Anyone.Starting Chemo in October 2016?

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  • kshorten
    kshorten Member Posts: 102
    edited November 2016

    JR74 she's beautiful!


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  • Al12
    Al12 Member Posts: 79
    edited November 2016

    Hi ladies,

    I have not posted in a while but I have been trying to catch up with everyone's posts. I'm doing well my last AC was not bad now for the Taxol. I start my Taxol treatment tomorrow and once again I'm getting nervous, I'm not looking forward to doing this 12 times. I forgot who posted about the bone broth thank you for that info I made a nice batch over the weekend and now enjoying it at work. I have a mini crock pot I keep at work and I bring cut up veggies from home and the broth makes a healthy soup right at my desk.

    JR74, Congrats the baby is beautiful wishing you and your family health and happiness.

    Well I agreed to join my husband and go with hime to burning man this August. I just hope I will be well enough by then after everything. If all goes as planed I will have my surgery in March or April. Hopefully this will give me something to look forward to.

    Luwusu, Ha! love that saying I'm going to use that on my coworkers today they'll get a kick out of that.

    Everyone have a nice day,

    Alla

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  • Nfullblume
    Nfullblume Member Posts: 171
    edited November 2016

    Good to hear from you Alla! I'm getting #3 right now. I'm interested to see how you guys do on Taxol. I learned today that my first 2 Taxol injections will be 6 hour days. Gag!! Staying positive though!! Onward!!

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  • Al12
    Al12 Member Posts: 79
    edited November 2016

    Nfullblume, hope all is well on the 3rd round. Your almost done with AC. My 1st Taxol day will be over 8 hours or more if there is no complications. I am doing Taxol with prejeta and herceptin.

    for me every 3 weeks will be super long days. I will post on Friday how it went.



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  • Luwusu
    Luwusu Member Posts: 88
    edited November 2016

    jR74- that's one beautiful baby! Love her name,too. She will lift your spirits.

    Just finished #7 chemo day- Taxol, herceptin and Perjeta today. Plus an appt with my MO. Another one done- always a good feeling. We have a long drive home but my husband is driving and it's nice and warm in the car.

    And yes, the first time getting all three of these will take about 7 1/2 hours because they have to observe you for and hour between each infusion. After that, somewhat shorter. And the Taxol only weeks are quick- 30 min. For premeds and a one hour infusion. My last of these twelve sessions will be January 4, followed by three weeks off everything and then AC every two weeks for 4 sessions. How long does the AC take

    I hope everyone had a good day. Nancie

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  • Ella22
    Ella22 Member Posts: 39
    edited November 2016

    Barb- You are truly special! After a long day at the chemo center and to come home to read this wonderful post! I love it and lifted me up!! You seem to always have the right words to lift me up!!! I Thanks You for all the smiles and laughter that you give me! It means the world to me ! My husband stayed with my patient that I live with and my son went with me to chemo! I felt truly blessed! I couldn't get through all this without my friends and family! I am so emotional today! You always have positive words! Hugs and Prayers for all

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited December 2016

    Hi Ella! You are very welcome. I'm so glad I could make your treatment day a little better! You have such a kind heart ... it's a pleasure to be here for you. Have a lovely evening,

    Barb

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  • Whistlestop
    Whistlestop Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    JR74absolutely beautiful...... looking forward to my 2nd granddaughter's birth in mid March.... oh what blessings and joy.

    Yeah Abracadabra…Barb on the Port !. Luwusu Nancie - laughing so hard with tears when I read the " Keep your peckers up " comment and chickdudefo…your "typo" as well. But I have to tell you the laughter is a great release. Thank you. I still have a big smile on my face.

    Nancie -also the wig looks great. I understand the sleeping thing, as you mentioned 9 hrs. sometimes I go to bed at 8:30 like Saturday after Thurs and Friday's fuller schedule ( by chemo regiment standards ) as I want to rest of for the next event. Sunday Barbra Streisand.....FABULOUS. Learning the ebb and flow of energy. The music did me so much good. I was so relaxed I headed to my small town getaway - Smithville, Texas ( the town of Hope Floats ) ....

    Connie1230 I haven't had the taste issue but use a lot of baking soda and water rinsing. Brushing the teeth lots as well as the tongue much more than usual.

    Al12great idea on the bone broth and the little crock pot. Got recipe and getting grass fed beef bones from one of my supporting friends She made me the first batch. Just completed it so my turn, to slow cook for 30 hrs in larger pot She adds stalk of celery, bay leaf, a few carrots onion, & she stressed the vinegar to hers. Here's a link I found on line http://wellnessmama.com/5888/how-to-make-bone-broth/ on reference for anyone else. This weekend's wet forecast makes this an ideal project. You will do great on the Taxol, just see yourself completing and victorious.12 , I understand, my 6th half way done this Friday on my long 5hr. "triple" day but there's only 4 of those and this one coming up is number 4 of those. So always something to be thankful far.

