Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Hi Carol,

I was told to expect joint pain after my Neulasta shot on January 19, the day after my first TC infusion, especially in the big bones like sternums, thighs. I tried to go for my usual a walk a few days later and had to keep on stopping to bend over because of pain in my hips and tail bone. The oncology nurse told me this is perfectly normal; it is the neulasta starting to grow colonies of white cells in the bone marrow of your biggest bones...so that's good. You will probably feel slightly achey & fluey as well. This will go away after about a week.

Your week before your second infusion should be pretty good.

I had my second infusion yesterday, and yeah...my white blood cells counts are so high, double than they were previously to starting therapy, so I guess the Nuelasta did it's job. I'm looking forward to a cycle with the bone aches.

You take care and stay posted here and let us know how you are doing!

Mizsissy

I just finished round #3 of AC! Yay...only 1 more to go before Taxol. All the docs and nurses said I am perfect with the exception of my red blood cells. I am now anemic so the last thing they did was give me a shot of procrid to help generate the red cells. I've now added 3 more pills to take to my regular 5 that I was already taking. I take Ativan, 2 celexa, Emend and I now need 2 multi vitamins with extra calcium and a calcium with D. Come hell or high water, I'll raise those levels. The thought of a transfusion freaks me out so I'll stay as far away from that as possible!
I go this afternoon for my Nuelasta. But, my plan of attack this time is to take my percoset before bed on Friday because it was saturday morning where I couldn't move. Clothes hurts, leaning against a pillow hurt, water hurt. EVERYTHING hurt for 2 complete days. So, I will do my best to stay on it. I want to really try to get to a SuperBowl party on Sunday without being in agony!!
Our Pats didn't make it in, but it's still fun to watch the game.
I hope everyone is doing well today! I'm just exhausted so plan to doze alot today until I have to go for my shot later.
All the best, Tracy

Good Morning,
I have chemo on Wed Feb 7, so blood work Monday, Onc appt tues, treatment Wed. I did fine last time and am hoping this goes ok too. I am in the flower business, so while all my colleagues are stressing about the Valentine's hassles, I am thinking ... I wish that were my only concern!

This is such a great thread! I can't show any fear or negativity around my husband, so it's nice to come here and be able to find ladies in similar situations, both good and bad. My hair is falling out the past couple of days, and that is difficult for me ... I was pretty proud of my thick wavy hair. But I have a nice wig, which doesn't itch as much now that I am nearly bald, so I will be ok.

Happy Friday all!

Melia

Melia...we'll be here whenever you need to vent and I'll be thinking of you next week. If you did fine last time, you will probably do just as well this time, too. We'll send good thoughts your way this next week! Isn't it funny how our priorities change once we are "picked" for this journey???

Mizsissy!!!!! WOW! Love your new look! I love that monofilament wig, too. I think that color is great for you and I don't find it too fluffy.......but then again, look at my hair! :-) Thanks for sharing. The turbans are very interesting and give a completely different look.

As for the wrinkles........I have a lot more than you. I don't notice them so much until I have pictures taken and when that picture is enlarged on the computer screen...OMG!!! I need help and need to decide what to do. Anybody out there already tackled the wrinkle problem??

Take care everyone. More later....
Rita

Mizsissy,
I think your wig looks so natural. I would'nt have known if you had not mentioned it was a wig.
Cheers for now...

Had my 2nd session yesterday, so far feeling ok. Still have my hair, the weird thing is i started lossing hair in the pubic area, very weird feeling - if it was summer i wouldn't complain - would save money on bikini waxes. sending positive vibes your way, stay strong!

Mizsissy,
I love your wig and your turbans. You look great. I am going next week to get my wig trimmed and my hair buzzed. I hope mine looks as good as yours.
I am on day 8 and feeling a lot better. I find eating helps with the nausea. I seem to be hungry all the time, but not for sweets. I lost my taste for that, and desire protein, and graham crackers with peanut butter, which is good. As soon as the nausea comes along, I just eat and it goes away. Wierd that I haven't gained weight- I do eat and enjoy eating. I found happiness:food without weight gain. LOL. Although...that scale could change or maybe it is broken.
Viddie

Hi Lynn12,
I am also premenapausal and was wondering if the extra aches I am feeling could be related to being placed into menapause? I also have stomach cramps, wondering if that is related also.

