April 2017 Chemo

utjoy, I almost fell off my stool laughing at the tequila comment. Wouldn't that be nice?! Hahaha.

Dodgersgirl- I am happy to hear that number is 3 went better than the first 2. I have AC number 3 tomorrow and dreading it. You gave me hope.
I am also thrilled to hear that your tumor is shrinking. Awesome news!

I was able to attend my son's graduation from college yesterday. My chemo treatments were planned around this day. I wore my wig for the first time. That went well. The only thing was that I tire easily. Wednesday my MO said I am anemic. Hopefully that won't effect tomorrow.
I hope everyone has a no SE day!!

Momojcbc - wondering how your appts are with the drs and howyou're doing?

Trying to catch on on this and May posts and thinking of all of you,

Limonia

PS - re: shingles - I actually asked my doc weeks ago if I should get shingles shot before I start (delay 6 weeks because slow to heal from surgery) and she didn't even blink and said no. Ladies - if you had chicken pox as a child and are near/over 50 years, did your doctor recommend the shingles shot before starting chemo?

Shingles: My doctor said I would be fine since I'm already taking valtrex. Crossing my fingers she's right because shingles sucks!! You don't have to be near/over 50 to get shingles, two of my siblings got it before then: one in their 40s and one in their late 20s/early 30s, and that's why I asked her about it.

Fiore- I worry a bit about neuropathy as well. Taking B6 now during AC and will add B12 and l-glutamate (sp?) before moving on to Taxol in June. There is only one person "icing" at my infusion center which was surprising to me, too.

I will be doing chemo thru August with a September surgery followed by radiation for 5 1/2 weeks

I need at take a walk everyday. Your post encourages me to try even if I am tired.

Do you find the sun brighter to your eyes during chemo? I sure do. I always wear sunglasses now when ou

momojcbc- best of luck with AC3 today. Also keeping you in prayers for MO visit today. Thought about you all weekend. Hoping for the best possible outcome.

DazzlingEagle- so sorry that had to endure those miserable days. Hoping you feel better each day forward.

Thanks for posting about H2O2. I hadn't read about that option. My MO said to try the water, salt, baking soda, too, so I make a large glass in the morning and rinse with it after eating. Working from home makes is easier to do.

Momojcbc - I am thinking of you and good to know that chemo 3 went well, although it sounds like there's a few more steps they want to take to more closely assess. Sounds like you're in good hands and they're on top of things, although I'm sure this is incredibly stressful. I have been so impressed with your posts, encouragement to all of us and energy...these qualities will also see you through this difficult time. and it's a good reminder (as you mentioned) that we will lose our shit at times.... sending you all the best.

Thanks everyone for your comments about the shingles - I'm going to check with my oncologist again (have upcoming appt with her - not the fellow!) on the week of the 15th - to see state of improvement from my wound/ post op - anticipate starting chemo - FEC-D within the month. Your posts about the ice chips and baths and mouthwashes also very helpful..

DazzlingEagle - sorry you went through such a hard time, it sounds like they got control of it with the meds and good to know family was there to help. It reminds me that this is going to be a lot of ups and downs through this process, including with our energy, and I'm wondering how it will be for me to 'go with that flow'. I'm only now getting energy back post op, trying to get strong to be ready for chemo.

First post for me here.... glad to have found this place. So finding a lump in my breast 3 weeks before my 40th bday is not really what I had in mind..... but God has a different plan. I will trust in my faith and His plan for me.

I had my first round of chemo on April 10, 2017 (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin, & Perjeta.) I had some pretty severe (delayed) reactions to the Taxotere, so for my second round last Monday (May 1, 2017), my MO switched me to Abraxane. I'm curious how many others have been on Abraxane vs Taxotere? So far, thankfully, I have not had the reactions like I did with the Taxotere! However, this second round has really shown me a whole new level of fatigue! I also received Neulasta this time, which I didn't the first time, so that's been rough too.

Has anyone else had issues with diarrhea around Day 8-9 post infusion? My first time it lasted from days 8-14.... this round it started on day 7 and has continued (I'm on day 9 now.) It even wakes me from my sleep.

I received IV fluids and steroids on Day 8 both rounds, as I was slightly dehydrated, felt like total garbage, WBC low (obviously), etc. Definitely seems to have helped. I'm considering asking if I can just make that a standing appointment on Day 8 lol.

Looking forward to chatting with new friends here. I appreciate any advice/ tips always!

hi, Balland.

wish we chatted online under different circunstances.

About GI trouble, or bleeping diarrehea is side effect of steroids my onco nurse told me "it is constipation or diarrhea there is no third way" I agree timing is different each time I lost 9 pounds after my 1st DD AC I had instances of waking up also. I have more choice words about multiple streroids. I have been somewhat fortunate enough not needing streroids at home. Low dose Ativan takes care of any mild nausea.

