CMF Question
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Hi Vicki: My treatment sounds similar to yours. I had AC x 4 and am now doing CMF. I had my second CMF treatment this week. I find it does change my taste but I think not as much as AC. I've been complaining about constipation but found that a big issue with AC too. The nurses said it was due to the anti-nausea drugs.
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YEAH Merilee. It sounds like you're doing just fine. Hang in there!
Candie............I'm so glad to see a post from you. How the heck are you? How's that little granddaughter? I think of you often and have wondered where you went! Drop in a little more often with an update!
AL1815...We'll be thinking about you on Monday. This is such a mind-boggling time. Hugs to you!
Rita
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Holy smokes .... as another CMF alumni I feel the need to just chime in for those of you starting, plugging along or finishing up treatments. I think most of you have asked along the way for "tips" as to what may or may not have helped with the se's that might pop up.
Hang in their ladies, there may be some bumps in the road but you are all strong determined gals and before you know it you'll be looking back at this time saying "I remember when ....".
Cyber hugs, Carol
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Hiya Vicki. I'm glad my post was helpful to you.
i got a metallic taste in my mouth DURING the actual transfusions of the chemo drugs but otherwise my tastebuds were not affected on a day - to - day basis. I made sure to have sucking candies when I went for chemo which did the trick. Gum works, too. Since I took steroids for 4 days each cycle I was ravenous and ate like a pig. Gained 25 pounds!! My onc wasn't worried at all...they want us to bulk up rather than wither...makes us more hearty. Also, I smoked funny cigarettes (if you know what I mean) quite regularly which helped with nausea and increased my appetite (perhaps too much) and was also fun....and fun is good! I also recommend vapid TV shows when you have time to watch.
It seems that the women on this board get constipation from the anti-nausea drugs. I'm not sure I've ever been constipated seriously except for after my two surgeries and then, Senakot worked very well for me. During most of chemo, my GI tract got irritated and I had a lot of diarrhea so I didn't get constipated at all. In fact, my throat would get very sore sometimes during the second week and I wanted something for the pain but since my GI tract was so messed up, my onc. gave me percoset since it doesn't upset the stomach, etc. It also was helpful to slow down the diarrhea.
Everyone reacts very differently to everything so, don't expect anything to happen. It's kind of a crap shoot. But, it passes quickly and you'll be SO happy when it's done. Please keep me apprised of what's going on and ask me anything you like. You can definitely get through this.
FYI, I'm 48.
Best,
Deb
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Hiya Vicki. I'm glad my post was helpful to you.
i got a metallic taste in my mouth DURING the actual transfusions of the chemo drugs but otherwise my tastebuds were not affected on a day - to - day basis. I made sure to have sucking candies when I went for chemo which did the trick. Gum works, too. Since I took steroids for 4 days each cycle I was ravenous and ate like a pig. Gained 25 pounds!! My onc wasn't worried at all...they want us to bulk up rather than wither...makes us more hearty. Also, I smoked funny cigarettes (if you know what I mean) quite regularly which helped with nausea and increased my appetite (perhaps too much) and was also fun....and fun is good! I also recommend vapid TV shows when you have time to watch.
It seems that the women on this board get constipation from the anti-nausea drugs. I'm not sure I've ever been constipated seriously except for after my two surgeries and then, Senakot worked very well for me. During most of chemo, my GI tract got irritated and I had a lot of diarrhea so I didn't get constipated at all. In fact, my throat would get very sore sometimes during the second week and I wanted something for the pain but since my GI tract was so messed up, my onc. gave me percoset since it doesn't upset the stomach, etc. It also was helpful to slow down the diarrhea.
Everyone reacts very differently to everything so, don't expect anything to happen. It's kind of a crap shoot. But, it passes quickly and you'll be SO happy when it's done. Please keep me apprised of what's going on and ask me anything you like. You can definitely get through this.
FYI, I'm 48.
Best,
Deb
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The universe has blessed me with a snow day. I don't have to go to work today and I get paid. Life is good.
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Merilee, I taught school for 33 years and I used to pray for snow days during the winter!!!! They were pure gifts when the weather was cold and blustery and the roads were treacherous! Enjoy your day!
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Merilee,
YAY! Congratulations on finishing chemo!! Yippee!!
Hoping all the women currently in treatment are doing good.
Hello to Rita, Carol, Annie, and everyone I forot to mention!!
I'm one week into Femara, and so far, so good. Carol, I've joined you in taking Femara...
Good luck to all of us!
Harley
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All right, Harley! That's such good news on the Femara! Hey, I really like your new picture. Your hair.............it's just gorgeous!
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Rita,
Thanks! I was getting kinda sick of that old photo. I never realized how much my hair has grown since that last photo!
It's only been one week, but I am just taking it one day at a time. The Femara may make my hair thin...
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!
Harley
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Still feeling very normal
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Hey Harley .... no problems here with hair thinning on Femara, I did have a bit of a "learning curve" though. For me it was the achies in my hands/elbows .... over the course of the past year those have subsided a great deal. My guess .... no problems gal friend.
