April 2017 Chemo

Welcome to our unfortunate group, CSA. I've only been here a couple weeks but can't believe the quality info and strong people that are part of it. I'm a college prof, writer, and editor and appreciate the educated, well-structured responses as well as the revealing nature of posts. I've never had occasion to rave about a forum like I can rave about this one.

I, like you, am not good at giving over my chores, my responsibilities, my power. That is one thing that I'm open to as a learning lesson from this--to let a few more caring people into my life and let help be received. Why is it that I am willing and wanting to help others but not allowing others to do the same for me? When I look at it this way, I'm more open to it. I'm very good at pushing people away so one of my lessons here is to let them in. One way to answer your own question about work is how would you feel about taking on others' responsibilities if he/she had cancer? Maybe you can allow them to gift you with some lessening of your burden. Just a thought.

Hello everyone, this is my first post since I joined this site. This past January I had the diep flap reconstruction surgery. Due to my diabetes, it has taken me a little longer than average to heal. I am scheduled to begin my chemo on Monday April 17, 2017 (12 weeks after surgery). I am anxious because I didn't want to have to wait this long to have chemo. I want it to be over with and done. I am scheduled to have 4 dose dense rounds of A/C once every other week and then 12 light rounds of Taxol every week for 12 weeks. I really am appreciative of this site because hearing some of the success stories uplifts me. Having someone who understands what you are going through is wonderful. My DH and family keeps telling me to cheer up but that's easy for someone to say when they are not faced with what we are faced with. I'm scared out of my mind!

Welcome, Doryp and CSA. This forum is so supportive and a wealth of information. Everyone is able to share what they are going through, big or small and any little victories along the way. As others have said, it is incredibly difficult to allow others to help and it is very emotional for me when alone and I feel the frustrations of not being able to do what I want to when I want to. I agree, there are lessons in everything in life and this is one for me to learn. This experience has been a wake up call to not take anything in life for granted, to appreciate each and every day. Enjoy nature around us that we may forget to look at and appreciate the beauty. Enjoy your family and loved ones in the moment.

I'm 53 and retired so I don't have to work but I've so much respect for those who continue working through this. Just know that on the bad days you need to tell yourself the next day will be a little better..we can do it. I've finished my 4 rounds of AC and start Taxol/carboplatin tomorrow but I still struggle with energy levels and strength which for me is a really hard one because we work out (or used to) all the time. I'm discovering yoga and mindful breathing to center myself and gather a calm and peace inside. The stretching is wonderful, too, since I can't lift weights anymore. I'm challenging myself to get that back when I'm done with chemo and surgery which follows.

I wanted to mention that the awful mouth taste and dry mouth was alleviated some for me by sipping on lemon infused water. I hope that helps some of you, too!

I'm currently reading "Being Well (Even when you are sick)" by Elana Rosenbaum and cancer survivor. So far, it seems to be helpful to me.

Have a Blessed Wednesday, everyone! Barb

You are most welcome, JLBinPDX. I continue to try to find lessons in all of this for myself. I think you will find having the port will make things easier especially if it takes away the possibility of the chemo messing up your veins and tissues. Hopefully, the bruising will go away soon. I seem to bruise after each transfusion.

Momo, please let us know if the book ordered is helpful.

Hi, Anne. I think day 2-3 were bad for me and even afterward I was tired alot. The first couple of days, I seem to nap and go to bed early. I'm not usually a napper but I just got so tired.

Hi everyone,

So I had my first treatment of TCPH on April 5th. It took about 5 hours as I received pre-meds to help with the more manageable side effects like nausea, diarrhea etc. My port was placed the day before. I was freaking out about getting the port in because i really don't like to be put under. Fortunately, it went well i guess. They were able to place the port off to the side so its less visible. I can tell you although my care has been phenomenal thus far, I too am not looking forward to the effects of receiving this treatment. It's now 1 week since the first treatment and I've had nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth (which has led to off taste of food). I've began to research wigs as well and have made an appointment with a hair dresser to style it. Sigh...Anyway, onward and upward. Can't let it get us down.

Momojcbc - do you get your next AC chemo tomorrow? I get my 2nd next Wednesday.

If so, will keep you in my thoughts tomorrow.

Hi CSA - I also work at a desk and the doctor did not tell me I couldn't work but I think they'll probably rein me in if my blood counts are too low. I have a very supportive office and I can work from home if needed - I just prefer the office so I can use my giant monitors.

Lydian5 - It does help to have others in similar situations to talk with, family and friends are supportive but unless they've gone through this they will never really understand. You can do this.

To anyone who has not started chemo yet - Fear of the unknown is much worse than the actual doing. I thought I was going run away in a panic my first and only time for chemo - honestly, I thought they could probably see the panic that I was trying to hide - but you sit down, the wonderful nurse tells you all about the nice snacks and warm blankets and all the other things they have to make you comfortable, and then you just start - when it happens there are no sirens or a big to-do and you probably won't even feel much. Just take a deep breath, you are stronger than those little magic liquids.

Three main tips: Drinks as much water as you can stand before and after, and take advantage of nausea and bone pain meds (for me that's Zofran and Zyrtec), and manage constipation - lots of ways of doing it, it'll happen and it won't be comfy.

