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CMF Question

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Comments

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited November 2013


    Ritajean! Seven years is great news!!! I hope you take time out to celebrate!!! Hugs. Mandy

  • Macy
    Macy Member Posts: 93
    edited November 2013


    Ritajean! Such excellent news. Whoop it up!


    I made it through tx#3. All went well. I'm still very surprised that I need the Neulasta shot with CMF. Originally, I was told I wouldn't need the shot with CMF because, well, my oncs feel it is a less aggressive regimen. (they were not really in support of me doing CMF--but I chose to take some control of situation and I am happier for it).


    Which of you fine ladies needed the Neulasta shot and which ones did not?

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited November 2013


    Macy, I needed the neulasta shot and I dreaded it but I got along well with it and had no side effects. Everyone is different and now I am glad that I had it available to help me keep up my counts as I went through the CMF process. The shot will also help you avoid much of the fatigue.


    Hey...you're through #3 already. Good for you. You go gal!

  • Macy
    Macy Member Posts: 93
    edited November 2013


    Hey ritajean! Thanks for responding! :)


    I had the neulasta shot last time but other than some achiness in my legs, I was okay. I have a nice whirlpool I can soak in and a heated throw to help me feel better. It's cold weather now anyway!


    It's also good that it will help me avoid some of the fatigue. I've been really tired the last few days--even before tx#3. I'm getting ready to go back to work part-time the beginning of December so I would like to avoid as much fatigue as I can (which I know will be impossible).

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited November 2013


    Hi Macy!: Congrats on finishing number 3. Since you asked, I never had a neulasta shot--my onc tested the bloods before she ordered the shots and to her surprise, vegetarian me, never needed one (she always commented that she was surprised because I was a vegetarian)....


    Ritajean: did you do anything special for this 7 year anniversary? You are such a rock to this board; I don't know how I would have gotten through CMF without you.


    Hugs to all


    Mandy

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited November 2013


    Mandy, I didn't do a thing different but I did thank God for these seven years. Are you still a vegetarian? I'm tryiing to eat more fruits and veggies but I don't always do so well. I need to get motivated!

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited November 2013


    Ritajean: like you I appreciate each day. I am already 5 1/2 years past diagnosis...hard to think it. And I still am a vegetarian but I am a cheating vegetarian because I do eat some fish, not that much but I still do. I try to be good about always having several different kinds of vegetables daily--and in general I probably do eat more veggies than most.


    Hope everyone has a good holiday or holidays next week ( I get two).


    Hugs


    Mandy

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited November 2013


    You inspire me, Mandy!

  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2013


    Ritajean:


    I am looking for some guidance here as well and you appear to provide great wisdom. My OC is giving me the choice between AC, TC or CMF tx. I hear CMF is considered "Chemo lite". I understand this is the least toxic tx; however, in terms of success rate/reoccurrence, would this be a wise choice? I have to make a decision before my 2nd appointment with my OC on 12/03/13. At which time, will be the next step - having the port installed. I am so confused. I don't know which decision to make; which would be best???? Can you provide some insight?

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited November 2013


    EMQ2: I sent you a private message. If you look on the left side, you will see a section called "private messages" and if you click on it, you will find your private messages. Wishing you all the best in your decision.


    Ritajean: I am not worthy of inspiration. I became a vegetarian after my then 6 year old daughter had been one for a year and I realized I didn't want to eat meat but was doing it because it was easy. So here I am now.. .just start to buy fresh veggies and throw 3 or more in with your regular meal.

  • Macy
    Macy Member Posts: 93
    edited November 2013


    emq, I also sent you a PM. I'm currently doing the CMF protocol.


    Tx#3 was much easier for me. I had very few side effects and virtually none from the Neulasta shot. I'm so glad and hope it continues. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday week!

  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2013


    Thank you Macy. I responded back with questions. Were you diagnosed on two separate occasions?


    Hang in there sister. Let's FIGHT!!!!!

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited November 2013


    HI emq2. I was out of town yesterday and just found your post. I have sent you a private message. Hang in there honey! These decisions are so hard to make.

  • Macy
    Macy Member Posts: 93
    edited November 2013


    I also PM'd you back! Yes, I was diagnosed twice. After my first biopsy, I was given an initial diagnosis of DCIS. I felt at that point like I had dodged a bullet! I was assured that everything was fine and that it was no real rush to have a lumpectomy. About 6 weeks later I went in for that lumpectomy and they found a large tumor instead. So, I got a new diagnosis after that. Lucky me!


    Keep posting and asking questions. There are so many knowledgeable ladies here who will help you.

  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 1,583
    edited November 2013


    @emq2, your oncologist can use a program called Adjuvant!online to find out the statistics on recurrence with the three chemo options you are deciding between. You can get similar information by putting your age and diagnostic info into the online cancermath calculator. I find the results easiest to understand in the pictogram format. My results were very similar on both calculators, and seeing the statistics was very helpful to me in deciding what to do. My oncologist gave me the same three options as you are choosing between.

