Starting Chemo in Nov 2016

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  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    That's what I figure too DianaRose! I need this to stop NOW!! I'm 48, and period was coming every other month before all of this so I was really hoping not to see it again.

    I go for bloodwork and see my MO again today!! I haven't seen her since before I started chemo because she was on vacation when I had #2. I have a bunch of questions about a bunch of things. I really hope she has time for me! I really need some answers. If she can't give me enough time today I may ask for another appointment. Maybe tomorrow after chemo? I just have too many questions on too many different subjects that I don't want to post here, but all of this is causing me issues. I need to get it all sorted out in my head.

  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    Forgot to say...2beblessed...you rock it girl!!!

  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2016

    2blessed I LOVE your wig!! looks very natural!! I"m also hoping my tumor disappears completely!! but I will have a bmx either way since I have the BARD1 gene :-( and my ovaries removed...

    Dianarose I am definitely going to try the cheerios (would reg cheerios work too? or is the honey nut a crucial part? LOL) crazy that your ovaries didn't show any cancer on your scans! did you have to do chemo again? or was surgery enough at that point? or is this the chemo you are doing now? just curious...if you feel like answering

    I had my period during my 1st chemo Nov 18th...haven't gotten another one yet, I"m also ready for them to end LOL that was one thing I loved about being pregnant LOL

    Anyone else doing Taxotere? That is my next chemo med and I"m hoping side effects are minimal, although I've been reading about people having reactions during the 2nd infusion...ugh



  • Aldea13
    Aldea13 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2016

    Ironmom- I also had bad nausea my first round. My Doc set me up with Emend(awesome anti-nausea med) through my iv the second time. She also upped my steroids for a couple days and had me come in for a bag of iv fluids as well. Overall, the side effects were minimal this time around. I still was queasy but definitely not as bad. I also took my Zofran(anti nausea) like clockwork until I felt good enough to stop.


  • SleeplessinCO
    SleeplessinCO Member Posts: 36
    edited December 2016

    Rachel - I only take the nausea meds for 3 days and that seems to work for me. Mine is a steroid and Zofran. I take them 3 times a day starting the day after chemo. I hate them but it was better than the first time when I didn't take anything.

    Good luck to you!

    Cindy

  • Hopfull2
    Hopfull2 Member Posts: 418
    edited December 2016

    hi. BG46TN, I'm on taxotere along its cytoxan. I have not had any crazy side effects and I've had 2treatments so far. Just your normal fatigue for first couple of days I had a small rash after my first treatment but not sure if due to taxotere or the other drug. Minor joint pain. That's really all I can think of. My nausea is controlled with the mess I take 4days post chemo. Good luck.

    As for my period. This last one lasted about 21/2weeks. Longest ever. But it was mainly spotting. My MO said it's normal and that I might even skip a period or completely stop. Have a good day ladies.

  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited December 2016

    BH46- not sure if there would be a difference with honey nut or not. I lol fir calories because I need to gain about twenty pounds.

    I have lobular which doesn't always show on imaging. I had just finished chemo and radiation when it was found in my ovary. I was then put on Aromasin which obviously didn't work

  • Nanpop
    Nanpop Member Posts: 75
    edited December 2016

    Hi, Does anyone have tachycardia? My heart was racing for about 3 hours as I was laying down. My doctor said it is because of chemo. It made me nervous. He didn't say I should get a scan or do anything about it.

    It was about 115 beats per minute. It's not excessively fast but having it like that made me think that I should be having my heart monitored.

    What do you think

  • Pamela23
    Pamela23 Member Posts: 510
    edited December 2016

    Nanpop, I think you should be your own health advocate. If something seems off, check it out. We know our own bodies. Even a quick EKG may make you feel better, I had a few episodes when I was pregnant with twins and the pulled out the machine right there. at the next appointment. Takes just s few minutes. 3 hours seems like a long time. Or maybe see if it happens more than once, if it does I'd definitely be proactive.

  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2016

    Nanpop I had that after my first chemo, that first night...I was trying to nap and my heart was racing! They said it was from the steroid, it never happened again after that.

    I go for echo cardiograms before every 3rd chemo (due to the ac being cardio toxic) do they send you for any heart checks?

  • Grannemama
    Grannemama Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2016

    Hi ladies,

    Had 4th and final AC yesterday. Difficulty sleeping last night. I am also in the pattern Dianarose anticipate feeling lousy tomorrow after Neulasta today. But my doctor decreased my steroid so the withdrawal has been much much better.

    Nfullbloom--Since I started using acupressure Seabands I'm using less nausea meds. They were $8 at Target. They are made for motion sickness, and work on all kinds of nausea. I eat oatmeal every morning, I snack on bran flakes in the afternoon. And have a few handfuls of sunflower seeds. But that's how I normally eat--high fiber. What I really want is some pho!

    Nanpop-- sorry to hear about the tachycardia. My mother also had breast cancer, was treated with AC&T, and developed supra ventricular tachycardia. 180 bpm in the ER. She likely had an underlying condition before chemo now takes meds beta blockers. She had difficulty getting a diagnosis. I hope it's just the steroids and temporary. I heard vagus maneuvers help

    Oh why did I get a mini period this week? Like what? Huh?

    Is anyone experiencing this: swollen eyelids? I look like I've been crying a lot, which I haven't. Or is it from the cold I had

    Take good care of yourselves ladies!

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited December 2016

    Hi ladies.