Merilee ..... Whooooo Hoooooooo, now that's what we like to read !!!!!!!!!
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Carol,
Thanks for the encouragement... You always make me feel better!! Are you taking Vitamin D?
I understand that D is supposed to help with those aches, and any joint pains we may have. I have increased my vitamin D and was happy to see that a side effect from vitamin D is that it helps with depression...
Talk to you again soon my friend...
Harley
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Harley ... yeppers on the Vit D .... I take 1000 mg Vit D, Magnesium (a tip from Rita) and a Calcium supplement daily. My Vit D levels are not bad for living in Washington !!!
Be well my friend !
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Ah... I had my D levels checked, and they were in the NORMAL range, but kinda LOW NORMAL.. So I thought that increasing the D wasn't a bad idea... Just for the past week, I've been taking about 5000 IUs of D... I also take Calcium Citrate, and Magnesium... ; - )
Here's hoping we all stay well....
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YAY! I think I found the right place! I start CMF every 3rd week on Monday, 01/11/2010. Sounds like Merilee just started hers this past Thursday? I was starting to get scared about being in what seemed like a minority with this treatment. When my oncologist gave me the rundown of all the types of chemo, this did make the most sense for me with my other prognosis factors, but with so many other women getting AC or ACT...I'll admit I was getting worried I'm not going to be doing enough.
Diagnosis: 10/27/2009 IDC, 8 mm, ER+, PR-, HER2neu negative, BRCA negative, ONCOtype DX score 18. ZERO node involvement and clear margins after partial mastectomy on 12/15/2009. I'm 36 years old with a 7 year old and a 3 year old at home and I work as a medical transcriptionist from home.
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Hi Judy
Looks like we are in this together. So far I still feel normal. Have been keeping up with an anti nausea med schedule and so far no problems. I am actually amazed and relieved that I feel this good. I was bracing myself for a flu like feeling and I feel fine. I am off to a free Tia chi class at 9 this morning that is part of Reach for Recovery. If you haven't found that yet you may want to google it. All the participants are survivors and the classes are free. They have other things besides Tia chi as well. Oh and discounts on massage therapy .
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Welcome Judy. I'm also on CMF and just finished #4 this past Wednesday. Had some nausea again and feel achy but overall doing fine. This is definitely a doable treatment and I just wanted to wish you good luck and let you know that is truly a great message board. Everyone is really nice and helpful. Let me know if you have any questions.......good luck on Monday!
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Hi Merilee and cabmom: Thanks for responding! I'm SO happy to hear that you both are having fairly good experiences with CMF. I can tend to have a nervous stomach (it's already getting riled up just thinking about Monday), but it calms down once the unknown aspect of things passes. I'll be bringing my husband on Monday (but hope to not make someone sit there for hours with me each time). Did you bring someone along for your treatments? It seems like a long time to make someone sit there. Once I know I won't feel terribly uncomfortable, then I can easily go it alone, I think. I'll let you know how things go Monday! Gotta get thru my work schedule this weekend first. I work 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and until 1 a.m. on Sundays (but I work from home, so that's a huge plus). Scheduled my chemo for Monday with the hopes that if I had any ill effects that I'd be feeling better by Friday. We'll see if that makes sense after all this gets going...
Thanks again!
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Judy, I think you will be pleasantly surprised, I know I was. I can't say it went totally smooth but overall, I managed all the se's without too much problem. I hope you do as well or better than I've done. By Friday, shouldn't be any problem. It's usually just the first few days after wards if you have issues. Good luck and I will keep you in my prayers. I'm sure you're going to do fine.
My husband does go with me to all my treatments but it's been his choice because I do think I would be fine on my own but truthfully glad he's there. Helps to pass the time but depending on what med's they give you would depend on whether you would need someone there to drive you. I had to have someone on the 1st one and then again on the 4th but the other two I would have been allowed to drive.
Good luck!!!!!
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Judy, I have two CMF treatments over me. The treatment itself shouldn't take more than a couple of hours and the time really goes by quickly. But it's nice to have someone with you to act as a distraction. In my case the M and F were given as a push and that was very quick. The C (Cytoxan) was given last via drip.
I think you will be fine once you get to the treatment center. In my case, the nurses are very good about explaining how the infusion will be done, going over the side effects and answering any questions.
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Mary, Wow! I can't believe yours only lasts a couple hours. We were there 5 1/2 this last time. Seems each time gets a little longer.........but you're right it does help to have someone with you. Major jealous on your time frame....good for you!
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I'm so glad that all you gals are doing well on the CMF. I always took somebody with me. One time one of my friends took me and then came back for me. I'm not so sure it's a good idea to drive yourself because you just never know. I probably could have driven but why add that additional stress if somebody can take you. You girls keep marking off those treatments. Cabmom........hey you're on the downhill slide. It wasn't too long ago and you were facing all the decisions and look at you now. You go, gal!
