Starting chemo August 2017 - would love some moral support!

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  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited September 2017

    VL22, but it looks very authentic, it does not look like a wig at all. I am picking mine this Thursday

  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited September 2017

    VL22, it looks very authentic, does not look like a wig at all. I am picking mine this Thursday.

  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    Today is the day I have to deal with my GI issue, I didn't have constipation problem last infusion now I I got the problem.

    VL - nice wig you got there.

    Susan - I think our onc tried to make us feel better.

  • Travel_Girl
    Travel_Girl Member Posts: 210
    edited September 2017

    Kybthelake - you made me smile today -- not because this is your second time (mine too, and mine was in 2006 too).

    Because -- You did it, you moved to your dream location - I still haven't and it was all i could think about when I was lying there at my the radiology center when they found the second one. I am calmer this time around, etc. First on my list for 2018 is to make the move!! Thx for the reminder today. I have enjoyed my life since then, for the most part - just had not moved yet -- and no reason to wait. I want to wake up the ocean outside my bedroom everyday - so I shall.

    Susan - thin a little? Are you cold capping? that is my onc said with cold caps.

    VL -- great photo - thanks for sharing.

    I am getting for round #2 on 9/13, so learning from you that are ahead of me. Gearing up for the cumulative effect.

    thanks for sharing your journey

  • SusanGA
    SusanGA Member Posts: 147
    edited September 2017

    travel girl I'm not cold capping that's why I laughed when he said that. He is a sweetie but very understated

  • rdeesides
    rdeesides Member Posts: 459
    edited September 2017

    VL22 - great wig!

  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    Had conspipation so had smooth move tea last night, today the Big D hits me. Now I got to have Imodium..... what a joke! Why can't we have the happy medium??

  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited September 2017

    Paulette, I hear you- when I finally took an immodium-one-I was then constipated for two days. When will the indignities cease?

    VL 22-another thumbs up for the wig. I returned to work the past two days, and my wig is too itchy, so I just wore scarves. Now I'm like, "F--- it. I'll just wear scarves now that everyone is used to it..." Have to go to the goodwill to get more colors

  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    Leatherette- OMG I didn't think about the next couple days constipation 🙁🙁🙁 when is this going to end? 😥😥😥

    I haven't wore my wig once, I still love my hat and scarves. Perhaps winter time I might give it a try,

  • Walkingintheclouds
    Walkingintheclouds Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2017

    Mimi -Well said. We have to look forward to fight against BC.

    Today I had my second chemo treatment, very tired and got a foggy brain immediately after the infusion. I also want to check with you about sweating after chemo. Have you gals ever had such symptom?

    I really hope this time I will have less tough side effects ... I'm so scared of having big D and fever for seven days as I had for the first round... keeping my fingers crossed

  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    walking - I just got my Big D took my immodium and now I feel better. Are you getting hot flashes that's one of the common SE. Hope you don't have fever .... 🙏🙏🙏

  • Walkingintheclouds
    Walkingintheclouds Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2017

    PauletteK- go plain food for big D! Yogurt, banana, cracker, applesoirce and a lot of porridge. I myself found porridge very helpful. My mom prepared all kinds of different porridge for me: plain rice possidge, rice porridge with date, porridge with checked soup ... her philosophy is that the more varieties provided, better chance I will eat more :)

    Actually I cannot tell if it flash or just sweating... I'm 38 premonapause, although I have overy suppressor every month, im not sure how my body is reacting to it. I still had my period through first round chemo under the influence of overy suppressor, which worsen the side effects....

    Thanks for your theblessing ... really don't want fever this time!

  • Walkingintheclouds
    Walkingintheclouds Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2017

    one more item I want check withe the group is the white blood cell count before chemo, I got 5.3 which qualifies me for the second Chemo. Thins num is way lower than that's before the first Chemotherapy (8.9). Are we supposed to see the WBC decrease over time even with the neulasta?

    It is great to be in the group That I don't feel lonely fighting BC ... thank you alll for sharing your experience and being helpful to everyone! Let's fight it together

  • marooshka
    marooshka Member Posts: 22
    edited September 2017

    Walkingintheclouds : After my first TC infusion on day 4 through 6, I had a headache and fever of about 99.5 and felt as though I was burning up. I spent practically the whole time with a wet towel wrapped around my neck and head and had to constantly wipe my face with it to cool down. On day 6 I spoke to the nurse who told me to stop taking zofran for nausea which I had planned to do that day anyway. I ended up going to the ER that last night due to crazy dizziness and they gave me a migraine concoction. The next day I felt like a champ by comparison. I will be taking something different for nausea next round to see if that was the cause of the headache....not sure whether that will affect the hot feeling at all!

