the journey.

Wishing you all the best and that you have minimal to no SEs during your treatment.

Lorretta you made the right decision. If you arent comfortable with your doctor it can make a HUGE difference. I did the same thing. I was referred to a MO locally and he was pushy and arrogant. I knew when I walked out of his office that we wouldnt see eye to eye. So I found another. Only thing is I have to travel 2 hours. Oh so worth it as I now feel as though they actually care about me.

MMN1975 welcome. I am sorry you have to be here but glad that you are among friends who know what you are going through.

Keeping you all in my prayers,

Annette

Feeling better this evening. Much more tolerable now. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?!?

hi Nancy, I think that could be dehydration, yes. But you feel better now, right?

I'm on fitness pal too

love the hair Heidi!

So good to hear from past members. And what a generous offer Indygal!

I am still needing to take something for nausea every four hours. I hate to do it but if I forget the nausea comes back again. I am day 6 out from AC.

Good luck today WannaCruize! I checked out the picture of Tami, such a beautiful girl. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope today goes well for you. As for the heartburn, I had that from the steroids bad. Took Tums, which helped. It has let up now that the steroids are done.

Nancy, I noticed a big weight gain from steroids as well (up 4 lbs) going into chemo and next day. I was urinating very little at a time, although it was pale. Yesterday (still on steroids), I noticed by afternoon, I was urinating a lot more. Today, I am down the 4 lbs again. I wonder when the steroids wear off today if I will continue downward. I use MyFitnessPal as well. I have used it to work on weight loss for a couple of years. I had gained 10 lbs since my diagnosis due to stress eating I suppose. I don't care if I lose, I would just like to not gain any more if I can help it. I am walking 45 minutes a day on my treadmill and tracking my food and weight like I always have. I have noticed that I haven't got much of an appetite. Nothing "looks good" to eat, so I just eat whatever the meals are around here and don't worry too much about it. Things taste funny, but I wouldn't say metallic. I was expecting a metallic taste. I find more that I feel like I have a film on the inside of my mouth like after you eat a banana. Using the Biotin mouthwash after every meal. It seems to help.

Still negotiating a few side effects here. Headache behind my eyes, muscles aching, constipation, although I feel better than yesterday. Worried about what will happen when the steroids and anti-nauseants have worked their way out of my system by tonight. I am not sure if they are giving me the side effects or the chemo is. Time will tell. It will be nice to get one cycle through so I know what to expect. It is funny how as you get to each step, you always look ahead wanting to get to the next one. A person ought to give themselves a break I suppose. One bite at a time right WannaCruise?