Starting TCHP next week

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kickinitsass
kickinitsass Member Posts: 2
edited July 2017 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

hi everyone.

I have my port implanted next week and 3 days later I start TCHP.

I really want to hear from anyone who feels that they tolerated their treatments well. I really want tips on managing side effects.

I know there is some contradictory info about supplements of antioxidants any one here trying them during the treatments?

I've read icing toes and fingers will help prevent blackening and falling off nails.

Right now I'm just trying to get my cells as healthy as possible so my body can handle the treatments well.


Thanks for all input.

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  • Gigilala
    Gigilala Member Posts: 148
    edited July 2017

    hello I just finish TCHP it was hard but doable

    To manage SE take your medecine don't wait to be sick

    And if you don't eat and drink that much ask your doctor for bag of fluid

    Good luck

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2017

    Below is a link to one site with lots of chemo tips. ALso there are a TON of TCHP discussion threads. You can read or join any of them. And I would suggest looking up - starting chemo June 2017 to read current discussion & join in a July 2017 thread.

    Most docs do NOT want you to take antioxidants. You would be trying to grow the cells they are trying to kill. I stopped A, E and C but continued everything else.

    I iced with frozen peas. Did not lose fingernails. Big toe nails detached but did not fall off. 3-1/2 years later they are still problematic.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...


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  • kickinitsass
    kickinitsass Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2017

    Thanks ladies. I appreciate the link MinusTwo.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2017

    RE the port - I loved my port. It was so easy for infusions & blood draws & contrasts for testing, etc. I was told to draw lines where my bra strap went so the doc didn't place the port right where it would rub every day. Also my BS placed is low enough that I could still wear most tops.

    Let us know how it goes.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2017

    Hey! Going thus Friday for #2 TCHP .

    Best advice I can say is ..take your medicine on time ,stay hydrated my MO said I should be drinking 1/2 my weight in fluids. Gaidor aid and Pedi Lyte worked well for me. With the Pedi Lyte I add Lemon aid .

    Eat when you can whatever you can . For the first week it was peanut butter and toast. Baked potatoes ,lays plain potato chips mash potatoes and apple sauce. Oh and soup.... Then the next week ate better ,now I'm back to normal. But eat what you can even if it's crackers . It did help me keeping something on my stomach

    Rest rest rest ...

    Ice down your hands and feet ..it's not just because of the nails. Taxotere can cause neurothpy in the hands and feet. Not in everyone... But it's worth the prevention just in case.

    Also if can get a hold of a cold cap for you head , that might help with the hair lost .

    And to know you will make it through this. And you are stronger than you know.

    Hugs from TN

    Denise





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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2017

    I never missed an icing - and iced 30 minutes before & after the Taxotere. While it did seem to help my nails, it did not prevent neuropathy. I gather on the neuropathy threads that most of us who "got it" iced, so that wasn't the deciding factor.

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited July 2017

    The taxanes (taxotere, taxol & Abraxane) are a pain but doable. I did not ice and my nails lifted, got infected and I might lose my big toenails. My tips are wear comfortable clothes, especially if you have your treatment in a bed. Also, your port will be flushed before and after, I found the taste of the saline gross and brought mints with me. My side effects settled into a routine making them easy to manage. Day 2 red chest/face rash, I took Benadryl. Day 4 muscle/bone pain (like the flu coming on), I took tramadol. Day 6 GI issues, I took Imodium. About halfway through chemo food started to taste like a gym bag smells on days 2 & 3, I found I could only tolerate salty and sweet. Ramen noodles were my only meals sometimes. Do your best to stay active, I did and never had fatigue.

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