    I just asked the nurse about the WBC and her answer was that I would experience lowering of counts 1-2 weeks after my sessions and would be best day of chemo up to a couple days after. I am on a 3 week schedule and have only had one so not sure either of cumulative SE but hoping it is same or better than last round!

    Meanwhile, my finger tips have gotten a slight bit numb over the last couple days so I will try icing next round. I didn't want to buy all the special socks and mitts and am trying to collect the various gel packs we have to see if I can't cobble together enough to get me through the hour or so of taxotere. Anyone else have thoughts on that?

  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited September 2017

    Just had third infusion - just when you feel great you have to go back! For me infusion day is tough mentally. It just wipes me out. At least I now have only one AC left! The weather here is absolutely beautiful, which makes me cranky too - I want to be out doingall the things I love to do. Oh well - this too shall pass.

    Love that I can come here and whine! Thanks ladies!

  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    VL - I had a tough time on my #3 infusion and the fourth infusion made me tired.

    Walking - my sister suggested rice porridge also however I don't know why after chemo I hated porridge. I made it several times and I can't eat it. I usually have a little temperature on my day 7 and that's the day I see KT Onc. My temperature is 99.3 or 99.7 and my Onc said it's fine as long as I feel okay. So I just treat it as normal day then my temperature will be back to normal. So don't worry.

  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited September 2017

    just got home from 3rd infusion-5 hours! But all is well. I do feel a little loopy after infusion-glad I'm not driving myself home after. I had ice in my mouth during taxotere today, to see if that helps with mouth sores. I like ice/ice water, so it wasn't uncomfortable

    I got gel freezer booties, but between nail envy and L-glutamine, no problems yet with nails or neuropathy. I have not used the booties yet, but will try them if things go south.





  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    Leatherette- you got the whole setup lol How many infusion do you need to do

  • Clearpath
    Clearpath Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2017

    Hi All - feeling ok 1 week after third AC treatment, but new SE.  Really dry mouth!  I bought Biotene moisturizing spray and ACT dry mouth lozenges, but my mouth feels like a dry desert and drinking water doesn't seem to help.  Any other suggestions ladies?

    Walkingintheclouds - After Neulasta, my WBC has exceeded the normal limit.  Platelets are below normal though.

    VL22 - Lovely wig - you look great.

    I'm having lots of visitors the next two days.  Hope I am up to it.  I do ok until late afternoon, then need a nap.

    All - Started physical therapy at an office that specializes solely in breast cancer patients.  If there is a similar facility near you, highly recommended.  I was referred by my oncologist's office.  They work on restoring range of motion and scar tissue/cording reduction.


  • Kritti
    Kritti Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2017

    I just realized that my iv must have leaked last time. Right after my last infusion I noticed a large spot on the inside of my arm one morning. I thought it was an insect bite I had gotten or the cat scratched me. Whatever. I've been watching it and keeping bacitracin on it. It's been slightly swollen and sore/tender and very red/inflamed looking. Today it started peeling - like when you have a sunburn. And it hit me. One of my chemos (can't remember which bag it was) burned and they slowed down my drop. They assumed it was because I was cold and my veins had constructed. I don't have a port. Anyway, wtf. I'm kind of freaking out and about to start researching what happens with leaks. Ugh! I hate this! I just want it all to be over. (cue the tears) here's what it looks like today image

  • SusanGA
    SusanGA Member Posts: 147
    edited September 2017

    Prayers and hugs for all of you experiencing side effects tonight. Kriti I hope that inflammation resolves. I'm so sorry that happened. Sorry for those with big D, Imodium helped me a lot. My feet are still numb and tingling. I just hope it does not get worse. I iced diligently but decided not to take supplements as my kidney numbers have been a little wacky

    I have one more week to go before my next infusion and already starting to get scared.

    Hang in there.

  • KByTheLake
    KByTheLake Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2017

    Travel Girl--Wow! We have a lot in common! My infusion #2 is 9/12. I hope I do inspire you to make your move!

    Kritti--that arm looks painful! I hope it heals quickly

    I had a hard time sleeping a few days after my first infusion. My onc. prescribed Ambien and it was fantastic! Until I started developing hives. I have been itching like crazy but now that I have stopped taking Ambien, they are going away.

