April 2017 Chemo

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  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 208
    edited April 2017
    Ksusan- that is encouraging that you have Thai after treatments.
    Felloco1- thank you for your great post.
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  • Rikki320
    Rikki320 Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2017

    We should but we do what we must right. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks annabee and dodgersgirl

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  • Rikki320
    Rikki320 Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2017

    We should but we do what we must right. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks annabee and dodgersgirl

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  • Brneyegrl6608
    Brneyegrl6608 Member Posts: 85
    edited April 2017

    Hi everyone. I find out tomorrow if I do surgery or chemo first. Either way my chemo will start this month. I'm 41 and noticed there's a few of us "younger" ones on here. I'm the youngest for breast cancer at my center. I also work at the same hospital I'm getting my treatment at so that's comforting in a way. Glad to have the support and I've received great information on this site.


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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2017

    My best advice is, plan for the worse end, but expect the better. I had all sorts of additional medications, foods, ointments, bandages, etc. through the whole treatment process, most of which I never needed. I just donated a big pile of the to a local women's shelter. I had great IV medication for nausea and only had one instant of queasiness. I had a little neuropathy, but it went away. I didn't have mouth sores. I didn't have diarrhea or constipation. I didn't have much chemo brain. That said, some of my chemo buddies had a worse time of it, and I had a lot of pain from my port. It's pretty individual.

    Best of luck!

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  • utjoy
    utjoy Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2017

    Bless each and every one of you for your courage and strength and willingness to share. I don't know what I would do without this site!

    I will keep everyone in my prayers.

    I'm wondering how many have the port placement AND the 1st chemo treatment (ac) on the same day? I live 145 miles from the hospital so they've decided to do it this way...I have a lymph node needle biopsy on Thursday (6th) and the port/chemo on the 12th...so scary, yet, so anxious to get this started.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited April 2017

    utjoy- I can't answer your question because I had port installed last week with first chemo tomorrow. As far as my port procedure, I have minimal bruising at the incision sites (I have 2 and assume that is the norm) with the port part between the 2 incisions just under my skin so it would appear to me that the MO could have started using my port well before tomorrow.

    Will you drive that 145 miles for each chemo infusion? Or is that just for the port installation?

    Good luck on the 6th with the lymph node needle biopsy!

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  • Momojcbc
    Momojcbc Member Posts: 94
    edited April 2017

    So my chemo was Friday, I think I feel much better today. Food is still tough to get down. I am loving smoothies and popsicles.

    Dodgersgirl- I bet now that the swelling has gone down you can feel the port now? Good Luck on chemo tomorrow.

    Eicats- I was shocked at sore I was too. I am hoping your biopsy comes out clean ☹

    Tls5141- Welcome, sorry we all have to be here. I hope your chemo goes well this week.

    Kdarner- Welcome, I hope your chemo goes well today. How was the Surgery? Was it pretty painful?

    Whirlwind- I am glad you got into the dentist! I wish I would have thought of that. Everything happened so fast, I wasn't even thinking.

    Annbee- Yes they never offered me the cream. But the spray was fine. I am going to ask about it next time though.

    Felloco1- Thank you for the tips!

    Rikki320- I hope today goes well!

    Brneyegrkl6608- That is nice you get to go to a familiar environment. Let us know what they say. Seems most of us here have chemo first.

    Utjoy-My port and chemo were about 3 days a part. I think that is a lot for one day but doable. We will be thinking of you. That is a long way to travel, is someone going with you? Are you in Utah? I just moved from there?

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  • utjoy
    utjoy Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2017

    Thanks DodgersGirl! It's all the same place, I'll be doing chemo every 2 weeks so should be able to drive over and back same day. I live in the boonies! Near Monument Valley Utah, everything is faraway, including grocery stores. The best one is 85 miles from here, but, it IS on the way so that should help.

    I so dread every procedure...I try to be brave & find that if I don't look at the needles I do better...and I used to be an EMT...lol. I have an old neck injury from a car accident and really dread any kind of surgery where they might 'adjust' my neck. Oh well, it is what it is.

    Good luck to you, too, on your first chemo treatment tomorrow.