Well Tae got her counts done this a.m. and I just got off the phone with the onc nurse who gave her the infusion last Friday. She was kind enough to give me the counts - RBC is good, Platlets good, but WBC very low. To be expected she sez. Gotta watch out for visitors, avoid crowds, wash hands often, and call if any fever. That is worrisome. Hope the white cells come back up quickly. Tae had her neulasta shot immediatly following her Adriamycin. I told the onc nurse about so many ladies on this board who go back to the hospital the following day for the shot and she said we can do that too. It is just "inconvenient" for many of their patients so they routinly give it right after the infusion. Also I read many of you have used a cream called EMLA. This morning I asked about it and the onc said it was no longer available? WRONG! I called our pharmacist and he said he had tons of it in stock. Well the onc nurse said she had confused him when she told him that their St. Judes Childrens Clinic had switched from EMLA to LMX cause it was better with the ports??? Problem with LMX is it is over the counter so no script and no insurance help. The small tube is $30. We are going to try it to see if it helps with the needle stick prepping the port for the next infusion on Friday. I guess the learning never ends. Tae is feeling well now, just tired. Hope you are all in good spirits and hanging tough. Cheerio.
Terry 4 Tae.

Hello, Terry & Tae, sorry you are have blood count troubles..fortunately that's nothing that can't be fixed. It is so nice to SEE the two of you together. You look like such a happy couple...!!!

Mizsissy

Had my third AC today. I like all the employees individually. During procedures, etc I get focused, kind, competent treatment.

But the communication in the office sucks! And I don't use that term easily or lightly.

I had the first appointment of the day, 9:30. I'd had my VS taken, and my port accessed and the lab draw done and into the exam room at 9:25. "OH, this is good" the nurse said. "You're the doctor's first patient of the day."

After waiting in a cold exam room in an exam gown for 45 minutes, my daughter went to ask if I'd been forgotten. Abby said the clerical worker got a worried look on her face and said "Oh no, the doctor's not in the office yet."

It was another 10-15 minutes before the doctor arrived. I was able to have a good talk with her about what the next course will be after the AC. She plans on Taxotere. She feels it's not quite as risky as Taxol, not as frequent reactions.

Anyway, after my exam and talk I got dressed and we went to the infusion area as instructed. After about 25 minutes I went and asked if the nurses knew I was there for a treatment. "Oh yes, they know. They had a meeting this morning and there are only two of them right now on the floor and they're running behind."

GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

I don't mind the waiting if they would talk with me and let me know what is going on. This is unacceptable that someone can't just stop by and say "We're waiting for the doctor" "The nurses are running behind."

I'm an agreeable person and can be understanding of delays. But only if I'm in on it. Not if I'm sitting there expecting prompt service and not receiving it.

This office has a problem. I've spoken to one of the lead administrative personnel there before about the lack of communication. I think I'm going to be doing it again on Monday while I'm home recovering from my Neulasta shot on Sunday.

RobbinJaye, Good to know about the sx and the link to the WBC count.

Tae and Robertin, you are bald and beautiful! You both can carry off the look!

The food aversions and cravings are wierd aren't they? All week I could not eat much of anything and mostly pasta or a little peanut butter. This is day 7 for me and I finally feel almost normal. Had a salad which tasted wonderful. But wierdly I cannot stomach any meat or poultry at all!

Hi,
I also would be interested in getting together. I live on the Cape, but have no problem driving towards Boston area.

Well, it's been exactly 2 weeks since my first chemo and my hair started falling out. So I had dh buzz my head tonight. It feels so weird. Only needed pea size of shampoo and no towel for my hair! My 15 year old daughter was pretty upset, but I think she's kind of been in denial about the whole thing and this is the most visible part for her (even though I had a mastectomy in December).

Mizsissy, I'll ask my Onc about the shot when I see him next week. I'm also going to ask about this joint pain. The literature says you get the joint pain about 3 days after infusion and this is 2 weeks after.

Cindy, sorry about your problems at Onc's office. As if this journey isn't hard enough!

RobinJaye, glad to hear your feeling better, keep an eye on your temp.

I only had the food aversion for about a day after my first chemo and feel like I can't stop eating since. We'll see how it goes when I get #2 next Friday.

I'd be interested in getting together. I live about 100 miles west of Boston and would definitly drive east to meet up!

Have a good night!

Lynn

Hi Tracy
I have round 3 thurs, so we are on close to the same schedule. My first two neupogen shots caused bone pain, the the next neupogen and then neulasta did not, yet they worked. Perhaps you will not have the same se this time.
I became anemic after surgery (loss of blood) and no matter how well I eat, can't get it back to normal without shot.
I have notes at home, it takes an incredibly low level to qualify for a transfusion, thanks goodness there seems to be a vast leeway between needing shots and needing transfusion.
Can I ask (since you are on #3) how your hair loss is...did you lose all your head hair...or did you shave it smooth...any change in eyebrows or other hair?

Carol