About my best friend neulasta, Claritin which should help neulasta pain has fatigue, headache and blurry vision as side effects. I found it better for me to have 1/2 claritin and the other 1/2 pill in the evening. I also found epsom salt scrub makes neulasta pain less bleeping painful. I use epsom salt fortified w rosemary oil and mint. Here is how I do on day 2, 3 and 4 evening. Make a thick scrub by adding water. Plaster it all over me. Sit on a chair the entire time. Play some nice soft music Wait as long as possible(usually 20 to 40 min) while waiting I soak my feet using any left over scub rinse it out

I tried epsom salt bath also. It must have been my subconsciousness that I did not want to take any chances w port. I did not like the bath option

I honestly love neulasta😬. I still have 4 DD Taxol to go w/it every time.

It sure looks your battle is a lot rougher than mine. Please keep on fighting.

I have had stomach issues at day 8-9 and I am on AC with the first two treatments. Waiting to see if it will happen again. Nothing too bad but definite issues in that area. It seems to clear up in time for the next round. I am on day 3 of my third treatment and SE the same as before..tired and a little queasy. Not too bad.

DodgersGirl… - I had AC #3 on 5/1 and the SE weren't as bad, BUT my levels were VERY LOW and boy was I weak. I didn't eat a whole lot during that week, but making up for it now, lol. NO mouth sores, YAY..........I sucked on ice during the red devil and it worked!!! Monday, 5/15 is my last AC and then 12 Taxol after that, makes me so happy. Surgery will follow, then radiation for 5 weeks

Hope you are having an easy journey

Hi everyone...sounds like we're all doing 'ok'...various SE's.

I had my 1st IVIg infusion for Hypogammaglobulinemia on Tuesday, which we're thinking was caused by pesticide poisoning over 26 years ago that also coincided with my recurring shingles which further lowered my immune system that finds me here.

3rd AC Wednesday...Neulasta injection...I don't feel so great! I think its the steroids...mostly. I can't drink my coffee! lol...I just feel shakey, random body pain, no nausea...Magic Mouthwash got rid of the mouth sores!!!! My ONCO said to swallow it for the esophagus...but be sure to only use it twice a day if I do it.

Chemo Brain is real. Blurry vision sux! And typing is tough!!!

Blessings to all!

Hi everyone, thanks for DogersGirl and others for the welcome messages and also greetings to those who, like me, have joined recently. I think we'll all benefit from the mutual support, suggestions and kind wishes here. One thing that's helped me as a newbie is keeping day-to-day journal that I write in every day Now that I'm starting the second cycle it's helpful to flip back and see where I was and what helped. I have several categories I update in the journal morning and evening: Check-in (basically how I'm feeling and sometimes a place to vent!), Diet, Fluids, Meds, Exercise. I also write down new things that may be good to try each day, like look up a new yoga program on YouTube, listen to relaxing music for an hour (YouTube is a fabulous resource for me - did you know they even have music/meditations to listen to during chemo sessions? I pack my iPad and good headphones when I go - helps to relax and block all the bleeping and general noise).

About neuropathy: I mentioned in my post that I'd iced my hands and feet for the first infusion session (Perjeta, Herceptin, Carboplaitin and Taxotere) and was so happy that I had no tingling or numbness afterwards. Mentioned this to my onc during visit yesterday and he said those symptoms of neuropathy often won't appear until round 3 or 4. So I wanted you all to know that my feelings of "success" in fending off neuropathy may have been premature. Nevertheless I did ice again yesterday for the full 6 hours. Fingers crossed.

Dazzling Eagle & BalladCheerMom: Sounds like we are pretty much the same boat with our DX and treatments, though I was OK with the Taxotere. The symptoms that sent me to the ER (at the urging on the onc nurse) were severe chest pain and pressure. Perjeta can have chest tightening as a SE, but this was much more that that. Nothing conclusive found after tons of tests, but at least I won't be freaking out if happens this time around. They gave me a strong prescription for severe acid reflux/heartburn as that could have been a contributing cause of the pain. The prescription they gave me is Pantoprazole, 20 mg.

Momojcbs: Hope you are doing well and wondering how you ended up coping with the hair loss? I ordered a wig and some pretty hats. I was unsure about wearing a wig but it is actually light and comfortable (and I live in the hot, humid South). I have naturally curly hair (that I love - actually need to use "loved" as it's about gone now!) I couldn't find any wig that looked like my hair but found one that looks that it does when I go to the trouble of straightening the curls. Bonus: the wig won't frizz out in the humidity. To answer your question, my diarrhea started day 6 in my first round, so I'm going to try to stave it off with Lorazepam on the evening of day 5, then twice daily after that till it hopefully stops.

Best wishes all for a day with more energy - and free of bone pain, tummy troubles and forgetfulness!