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The oncology nurse said to be prepared for 3 hours, so we'll see if that's accurate once Monday afternoon comes. I have to say, she didn't make a point to tell me to bring someone and even pointed out that the rooms are small, but I COULD bring someone if I wanted to. I guess that's the only reason I even thought I'd try it alone. Does anyone else feel like other folks make it sound like you're on the "it's nothing and you'll be fine" chemo treatment when every bone in my body is saying "it's defnitely NOT nothing!" Now, that is probably my nervous interpretation of people just trying to keep me calm and keep it all in perspective. I'm certainly grateful to be embarking on the kinder/gentler version of chemo...no doubt about that. I've already got my chemo day kit started, because of all the great tips on here! It's so great to have a place to go to get this information! The nurse never mentioned ice chips to help with mouth sores, hard candy to help with the metallic taste, a blanket for how cold the IV infusions can make you...clearly, I didn't ask enough questions! She was wonderful, don't get me wrong, but I did only meet her at the tail-end of my appointment with my oncologist to show me around and get my first appointment scheduled. I'm happy it's in the doctor's offices...pretty convenient and convenience right now equal less stress!! Hope you ladies continue to do well with each treatment. I'll be back Monday evening to fill ya in on my first time.
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I start CMF on monday as well. I actually am a little nervous that I made the right decision--because I was offered Ovarian Suppression as an alternative treatment but given that I have underlying health issues (multiple sclerosis) the CMF chemo made more sense for me (I can go off my MS drug for the 6 months of CMF).
What is the Chemo Kit everyone refers to? I don't know what to bring with me. Any specific are very very welcome! Thanks and good luck to Judy (and me).
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AL1841, there is a thread called More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo. This provides an extensive list of what people find helpful, but I think most of the items are more useful after treatment to prevent or treat SEs rather than being things that you necessarily bring with you. I found that blankets, pillows, water, juice and snacky stuff (like crackers, cookies) were all available on site. I really didn't find that I needed anything special. However, last time I did bring some candy to chew on to mask the smell/taste of the Cytoxan. And my brother went to the cafeteria and brought me back some ice chips which also helped. If you are going to be alone an MP3 player or book might be good to have.
Cabmom: how did your treatment last 5.5 hours? Are you including waiting time and consult with onc? Typically my onc's office allows an hour for visit with her (though it usually takes only 20 mins) during which they check my vitals, do blood test and discuss any SEs from previous week. Then the treatment itself takes about two hours. But if it's busy, I might spend some time both waiting for onc or waiting for chair in treatment room. Just hoping they haven't been pumping those drugs into me too quickly.
Good luck on Monday, AL and Judy. Judy are you in NYC?
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AL 1841: Mary mentioned exactly what compromises my "kit'....just a blanket (in case they don't have one to offer), some hard candy for that metallic taste I keep reading and hearing about, a thermos with ice chips to chew on to help with possible mouth sores, my iPod and a book (although I'm bringing my husband now, so I don't think I'll be throwing headphones on), and water (or Pellegrino for the bubbles). i'm going to arm myself at home with some of the other ideas, but will hope I don't need them...the OTC stool softeners and such. Best of luck to you...I'll be thinking of you while I'm there Monday. My appointment is at 1 p.m.
Mary: I actually live about an hour and a half outside of NYC...in Warwick, NY...beautiful town. Some people call us upstate, but it always makes me laugh, since I think of above Albany as upstate NY.
I'm thinking the 3 hour time frame they gave me was for this first time...to give them more time to explain things to me, take me thru what they're infusing when and all that. Five hours would not make me happy, but mostly because I hate having to ask people to babysit for me.
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Ladies, the last time did take 5.5 hours and no I didn't get to see the onc because I don't have to every time. From start to finish, they put in the IV(usually a few minutes because I don't have a port and have not such great veins, then take the blood, wait on blood results (which takes an extended amount of time in my opinion can be up to an hour or longer but we wait), start saline solution (1 hour), Decadron (30 minutes), Cytoxan (1 hour), then saline (20 min)and push of M(10), then saline(20) and push of F(10). Last time they also added ativan and emend in IV form (not sure about the time frame but probably a little over 1/2 hour for both), which took a little longer as I've been dealing with blood pressure issues since this started and they seem to be getting worse.
They do spend time before doing vitals and such and making sure of the se's from the time before (just in case I didn't call and tell them everything), they also go over blood work during the treatment and give me copies, and then before leaving make sure that blood pressure is in check and all else is fine.
It seems like it takes forever sometimes but they care so much and do such a great job, I feel blessed that they care so much. We keep hoping that it won't be quite so long next time but we just say "we'll see" and laugh, seems the best way to get through it. Good luck to all of you. Feeling better today than the prior two even though I'm up early. Been sleeping a lot this treatment, hope that's normal but seems as though I've been really tired this go around. Anyway, did anyone else have the achy feeling? My arms and legs feel like they weight 300 lbs? Just wondering if I'm the odd one?
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Cab mom
I had one crazy cramp in my calf which was alleviated by massaging it for about ten minutes. Other than that no achy so far
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I wish that I could do that and it would work but I seem to be aching all over.........happened on #3 too but went away a few days before #4 treatment. I guess it's just something I will have to deal with for the next few weeks/month.
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