    Found one of my obstacles this last week.....lung power, to climb stairs. Both Sunday eve when leaning the Barbra Streisand concert....took it slow out of the arena, the crowd helped that pace.....and last night in small town of Smithville Texas (my little getaway) climbing the stairs in the old school house for the Music Tuesday jam session. Music does the mind body and soul good.

    BTW....... anyone recognize this place ? Great day for a walk in the small town Smithville......

    image . image

    here's another clue.and a saying ........

    .image

    Onward and upward lady warriors.......

    Terry ( aka whistlestop --- the nickname of my little place in Smithville )

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  • Nfullblume
    Nfullblume Member Posts: 171
    edited December 2016

    Nancie, my AC injection days take about 4 hours total. Today was labs at 11.45. Meet with MO at 12.15. Chemo started at 2, because they were backed up. Steroids and anti nausea meds are 10 minutes, then 15 minutes to slow push Adriamycin into the IV line, then 1 hour for the Cytoxan drip. About 10 minutes to hook up the Neulasta on body. It's been between 3.5-4 hours total each time. Nurse said the injections would be about 4 hours for dose dense Taxol.

    Alla, I asked a lot of questions about Taxol of the MO today. She said the fatigue will be worse, but shouldn't be much else. They will monitor for neuropathy. I do have to get the Neulasta shots during Taxol too.

    Have a great night ladies.

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  • Luwusu
    Luwusu Member Posts: 88
    edited December 2016

    I know everybody is different, but just wanted to let people who will be starting Taxol soon that it hasn't made me terribly tired. In the very beginning I had some difficulty sleeping but that only lasted 1-2 weeks. I have only had to nap in the afternoon one time (I just finished week 7 chemo yesterday). However, I am retired so I can any of my days easy and often do so.

    Thanks for the info re how long the AC infusion lasts. I would like to hear about side effects you have experienced while on it. It seems like you ladies who are finishing AC are going right to Taxol (and some to Perjeta and gerceptin, like I am currently doing). My MO yesterday told me there would be a three week time off for me between the end of THP and the beginning of AC. I should have asked her why, but the didn't think to at the time. Has anyone else been told that?

    Hope everyones day is a good one. Keep your peckers up! Nancie

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  • Nfullblume
    Nfullblume Member Posts: 171
    edited December 2016

    Nancie, I've been very lucky. I'm on day 2 of my 3rd dose dense. I had some C from the anti nausea meds. Now I take powdered miralax every day I take the anti nausea. I take them day 1-5. I was prescribed Emend in pill form. There are 3 pills. One for days 1-3. It's a miracle pill. I take Zofran days 4-5. I've had zero nausea since I started. I've had a bit of indigestion, I take Zantac for that. Indigestion was a problem I had before cancer too though. So chemo probably just amplified it. About day 7-8 I'm a bit more tired. That's when WBCs are low. I take meds to sleep and have been sleeping like a baby. My MO gives me a very small dose of steroids in my IV and that's the only steroids I get. On the morning ofday 5, i wake up feeling normal. My worst SE are intense headaches from the Neulasta shot. Those are a 24 problem starting on the night of day 3. I've been super lucky. Hopefully, the fatigue will stay at bay during Taxol.

    Good luck!

    Rachel

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited December 2016

    Hi Nancie - My timeframe for AC is the same as Nfullblume's - about 4 hours stretched over bloodwork, visit with MO, premeds, Cytoxan drip (about 1 hour) and Adriamycin (15 minutes). More or less depending on whether there are any delays that day. My AC treatment schedule has been every 3 weeks, which gives me a longer recovery time between treatments.

    I had the most side effects after my 1st treatment ... starting the next day, I had a headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Also, the steroids they give you can make you feel jittery. My MO gave me Ativan to take at night so I could fall asleep (it also helps to reduce nausea, apparently). I took a lot of naps that week. My anti-nausea meds didn't work well for me (except to cause constipation, which all anti-nausea meds seem to do. If it starts, take something for it before it becomes a problem). I ate lots of yogurt and drank lots of water.

    After 7 days, however, my side effects just lifted and I felt fine ... no nausea, good energy, no need for naps. By the second week, I was back to swimming, going to the gym, yoga classes and regular activities (just listen to your body and adjust your activity level as needed). Walking daily really helped to clear my head and keep my mind and body feeling positive.

