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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?

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Comments

  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited February 2007
    Leah, ratatouille is one of our (summer) favorites (I cook it like a preserve...), goes with everything, hot or cold... perfect to freeze if you have left-overs. I am not sure about tomatoes, right now, cooked or not... Is it a good thing to eat? I rinse every 2-3 hours with the sea salt+baking soda home-made mouth wash (including at night if I am up), seems to work, and I do not want to "agress" my mouth with acid foods...?? This mouth wash gives me the feeling of being back from the beach after having been underwater and swallowed some (in the English Channel, essentially, my main "sea" experience, very salty and iodized)... a nice feeling...
    Sleep well...
    Catherine
  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited February 2007
    Linnie, I take Ativan only at night, and, so far worked great, but I did not do it last night... I think I'll have one tonight... that would be the 5th pill since Tuesday night (chemo day), apparently, this is not an issue... I did not take anything today, but had more the feeling of a gurgling empty stomach... Try herbal sleep time teas... they may work for you at bedtime...

    Take care, CatherineH
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited February 2007

    Catherine, love the literary side to you, that is exactly what I thought the home-made mouth wash is like! Marsha

  • tampachick
    tampachick Member Posts: 12
    edited February 2007
    Hi,
    Day 3 after my 1st chemo and I am just fatigued, no nausea or headaches and yes I have a bit of irritability. I've been on and off sleeping. Lots of water, normal food. Over all pretty happy. I am taking compazine every 6 hours and ativan at night and it's doing the trick. I even did 15 mins on the bike and 15 mins on the treadmill at the gym (after my nap) For those who are worried about getting pregnant - what are you using? I can't use any hormones so that leaves condoms (forget it), diaphram or sponge?
    Anyone in the same boat?
    Stay strong all!
    Steph
  • nynurse
    nynurse Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2007
    Steph,

    I cant even think about sex right now. Good for you. What treatments are you recieving.. My onc told me that basically after AC treatments I would be infertile. I have a son that is almost 2 now. I went to a fertility speacialist but it would delay my treatment and they want to freeze embryos and I don't want that many children and I felt uneasy with 5 emboyes laying around. I also have polycystic ovarian syndrome as well which made it difficult for me to get preganant in the first place. Do you have any children? What does your onc say. I guess the safest would be condoms at this point.

    Kim
  • freethought
    freethought Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2007
    Glad to hear you all are doing pretty ok! I had the port put in on Tues 2/13 (woke up during the surgery, THAT was fun), horrible night that night and morning (migraine, etc.), chemo on the 14th went ok except for a couple of meltdowns on my part (chest xray showed a spot on my lung they are going to "watch"), some nausea Wed night, and a full blown head cold by Thursday. Still a miserable, soppy, sneezing, runny nose and nauseated mess. And oh yeah, let's not forget the full-blown period and the infection in my lumpectomy boob that turned up on Friday (back on antibiotics!) Is this all preperation for when I lose my hair? Trying to juggle cold meds, anti-nausea, antibiotics and pain meds...my body doesn't know what to do! I wasn't even that good at taking vitamins before this!

    Water tastes metallic, but using lemon and switching with cranberry juice and gatorade seems to help. Also a couple of high protein drinks a day (I can still get down chocolate), since the thought of most other food makes me want to...well, you know. And one of the dogs peed on the carpet. Oh well, more fodder for the book! Ok, I've gritched and moaned....here's to a better week next week!
  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited February 2007
    Sounds like we are all getting through this pretty well so far! I did have some diareaha this afternoon so popped a couple of imodeum pills and so far okay!

    Steph...lubricated condoms plus K-Y. I just went off the birth control pill in November when I switched surgeons. She said it was "feeding" my cancer! My family doc had kept me on it when I started into menopause at age 40 to keep the symptoms light, am 51 now. Have been on bc pills since I was 20. Using condoms for the first time in my life, can you believe that? Oddly haven't had a period since going off the birthc pills. They checked me for pregnancy before my second lumpectomy in Janurary and I'm not pg. I wonder if I'm going to fully stop menestrating now being on chemo.
  • lynne45
    lynne45 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2007

    I'm starting 4 rounds of TC on 2/19. Most of my friends have had AC and I am interested in experiences with TC. I have an IDC a little over 1 cm, node negative ER+. Chemo is recommended because of premenopausal status, family history, and age of my children. I had an oncotype in the "gray area". I heard from one doctor to expect less nausea but more fatigue than with AC. Has anyone found this to be true?

  • lynne45
    lynne45 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2007

    I'm starting TC 2/19. My doctor said plan on 2.5 to 3 hours.