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited November 2013


    The Holidays are on us. For me, they begin tonight. So wishing all of my sisters, who celebrate, Happy Hanukkah and for the Americans in this group, Happy Thanksgiving!


    I am thankful that this group was here while I was in treatment--I couldn't have gone through it without you.


    Hugs and happy holidays to all!


    Mandy

  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2013


    Your the best Mandy. Happy Thanksgiving, and Yes, these boards have been a blanket of warmth that help to snuff out the fear and anxiety of the unknown. My first Infusion is next Friday 11/06/13. Thursday morning the port goes in.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited November 2013


    I hope that everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Now we're in that Christmas frenzy time!


    I will be thinking of you this coming week as you get started with the port and your first infusion. You can do it!!! You are a fighter!

  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2013


    Thank you Rita:


    Thanksgiving was a bit emotional, and feeling anxious the closer I get to starting my first chemo treatment Friday. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited December 2013


    Hi all!


    We had a fabulous holiday---my gals were both home from Wednesday night to Saturday and we did alot of baking for the once in a lifetime merging of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving---pumpkin donuts and pumpkin challah!!! Both were absolutely delicious. And I was so happy to spend the time with my gals.


    Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season.


    Hugs.


    Mandy

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited December 2013


    Oh Mandy...so glad you had a great holiday with your gals! There is NOTHING as important in our lives and family and good health!

  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2013


    Hello All:


    I start my first CMF infusion on Friday. I will receive methotrexate and Fluorouracil IV and take Cytoxan orally for 14 days. I am scheduled for the 2nd round on Friday the 13th...then off for two weeks. I will get 12 rounds.


    I have scripts for Compazine and Zofran. Any suggestions to keep nausea, fatigue, and other SE under control?

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited December 2013


    I took the Compazine and found that it was easier to keep the nausea away than it was to stop it once it started. I took the compazine the day of my treatment and for 3 more days and that seemed to work for me. I always had lemon drops handy in case I got a little queasy and that seemed to help, too. I know that some of the gals found ginger to be soothing, too. Hey, you have a plan and you are a fighter! You will get through this just fine! :-)

  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2013


    Thanks Rita. I am doing my chemo shop tomorrow night. Tonight I made a ton of chicken with rice soup, put in individual bowls and froze it. Lemon drops will be added to the list. I love lemon, and like ginger. I have heard that about nausea. I will take it the morning of my first infusion Friday along with my 7 Cytoxen pills. I know they give us nausea medication through IV but how long does it work? How soon after infusion should I resume taking either Comp or Zofran after infusion?

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited December 2013


    EMQ: I didn't get IV nausea meds so I can't advise you. The anti-nausea meds that worked for me were emend and kytril and I would take a pill right before the infusion and then during the days afterwards as directed (I don't remember the dose at this point). Ask you onc how soon afterwards you can take your anti-nausea meds and then just keep taking them--as Ritajean said, do not wait until you have nausea; use the meds to keep the nausea away. This chemo is doable, so try not to stress about it. Hugs.

  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2013


    Thank you Mandy. Will do. :)

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited December 2013


    emq...I took a compazine before my chemo treatment and continued to follow the directions on the prescription for 3 days after my treatment. I'm not sure how long the IV anti-nausea meds work because I just relied on the Compazine and never had any trouble once I learned how to use them to my advantage. The first time I did not take them until I needed them and then it was too late and took too long to recover.

  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2013


    Thanks Rita. I think I will take one before my first infusion Friday. I called the OC Nurse to tell her my insurance company only covered 8 pills for 30 days. She is looking into this. Also, I found out today that I will get Decadron by IV - which I was not aware of. Any suggestions or experience on this? Not happy about steroids.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited December 2013


    emq.......Thinking about you tomorrow. The Decadron will probably hype you up quite a bit. It sometimes causes insomnia in some people. You'll just have to see what it does to you. The good thing about this is that you can learn to work around any side effects and usually there aren't too many with CMF. Good luck to you tomorrow. Let us know how it goes! Is the port in and functioning? Hugs!

  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2013


    Hi Rita:


    The port procedure went well today. I did experience a slight reaction from "something" they gave me IV. Could have been 1 of three things. I started itching but just the right side of my neck, my right forearm, and left thigh. I know, it was weird. They gave me Benadryl IV so I was a bit dopey until late afternoon.


    I was told to arrive 1/2 hour early tomorrow because they want me to leave the gauze on the port. The nurses will apply the Lidocaine cream I guess. I take my first 7 (25mg) Cytoxen first thing in AM. Feeling anxious!


    I have packed my 1st infusion bag.


    Book, Star Magazine (I love the crossword puzzles), blanket, 32 oz Gatorade, ginger candy, crackers, and trail mix. Did I forget anything?


    I will take the Zofran on my way to infusion as many of you recommended. I just hope I don't get the headaches from the Zofran/Decadron combo.


    My thoughts are with ALL of you beginning with me tomorrow. DEB, Happy Happy Birthday Girl!!!!


    XO, Liz

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