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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
Comments
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Welcome to all my fellow Feburary Chemo Cruisers (FFCC?) ...
Thanks for all the wonderful updates from those that have already started chemo. I start next week. I'm almost done with my pre-chemo purchases (wig and wig products, hats, biotene, soft toothbrush, cuticle cream, hard candies, vitamins, fish oil, calcium + vitD, prescription anti-nauseau meds, sparkling waters). I think someone on another post pointed out that some of us get this "nesting" feeling pre-chemo.
Any suggestions about what to do during the infusions? My cancer center has private rooms with TVs and VCRs. I was going to rent some old Cary Grant/Katherine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy type movies to watch.
Hugs to all!!
-- Hillary0 -
Hi Lynn and Steph, welcome to the chemo cruisers where cancer is just cruising for a bruising! Well actually its more like a cruise on a ship to the unknown and we are all in it together.
Lynn giving you hugs, you have been through so much already girl! Hang in there you can get through it!
Steph I too had a lumpectomy and have 4 treatments of a/c with 6 weeks of radiation. I did have another lumpectomy in my left breast but just before we were to start radiation on it they found I had invasive cancer in the other breast as I had changed surgeons and she had ordered an MRI on both breasts. The mammo's didn't see it but the MRI and ultrasound did. Since it was invasive it took priority over my treatment plans and added chemo. My doc gave me Emend to take an hour before I start chemo( taken at his office he said) and take it for 3 days afterwards along with the generic of compadine I believe the word is, for nausea. I too start my chemo on Thursday the 15th. BTW...lived in Florida many years ago when my hubby was in the Navy at JAX Beach but never got down to Tampa. Jan0 -
Welcome to Lynn and Steph! Lynn, I'm sorry your first treatment hasn't gone well. I hope that was the worst of it and your dr gets you on a better path. I had Graves Disease about 12 yrs ago (hyperthyroidism) so I should probably pay attention to my thyroid levels also so thanks for the heads up. I'm on synthroid now.
Carynn, glad to hear your scans were ok! What a relief, huh?
Karen, that's so great that your dad is coming into town to be with you.
Catherine, If you could share any stretching exercises (especially arm) that your physical therapist gives you with the rest of us, that would be wonderful. I went on-line and have been doing a few but it's hard to know where to draw the line, especially this early on. How are you doing with your port in your arm?
It's Day 5 and I'm still feeling pretty good. A little queasy and a little tired but no big deal. Can't wait for this cold weather to break so I can get out and exercise. The 20s are just a little too cold for me with everything else going on.
Love to you all,
Linnie0 -
Good morning everybody... Hillary, here is the reference for the cook book:
"Eating well through cancer" by Holly Cregg & Gerald Miletello, MD - US.DOC.06.03.009. ISBN 0-9610888-7-7
These are "Compliments of Sanofi-Adventis" (pharmaceutical company). You should be able to get it for free.
They give a tip for sore mouth that was also given by the nurse at the cancer center where I'll get the chem: prepare everyday (and disregard at end of day) one teaspoon baking soda + one teaspoon salt in a quart of tap water (no need to boil the water they say): rinse and spit after each meal (you can also gargle if you feel the need to). To be started before chemo and done through out after each meal... a cheap tip.
Have a nice day,
CatherineH0 -
The adriamycin was separated into 2 60cc syringes and I think each was given over 10 minutes. My nurse sat in front of me and slowly pushed the plunger. As she was there she gave my daughter and I alot of information regarding fluid intake, care of bowels, hair loss and prosthetic info etc. So I know she was there for awhile "pushing" the med. When it came time for the Cytoxan, it was in its own bag, given by itself and hung up to drip for over about 1 hour or so then I went home .I did ok until about 4pm I began with headache and the nausea increased although I had taken the compazine so it kept vomiting at bay. About 9pm the worst was over and I felt about 90% myself.
Day 2 post txt: I feel 98% myself, it's just that the meds to prevent any nausea make me sleepy.
Day 3 post txt: I went ahead and took the Emend and the protonix this morning, but I'm going to do without the compazine until the first hint of nausea. Feel pretty good this morning!0 -
Hi CatherineH, Yes I think dringing plenty of water is a big benefit and helps flush all of the toxins out of our systems.
Welcome Steph....... My next treatment is the 19th. so we'll be pretty much on the same time track.
Lynn, so sorry to hear of all your side effects. But honestly I had a lot of them myself. The bone pain from the Neulasta was quite bad for me on day 6, felt like I had broken something... Tylenlol was good only for about two hours and then the pain was back.
Onc said they will reduce the neluasta next time as my wbc was high at last check and this may reduce the aches.
Hang in there, we are all in this together.
Keep positive by keeping busy....
Hey I just started knitting. I haven't knitted for about 20 year:) Attempting a small project first, a scarf and lets see how I get on from there.