  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited February 2007

    Boy that was weird, we had watched the movie Flicka earlier this evening and I was bawling at the end. Reminded me of my Dad who helped give me my love of horses, yet my Dad was nothing like the guy in the movie! First time I've cried in front of my hubby since this whole cancer thing started back in Sept-Oct. Im guessing it was a combo of things including the chemo that caused this outburst.

  • ErinsGram
    ErinsGram Member Posts: 150
    edited February 2007
    Good Sunday morning all! Sounds like we're all dealing and making the most of the situation. I need some help tho - actually guess I need to see if anyone is experiencing similar - I feel great (well, normal anyhow), good appetite, no change in taste, etc., but I'm still getting up 4-5 times per night to pee. I had been attributing it to drinking more than usual and my body hadn't adjusted to it yet. Took the last of the dexamethasone I was supposed to take Thursday morning so that should be out of my system. I can deal with the 'night calls', but last night, after I got up the last time (around 2:30) and went back to bed, I noticed I felt like I hadn't gone (maybe what overactive bladder feels like??). I don't seem to have a problem this morning - just drank 3 cups of tea and haven't gone yet (but I'm just about ready). No pressure like I felt at 2:30. No painful urination as would be the case with a urinary tract infection. The SE sheet for the decadron lists 'excessive thirst and urination' as a 'call the doctor' thing, but that's probably because of elevated blood sugar for diabetics. I'm not excessively thirsty but I force myself to drink so I've nixed that one. I can call our 'telenurse' system if it gets too bad today and I have a drain appointment tomorrow morning so I can stop by the ONC office after that (also need a sleep aid). I guess what I'd like to know is whether anyone else has had the excessive urination problem at night? Thanks for reading thru this long, drawn out diary of my bladder problems
    ttyl and hope you all have a great Sunday.
  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited February 2007
    Good morning!

    Thanks for all the advice about wierd taste and shakiness. Those symptoms seems to have subsided, but now I have the dreaded bloody nose!

    One food that seems comforting to me is egg drop soup, so we got some from our local chinese restaurant. Here's my fortune:

    "There are no strangers here, only friends you haven't met!"

    This seems an apt way to describe my fellow chemo cruisers!

    Hoping everyone has a good day today.

    -- Hillary
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited February 2007
    Oh Steph, hate to tell you this but I was told hubby should stay away from my body floods the first 48 hours after chemo (toxic to him) and afterwards sex with a condom to protect ME from excess bacteria etc. Something about the body fighting off the sperm??? You should ask your onc about that. GLAD to hear you want sex!!!! Been with my DH for 25 years, and I "want" to want sex but so far just haven't had the body desire just the mental. I am 45 years old so perimenapausal anyway and Jim had a vasectomy last year. This may sound clinical but am mentally working myself up to "doing it" right before my next chemo (feb 28) when I should be feeling close to normal. LOL And by the way, the compozine is taken during the day is what is making you sleepy probably. I got kytril for during the day after complained of being tired on the compazine.

    Freethought, all that and your dog peed on the floor too? Bless your heart. Hope you got someone else to clean that up for you. HAHA

    Lynn, don't know who is doing the TC seems like most of us are A/C.

    Jan, LOL at the crying. Not much of a crier either but can now cry at a commercial.

    Phyl, are you taking anything for sleep. I did the peeing all night long thing too and got a script for restoril that has prevented the waking up all night long. At least you know the toxins are not sitting in your bladder and kidneys!

    Hillary, did the fortune cookie you just opened actually say that????? How cool is that! Glad you didn't have the egg drop soup 10 days ago or I would have had trouble reading about it HAAHAHAHAHAH. Fine now so everyone describe away what you can and cannot eat. I find it very interesting how different the food cravings are.

    Kim, embyos lying around? lol sounds like you would just stuff them in your sock drawer. WOW a two year old, that will keep you from laying around the house during all this.

    OK off to a breakfast birthday with friends. Hope everyone has a good day! Marsha
  • CommandoBarbie
    CommandoBarbie Member Posts: 474
    edited February 2007
    Good morning everyone. Well, tomorrow is a big day for me. SNB and port insertion. I'm still not over my cold, but from talking with the Surgeon's office, if I dont have a "deep chest" cough or fever, we're still a go. It's been a very challenging weekend for me. As I mentioned before, my Rhuematologist stopped my infusions in preperation for chemo. The other arthritis meds were doing a decent job of keeping me out of a flare,and keeping pain just below the surface, but I had to stop those on Thursday for surgery. So, lucky me, I'm now in a full blown flare, barely able to walk. I did manage to get some shopping done yesterday, and pick up the chemo meds. I laughed out loud when the pharmacist was explaining to me when to take what pill. Of all the stuff posted here, I hadnt seen where one needed to be a mathmatical genius to keep track of when to take the meds With all I've heard about chemo brain, it almost sounds like an Oncs idea of a good joke! I'm probably one of very few anxious to get the chemo started as it will put the RA into remission!