    When I went for my 2nd treatment, my MO gave me better/more anti-nausea meds up front (Emend through IV, as well as steroids), and I had very few side effects. Same thing with my 3rd treatment. I hope it will the be same for #4. (At some point, I started to get mouth sores on my tongue and at the back of my mouth ... my doctor gave me a prescription for Magic Mouthwash, which the pharmacist filled ... I had to swish it then swallow it ... it worked well and my mouth felt much better by the next day).

    I expect that as we move from one treatment to another, our experiences along the way will help us to adjust and settle in more easily than we did when this was all brand new.

    image

    My pecker is up! Have a great day!

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  • deemendoza
    deemendoza Member Posts: 84
    edited December 2016

    Hello gals,

    I can see the finish line... I'm officially on my way to my 4th of 8 treatments. Last AC treatment is today!!! This day seemed so far out when newly dx. Feeling positive today and ready to get this show on the road.

    Connie, I've found the lbs you've lost. Glad to give them back..lol hair us is holding on. I've had some shedding but still have it nobody can tell (but me) that I've lost about 25% of it (To me it's more like 50) Of course other than the fact that I can't dye it or put any products so Ive been looking like a bad version of Bozo the clown (your from Chicago..lol)

    Ok ladies, please hold my hand around 10am today xoxoxo

    Dee

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited December 2016

    Dee! The last AC .... Whoo Hoo!!!!!! It's a date ... I'll be holding your hand at 10am today! You are getting this done, lady! Have a great day ... so happy for you!

    Barb

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  • Whistlestop
    Whistlestop Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    deemendozaIt's 10 am got your hand !

    Abracadabra…thanks for the morning laugh Pecker Up !


    Terry ( Whistlestop )

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  • Luwusu
    Luwusu Member Posts: 88
    edited December 2016

    Dee- wow! Your last AC! That is big. Hope today went well for you. And congrats to you keeping your hair.

    Rachel and Barb - thanks so much for the info about AC. I always do better when I know what's ahead of me and I appreciate you taking the time to fill me in. I still have 5 more weeks of my triple cocktail to go before then, 7/12 of the way there. I feel very good today, as I always do the day after chemo. And my sweet friend and neighbor is bringing us dinner tonight, so not too shabby!

    Barb- How is Max doing? loved your "peckers up!" today. I will have to tell my friend that it's making people smile.

    Jenn- How is that beautiful baby girl? Do you live close

    Nancie

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited December 2016

    Max is hanging in, but it's getting complicated. He is very old, and you never know what's going to happen next.

    After he had seizures on Friday night and Sunday night, our vet did bloodwork and it showed some mild renal failure (which can be treated with a special diet). To prevent more seizures, the vet put Max on phenobarbital. Max hasn't had any seizures since then, but he staggers around like a drunken sailor and sometimes even falls over. We've cut back the meds to the minimum, and are waiting to see if Max can adapt. Poor baby.

    Yesterday I noticed that Max's claws were getting long, so I clipped them (thinking it would make it easier for him to walk around). Unfortunately, I clipped one a little too short and it bled a bit ... it seemed fine. Well ....... last night before bed my DH let the dog out, then let Max back in without cleaning his paws. When I came downstairs this morning, I almost fell over. I swear it looked like a CSI crime scene in my living room/dining room/kitchen.

    I guess the claw started to bleed when Max went outside, but DH didn't notice and went to bed. The dog was up walking around in the night. apparently, because there were smears of blood everywhere!!!!!! I'm not squeamish about blood, but Jeez-Louise! What a way to start the day! I put on a pot of coffee, bandaged Max's paw, grabbed my mop and got to it! For the rest of the day, whenever Max wanted to go outside, I taped a rubber glove around his paw, just to play it safe.

    So, like I said, you never know what's gonna happen around here! I'm really hoping for a nice boring night!

    Barb

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  • JR74
    JR74 Member Posts: 44
    edited December 2016

    Hello! Hope everyone is doing well! I'm feeling pretty decent these last couple of days. Thank the lord because I've had so much to do.

    The my daughter and the baby were discharged today and are settled in at home. Someone asked if I live close(sorry I can't remember😩) but yes, they live about 10 minutes from our house, so it's great! My oldest son has two babies, 4 year old girl and a 3 year old boy. So this makes my third grand baby!

    My MO is wanting me to start the neulasta injections with my next infusion.. I was hoping to avoid it. But my WBCs are not rebounding as well the more treatments I have. I guess it's a good thing I just hate to start another new thing with more side effects! I don't have an easy time with chemo as it is. But at least there is an end in sight! Any tips or advice for the neulasta?

    Well I'm worn out and about to sit and watch some tv with my husband. Hope you all have a good night!


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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited December 2016

    Good morning Jenn - It's wonderful to hear you sounding so happy and busy and full of life! Good times!

