Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
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Well, I just got back from my frist chemo treatment and I don't feel any different. It's only been 2 hours and I'm still feeling like nothing has even happened.
They actually, they gave me LOTS of pre-drugs BEFORE they hit me with the chemo drugs.
Soduim Cloride - IV
Decadron - IV
Zofran - Injection
Pepsid - Injection
Ativan - Injection
Adriamycin - Chemo Drug - IV
Cytoxan - Chemo Drug -IV
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Pegfilgrastim - Injection (Tomorrow with free massage... )
I'm SO happy I got the port put in!!!!! Even though that hurt way more than my breast surgery.
Took about 5 hours. I was craking up with the ladies in there and there was one Veitnam Vet guy. It was a breeze.
But then, it hasn't hit me yet!!! I'll keep ya all posted... -
Take those anti nausea meds even if you feel good. I liked my port too. Couldn't have made it though chemo without it.
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An avatar is easy (the picture that shows next to your signature).
1. Find a picture you like of yourself, crop out a squarish piece of it, and then resize it to 80 x 80 pixels. Most computers have digital photo editors where you can do this. Save the image somewhere where you can find it easily.
2. Upload the image to the breast cancer site. Go to the forum, My Home, and click EDIT next to Personal info at the bottom of the page. You will be taken to your Basic Profile page, and at the bottom there is a button for uploading your avatar (picture), which allows you to scroll to where you saved the picture on your computer. Then press Submit and you're done!
A photo is a little more complicated because the forum server won't let you upload BIG pictures. You need to have a web site or public area on server where you keep pictures to share.
1. UPload your picture somewhere and copy the URL address.
2. Write your message.
3. Put your cursor on the spot where you want the picture to appear in the message. Then click IMAGE in the INSTANT UBB CODE AREA and a window will pop up where you can paste the URL.
This usually works unless you've got too many quotes or some kind of mistyping.
OK ladies, it's REVEAL TIME!!! -
Love the hat Aldora. That won't draw any unwanted attention :9) Robbin--yeah that you are down one. Hopefully you will continue to feel nothing! Viddie, how did it go? Anyone else I missed?
Oh another side effect I forgot to mention...ZITS! I cannot believe it. I feel like a teenager. Maybe it's that I cannot fight off the bacteria or something. I've got two whoppers in the middle of my forehead. That will go nicely with my soon-to-be bald head. Yeesh!
Amera -
UCK! Poor Amera. I hate zits (actually I luv to pop'em and people think I'm kooky that way). I really do hate zits and I found a neat way to get rid of them once when I got about 8 big ones at once. Get some neosporon or bacitracin and some small bandaids (the cloth kind stick better). Clean the area carefully, dry it, and then put a bandaid on over a dab of antibiotic ointment, and leave it that way overnight or as long as you can stand it.
Then you won't have to look at it, and it usually kills the pimple.
Mizsissy
PS. You're not supposed to pop 'em on chemo!! -
In the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding' they used windex to get rid of zits!
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My appointment was changed again. So I now start chemo tomorrow (Friday). FEC. I had my hair cut short today. I've never had it short before. I probably should have gotten more cut off but I was too chicken to do it. I thought I liked the wig, but even after I had my hairdresser trim it today I don't like the way it looks. Oh, well. I'll figure it out. I can't wait to get my first chemo behind me!
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I have my first AC tomorrow. I am more nervous about this than about the surgery. I feel relatively prepared. But everyones experiences seem to vary so widely, I am not sure what to expect this weekend!
I posted my avatar, it is good to put the name with the post!
We'll all get through this together! -
Good luck tomorrow, sirgen and Jan...as well as any others starting their first chemo. I am joining you with my first one tomorrow, too and am having one of those "can't sleep" nights. I'm doing 6 treatments of CMF. I think I'll be glad to get the first one over and feel lucky to have found this site for support and companionship. Don't know about the rest of you, but I'll be glad to get summer here and this hopefully behind me.
Hang in there, everybody!
Rita -
Hi all - had my second A/C on Wednesday. I felt good all had and yesterday, even went for a long walk and did some yoga. Had a couple of naps too. Last time I crashed on Friday, but I hope not today since some friends have asked us over for supper. I think I'll try the before meal medication the dr. prescribed - Metaclop. It's supposed to empty your stomach after you eat so you don't get nauseated. Has anyone tried it? Having a bit of trouble sleeping from the decadron, but so far so good. 2 down and 2 to go! Spring will come!
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Hello Dar, nice to hear from you. Hooray for you to graduate to Round 2! We were comparing food cravings a little earlier in this thread...what are you eating? Tell us how you feel the next few days.
I was originally scheduled for AC but got my onc to change it because of a concern I had with my heart. My health provider has a web site where you can check claims and I found the bill for my first chemo yesterday.
Yikes! The total cost for the first chemo infustion was over $3000; $2280 of that was for the taxotere alone. $300 was for the cytoxan.
But my single Neulasta shot the next day was billed at $3850!!!
