I am starting chemo in July 07. Anyone else?

I'm so glad your first treatmemt went well, I'm scheduled for #1 on Thursday and I know what you mean about getting one of these treatments behind us!

Kim

Hello Ladies,

I go in tomorrow for my 2nd AC treatment. I felt ok the first week. I just did not have enery. I also got very constipated and had heartburn. But, the 2nd week I felt great. I still have not lost any of my hair yet, but am assuming I will lose it this week just from what everyone says. Has anyone lost there hair on there 1 or 2 treatment. I do get heartburn and feel that I am hungry all the time as well gr8DazeAhead. I will keep you all posted on how it goes this week. Good luck to everyone else going in this week.

Talk to you all soon.

-

Kkelsey,

I've also been having heartburn I take an over the counter generic I got at costco it seems to help. My hair started to come out on day 14 so day 16 I went ahead and shaved it probable could've waited a bit longer but just didn't want to deal with it. Good luck with your 2nd treatment tomorrow.

KKelsey - I'm the same as Gagal. My hair started coming out on day 14. By day 16 I was so stressed out about it that I had DH shave me. Best thing I could have ever done. I still have a little bit of hair here and there, but mostly bald patches.... it would have been a mess had I not shaved it off.

Bald is beautiful, right! (Well, ok.. maybe not.... but you do the best with what ya' got KWIM)

W ell I had my first chemo yesterday and wouldn't you know I got sick about 8pm last night and started taking my phenegran , went to work this morning still don't feel to good,will have my nulasta shot today at lunch anyone know what it will do?

Thanks Tina

(((Tinamae)))

Bless all of you that work. I'm very fortunate to be an at-home mom through all this.

No good advice, just thinking of you!

BarbMAz, I thought I was crazy because a few days after treatment my node removal area hurt like crazy. Felt like I just got out of surgery. I'm not sure if it's from the chemo or the Neulasta.

I am 8 days out from my 2nd A/C and I just can't seem to get into the swing of things. I am so tired I can barely make it through the day. Hubby thinks I am not eating enough so I need to increase my food intake, I just don't have an appetite.

As far as hair, on day 16 during one of my few waking moments of the day, my daughter came into my room and told me not to panic and to look at my pillow, there were hair pieces everywhere. The next day they were falling out and getting into my food and my mouth so I had hubby shave it. I still have some stubble but also have some bald patches. I'm to the point where I don't where a hat to and from work and at work no one pays any attention, we're a small company. I think to the mall or grocery store, I would wear something. I'm going to try the gym tomorrow and that where I have a big issue. I went Monday and felt like everyone was staring at me in my scarf. Just another minor issue I need to get over.

Kelle - Good luck with #2 tomorrow. 2 down 6 to go!!!!!

Ginger

I am going to have to ask my doctor about Neulasta. My Doc said I would not see her until my second treatment unless I was sick. Today is 6 days after my first treatment and I am FINALLY feeling "normal." Did it take you gals that long your first time?! They say recovery takes a day or two longer each time. That means that chemo #4 will take me 12 days to get over!! Oh gosh, I hope that is not so.
I need to stop complaining, though. We are making it through and this will be a distant memory before we know it!!
Is anyone out there NOT taking Neulasta? Just curious if I am the only one. Hang in there, everyone! And thanks for sharing your experiences with the rest of us. It helps me so much to know that I am not alone.

Anxious to hear about what you find on "chemobrain." (I don't like that expression and am going to avoid labeling myself with it even when I feel like I have it. There must be studies out there about short vs long-term issues.
-Laura

Well I survived my 2nd treatment....it went very well...I felt so good that I went to get a pedicure (no cutting of cuticles though..just parafin, massage and painting), went shopping and then went to purchase two more wigs...they are adorable (positive energy here ) I also noticed that my hair has started to shed a lot! I am thinking of having my husband shave it or at the very least cut it to my shoulders. Any thoughts here??? Tomorrow I go in for my Neulasta shot, they prescribe a "cocktail" to take an hour before I go that includes: Benadryl (25mg), Claritin (10 mg. non-drowsy), and Tylenol (2 x 350mg)..it has really seemed to help. I have yet to get queasy..go fight win...we can all beat this ugly stuff together...good luck to all!! I am from Southern California, is there anyone here local?

Take care,
Kelle

Donna, the purpose of the Claritin is that the side effects are due to an allergic reation to Neulasta (I guess like chemo and benedryl)...thus, supposedly, no or little side effects with Claritin. Kelle, your "cocktail" from your Onc sounds great!
Donna, also, maybe, try Aleve for your headaches.
Do you have a history of headaches? Just seems that everything we might have a history of is flaring up with chemo. Embarassing as it is, hemorroids from childbirth have been starting to cause me problems....everything manageble before is making me think...ut-uh, surgeries for the future..ugh! This is not fun!
I'm beginning to think..the way to manage..is water..rest and exercise. We are also very lucky to have the drugs and knowledge of 2007. My mom had BC almost 10 years ago. I mention things to her that she never heard of before.
It's nite-nite time!
YES....think positive everyone!
~Barb

Barb, thanks for the suggestions for the headache. This forum is such a help! Last night I took Excedrine for Sinus, because it's what I happened to have in the house, and it worked. I haven't really been prone to headaches, but when I was just starting my period as a kid I got a few migraines. My sister did too, and our mother had them from puberty until menopause, and then they miraculously stopped. So with all the hormone business related to BC and treatment, I wonder if that is what's going on. Anyway, I'm definitely going to talk with the chemo nurses on Monday about that"cocktail" of Claritin, etc.