I'm scheduled again next Thursday and I'm ready, only three more meetings with the Red Devil. I can do it, you can do it.

To follow up on JoyAI, I, too, thought chemo was manageable. The first time in a big room of strangers was a little off-putting. And I wasn't prepared for the draw blood, see the doc, come back, and then get started (with an EKG that I'd missed in there, too). But the process was really okay. Friendly, kind people and nurses and a volunteer and a pharmacist that were stellar. Chemo, itself, is going to be doable!

That's great news Annbee! Sounds very much like my first round last week on AC - on day 4 I made breakfast and went food shopping, then took a nap. I will say I took the nausea meds another day and didn't take steroids. So, what do you think helped you besides the meds?

This is my first post on this great site. A lot of what people have written here resonates with me as well.

Ports: I had the port put in two days before my first treatment, and I am so glad I did (though maybe another couple days of recovery would have been preferable). It's incredibly easy to get "hooked up", and it protects the veins from damage, both of which are pluses in my book. The site has healed up and the bruising is gone by now, but I have to be careful not to whack it putting on clothes; I can be clumsy about it basically. It's amazing what just a half inch or less sticking out can do to your sense of where things are on your body.

I started chemo March 22, like MomoJcbc, before surgery, which will hopefully be in June. I had my second treatment (TC) yesterday, and I will say the first and second were quite different.

The first I very much wanted to just get done (fear of the unknown as JoyAl said). The first treatment day was a breeze-amazing nurses and spent time chatting with my mom, who's recently retired from nursing for 40 years. Handy, I must say. The day after not so much, but nausea meds were great. I didn't drink enough and the right enough, i.e. just water and herbal tea, no gatorade or other electrolyte replacement. In addition I hadn't had coffee (my only, but constant source of caffeine)for days because the bitter taste was stomach turning. Headaches for days until I went in for my CBC and follow up. Needless to say I've found alternate sources of caffiene. The Neulasta shot was fine, with only minor bone pain. I felt bad for almost a week after he first treatment, but the second and third week felt good, and even fatigue was pretty minor by the couple days before the second treatment. Those first few days after though, I felt like I wasn't going to feel well for the entire 12 weeks. But it passed.

So I learned some things and treatment #2 was yesterday. I had a severe hypersensitivty to the taxotere (hot, red face, rapid heart rate and throat closing). Doc and nurses rush in as I'm about to black out; hooked me up to oxygen, removed the taxotere and ran benadryl+more steroid. I rebounded quickly, and in 20 minutes they had me on the taxotere again at a MUCH lower rate. It took a total of 6 hours but I did get my full treatment. I pre-gamed with lots of fluids, including electrolytes. Drank after and am caffeinated. I also hit the claritin+advil before the Neulasta shot. So far so good. Too good...I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Ha.

I also found these super inspiring temporary tattoos that I put on my forearm for the days after. They keep me focused somewhat, which has helped (consciousink.com) No, I don't work for them :-) I've also been doing short walks. I'm a hiker at heart, so the nice weather and being out has helped me mentally.

Working during chemo: I'm a college prof and have been working through chemo, but luckily my schedule is flexible and my colleagues have covered a couple classes for me, and mostly for the "you need a biopsy today" and getting other appointments scheduled in ASAP. I'm also learning to graciously accept help- my freezer is stocked, which is an amazing comfort, even when I'm not eating much.

Hey all...I was not having an easy time posting so didn't because I was out of town from Sunday till Thursday! I went to visit my daughter and her family.

Got the power-port Wednesday morning, general anesthesia, no tube (yeah), very bruised and sore the first 2 days, chemo, AC, same day. Neulasta Injector...all is good, I woke up this morning with a slight headache, puffy eyes and the onco said to take one more steroid this morning and no more since I have no se's at this time. I've only taken the steroids 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon and claritin along with my bp meds and potassium. No pain pills or Zofran...I did take Tylenol but really have not had any pain so far or nausea. Very little indigestion, I do take Pepcid at bedtime...everything seems to be ok so far...my taste buds haven't changed yet, either. I feel lucky so far...a little shaky from the steroids, though! And yes...bumping the port is a shocker!

We can do this!!!! I have drank so much water that I can only see out of the top part of my eyes. Jk. lol. It does feel that way, though!

Momojcbc, so sorry about your cold and chills...sounds awful! Watch your temp. carefully, because our immune systems are depleted and you don't want this to go to far. Hopefully, you feel better soon! The hair....I know it is extremely difficult to come to the conclusion of shaving. I think hubby and I talked about it for weeks beforehand so when the time came I was ready. I think we all expect people to stare at us but I didn't really find that happening even though for awhile I refused to look people in the eye. But you begin to get your confidence and I realized I didn't want to go around staring at the ground. For me it was easier to shave it than to watch it come out in patches and then I'd look like I had mange or something. We even get to see what our bald head shape is...how many people get to do that? I discovered a mole on top Bald is the new beautiful as my oncologist says.

Welcome, MicroGirl. Sounds like you had a rough second treatment...how scary! Hopefully, that won't happen again as they monitor you closely.

Yeah, good for you Dodgersgirl in getting a full week in....I admire you!

Hope everyone can enjoy this weekend with family....Happy Easter!