Anyone.Starting Chemo in October 2016?

Mine is on the left as well.. I'm not sure how they choose what side to put it on. I had a bmx, but the cancer was technically on the right. The nurse at the hospital said my surgeon prefers the ports be placed on the left, so who knows?

Tomorrow is the big day.. to say I'm nervous would be the understatement of the century! I can't wait to get it over with so the suspense will no longer be gnawing away at me.

Xoxo, 🙃

I have my port on the right side because my cancer is in my left boob.

it sucks cause I'm a righty but today finally I can lift my arm higher and sleep with out siting up.

geneskirt I do have a fridge at work and already bringing my own food for lunch and breakfast. I was told no salad bars. But I always bring my food anyway I'm that weird girl at work whose desk is full of fruits and stuff. I will be freezing grapes for my first chemo tomorrow, that is a great idea. I'm going to bring a mini cooler and have my own snacks and green smoothies and juices. Probably not for my first time tomorrow but the grapes. I'm feeling on edge but its because of the unknown. hope I can sleep tonight. I took Claritin this morning and will take another tomorrow doesn't hurt to try. Thank God not benedryl was recommended since I don't have a good reaction with benedryl. that's what I need to tell doc tomorrow.

I started a little journal on how I'm feeling and documenting what I'm doing through out the day. hopefully this will help me in the future through this chemo treatment.

JR74 are you starting chemo tomorrow too? mine is scheduled for 1pm. hopefully that means me coming to work the next day will be a fine experience and I can last till end of day.

I commute to work by bus and everyone is caughing already. I ordered those sergical masks to wear when I'm on bus.

Miles, you're absolutely right! Although I'm very lucky to have great friends, my family is 1,300 miles away so I shouldn't feel weird about submitting the request myself. I had a traveling job for almost 5 years and recall feeling weird about eating alone because everyone would think I was so odious that I had no friends. Now, I love meeting friends for meals, but equally enjoy dining alone.

Lyn

Al12 yes my first infusion is tomorrow! I have to be there at 9:30. Praying everything goes without a hitch. The masks are a good idea especially if you're taking a bus. Two of my children are still at home but they're homeschooled so we rarely get any illnesses. I have to grandbabies that have a drippy nose every other week so we shall see! Happy thoughts everyone! I'll update as I can tomorrow.

Vlh, yes.. deep breaths! Thanks for the reminder!

Natster, welcome! You've come to the right place for support and info

Welcome, Jenn! We're sorry to hear that you had complications following your surgery, but happy that you're on track to begin your treatment soon! These boards have been really beneficial to many members as they begin down this road, and we hope they offer the same support and help to you!

The Mods

Jenn28, I'm sorry circumstances bring you to us, but welcome. My treatment has been delayed by infection as well, but I was fortunate that I was able to do at-home IV infusions via a PICC lin. I'll be having 4 cycles of Adriamycin & Cytoxan followed by 12 weeks of Taxol. I don't recall if anyone else in the October group is having your same drug protocol, but if you click on Menu, then Search and type in FEC, I'm sure you can find some ladies who are. We'll be here for moral support and to help if we can.

Lyn

So, same as VLH -left side.

Hello everyone. I've been lurking these forums for a bit, but finally decided to join today and make my first post. I had my port placed 09/27 and started chemo on 09/29, but joining the October group seemed to make more sense.

I had the neulasta shot the day after chemo and took Claritin for 4 days. Haven't had bone/joint pain, so it seems to have worked. But the side effects have mostly centered around my GI tract, though I've had some heartburn also. And now I'm sitting up in the middle of the night with a painful UTI, waiting for the doctor's office to open (after confirming with the after hours nurse that I didn't need to go to the ER).

This has been a speeding rollercoaster journey so far. I'm one who usually options for minimal medical intervention. So all of the tests and appts have been overwhelming.

Welcome to the group, Fightingthefight. I've heard of Cytotoxan irritating the urinary system, but the "C" in your drug cocktail it's Carboplatin, right? I'm glad you didn't have the pain that sometimes accompanies Neulasta, but know how painful UTIs can be. OUCH! Keep us posted.

JR74, your facial expression sums up the entire chemo process nicely! I'm going to feel equally apprehensive on Tues. Let's create our own treatment chant:

"Cancer Cooties, Killer Chemo Critters are Coming for YOU!"

Lyn

The last of my "meds" is running now. No side effects so far. Thank God for that! I know the likelihood of it continuing this way is slim but that's ok.. one day at a time. I did feel a bit of a disturbance in my force when the nurse started the carboplatin. But it dissipated quickly.

Hi everyone -

I've been trying to catch up on all the posts - lots of action happening this week for everyone!

