Starting Chemo May 2017
Comments
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Same here, rdsm, first infusion yesterdau
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lrwell50, how'd it go? feel free to send me a private message
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rdsm- yes I'm same as you. My first treatment was May 9. 12 days out and I feel very good. All side effects seemed to be for first week after and then have subsided. I'm waiting for my hair to start falling out but it hasn't yet. I've been assured it will fall out but so far it hasn't. Next treatment is May 31. All the best to you!
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rdsm, I thought it went very well. I'm doing my chemo at the Sammons Cancer Center at Baylor, Dallas, so it was very crowded in the waiting room, and we were about 1 1/2 hours later than our appointment. We were taken to one of many infusion rooms, and the nurse explained exactly what she was doing. It was VERY cold in the room, but the recliners were heated, and they had heated blankets ready. They gave me steroids and an anti-nausea med. Then they started the Taxotere, which they ran slowly, because it's the one you are most likely to have an allergic response to. Then she ran the Cytoxin over an hour, because she said it can cause a sinus-type headache. She said next time they would run it faster. I don't think I mentioned that I don't have a port, which is nice. The MO thought my veins were okay since I'd only have 4 treatments and no AC.
They had eight treatment chairs in each chemo area, with chairs down the middle for family. Also a room with snacks like crackers and granola bars, and a fridge with ice, juices and pudding. After it was finished I went to their store and bought a wig and caps that I'll need before I go back, and we headed home, which is almost two hours away. Had a bland dinner, drank a lot of water, and took a compazine at bedtime. I hadn't given much thought to the fact that they ran saline alongside the meds, but those, plus the water I drank, caused about 6 trips to the bathroom during the night.
Today I ate my normal breakfast, and more bland stuff at lunch, but I've had absolutely no nausea. I rarely do, so maybe that's why. I'm now T-2 hours until the Neulasta injection, so keeping my fingers crossed for no bone pain.
Lynn
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After my long post on Day #1 of my first AC infusion, I thought I'd see how things went before posting again - but I have been keeping up with all that has been happening with you ladies!
Day #1 went really well. My chemo nurse told me that the steroids might keep me from sleeping but I didn't have a problem. Day #2 I had a slight headache, but I've been trying to cut out coffee (I'm a longtime black coffee addict, which may have contributed to this mess I've gotten into! My GYN has been telling me for years that caffeine promotes dense breasts) so caffeine withdrawal may be the cause. I had to go back in to the Onc Clinic to get my Neulasta shot because they don't have the pod for automatic delivery. So hard to judge when to take the Claritin so that it's timed 30"-60" before the injection when you have a car ride and possible wait. I ended up taking it only 15" prior. But don't worry about forgetting to take the Claritin, Carmstr835 - my chemo nurse told me that the bone pain usually doesn't kick in right away, so as long as you take the Claritin before it starts, it should help. I hope we don't get the bone pain at all like DodgersGirl, but I'll be vigilant with the Claritin after reading MamaEnki's experience with bone pain on Day 9. Oh, I'm so sorry, MamaEnki. I hope it's getting better.
The only SE I had on Day #2 was suddenly feeling tired at 6pm. Still managed to eat dinner and watch some TV before nodding off. But I must have gotten up 8 times to pee between 9:00 and 4:30! As soon as I got up I checked my BP and it was fine. Also took out my "Call the Doctor" list and noted that I am to call for "Frequent Urination in Small Amounts," which was not the case. I must have overdone it with the water!
So, today is Day #3 and I haven't had any nausea so far. Lovepugs77, my appetite hasn't diminished and yes, the steroids seem to have made me hungrier (just as my chemo nurse warned). No wonder my MO said that some gain weight on chemo. In case the steroids run out and I hit the wall tomorrow, I'd better get some exercise today. Thanks for that warning, TooQuiet! And Limonia, thank you for the nutrition tips and links. Since I haven't experienced any nausea so far, I should be eating smart instead of eating anything.
I feel very lucky so far. No problems with mouth sores. I use a soft toothbrush, Biotene toothpaste and Biotene mouth rinse twice a day and rinse with the water, baking soda, salt solution after eating. As noted before, I drink a lot of water (maybe not so much after last night!), eat protein and fresh fruits and vegetables (I'll switch to cooked produce only by Day #7 when my WBC will be at its lowest). No chills, fever, constipation, diarrhea...but I realize these are early days. I'll enjoy the present and continue to be vigilant! DodgersGirl is so right - Knowledge is Power!
Thank you to all for sharing your concerns, experiences and knowledge. It makes this road a little easier to travel.
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I also have been lurking around for a bit. Had a lumpectomy and some lymph nodes removed. 2 nodes had cancer so I begin chemo this Thursday AC + T. Every other week for 8 weeks each followed by radiation. I have gotten some things ready but I feel so unprepared somehow. I guess it's the not knowing. I also have cut my long hair short and felt mad about the loss of hair part. My friends are having a cookout soon and some will be shaving their heads with me that day (they're more supportive than I would be) lol. I got my port 3 days ago and it's still pretty sore. Glad I have found other people on this similar journey. Off to pick up my prescriptions.