And Ginger, I agree with Abbi about the gym. Go with your scarf on and get your workout in. If they want to stare, it's their problem. But it might also help make people less uncomfortable around us to see us going about our lives as best we can during chemo. Not that we have to be poster children for anybody's discomfort with cancer patients.
Anyway, someone else on an old thread suggested buffs to wear on the head, and I think it's a great idea for working out. You know, like they wear on "Survivor". They come in a ton of different patterns and solids, and you can wear them a couple of different ways to cover your head (It comes with directions, and there is a video on the website) and they are cool and stay secure. And when your hair grows back you can wear them as a hairband. Or like the skinny chicks on Survivor, you can wear them as a tube top! I don't think I'll be going there, though....even with my perky new boobs.......

I ordered them from the internet. It was either wellnessmarketers.com or wellnessmarketing.com. They have free shipping. There is also the website for the Buff company, but they charge for shipping.

My friend's mother has her last chemo today. I'm so jealous! But happy for her of course. She has weathered it really really well.

Donna

Hey Tina,
If your body responds as mine did, you should start feeling better tomorrow or the next day. Hang in there! Try to sleep at night, drink water, and walk around a little. I had trouble sleeping so got Lunesta. It is helping me sleep and I feel better during the day. I am so sorry you are at a low point right now but it will get better. Ask friends and family for whatever you are needing (quiet, certain foods, whatever).

Does anyone know if your second chemo is worse than the first, I had my first one on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty rough, on Tuesday I was telling my husband I could not go another one, but today I feel alot better.

Thanks Tina

Tina, I had a similar experience as you...had my 1st tx on Monday. I felt queasy and a bit fatigued on Tuesday. I did not take the Compazine on Tuesday, just the Kytril. Big mistake! I could not sleep that night and felt queasy. Threw up soon after I got up. I felt wiped out all day. I talked to the nurse, and she said I should have taken a Compazine Tues night to get me through. I took them yesterday and before bed and am a bit better today. I am hoping tomorrow will be even better.
Abbi, it is good to know your second was a little better.

Karen

Hi girls. I just lost my whole post! Argghhhh.... Here I go again, to the best of my memory...

I've finally found the right board to post to. I'm so excited.
DX June 5th, Ductal, surgery 6/21 lumpectomy (1.4 cm), sentinel node biopsy (2 of 5 involved) Treatment: 4 AC, 12 Taxol, 6 wks. radiation

7/18 Port installed (Happy Birthday to me)
7/19 Chemo starts

How did I do? I think pretty well. I was given anti-nausea in the IV, the A, then the C. Port worked. No funny taste. Ate a few saltine crackers and drank mucho water. Hubby drove me home. I was tired. Nausea yes, like a flu feeling. I took the Decadron twice a day Friday, Sat. and Sun. Compazine as needed. I felt a feeling like heartburn, and just no appeal for food (like a morning sickness feeling). I stuck to very bland foods and had to force myself to eat. This lasted at least 4 days. Slept poorly, couple hours here, then up 2 hrs, then slept another 2 etc., doc said one of the anti-nausea meds would cause sleeplessness. I wasn't sure what to expect being the first time, so I just kind of notated everything for next time and went with the flow. I think they may need to switch things around a little because I had the nausea feeling for 4 days. Thankfully, I never vomited. I was very tired (worse days 3 and 4 then 1 and 2). I went to a family wedding on 7/21 (2 days after chemo) and I hung in there. The ceremony was lovely and it took my mind off the nausea. Can't say I enjoyed the food though

Things kept getting better day by day. More energy, sleeping better, etc. I was mindful to keep eating something and to keep drinking water. I also have taken walks everyday, but one. It really helps to get out in the fresh air and do some deep breathing.

Question... Did or does anyone feel a bruised feeling in their chest from their port. It's actually not the port itself, but opposite of it in the chest. It's not constant pain, but just like a deep bruised feeling (no actual physical bruise though). I guess it's been only a week and it is rather an invasive procedure, maybe this is normal. I see the surgeon this Monday. I also had tingling down my arm into my hand on and off which he said could be the brachial plexus (which the port is implanted near). That is subsiding.

I also had pain in the node area and tumor area after chemo. I'm glad to hear others have had this experience. It's also subsiding, but it did throw me at first.

My next AC treatment is 8/9. I'm glad to have the first treatment behind me and gone is the fear of the unknown. At least I'm 25% done with AC! I try everyday to focus on the positives and I'm thankful that I'm a teacher and that I have the summer off to begin treatment. I have wonderful family support and now I have found wonderful online support with people who truly understand what I am feeling. Thanks!