I got my port placed on Tuesday. I've read a lot of you seemed to have full anesthesia? I was basically awake for the whole Port procedure - I would say 'drowsy'. The surgeon wanted me to be aware so I could breath in and hold my breath at one point so she could check the placement. The procedure was fine - occasional 'pushing and pulling' but that's all I felt. I asked to see the X-ray after it was done, and they put up a picture of my chest X-ray with some sunglasses 'inside' the chest cavity. It was a very jocular room! (They then put up the real x-ray so I could see how the port looked inside my chest - it was kind of neat. Better than it looks outside at the moment.)

My top incision opened up the day of the surgery, and I had to go to the emergency room to get it steri-stripped closed. The urgent care clinics and doctors' offices were closed, so the ER was where the on-call doc said to go. Can't wait for that bill to come in!!

The main port spot is pretty sensitive to the touch, but I can move normally, and have almost full range of motion (except reaching behind me). Overall, it seems pretty successful - well, once the bruising goes away. I decided to sleep with my bra on to provide support and avoid pulling. That seems to have helped a lot (I take the bra off and feel the difference right away). I just have to keep the cat from walking on my chest!

Chemo starts for me tomorrow. It's been reassuring to read some initial reports of relatively doable SEs. I need to work during chemo, so I really don't want to have nausea issues! Thinking of all of you and hoping for continued 'do-ability" -- and a quick resolution to the UTI for FightenTheFight. Positive thoughts!!

geneskirt, thanks for the sweet words! I feel so accomplished having one treatment under my belt. 1 down 5 to go!

I still feel "ok" a little off, but nothing I can't handle at this point. I have the worst taste in my mouth that doesn't go away, thanks to the carboplatin. I've been getting intermittent tummy cramps but nothing else has come of it. The steroids kick my butt, I don't see much sleep in store for tonight.. I'll catch up when I catch up 🙂

Good luck to those starting tomorrow and may we all have a peaceful SE free weekend! I think I'm going to take the plunge and cut my hair before it starts shedding! Xoxo

JR74,

great Job!!! I did my chemo yesterday and I am at work right now as I'm writing this. I have my nueslesta attached to my arm and it will go off at 8:30 tonight. My experience was amazing. I thought of the worse and I was pleasantly surprised. I came prepared. thank you for the tip jeneskirt to bring frozen grapes. I'm at Hackansak NJ and they did not offer ice chips while I was taking the A part of the C medicine. My nurse was a gem and she mentioned that they don't offer it because they don't believe in the research that it actually helps with mouth sores but the other hospital that she worked on they offered grapes and icechips and was happy to see that I was prepared and was totally cool with what I was doing. My husband and I were making the nurses laugh. I think we were the most talkative in the room. When I met with my Oncologist assistant I asked her about taking claritin the day before doing chemo and she was fine with that and was happy to hear it. I also asked her about taking a daily vitamin B6 through this AC cycle and she was fine with that too. I heard it will help with easing side effects from Nuelesta. I came home feeling jacked up from steroids and so my husband and I went for a long walk before I went to bed I took a small dosage of xanax and was able to sleep. Every time I woke up at night a drank water and when I woke up at 4:30 am I took 2 tylanols because I had a headache and by the time I woke up at 6am to go to work I was fine. took the nosause medicine and a little bit of wheat grass juice mixed with pear juice and felt fine. Now I'm at work. so far so good. But I think I will start feeling something this weekend. Hoping to be prepared.

good luck to everyone.

Alla

WOW Everyone seems to be doing great so far and that is wonderful to hear. I have been busy having tests and getting things prepared at my house before I begin treatment.

JR74 sounds like we are on the same treatment and that you are about a week ahead of me so let me know if anything surprising happens. But glad to know that so far so good.

I was just abit concerned that my port placement is Wed and chemo starts Thursday, but I guess if I am sore or cant sleep , rather it all just be about the sam etime and get it over with.

AI12 glad to hear that you are working through, I plan on doing the same thing and like the example of you making it happen. Keep up the great spirit and keep working, I will be right along with ya!

About the hair thing, I am not one of those "have to be made up" girls but I am not looking forward to losing my hair and have debated about cutting it short, but as of now I haven't. it is below my shoulders and might change my mind once this begins, but I know it will come out anyway. You would think with everything going on hair would be the last thing I worry about. But I have a friend who went through chemo 8 years ago and told me the plus side is never shaving you legs, so there is that perk.

I have been told about the Claritin and B complex as well and it doesn't hurt to take. I am already on Claritin and was wondering if it will do anything for me since mt body is used to having it.

I wish everyone who has started or will start GOOD LUCK!! and I have made a pledge to myself to get on these boards more and talk more too. I know it will probably do me some good to talk to people who are going through the same thing, I just need to get my mind set to talk not just read. You are all in my thoughts and prayers as well.

Melinda

Hi everyone, I'm new to these boards. I am suppose to start chemo oct 17th. Still have to have echo and bone cavity scans on 13th so I don't know what type of chemos yet. Just like Charlene no port yet. I find great comfort in reading everyones journey! Prayers and positive thoughts