    I don't take Neulasta ... I take Neupogen (similar product that they give us in Canada). My MO also added it to my meds because of low neutrophils after treatment. I haven't had any SEs from it, and am glad to have it ... the faster my immune system rebuilds after each treatment, the more likely I am to feel well and to avoid coming down with any sort of cold or infection.

    I know there are lots of Neulasta ladies on this forum who have a ton of experience, so they can give you all of their clever tips on handling SEs, if they should arise.

    Have a super day!

    Barb


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  • kshorten
    kshorten Member Posts: 102
    edited December 2016

    JR74 - My 3rd Neulasta shot will be going off in about 12 hours and my biggest advice is to start taking Claritin immediately 1 every day. Not the Claritin D just the regular and the store brand works just fine. My MO said to take it a couple of days before and after but I've found that taking it everyday helps more and doesn't hurt you at all. My SE's have been lower back pain and flu like systems for a few days but the Claritin helps and so does a heating pad and a few Advil. Good luck you'll do fine.


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  • Hkuester
    Hkuester Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2016

    Congrats on the new grand baby and everyone finishing AC!

    I had Chemo number three yesterday and found out due to recent studies I will only have one more on December 22, Yeah! I've already had bilateral mastectomy started reconstruction before chemo. I'm looking forward to outpatient surgeries, one for port removal and one for the implants after chemo. And obviously for my hair to grow back!

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited December 2016

    Hkuester- That's great news! I'm curious what you mean by 'recent studies'. Is there new research about optimal treatment duration with TC? Would love to hear what you know!

    Thanks,

    Barb


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  • Al12
    Al12 Member Posts: 79
    edited December 2016

    Hello everyone,

    Well I did my first treatment of Taxol, Prejeta and Herceptin all went well. I found out that I'm now receiving half the dose of steroids which by the way is a huge difference then when I was doing AC. they also gave me half the dosage of Benadryl and I did just fine with that. I have told them Benadryl effects me the opposite. I get loopy and gittery from it. My day was very long I went in at 8:50 and left at 6pm.

    Today I came to work and doing ok. My face is red I think from steroids leaving my body and my hands are red as well, from my knuckles up to my fingers. They look inflamed. I don't feel nauseas and have a normal appetite. Hopefully I will last till the end of day and have no idea how my weekend will be. But I'm stoked that no longer have to deal with Nuelasta shot and now I can really start my countdown and I just have 11 more weeks to go. I just want to start talking about surgery already. The good new yesterday my Onco checked my boob and she can't feel the lump.

    have a lovely weekend everyone,

    Alla

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited December 2016

    Alla - Great news about your lump getting smaller! That was a really long day for your first taxol/Prejeta/Herceptin treatment ... hopefully it will be faster in future. Glad it went well, and now you have the weekend to relax.

    Barb

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  • Hkuester
    Hkuester Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2016

    Barb- As we know everyone is different , I was scheduled for 6 TC treatments, but the goal was 4 incase my body didn't handle it. Now the study says that 6 treatments doesn't have anymore benefit than 4. So even though my body is handling it there seems to be no reason to go more than 4. I've already had bilateral masectomy and no lymph nodes involved so "cancer free" when I started chemo. I'm thrilled though even though I'm sick now from chemo only one more time after this.

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited December 2016

    Hkuester- Wonderful news, and what good timing for you (i.e. to find out about this before you had completed all 6 treatments). Only one more to go ... you are almost there. I am so happy for you!!

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  • Hkuester
    Hkuester Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2016

    That's just what my doctor said yesterday I don't really know what study.

    Heather

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  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,369
    edited December 2016

    Heather - The important thing is that your doctor knows the research and is able to make the best decision for you! And it's just fabulous that it means less chemo than you expected!

    Smile

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  • Whistlestop
    Whistlestop Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    Good morning ladies..... a little something from my infusion nurse yesterday. 1/2 way there (number 6 of 12 done )

    image

    Have a good weekend. Healing Healthy Energy and Hugs to All !

    Terry ( aka Whistlestop )


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  • Al12
    Al12 Member Posts: 79
    edited December 2016

    thanks Barb, Yeh I hope it's it will be shorter days from here on out.

    I thought I would be sick today but I'm doing well nothing major to report. I only had minor back spasm and I started taking claritin again and will continue everyday till end of treatment. I really hope it's smooth sailing from now on.

    Terry, I went to whole foods and was able to find frozen packages of grass fed beef bones. I asked the butcher and they package them and leave them in the freezer I took everything they had. I am now making bone broth and my kitchen smells so good. it says it should cook for 24 to 48 hours but I will turn it off before bed. next time I'll be more prepared and will start super early. Congrats on getting through 6 woohoo!!! almost done!

    happy weekend everyone!!

    Alla

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