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  • utjoy
    utjoy Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2017

    Momojcbc- Hubby will go with me...my daughter lives in Farmington NM so she'll likely keep the Dad company on that day. I had read somewhere that they prefer the port heal before they start chemo...I have a vivid imagination so will try to not 2nd guess the doctors!

    Glad to hear your feeling better! What a crazy journey this is...good luck with everything!

    What part of Utah did you live?



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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited April 2017

    hubby just came home after running last minute errands for me. He stopped at the barber this morning and is now bald. Said he wanted to go thru this with me. We will soon be twins.

    Just wanted to share

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  • Momojcbc
    Momojcbc Member Posts: 94
    edited April 2017

    utjoy- we lived in HerrimAn and in vernal. But I am actually from Farmington New Mexico! Lol


    Dodgersgirl - that is so sweet of him!

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  • DazzlingEagle
    DazzlingEagle Member Posts: 112
    edited April 2017

    Dodgers Girl: Sorry to hear about your uterus. The oncologist gynecologist that I went to was probably the nicest doctor out of the many I've seen. I still have an issue with ovaries which I'm not sure how it will end up. Have to get another US and brain MRI to check pituitary gland for issues. Who knows. As if we don't have enough with just the cancer. Well, I'll be thinking about you.

    How does your husband look now, pretty good?

    I got a 24-ounce cup with a lid and wide straw and have been doing really good on drinking water. Which I'm happy about because I have never been a big water drinker. Hopefully it continues during treatment.

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  • DazzlingEagle
    DazzlingEagle Member Posts: 112
    edited April 2017

    I have a cream that is "lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%. The instructions are to apply over the port site one hour before chemo and put saran wrap or something over it that won't absorb the cream.

    It was part of the group of prescriptions I got when I went for an appointment called a chemo-teach about 2 weeks ago. My co-pay for it was $5.00 because I was allowed to get the generic.

    My port surgery was March 23 and I still have a bruise that's healed from the inside out so now just the perimeter is bruised. The surgeon tried to attach the port to the vein in my neck and the vein was too small so I still have a bruise there as well and two little incisions that are healing. It doesn't even hurt anymore. After a week of having the port, I stopped putting ice on it because I only thought you were supposed to do that for a few days. But then the oncologist nurse suggested to start alternating heat and cold to speed up the healing of the swelling and bruising which I've done and I think it helped the swelling go down a lot because I can feel the little port now with my finger. It is not visible at all under my skin though. I hope they are able to use the port site for the chemo tomorrow. I'm still glad I got the port and will be more prepared for future surgeries about the extensive bruising I might get. Now that I think about it, I've always been pretty easily bruised so I should have known but you forget when there's all the other medical things to think about.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited April 2017

    momojcbc - so nice to hear from you! Hope you continue to feel better each day. Popcicles and smoothies sound good to me!

    DazzlingEagle - hubby's new bald look had taken 15 years off his look! He sure looks like a 10 year old kid.



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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2017

    Dazzling Eagle, yes, that's the EMLA. Press n Seal works well to cover it because it sticks to your skin.

    Ladies, don't throw the end of your EMLA away after treatment--it works for electrolysis as well!

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited April 2017

    Well I am in my chair awaiting chemo. Hoping for the best results !

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  • Momojcbc
    Momojcbc Member Posts: 94
    edited April 2017

    Good luck dodgersgirl! For some reason I didn't want to take to many meds after chemo.. thinking back I wish I would have prolly would have felt better. Keep us posted

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  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 208
    edited April 2017
    You will do great Dodgersgirl.

    I just got home from getting my port placed. Easy procedure. Now I just feel something different in my neck. If that makes sense. I hope that goes a way.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited April 2017

    Anne - my neck felt weird for a few days after the port was placed. Kinda felt like I had a straw in my neck. Glad I have the port today. Seems lots easier than lots of IV sticks.

    Momojcbc - I sure hope my anti nausea meds do their job. I am about 20 mins from the start of AC. No turning back now!

