cathyoh65,

I must emphasize being realistic and practical.

I kinda visualized that I may have GI issues and itches/rashes. I think even though my first one was tolerable after everything said and done. It was rough on my body. I know I walked at least 20 per any given day since chemo. None of my side effects are major enough or everlasting. But as soon as one dissipated another one came right after.

About neulasta. you stock up tylenol and any type of antihistamine. I was so afraid that I might scratch my port out one night if it was not for zyrtec i took i used a lot of menthol spray for bone pain. Because i did not know or did not think neulasta is a bleep. I hate neulasta but I know i have to suck it up. It is crucial to have WBC counts up. I heard my onco telling infusion nurse that patient cannot have chemo that day. For whatever reason, if it gets untolerable there are alternatives. My understanding is the SE days are spread a lot more than neulasta.

Lastly, you have to sleep and eat after each chemo. I forced my food down without any throw up. I still dropped 6 pounds just like that. Mild GI issue still continues so i probably would a bit more. What I am trying to say is about 5 days or so, all SE would be residual enough.

p.s. Everytime i get slightly down, i think of my mom whose ovarian bomb exploded 20 plus yrs ago. She was given a yr max at that time. Medicaid gave her taxol txs. About 10 yrs ago, she was hit with BC bomb this time. Thank god for medicaid again. She is 85 and still kicking. Her body will be donated for medical research but family does not think it will happen any time soon.

Hi Ladies,

Did my second Chemo on Friday , was busy all day Saturday around the house. Sunday was a day of rest for me, Thats what my body told me to do. Monday and Tuesday were a bit harder. Tired, headache, bone pain, loss of appetite, no taste buds. And just plain miserable and snappy. Still taking the Alleve for the bone pain and headache and it has been helping. Started feeling a little better, once I started eating more regularly again. Have to force to eat, even though I am not tasting anything. Got my first night of good sleep , last night , so I feel better with that rest as well. I still have some fuzz on my head and my scalp is very visible. I had expected the hair to be totally gone by now. The hair all over my body is still present. I got tired of waiting for the underarm and leg hairs to fall out, so I shaved them. lololololol

WGraf - How did your session go? Hope you are well and it wasn't too hard.

Tara17- Well said, at your outlook at this disease and how it will change our lives. But do not let it define you. It is so much easier to speak with people who are having the same experience, or who have gone through it.Positive Support is so important to all of us.

carolina_girl63- How are you doing now? Did the constipation pass? When is your next treatment?

bruinvol10 - how are you doing post first treatment?

Lordhelpmetoo - How are you? Getting ready for the third treatment now?

Soxfan75,

i know what you mean about easily winded. Seems its par for the course, so we are expected to just deal with it, and we do. its learning the new normal, until this normal changes again. I too, find it very aggravating. I have ants in my pants, generally.

Tip- Try to have a meal every 4-6 hours, with a healthy snack in between. This helps me more too . ( rolls eyes, I had horrible eating habits before chemo). I use high protein drinks (35mg) in my frozen fruit smoothies with oats, and nuts and dried raisins and cranberry as snacks.

The free Brazilians! Yup , I second that one . Lolololol

Chemo SE, sounds similar to what i experienced. Yup, you are lucky. Count your blessings

UTI - *raises hand* , had one of those after first treatment, even with Neulesta shots. Got antibiotics, but I also have a cup of water with a teaspoon of baking soda, in the mornings on an empty stomach. That helps a lot. And I still try and do, most mornings. My water intake daily exceeds my bladder capacity and mobility to the bathroom.

Halfway there, 2 down, 2 to go!

kimburke,

Yes, getting ready for my #3 tomorrow. Started taking my steroids this AM

kimburke - I do the high protein drinks as well. I'm on the small side (105 lbs) and I'm trying to make sure I don't lose any weight.

Quick question... What does the water/baking soda do to help a UTI? I've heard of Vitamin C, but not baking soda.

Lordhelpmetoo - Good luck on round #3!

Tara17 - Love the positive thinking. Thanks!

Even though I started taking Lorezapam daily, I feel blessed to have tolerable #1 chemo.

The fact that my period came on for the last week, SEs have to be discounted. p.s. I was furious about it though. My period usually burns tremendous amount of calories. I cant eat the way i used to. So I lost weight again due to pernod.

#2 tomorrow. Started taking tylenol, claritin since yesterday. Darned it I better see huge benefit from neulasta.

soxfan,

What kind of high protein drinks do you use? Or make? Are you part of out FB groups too

Tara17- Yay for almost being half-way done! You got this! Re my acne/rash, I did bring it up to my onc. He prescribed Doxycycline for 7 days and said I could use benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid (typical otc acne cream), so I've been using the former. It's going away, but slowly. Hoping if I'm proactive it won't be as bad after my second treatment.

Lordhelpmetoo- Hang in there! Days 3-4 were rough for me as well.

Rebamacfan123- Sending positive thoughts your way!

For those worried about their nails, I was just told that tea tree oil applied to the nail bed can help. Started it today so we'll see!

Tara,

I've also been applying coconut oil in my nails before bedtime. Seems to be working

Lordhelpmetoo - I used to make my own protein drinks, but I've gotten lazy and have been buying the Boost High Protein as well as a high protein yogurt smoothie. I really should get back to making my own though. I'm not part of the FB group. What's the name of it?

Hi

I'm at day 17 after 2nd chemo. Will the hair stop falling at some point or it will continue until non left? I'm now having about 50% left and today it fall in clamps (again)