Later0 -
Just a w Word of warning...... I just noticed on another thread that someone googled their BC login name and it brought up the entries from this site. Just be aware that what you are writing here seems to be available for all to see.
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OK, I didn't know that and I googled myself and yep there it was. I wasn't too smart and picked part of my name for my screen name. So, I changed it to swimmingmom because I happily spend a good part of my time in the bleachers watching my kids swim. First my daughter and now my son. Went to sectionals last night and he won the backstroke. He got out of the pool and ran up the bleachers to me and gave me a hug in front of a packed pool. Big change for this 17 year old boy. I guess one good thing, bc has made us closer.
Lynn sorry you are having a bad go of things. Keep posting here and let us know how you are. You can do this again and we will go on this cruise with you.
Have to say I bumped over and read a few posts in the January group and now I am a bit nervous to get started next week. Seems like more side effects as treatments go on.
Leah, you are in my thoughts almost everyday. I hope you are doing well.
Kim (nynurse) Haven't heard from you in awhile. How are you doing?
Linnie, keep posting, your success makes me feel better!!!
OK, the pix is of my dog. He is way cuter than me. I love him because no matter if I am bald, cranky, sick, or whatever he can't wait to see me and is always happy. He makes me smile.
Karen0 -
Hi Karen,
That's great news about your son......You must be proud.0 -
It is interesting for me to read over the experiences that many have had in the few days after your first treatment. Thanks for sharing. Theresa is feeling quite well so far except that she hasn't had good sleep since Wednesday, day of treatment. We called the oncologist and got a scrip for Ambien CR. Hopefully she will be able to sleep tonight.
She feels well enough to have been enjoying normal activities but the lack of sleep has her tired. No nausea or aches, just tired.0 -
Hi girls. Just got back from getting my chemo cut;) I picked out a wig online and took in a picture and had them cut my hair like it. I think it will do;)
Sending good thoughts to you all.0 -
Hi, sorry so long without writing. Port put in last Monday. Still alittle sore. The worst for me was my shoulder, which I have bone spurs in. Couldn't move my arm for about 2 days. Doing better now. Chemo is delayed however because the incision for the lumpectomy had to be reopened and drained. It's still open and draining, less thanks God, but I have to see surgeon again on the 15th and we'll go from there. Thanks everyone for all the insight and support. YOU'RE ALL GREAT!!!
Mary0 -
I tried to post this earlier, and got kicked off. So if it's posted twice, forgive.
I started A/C Thursday, got procrit iv, zofran, and Emend during treatment. Felt fine for about 4 hours after treatment, but developed nausea, took compazine, and never vomited, but wanted too. Hard to get all the water down, with the nausea.
Friday: Day 1 after chemo: felt pretty good, just a little "loopey" from meds i guess. No nausea. Just kinda sat around the house. Not taking compazine, unless I feel sick.
Saturday: Day 2 after chemo: Just feel really tired. Weather not really bad today in high 50's , but cooler than we are used to. Corpus Christ, Texas. So went for walk and felt better.
Hoping tomorrow will be even better.
Hugs to everyone, Tracy0 -
i would like to introduce myself-- i'm from the November '06 chemo group and just finished up my 8th and final cyle on Thurs (2/8) I'm not going to lie and say it was easy for me but it is done and once i get thru the side effects of this last treatment and begin my next treatment phase (36 rads) i hope to begin to get my life back-- take all the help that is offered to you and try to concentrate on killing those nasty cancer cells-- i wish you all the best and also want to suggest you sign up for the chemo angels program-- i've had a True angel to help me thru this with weekly letters, cards and gifts-- it is a very positive program that i was referred to-- it is at http://www.chemoangels.net/0
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Hi Tracy, I regularly copy the text Ctrl+c) I am writing, because i already spend too much time here, and I don't want to rewrite messages. So if I am told that the page has expired or something of the sort, I just go back and do ctrl+V in the answering box, and voilà... here it is again...
Enjoy lots ol lovely walks on the beach... I remember Galveston Bay in the sunset with the wet sand shining like mother-pearl, it was so beautiful...
Have agreat recovery time until the next assault.
CatherineH (texan by adoption)0 -
Good morning FCCs - hope all is well today. To all the gals who have already had their first cocktail- particularly the AC - can you share appetite/taste-related changes or tolerances? Elsewhere, I've seen suggestions to stay away from spicy foods, tomatoes, etc. I dearly love Thai, Mexican and Italian foods and, oh yes, hot wings so this may be a difficult transition. I'd like to do some grocery shopping today in prep for tomorrow's cocktail but I don't know what to expect. Thanks for any info you can share.