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  • Wisner1558
    Wisner1558 Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2017

    hi everyone,

    Started chemo yesterday, had a few anti-nausea meds and steroids before the actual chemo meds. I feel fine besides a little constipation, my face feels warm and looked flushed. I didn't sleep well. Didn't get a wink in till 4am. Tookanother steroid this morning and I still can't sleep. I'm hungry a lot too. I,be been drinking water round the clock. Keep,running to the bathroom, but nurse recommended as it helps flush everyone out. I'm also using alcohol free mouthwash to try to prevent any problems in my mouth and pantaprazole to protect my stomach from the steroids avoid gastritis. Good luck to everyone. Keep us posted


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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited April 2017

    kdarmer,

    I hope your infusion went well and that your SEs are tolerable. I began feb 27, with same regimen as yours. So I've done TC #3 out of 4

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  • Lordhelpmetoo
    Lordhelpmetoo Member Posts: 197
    edited April 2017

    dodger girl,

    Good luck. Let us know how it goes

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited April 2017

    home from chemo. Been home for about 45 mins. Total process took about 2 hrs 45 mins.

    Eating lunch while I still have an appetite and drinking lots of water. Peeing pink right now which is the chemo.

    Nurse said side effects would be more pronounced Thursday night into Friday as the IV stuff wears off

    Port was a little tender but over all quite easy to tolerate.

    Got a Neulasta on pro installed at the end of my session. It is on my belly. When they placed it, it does a quick stick to insert a small catheter for the "shot" tomorrow. Felt like someone hitting me with a rubber band.

    Next chemo scheduled in 2 weeks




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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited April 2017

    wisner1558 - how are you feeling this afternoon from chemo yesterday? Hope well!

    What type of chemo are you receiving?

    Did you get Neulasta on-body injector??

    Hope all goes well for you


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  • Wisner1558
    Wisner1558 Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2017

    Hi dodgers girl,

    Feeling good besides some constipation. Couldn't sleep last night because of the steroids they gave me prior to the chemo meds. I haven't had any nausea or queaziness. They pumped me up with anti- nausea meds yesterday too. I've also taking my nausea meds every eight hours. Drinking about 8-10 of water has really helped I think. My nurse said it'll help with the constipation too. I've had a great appetite because of the steroids. My Neulasta on body injector just turned a solid green about an hour ago. Exactly 27 hours from my from my first chemo. I'm hoping it won't bring too much bone pain. I'm taking Claritin for my nasal allergies anyway so hoping that will help a little. hope you're feeling good and things go smoothly for you. Nurse said side effects don't kick in till day three.

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  • Lizo_biker
    Lizo_biker Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2017

    Well, this is it- I'm starting chemo tomorrow at 9am. After several weeks of testing, getting ready, and trying to wrap my head around this diagnosis, it's finally starting. I'm both apprehensive, and looking forward to getting this started. Since I'm doing neoadjuvant chemo, and I know this is a really aggressive cancer, I've been anxious to get going on chemo- though my first instinct is to cut it out;). I'm REALLY hoping i'm one of the lucky ones who are able to sail through chemo without too many issues, as I'm hoping to be able to work through it. I'm taking the first few weeks off to get settled; currently planning on going back to work in 3 weeks. Wish me luck!!


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  • LimnoGal
    LimnoGal Member Posts: 157
    edited April 2017

    utjoy - I had my port placed and first chemo on the same day (a year ago tomorrow!). It was fine. Maybe better, as I had a load of happy drugs circulating from the port placement, so that first chemo was a breeze. You have a long drive home, so you might consider taking a pillow or something similar with you in case the shoulder belt irritates your port area. You might want to keep the pillow in the car all the time...

    You ladies will make it through this. In hindsight, it is a bump in the road. A crappy bump, but a bump nonetheless.

    Best of luck and minimal side effects to all!

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  • Wisner1558
    Wisner1558 Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2017

    Good luck to you Lizo biker. Wish you the best. Remember to drink a lot of water and take snacks with you. Mine was almost 41/2 hours long. Thank you for the encouragement LimnoGa

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  • Lizo_biker
    Lizo_biker Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2017

    Thanks, Wisner1558, appreciate it! My wonderful hubby just ran out to grab me some sugar free popscicles andv other snacks. I'm diabetic, which adds yet another wrinkle to the nutrition side.

    I'm hoping I can fit in at least a half hour walk before the chemo tomorrow, know that can make a big difference

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