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Hi parakeet l just finished week one of chemo - before surgery 5 mor weeks -they gave me steroids and emend for the first 3 days and then I used olanzapine which was prescribed as well. Today ( day 9) I had one this morning and I think I am ok. I made chicken broth and lentil soup which sustained me through through week and I still need to eat frequently sma meals. Everyone's body is different an timing is different hopefully you are having having an ok time.this too will pass.
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Charley I am in the same timing - just bought a wig and hats for the eventual requirement......thank God hair does grow back....wishing you an easy road ahead!
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DodgersGirl, I'm beginning to understand what you mean about the hair loss taking away your power to tell or not tell people. I ordered head scarves and bought a wig and I'm not happy with any of them. After my first infusion I'm worried that I won't have a solution in time and won't want to leave the house. My hairstylist is willing to help me but is on vacation, so the soonest she can work on me and the wig is June 12 - that's 26 days into AC. Yikes! How much hair will I have left by then?
On a much brighter note: Any special plans for your chemo break? Folks on this thread may not realize you finished AC on 5/17 - Hooray! (Unless they also read the Chemo April 2017 topic.) Hope you are celebrating all the way to May 31st. I'm 8 weeks behind you, so I'll be watching for your Taxol posts! I'm wishing you smooth sailing, as I do all the ladies here.
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I got some really good advice about the hair issue. People are going to take their cue from you. If you rock the bald head, a scarf, a hat, or a wig - whatever you choose - people are going to respond to your presentation. I have decided not to wear a wig for a few reasons. One, it is summer and it will be hot and uncomfortable. Another is that my hair is my most distinctive feature. People are going to obviously know it's a wig. Ask for strangers, I really don't care what they think. I will smile and be pleasant and friendly. And I am sure they will respond in kind. Finally, I don't want people looking at me thinking what the hell is on her head instead of focusing on talking to me.
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upheld-- love the words you posted. I really wanted to just rock "the bald" this summer but my hair fell out in patches leaving me with patches of skin and patches of hair (that I had cut to about 1 1/2 inches and is longer now). I think I just need to buy a hair trimmer thing and cut off the hair that didn't fall out so I can get rid of the mange look. Just seems sad to cut off the hair that didn't fall out
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notanisland-we are going to BBQ Saturday to celebrate. Steaks, roasted veggies, salad, berries shortcakes
12 weeks of Taxol. Soon will be starting that count down. Will be icing hands and feet so will have to find a new routine for those sessions.
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Upheld - I also echo your sentiment. The one thing in this journey I've never been afraid of is losing my hair. It was a large part of my "identity" too, but I always cut and colored it so frequently that people are used to it always changing. I'm certified I've had every hair style known to man. In preparation for losing the hair I cut it in a short pixie and had my hairdresser color it in a rainbow. It's now faded to a very cute unicorn look. My theory was that if it was going to fall out I wanted to see colorful hair on the counter and floor rather than chunks of sad brown. I've been loving it.
I intend to shave it when it starts to fall out. I'm a teacher and I've considered asking my students if they want the honors. It will be the end of the school year when it falls out. After it's gone I'll go with scarves. I spent many hours watching YouTube videos on scarf wrapping from the lovely ladies at Wrapunzel. I have a shaper to make it appear as if there is hair under the scarf and boat load of beautiful scarves (most of which I already had). I'm going to make chemo beautiful... now if I could only learn how to draw in eyebrows.
I'm owning this whole journey. I frequently wear an F-Cancer t-shirt. I wear inappropriate socks to all cancer related doctor appointments. I even have a girlfriend that sent me an F-Cancer bracelet from Sweden. I'm taking charge as opposed to letting it take over me
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rdsm: I am also doing four rounds of TC and started on May 15th. We are going to aim to do them closer together though than every three weeks because on July 1 I move to another state and start a new job (and hence a new insurance plan). If i continue to do well, my doctor says we will try for two weeks between. Wish me luck. I me always also using cold caps--it would be nice to have some hair as I start a new job and move to a new city.
We are almost through the first week! I hope you are feeling and doing well.
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About 24 hours exactly after the Neulasta I'm definitely having joint pain. It's not awful, but kind of moves around.
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I haven't had joint or bone pain, but I was absolutely exhausted about 24 hours after the neulasta. I've felt more alert today
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LeesaD: I'm now 7 days out after 1st infusion. Hit a few bumps (diarrhea, joint paint) but I think I'm on my way back up!
Irwell50: are you taking anything for the joint pain? mine kept me up at night. It lasted for several days. Nurse told me it sometimes takes a couple days to kick in then a couple days to go away. I was told I could take Tylenol, Advil or Aleve.