I'm glad I don't have to pay for this.
I am VERY CURIOUS about the cost of Adriamycin. I know the drug has been around for a long time, and I wonder how it compares in price to Taxotere. Anybody have any ideas?
Mizsissy -
Hi all,
Had my 1st A/C chemo yesterday. They were all very nice and helpful. The Dr. sensed I was very anxious and added 1 mg of ativan to the iv, which nearly put me to sleep. I slept very well that last night, Woke up about 1:00PM, and I am still very groggy. No appetite. Must drink 2 qts of water today, as per instructions. I will now make two eggs on toast. Sounds good to me. I took emend and decadron this morning, as directed. I am making millions of typing errors- better rest for a while. How are you RobbinJaye, sirgen and Jan and anyone else who started yesterday or today?
Viddie -
Mizsissy,
Thank you for showing me how to upload avatar. Well, went to have blood drawn. All counts good!! Also had my hair cut soooo short. Since this is Day 9 after TAC, I thought I better do it because my hair had already started thinning. I am also craving salt on everything. How are the rest of the Day 9 girls doing? I hope well! ilene -
Still doing well. I feel pretty much back to normal but a little more tired than usual. My 9 year old has strep so that has me a bit worried about my counts. The pediatrician's office was terrific. I explained the situation and they escorted me right into an exam room rather than having us spend time in the waiting room with all the sick kids. Hopefully I will dodge this bullet. I am washing and hand sanitizing like crazy. Hope everyone else is doing well.
Amera -
Hi all - I doing Ok on day 3. A little tired today, but no crash like last time (so far). Eggs and toast for supper sounds good to me too Viddie - my appetite isn't great today. Still amazes me - I put on 7 lbs the day of treatment! All the water and the steroid really does a number. Gets rid of all the wrinkles on my face though! But it's nearly off now. Take care - hope all are well (considering).
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Tae had her first sesson today. Via the porta-cath ativan drip first then anti nausea, then the Cytoxan followed by the Adriamycin. Finally Neulasta shot. All during the first drips, i held the Adriamycin to warm it up. This was recommended by a support group member and the nurse was familiar with the trick. Don't know if it really helps, but we will try anything. The whole session went well. At the end of the Cytoxan, Tae had a little burning in her nose and started sneezing several times. This evening there was a little queasy feeling in her stomach, but she slept it off. Not much appetite and there was a persistent headache that has since gone away. The future is still cloudy and the fears persist, but this website has been a Godsend. Blessings to all.
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Hi t4t, welcome. Glad to know the first infusion went smoothly.
BTW, it looks like this is your first time here, and we don't know who Tae is...are you her husband? Could you share a little background?
Thanx,
Mizissy -
Good Morning...I'm the early bird here. Up by 6 am every morning!! I guess it's all the healthy eating and living I've been doing, and that fountain of youth elixer I get infused with every two weeks!
Did anybody notice my post about what this elixer costs??!! YIKES!!! $3000-7000 a pop?!!!!!
Sirgen, nice to see your smiling face...how did your first chemo go?
Amera...you really do need to avoid infection!!! I hope everything is going OK!!!
Ilene, nice to see a picture, but where are YOU? OH, I'm geting old, I have presbyopia and can't see too well..and Lynn, when do we get to see your Wonderful WIG?
My hair looks so bad now I'm looking forward to losing it. At least my wig won't need biweekly coloring to cover the gray.
Aladora, Day 4 is the worst!!! You were doing great to post a photo on that day. Hope you're feeling better now.
Hugs to all, Mizsissy -
Hi there everyone!
I had my first chemo yesterday. The nurses were wonderful and I got through the treatment well. My son took me and we talked the time away. Then we even went to Panera's for a bowl of soup before getting my meds at the drugstore.
By 3:30 I had a terrible headache that made me a little dizzy. I took Compazine and slept most of the evening. I guess that's why I was wide awake at four this morning. :-)
Fortunately my headache is gone and I just feel a little "queasy." I can do the "queasy" and am hoping for a better day.
Mizsissy.........you're the positive spark that we all need. You've motivated me to get my son to help me put a picture on while he's in town!
Hey Dar1.......I'm waiting for my wrinkles to disappear, too!! lol I've got alot to conquer!!!!
Hugs to all of you on this journey.
Rita -
Nice to hear from you Ritajean, one down and how many to go? It's nice to see your picture! Is this your first post? I checked your DX and it looks similar to mine except I was ER+. Did you take do the oncotype test?
*Anybody who can't post a picture* send me a PM, and I'll send you my email address. You can email me the picture and I'll post it (I have a domain where I can park pix).
Looking forward to seeing you all!!!!
xxxooo -
good morning ladies got my cup of java its the weekend . Went to Look good feel better session . got a whole bunch of goodies and met other ladies at various stages of chemo .We got all kinds of tips on how to apply eyebrows , make those dark circles around your eyes disappear all with supplied makeup . From eye cream to lipstick , now i have all the tools i need to make up my face . There was also a volunteer from a cancer shop that sells wigs , hats and special underwear . Trying on hats and scarves , did not try a wig yet , have to have the $$$$$ to buy one , have not decided my insurance covers the cost but we have to pay up front first . I most likely will get one , but I want to get through shaving my head today and chemo on Monday . My hair has been coming out all week now my head is patchy.