    So girls, if I dont talk to you later today, it may be a few days before my next post. So let me send hugs in advance to those scheduled for treatment in the next few days. Take care and smooth sailing.
    Carynn
  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 382
    edited February 2007
    Carynn --

    All the best -- we'll all be holding your virtual hands during the procedure!

    -- Hillary
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited February 2007

    Yes Carynn, we got your hands tomorrow and a big hug to boot! Marsha

  • leahrc
    leahrc Member Posts: 384
    edited February 2007
    I didn't put in whole lot of tomatoes, used Whole Foods canned ones, and I cooked it for almost 2.5 hours. I didn't taste anything acidic at all.. maybe my own homemade addition of carrots sweetened it? Anyway, my onc nurse pooh-poohs the mouth sores as a symptom of AC.. she said there were others where that was a problem, but not AC.
    So eat what you want. I was craving a melange of veggies, and am expecting company tomorrow from a vegetarian so he gets the leftovers!
    Hope you slept well.
    By the way, wig today. Officially day 18. Hair all gone.
  • swimmingmom
    swimmingmom Member Posts: 121
    edited February 2007

    Well round one of chemo is still not agreeing with me. I am terribly nauseated all the time. Then if I take the phenergan I am asleep. So I have two modes right now asleep and ready to puke. Trying so hard to take in fluids and have read the suggestions here. I am suppose to go back to work tomorrow - not sure what I will do. I am getting a little depressed thinking if this is the first round what will the next one be like. I want to cry but I think it will make me throw up!! Karen

  • horsegal
    horsegal Member Posts: 72
    edited February 2007
    Leah -
    First, I'm sorry about your hair! Seems like that is the one SE none of us wants to have! I am day 13 today - and having a tougher time than I thought I would! I heard that usually by day 14 it's all gone, so I keep waiting now for clumps to start coming out - scaring me half to death!!

    I also got my hair cut short - the "transition doo"! Can I ask you - does it like all fall out at once? I think you said you shaved your head. I don't want to shave until the LAST possible moment!! I was just curious as to how it "falls" out - probably like we all are.

    Again, sorry you are having a "Bad Hair Day"!!

    Hugs, Jen
  • linnieva
    linnieva Member Posts: 80
    edited February 2007
    Leah, I'm sorry about your hair. We're all dreading it. When you say "all gone", is it because your DD shaved it? How does your wig feel?

    Jen, I'm on Day 13, too, and the hair thing is starting to make me nervous. Getting it cut tomorrow but still haven't decided on whether or not I should "go all the way" or wait.

    Karen, I'm so sorry you're still feeling ill. Maybe the onc can give you something else to try. My onc swore to me that nausea would NOT be a side effect and they had many ways to deal with it.

    Carynn, All good energy coming from me tomorrow during your 1st treatment.

    Linnie
  • donnabres
    donnabres Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2007
    Hi, I am new to this board, I am starting chemo on Friday. Have been on hormonal treatments for the last 16 months, but had a little progression in my spine, and because of back pain, the dr. decided it was time to get more aggressive. I have mets to the spine, so no surgery, or chemo yet.

    I have not read all the posts yet, but I will. I also don't know how many doses I will be getting yet.

    I am sure that I will learn from all of you. Thankyou in advance. My prayers are with all of you.

    Donna
  • hockeymomfl
    hockeymomfl Member Posts: 73
    edited February 2007
    Good Morning Ladies……
    Nice to hear from all of you.

    Hi Reggio113, Lynne45,
    I am getting TC treatment #2 2/19. My first round I was there at 8.30am and was finished at 1.30pm. Let’s keep in touch to track how we all do.
    Here are the symptoms that another person who had the treatment in September said she got and I also got from round one: fatigue (getting more and more tired after each tmt) She lost her hair day 14. See my experience below. She said she kept her eyelashes and brows throughout tmt, and then lost them about a month after tmt ended. They grew back pretty quickly though. Metallic taste and found her sense of taste was altered (me too). She did get some mouth sores for a few days each cycle, but they didn't last the whole time. (I have not yet) Drippy nose, that lasted for a few months after tmt (I had for the first two weeks). Bone pain (hips and legs) from Neulasta. (Me too). For me it basically felt like I was fighting off the flu.
    Good luck next week.