Phyl0 -
Phyl, OK I expected odd taste, metal mouth and the like. I have had none of that. I am so hungry but nothing SOUNDS good. Day of infusion and the next was normal but on day 3, Friday for me till today, the thought of food is icky but am hungry. Hard to describe. Friday night I craved a cheeseburger/ fries. Saturday morning craved bacon. Last night had Sonny's Bar B Que, baby back ribs and a sweet pototo with cinammon butter. Go figure. Whole wheat toast with lots of butter, bananna, angel food cake. The thought of eating a strawberry makes me want to puke. One night had chicken picante, green beans, mashed potatos. Hard to know what to tell you to stock up on, I most certainly did not stock up on cheeseburger, fries and bacon but that still sounds good to me. LOL Someone had told me to get plastic silverware but have not had a problem using the real stuff. Hope this helps....Marsha
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Thanks for that info Marsha - that being said, I think I'll keep my butt parked today and address the needs/cravings as they occur. I so hope I don't have the metal-mouth taste. Picked up some Biotine and my dentist also called in scripts for a mouthwash and toothpaste. Are you still drinking the 2-3 qts of water or can you cut back on that after a couple days? Have you lost your taste for alcohol? Sorry for all the questions. I wasn't nervous a bit for the biopsy and mastectomy (I think because I know how I react to anesthesia, etc.) but I hate to admit it - I'm getting a little shaky about this. My DD is meeting me at the onc clinic for my appt at 9:00 tomorrow (after my 8:30 seroma drain), we'll drop off my scripts, go to lunch then back to the clinic for the LGFB meeting. Thanks again Marsha.
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I go and see the surgeon tomorrow feb 12th and find out when they are putting the port in. I am really getting nervous. I so want this over with. Can't wait to start so I can finish.
LuLu0 -
Day 3 post first txt and doing pretty good! Oh yea...Happy 50th Birthday to ME!! Yesterday had a bit of nausea but I took the compazine and that took care of that, it's just that I feel sleepy afterwards. I did go do a little shopping then brought home some fried chicken and JALAPENOS to much on. I took one bite of the pepper and realized even though I don't eat chicken without the pepper, I BETTER do it now. I don't want to risk mouth ulcers. So the chicken went down rather bland by itself but no matter, it's for a good cause.
Another thing, I noticed my hair starting to come out with just a simple brushing. About 30 strands on my brush. And while I was out, I felt tingling to my eyebrows so I guess that's starting too. I bought a wig and some scarves in preparation so BRING IT ON!!0 -
Phyl (sometimes I post to you as Erin...???). Yesterday or so I posted a cook book reference GIVEN by cancer centers which is very well done and has very precise tips. What's clear: follow your mood, small meals but more often, drinking preferably between food intake rather than during (less bloating), think "crackers" before eating anything else (in the morning before bkfst for instance). There are great rice crackers, if wheat is not your thing. I am dreading the side effects of the chemo (AC first and then Abraxan) since the center where I'll be treated gave us a huge folder full of booklets about everything you never dreamt of knowing anything about... but i guess, better prepared and then be nicely surprised than the other way around... I understand that I will (already did, in fact) give up my evening dinner glass of cabernet-sauvignon or zinfandel... They also say it is the perfect time to try other food items... I was thinking to prepare more buckwheat kasha (whole grain buckwheat, preferably organic): it is very easy to prepare in boiling water, salt, thyme and 1-2 bayleaf until water is absorbed and grains are fluffy and tender. Then you can eat it with a pat of butter, or low fat milk (like a soup of some sort), with some sauteed veggies on the side... It is extremely rich in minerals (I sure you can google this). Russians often explain that the troops survived during wwII because they had kasha and onions... It is very digestable (I love that stuff).
Preparing a good lean chicken soup or equivalent and freezing portions will be helpful on the worst days -- gives you fluids, proteins and minerals plus some vitamins from carrots, leaks, turnips...).
Well, best to all and enjoy your Sunday,
Hugs,
CatherineH0 -
Sally, how did your first chemo go with the avastin, etc. Are you in the sme clinical trial as me (did you see my post last week?). Hope you are doing reasonably well... Looking forward to hearing from you hare,
CatherineH0 -
Oh Catherine, stop it. that kasha description bout made me barf. LOL And the veggies..........no way. Chicken soup? OK that sounds alright. I had 2 beers after my first chemo tx then the next day one and none since. Hope to be able to have a drink this coming week. DO NOT want this to prevent me from having cocktails with my girlfriends!
Pat laugh out loud at the craving peppers. So far so good on the mouth being OK. Your hair is starting to come out already? I was told 14-18 days. Yikes.
LuLu, good luck tomorrow. Port is a pain in the ass but very doable. Are you getting the one in the chest or arm?