    Yesterday's number three chemotherapy (A/C) went great. I ate a healthy breakfast before I left. I drank plenty of cold water during my chemotherapy session. Afterwards, I ate a healthy lunch and drank lots of cold water. I ate a very small amount for dinner. I got lots of rest, and I slept very well last night. My MO (medical oncologist) is happy about my progress. He says I'm doing well, and my blood work looks good. I got the Neulasta patch placed on my tummy again, so it will be injected into my system around 4pm today.

    2blessed2bestressed - I love your wig, and it looks so cute on you. Keep up that wonderful attitude. A great attitude keeps me feeling amazing (always has).

    Nfullblume - I have never taken anything to stay regular (keep things moving). I eat plenty of fiber, and I absolutely love prune juice. Since I get a good amount of fiber from my foods, I always dilute my prune juice with water (one part water - one part prune juice).

    I'm always praying for and thinking about all of my dear, sweet pink sisters. I love you all. (((hugs)))

    ~Marie

  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited December 2016

    imageThis is one of my headbands with attached hair. Easier and more comfortable then wigs plus they are around 35.00

  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2016

    Dianarose I LOVE that!!! Where did you get it? I wore headbands ALL the time before I lost my hair and can't with my wig...I want one! LOL

  • Hopfull2
    Hopfull2 Member Posts: 418
    edited December 2016

    Dianarose, I love your wig. Looks so natural.

    Nanpop, def get that checked out with your doc. I'm having a carotid ultrasound in about a week because I'm experiencing pulsatile tinnitus. So my dr. Just wants to be sure. Def. be your own advocate.

    Hope you guys have a wonderful day.

  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited December 2016

    BH46- google headbands with attached hair. I think I got this one from especially yours. Was 24.00

  • Nfullblume
    Nfullblume Member Posts: 171
    edited December 2016

    Marie, I'm doing Prune juice and oatmeal this cycle for sure!!

    Grannemama, we had the pho tonight. It was exactly what I needed. My mouth is a touch metallic today after my injection. The soup really helped. Baking soda rinses for the next 3 days, hopefully I can knock this out.

    image

  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited December 2016

    Myhair came back curly after chemo four years ago and was finally long again. Now back to bald. Really seems like a really bad dream.

  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited December 2016
  • Nfullblume
    Nfullblume Member Posts: 171
    edited December 2016

    Diana, gah...well at least you know it'll come back! I'd kill for some ringlets like that. My hair has always been pretty curly til recently, it's just been really wavy. I plan on keeping it short after this is all over. So I'd love for it to come in pretty straight.

    Thinking about you.

  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2016

    WOW! Diana your hair is gorgeous!! :-( hopefully it will come back in just as nice this time <3 hugs!!

  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2016

    Is there anyone else that wants to join the FB group? I just changed it to secret, so here is the link...but if you can't get to it for some reason let me know and I"ll change it back to closed for another day....

    Just send a request and someone will add you asap :-) It is MUCH easier to follow, and comment specifically on someones post. I hope everyone joins.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/604831976364120/

  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    I had a giggle the other day...I was talking to the NP about some things. My blood pressure has always run low, but my last chemo it was lower than normal and scared the nurse, asking if I was dizzy, etc. This time the NP said my BP was back to my "normal low". So I asked her well, as stupid as this sounds, is there something I should do to raise my BP, so it doesn't get that low again? (like anyone ever wants to raise it! lol) She said sometimes when your BP gets really low, it's because you don't have any natural salts left...that people really pump the water before chemo, so it cleans out all the salts and lowers it. So she said yes drink water, but also drink gingerale and teas to get some salts back in. So I got permission to drink pop! LOL Made me smile! ;)

  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2016

    Thats great Leslie! Its the little things that make us smile huh?

    I"ve been drinking lots of Smart Water and Core water today to get my veins ready for chemo #3 tomorrow...also eating lots of salty foods LOL I need my veins to pop! :) I had a bag of potato chips with my lunch LOL

  • Pamela23
    Pamela23 Member Posts: 510
    edited December 2016

    Dianarose--makes my heart sink to think your beautiful hair is gone. Did you consider cold capping?

  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    This round is my first time taking claritin for bone pain from the neulasta. How many days do you guys normally take the claritin? I forgot to ask. My chemo was Wednesday, so I took the shot on Thursday, the bone pain normally hits me Saturday night, so I was thinking Thurs-Sunday?

  • Pamela23
    Pamela23 Member Posts: 510
    edited December 2016

    Last time I stopped after 5 days. Still had intermittent pain. This time I'm still doing it and I'm on day 9. What a difference! Haven't really had much besides a headache once or twice upon waking but nothing in the rest of my body like last time. Last time I felt like my hips were spreading like I was in labor and my spine had hurt too. Not sure when I'll stop it.

  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited December 2016

    Did round six of chemo yesterday. Steroids suck. Went to bed at midnight and up at three. So tired but can't sleep. Hubby and I had an intestinal bug. That sucked.

    I don't get nauseous but more of an upset stomach. Does anyone else get this? Have next week off so no chemo until after Christmas hurray

  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    I was up all night last night with my steriods. I believe I got about an hour of sleep. Yet, I'm up and moving. Gah. I'm not sure if it's the same, but my stomach felt a little off last night at times, but didn't take anything and I'm fine, so not sure. My next one is January 4, so it's time to enjoy the holidays. :)

  • Nanpop
    Nanpop Member Posts: 75
    edited December 2016

    Hi Ladies,

    I take Claritin starting the day before the neulasta shot. Then I take it until the sixth day. I take the shot in the fleshy part of my hip or thigh. I've had minimal pain. I take Ativan on the days I get steroids. 1 mg allows me to sleep the entire night. I hope we all have pleasant holiday and that this awful experience passes quickly for all of us. I believe we are here for the experiences and there's always something to learn on the way that makes your life brighter

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