June 2007 Chemo

I think the TC is destroying some of the cells that line my tummy and intestines. Feels like an ulcer. Good times!
But my boyfriend Phil is a pilot, and right now he is in Korea, scoping out Asian herbs to help me

Got some probiotic. I'll start today. Anyone know of anything I can do for a constant, lethal headache?

I have the same reaction. My onc nurse seemed so surprised since the the first days were good, but by day 5,6,7 I felt crummy and very anxious, even more so than on dexamethezone.Beth I have now had 3.Beth

Terry, so glad to hear you are back on track. So you will go in on the 2nd for your 2nd treatment, and I will be going for my 3rd. Taking the Emend last time made my tx soooo much easier to handle. No nausea and less diarrhea and other side effects that I had with the first tx. You might ask your onc about it. You have to take one befor the tx so you'd have to ask ahead if you wanted it.

I don't know what to say about you gals with problems on day 5, 6 and 7. My first three days are always the worst for me.

Take care all,

Debbie

Lisa, I'm sorry you're having such a rough time with the headaches. I have no suggestions for this except to call your doctor, maybe they can prescribe something for you. Are you on decadron?

Debbie, I did take Emend the first tx and it really worked so I'm hoping it holds true for the rest of my cycles. I take Zofran also and decadron in the IV before the Cytoxan. Good luck with number 3! You're almost done with AC, right?? Hooray!

Diana, my first week after AC I didn't eat very much either, just a lot of fluids. I lost quite a bit of weight but have since put it back on. My worst days seem to be 3,4 and 5. Also, I asked my onc for some xanax and it does help. I only take it when I absolutely feel very anxious but it helps to take the edge off. I usually take it before any new procedure and I did before my first chemo tx. Not sure if I'll take it for my second one yet...we'll see how it goes Sunday night. LOL

I don't really have any advice for those who are not doing well...maybe check in on some of the other threads and post your symptoms there. They are a welcoming group, those who have gone before us.

I feel so much better today...wouldn't you know it? Two days of feeling kind of normal, then tx #2 on Monday

I'm also trying the Emend this time, I hope it does better than what I did last time...and have a prescription for Kytril along with it.

Hello Ladies
I am writing on behalf of my mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer on April 19th and just received her first chemo treatment yesterday June 29th. She is receiving A/C every two weeks. Has anyone had treatment every two weeks? This seems like a lot to me.
Here is a little info.
IDC 2.5 centimeters stage II her2-

Hi, Terry and Girls:
They give me Decadron day before/during/day after. The pharmacist at my hospital says that you can actually experience drug withdrawl symptoms from Decadron, because they give you so much in such a short time. He thinks that is happening to me. I found these things called Tiger Balm patches. They are expensive - $7 for only 5 in a pack - but I slap them on the base of my skull and my forehead while I sleep. What a hot look! But at least I don't wake up every half hour.

Cy, so glad to hear you're doing better!

Gracie, good luck with the Emend. Hopefully it will give you more than two days of feeling well. Looks like we're on the same schedule now.

The decadron to me was the worst experience after my first tx. I asked to be taken off it and felt much better. They will still give it to me in the IV before the Cytoxan but I don't have to take it again after that, thank goodness!
Ask your oncologist if you need it at home, you might not!

I too only have the decadron in my IV, but my onc. has not sent it home with me. I do not like the way it makes me feel even on the day of the treatment so I can' imagine if I had to keep taking it. I am not trying any herbal remedies as I worry about interacting unfavorably with the chemo.

I will be so happy to get tx 3 under my belt tomorrow!

Hugs, Debbie

Hi, Cyndi:
Welcome I think you will find that the women on these boards are great - maybe even better than a support group, since at times it is a chore to get out of the house.

Thanks, Debbie. Maybe I will ask if I can stop taking the Decadron.

Thanks for your input, LMJP . My oncologist is not up on anything homeopathic, unfortunately. He seems like he thinks it is all a placebo effect, so it makes no difference to him as long as I take all my drugs like a good patient. Infuriating...so I have been educating myself to make sure that I am being safe.
Where in Asia do you live? Were you born there, or did you relocate?

Thanks for the welcome! Today was day 9 since my first AC. I felt great! Not tired, no upset stomach. I even took the dog for a 1 mile walk. It was the first time I really felt "normal" and that I will get through this. I hope each tx doesn't get worse--I've heard that it does but I'm remaining optimistic.
I never get heartburn although I did while I was pregnant (yes, my baby had a full head of hair ). I have had a runny nose ever since I started chemo though. I heard about herceptin causing that but I haven't started that yet. I thought it might be allergies but maybe not since others have experienced that.
My hair hasn't started to fall out yet but I'm expecting it any minute! I have cut it short and one positive is that I love it short and probably will never wear it long again. It's been shoulder length or longer for 30 years.
RobbinJaye, I too can't imagine not having the internet with BC. Besides the support, there's so much easily accessible information (sometimes too much ).
I'm feeling so good that I will spend the 4th of July at a friends cabin in So. Utah (out of the heat!). I hope everyone else has a great holiday!
Cyndi

Yep on the nose dripping and watery eyes. I've been using eye drops and it helps for a bit. I've learned to carry tissue with me as well. Who knew??

I'm off to my 2nd tx in about 30 minutes. Good luck to all who have chemo this week, DebbieK - hang in there, one more after this, right?

Cyndi, welcome, hope your trip to UT is all you hope, it sounds wonderful. Glad you're doing well.

Thanks to all who've been down this road before us, the encouraging words are very uplifting and help me realize that yes, I CAN do this.

Pam, what a wonderful surprise for you! I'm sure it did give you a much needed morale boost. I'm glad your daughter is doing so well, kudos to her!

Best of luck to everyone this week!

Good morning everyone!
Hope you all had a great weekend. I woke with a headache this morning..... I think it's just one of those sinus things... with all the pollen and crap floating in the air.
I go for 2nd AC tx tomorrow.... I hope he can give me something different so I don't have the nausea for 3 days like the last one. I am really having to psych myself up to go... I know I HAVE to do it, and that it will be one more under my belt....still I'm having a little anxiety again. It does help to come here and read everyone else's post.... reaffirms that unfortunately I'm not going through this alone!
I almost forgot to tell you about my Saturday morning; I woke up and no one was home..... oldest son at work and I thought my husband and youngest went to watch Kodak implode one of their buildings. But no... they went and got their heads shaved!! Getting ready for when I'm hairless! At first I couldn't stop laughing, they looked so different! My hair was starting to come out a little... like 10-15 strands when I ran my hand through it; so my SIL came over Sat night and cut it really short for me, seems to have settled down with the coming out.....but I know it will probably happen sometime this week that I'll be in the "bald bunch"! My oldest had me buzz his head yesterday..... he didn't go totally bald, just very close buzz. But they all look great, and I'm touched by the sentiment.
Debbie K & Terry.... thinking about you today.... good thoughts!!

Bonnie