    Other than that, I feel good. I'm even going on a 6-hour sail on Saturday!

  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited September 2017

    Clearpath, I always feel better when I drink electrolytes (NUUN) when my mouth is dry.

    Kritti- ouch, that's terrible. I hope it gets better soon. I don't think it will be too bad, as we have the stuff all over inside our bodies, it's just that you can see and feel the effects more clearly. I hope I'm right.

    Paulette, I get Herceptin first-30 minute drip, then Taxotere and Carboplatin, which are each 60 minute drips. It took the lab a while to get the last two mixed and ready, so that's why it took longer.



  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    Kritti - hope the burn goes away soon. Sucks !

    Leatherette - rest up it's always tough on the first couple days after infusion 🙏🙏🙏.

    Clearpath - I used Nuuns it helps.

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,426
    edited September 2017

    I had my first chemo on August 29, 2014. I like to drop in on the August threads ( a little late this year) and let everyone know you are not alone. As you have probably already found out this support group will be very important during your treatments and even after treatment for support and encouragement. I had the red devil, taxol, and then rads. My first chemo was smooth, kept my hair longer than most. Even surprised my MO when I still had hair after my 3rd red devil..lol. I did finally lose my hair ..lol.

    I loved my medical team and chemo nurses just remember they are there for you! Take one day at a time and give yourself plenty of rest, water and let others take care of you.

    Wishing you all well on this journey and I know you can do it. You will have your ups, downs, strong moments and at times just want to cry -- it's ok. Just steady the course and as we would say In the August 2014 group adjust your sails as needed during this journey it will be important

    Angie

  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited September 2017

    Angie - thanks for the good positive notes, I'm from Bay Area / east bay also. Just finished my AC and will be doing my taxol next week. I'm hanging in there, and hoping the SE is not that bad on Taxol.

  • kaylie57410
    kaylie57410 Member Posts: 127
    edited September 2017

    Hi to you, I am on same protocol as you- am also an infusion nurse at my medical center -ironic--had round 2 yesterday--after first infusion- ,we were busy changing the cold caps just as leaving so could make it home before another change- I did not hold my iv site long enough-was in my foearm and the exertion of using the arm caused the site to start bleeding developed a huge hematoma- bleeding under the skin that tracked down and around my forearm- on post day 8 I developed same area of inflammation around the site that you have-- was a superficial Phlebitis--inflammation of the vein--not uncommon--treated with wet warm packs around the site and arm for 20 minutes 3 times a day-also 1 or 2 doses daily of 400mg ibuprofen for the antinflammatory effect--took about a week to resolve -but can take up to 2. Is also common to have a lttle burning=with an infusion going at a faster rate, and slowing the the rate down does help as well as --the nurse can also dilute the med going in by upping the saline infusion that was started when your iv was put in. At yesterdays infusion - we used the other other arm= so glad only 2 to go--

    Google superficial phlebitis to learn more about --hope this helps--,Kaylie

  • MakeupLover
    MakeupLover Member Posts: 64
    edited September 2017

    Ladies I have missed you!

    You are all looking great bald and with your wigs. I hope to follow suit soon since my hair is falling out plenty now. Maybe by next weekend.

    My 2nd infusion went well. I took zofran when I got home and again at 11:30 pm. It worked! No nausea. Of course I'm constipated now. I keep eating dairy as that helped me before. I do have colace, which I think I'm gonna have to take soon. The bone pain is here again, dry, no taste mouth, fatigue. Just wanna sleep!

    *hugs to you all*


  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited September 2017

    Angie - thanks for dropping in! I love hearing from women who are through this - it is truly encouraging! Hope everything is great for you and you are busy living life

  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited September 2017

    marooshka, two of my oncologists said that icing is not preventing neuropathy, one of them said that she adds vitamin B6 to pre-meds when a patient complains. The nurse said that nothing can prevent the appearance of neuropathy, they can only address it when you actually get it. Icing is there for the nails and last time the nurse told me that it does not either help until it actually starts happening. My clinic offers both mittens and socks but it was something I specifically have to ask them to bring because otherwise they say that weekly Taxol is not that hard on nails but I usually insist and even sock on ice cubes just to be on the safe side.

    You can ask them about B6, you can buy it as pills, I have also heard that L-Glutamine might help for neuropathy.

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