I know we go bald , but its hard looking in the mirror , maybe when i have all the hair off ????? I am one of those women with thick , hair and lots of it .... i could stuff a pillow My sister in-law is a hairdresser and she is coming over today to "do" me ......
Check in later gals .......................... -
Anyone else have incredibly dry skin? I use all kinds of lotions and creams, but I cannot get rid of the dry feeling. Not dry to the touch, really, just feels dry from the inside. Does that make sense? So hard to describe these weird feelings to those not going through it.
My sinus headache's back and am feeling tired. Hopefully it's not the strep that's going through the house. I will quaranteen myself in the bedroom for today, I think. Glad to hear everyone is doing (relatively) well.
Amera -
Good Morning,
Day 9 here and feeling pretty good. A bit tired, but could be worse. Gave my mom and dh a wig fashion show last night and they both LOVE it. DH says we'll keep that around after this is all done!
Miszissy, I'll have dh take a picture of me this weekend and I'll upload sometime tomorrow.
Dar, 7 lbs on the day of treatment? wow! I remember on night one I was peeing every 2 hours and it felt like I was peeing a gallon every time. I'll weigh myself the morning on my next tx and see if that's true for me too. DH forces me to drink tons of water everyday so I bet my weight really fluctuates.
Tl4 and Tae, welcome to our wonderful group!
Shorti, I'm going to the 'Lood Good, Feel Better' program on Monday and am looking foward to it. I did not have to pay for my wig in advance. When I called the insurance company, they sent me a reimbursement form and my Onc wrote me the script. So I when I went to pick up my wig, all I had to do was give the script to the woman (who had already called my insurance company) and she will submit the claim. She is wonderful, I bought 4 bras, 2 camisoles and a wig and never had to pay her a cent.
Thinking of you all, have a wonderful weekend!
Lynn -
Good morning everyone,
I got my hair cut yesterday and am off this morning to get the wig styled at the shop where I bought it. My hairdresser, who I have gone to for five years, was so sweet. She loved the wig, said we are going to duplicate the cut and style when my hair comes back. She made me feel so good. She refused to let me pay her, hugged me and whispered "let me do this for you". Haven't you found amazing kindness on this journey?
Of course, then I got home, was sad about the loss of hair, and my husband got upset at my "negativity." I think what he needs is for me to be 100% positive and never show fear. I think the fear terrifies him. I had told him early on (when he told me he thought this was a tragedy) that I need him to be strong, that I cannot buoy him up. But I obviously can't show any fear or grief around him. I just don't have the emotional strength left to give him pep talks. Oh well, I have you ladies.
Melia -
Oh and Rita,
I had a really really bad headache the first night of my chemo as well. Tylenol did nothing for it. I plan on discussing this with my Onc before my next chemo, hopefully they can do something about it as it was practically unbearable.
Amera, my skin feels a bit dryer, but I'm attributing it to the cold air that 'finally' arrived in New England. We have a humidfier built into our heating system and of course if broke yesterday, so air in the house is dryer than usual. DH promises to fix this weekend!
Lynn -
Mizsissy,
We were on vacation in Belize and I finally letsomeone take me pix. I really don't have many new pix of myself. I will take a new one with my short, short hair today and post it. Day 10 and feel fine. ilene -
Yesterday morning I got my port, and the site is sore. Of course it's only been one day, but since I got an infection when I had my lumpectomy I'm a little worried. Can anyone tell me how long it will be before the pain goes away? It's nothing major, but the pain is enough that I have to use Lortab, and I can't lift much.
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Hey sisters~ happy Saturday!
I've been reading everyday but just now, day 8 after my second AC that I'm feeling like I have the energy and strength to respond. I was conserving my energy for my half-days at work and then coming home to the two crazy dogs that just don't seem to get that Mom doesn't want to throw the tennis ball all night long!
My shaved stubble is almost gone now. My scalp has hurt like crazy the last three days. Yesterday at work I couldn't wear my wig, I was too sore. I didn't want to wear a hat and upset the residents or families at the nursing home wear I work but although a few people gave me some worried looks, no one said anything.
But I'm on the upside of treatment two. It's going to be a great week. It's got to. I"m going to see the touring Broadway production of "The Lion King" tomorrow!
Hakuna Matada!!! -
Okay, it's been 3 days now and nothing, no symptoms at all. When do I start throwing up and losing my hair?
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Hi Lynn, I had my port put in on Thursday and I am having trouble with my arm. Can't really lift anything or raise my arm over my head. The pain is not constant but I feel it when I move and I have to sleep on my back.From what I hear sometimes it takes a few days for this to go away.I have used ice and that has helped.Hang in there it will get better
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