MsLin: i had a pink ribbon painted on my middle finger. Sometimes you just need to let people know how you feel. F@#$ Cancer!!
EmHaich52: how'd your first week go?
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I took some Advil, and I have some Hydrocodone, but it's not bad enough for that
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Neulasta simulates immune system thus releases histamine - an antihistamine such as loratidine works well.
There is a little spill on this site under Neulasta.
Advil and Tylenol - can relieve pain through antiinflammatory effects mostly, but I found Claritin ( loratidine) more effective.
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wildplaces: I take Claritan for my seasonal allergies. I usually take it all through the spring and summer. It doesn't seem to be helping me with the Neulasta. I haven't found a lot on this site about it either. I'm now on day 8 after 1st infusion and the joint pain seems to have stopped. hopefully next round will be same or less pain.
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Claritin doesn't seemed to have helped me, either, rdsm. Mine seems to be worse in my hips. Hopefully I can walk it out.
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Good morning ladies, hope everyone is managing their side effects well today. My second AC treatment is tomorrow. After my hospital stay, they gave me a few extra days for recovery and I am so grateful for the reprieve. I'm feeling so well, almost normal, and these last few days have been a gift! And that's really saying something, because my hair fell out over those same days. I only have a few wisps left, and I've been able to laugh at how silly I look.
MsLin, I'm using the same philosophy, I'm trying to own my new look. I've always been a bit bohemian anyway, so I'm using my many colorful scarves to wrap around my head. Trust me, I can always find one to coordinate with what I'm wearing. I've also upped my lipstick game, wearing red or other dark colors that I wouldn't wear before. And I think large hoop earrings look great with scarf heads, so I'm going for it. Maybe they'll think I'm mysterious instead of a chemo patient.
That being said, I'm not looking forward to losing my brows and lashes. I've got fake lashes to apply, and a good brow pencil. I hope I'm successful at drawing them in, but my friend had a good suggestion to go to Ulta and let them help me.
And now for a brief bit of negativity. I sure am scared to get my second dose, and start all this nonsense all over again. When my WBC nadir hits on days 7-10, I'll quarantine myself I suppose. But it didn't help last time, now did it? My first question for the MO in the morning will be why the Neulasta didn't seem to work on me.
Onward to better days!
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Mrsrobin, thinking of you as you start your second dose. Maybe this time around it will go better for you!
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msrobin58: wishing you the best. Stay positive and treat yourself and your body like a shrine. there is so much to this tricky "game". lots of it is physical but so much is mental. are you practicing meditation or other relaxation techniques? Easier said than done, but it does help.
irlwells50: mine was bad in hips and knees. i need to be more proactive next time around. wondering if yoga or other exercise would help. maybe we should start a neulasta topic on here.
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Msrobin, I've decided to take precautions all the time, so that there isn't already something lurking in my system when nadir hits. My MO said the Neulasta wouldn't prevent nadir, but it would help my system bounce back faster.
I went to Wal-Mart this morning and wore a face mask and gloves the whole time. I got a few looks, but no outright stares, and honestly, people were probably nicer to me than they would have been otherwise. I'm glad I wore them, because one guy sneezed right next to me, another saw me in mask and gloves and walked up behind me, crowded me, and coughed, and a few moms with little kids decided to park their carts with germy kids right next to me. (I have no problem with kids, just don't want their germs near me right now). I also carried some Clorox wipes in my purse, and used those to wipe down the cart before I went in.
Good luck with your infusion tomorrow.
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what's nadir?
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It is basically when your blood cell counts are at their lowest. http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/what-is-chemotherapy/what-is-nadir.aspx
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Nadir is the depths - the opposite of zenith.
As far as yoga goes, I'd have to do chair yoga! I've gotten the treadmill out, and will walk on it. Our streets are kind of wonky, and I think I'll be better off if I'm on the treadmill. We also have a TV in that room, and I can watch all of the home remodeling shows my husband hates! If I have joint pains it tends to be in my knees, one of which I had replaced 13 years ago. I still have the pains kind of circling around all of the joints, but that's not really bad. The only one that I really notice is the hips.
lovepugs77, aren't people crappy sometimes? I remember 20 years ago seeing an older man in Las Vegas at a craps table, that had on cotton gloves and a surgical mask, and I thought at the time that there probably couldn't be a more germ-filled place, but I guess on reflection, a child care facility would do it!
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People really can be self-absorbed. I will say, though, that probably 99% of the people I saw this morning gave me a wide berth. I work from home, so I am able to control my exposure to other people very tightly. I am convinced that if I get sick, it will be something I pick up from a germy grocery cart. I never thought about it, but I bet casinos are germy places!
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Hi all- my least favorite part of chemotherapy so far is coming down from the steroids does every one take them or are they optional? I felt so emotional like I was coming down from a bad stone...( back in my youth lol)
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