Phyl, I am signing up for the LGFG program too. I did good thru the mast, etc too but I was very shaky going to chemo. My girl friend went with me, we walked into "the ward" and I just lost it. My friend Mary just held onto me saying, "you can do this, you can do this" but the realization that it was ME sitting in that lounger getting hooked up to CHEMOTHERAPY totally freaked me out. To be honest though, it was very uneventful. No weird metal taste, chills, headaches or anything I was expecting. The unknown honey is the worse, as we have all said throughout this whole cruise. I am not drinking as much water as before but I can not stress enough, drink lots the day before, during and after. The nurse told me I would pee red for up to 24 hours but I had so much water in me, I peed that out in about 6 hours.
Goodd luck to everyone on the week coming up. We have lots of you starting this week, so hugs to you....Marsha0 -
Well, marsha, so sorry to make you feel that way... I am a fan of wholegrains and veggies (cooked), but I know how to honor a ribe-eye steak, too... but I'll stay away from fatty stuff because I am afraid it would tax my digestion process... and during "no raw food time" (if bwc count gets too low in spite of Neulasta), I'll stick to chicken and fish for proteins because I like beef rare... or I'll have to think "Beef Stroganoff" , goulash and other stews for thorough cooking...). Well, I stop, don't want you to feel sick... stick to your hamburgers, fries and beer if that's what appeals to you... that's the key...
Hugs,
Catherine0 -
Laugh out loud Catherine......I have now added cheese to my diet. Yesterday the thought of it made me gag. Jeez is this going to go on for 6 months? And smells? Don't gett me started......deisel fumes, choke, choke. And you are right on....whatever appeals at this point is the key. I guess it is the steroid that is making me so hungry? Hugs, Marsha
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Update on my mom: first A/C was last Tuesday. She says she feels like she is pregnant again, mostly queasy in the morning, but as the day goes on she feels better. Worst symptom so far was a bad episode following the senekot she took for constipation....enough said. She is craving salads, but is this a no-no? She too has signed up for the LGFB class, and is waiting to hear if she has a spot the day before the second treatment. It will be close to D-Day for her hair, so a good time to go. As for me, I get the results of my BRCA genetic test tomorrow. Not expecting that I have the mutation, but then again, if I don't, why did we both get diagnosed in the same year? I want a reason. Not sure what I want to hear tomorrow.....peace to you all.
Julie0 -
Well it looks as though I'll be sharing the Feb chemo starters with all of you. Had left breast mastectomy on the 12th of Jan and port in this past Friday. Will see my onc this Wed for exact date but I bet it's sooner than later as he seemed anxious to start. Was just wondering about the ports you all have. Mine is different than I expected. I expected the button effect and had asked the Dr to put it as close to the surface as possible like most here suggested. I have it so far to the side of my right breast it's almost in the cleavage area. Needless to say it's about 2" long and not round like expected. Everytime I move the boobs come together and irritage it. Of course it sits sideways and not up and down which would have been more comfortable. I think all bc surgeons should be women because I think most of these guys don't have a clue how a womans body works.........lol but I do have to admit it's way up at the top. Do most of you have the round button kind or the tube like ones I got? I know mine can be used for blood draws too thank God. Was just curious how all of yours were. I know usually they sit more to the top of the shoulder areas at least that's where my moms was.
Angel0 -
Well, looks like I'll be joining the Feb club also. My first day is 2/22, 4 rounds of TC, 3 weeks apart. I have a couple of wigs picked out from Brian Josephs, which is located in my town. Pat, the owner is a 14 yr BC survivor, and is so upbeat and helpful, I just love her. She's going to shave my head for me and style my wigs.
I have started adding B-6, L-gultine (sp?) to my mix of daily supplements. Also got Biotine mouthwash and visit my dentist next week for a cleaning and hopefully get a crown re-cemented before I start. I have been taking for some time calcium, flaxseed oil, multi-vitamin and drink 2 cans of boost a day. I also have to take monthly Boniva, I'm osteopenia, worried about my bones during all this, I just hope the Boniva keeps it stable. Amything else anyone is adding that helps them? My bathroom counter looks like a drug store...
I'm scared to death and get more nervous each day.
Thanks,
Linda0 -
Also, I'd love to be able to add a picture to my profile, its so nice to see everyone's beautiful faces. How do I do it?
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Hi Linda! Like I mentioned, I got my chemo cut yesterday, so I need to change my pix. It's really pretty easy. Assuming you have you have a digital photo on your PC that you'd like to use -
Log into "My Home" on the board
Select edit under "Personal information, email, password, etc.".
Scroll down to almost the bottom of the page where you can add an avatar
Click "Upload your Avatar"
Click "Browse"
Select the picture from your computer that you would like to add.
There is a limitation on the size of the pix. You may need to edit the photo to be 80x80 pixels. Pretty much any home photo software application will have this option.
If you get stuck, send me a message and I'll be happy to try to help.
Carynn0
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