    Leah, maybe the pill form of Zofran might work better? About the hair, Day 15 I had a few hairs come out if I gently pulled on them. So I went and got the buzz. Here I am day 20 some of the back hair is gone and some of the sides, but I still have a good shadow of hair on top of my head. My head does feel sore though if I rub it.

    Catherine, I love all of your healthy drinks…… I am sure every little helps.

    Freethought, One bonus is that chocolate still tastes good. For my first week or so, chocolate tasted like poison.

    Erinsgram, sorry you are having problems. Might be good to go to your doc to have a urine sample checked.

    Hillary, Vaseline in the nose and a saline spray can help to alleviate the nose bleeds.

    Carynn, Best of luck this week with SNB and port. Prayers and hand holding going out to you. You will do great:)

    Karen, what are you taking for the nausea? I found Zofran to be good. Compazine actually made me feel worse.

    Marsha, Steph, How are you enjoying this cool Florida weather? I love this time of year. Sorry to the ladies up north. I know this is probably not the same for you, but we have to enjoy any cool down we get here in Fla.

    Donna, Welcome to the group. You are in good company here, great, up beat women.

    Have a wonderful Sunday Ladies. Will post next week on how TC number 2 goes. All prayers welcome......
  • wildabouthorses
    wildabouthorses Member Posts: 458
    edited February 2007
    I tried a chocolate brownie last night for the heck of it and it actually tasted really good! But I have to watch it with chocolate as thats another food that can cause my IBS to worsen! Prayers and comfort to those who need it. Feeling a little more fatigued today.

    Marsha I guess we are the biggest crybabies of this cruise huh?
  • lynne45
    lynne45 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2007
    Thanks for the information. I will keep you in my prayers today and as I sit there tomorrow for dose #1. Do you take anything the day before the treatments? My onc gave me a script for a steroid to take today and for the following two days. How did you find it best to cope with the hip pain? I'm concerned about that one, because that's a problem for me anyway. Do they give you the Nuelasta along with the TC tomorrow?

    Thanks again for your response.

    Sharon (lynne 45)
  • Pepper1073
    Pepper1073 Member Posts: 49
    edited February 2007
    Well chemo cruisers I will be starting chemo at 10:00am thursday 2/22. Please extend the virtual hands for support.
    I've got all my meds and am getting very anxious.

    LuLu
  • CommandoBarbie
    CommandoBarbie Member Posts: 474
    edited February 2007
    Name/User Name Loc Chemo Start

    1 Karen swimmingmom Ohio 15-Feb
    2 Hillary narberthmom Southeastern PA 4xT 2 weeks
    3 Marsha marshakb Florida Chemo 2/7
    4 Melody maj01 Texas 2/5 port 2/9 Chemo 4xAC
    5 Phyllis erinsgram Central PA 2/12 4xAC (2 weeks) 4 xP 2 Weeks
    6 Cynthia cynthis1962 California 2/16 - surgery and port
    7 Linnie was Linda #1 linnieva Virginia 2/6 Chemo 4xAC (2 weeks) 4xT
    8 Pat wayover20 Texas Chemo 2/8 big birthday on 2/11 and need for hugs!
    9 Catherine cahterineh Colorado Chemo 2/13
    10 Leah leahrc Massachusetts BX on 1/29 Chemo on 2/1 Our first + thoughts for March Surgery
    11 Linda lindasuzy Seattle 1/29 surgery Chemo late Feb
    12 Kim nynurse NY Start 2/1 (first of the group)
    13 Mary reggio113 South Jersey Port 2/5 Chemo 2/14 Happy Valentines!
    14 Jen horsegal Ohio Chemo 2/6 - 4xAC (3 weeks)
    15 laronson laronson Surgery the week of Feb 5th
    16 LuLu (Linda #3) piper Port 2/12 - Chemo 2/22
    17 Kay kaybeeson Port on 2/5 Chemo 2/13 12 weeks taxol - Then FAC
    18 Terry talbrig13 Altoona, PA MUGA 2/7 Chemo 2/9
    19 (Sheryl49) Sheryl49 Chemo 2/7 4xAC (3 weeks)
    20 Jan wildabouthorses Claremont, OK 4xAC (3 weeks), 4 xT 3 Weeks
    21 Nancy Nancy053 Chemo 2/8 4xAC (2 weeks) 3xT (2 weeks)
    22 Joey85 Boston, MA Chemo 2/9 4xAC (2 weeks) - 12 Wks Taxol 1 Yr Heceptin
    23 Sharon Misspell Chemo 2/19 or 2/22
    24 KimberlyC KimberlyC Ventura County Chemo 2/20 ACIV dose dense x4 - Taxol x4
    25 Julie for Mom (jch) jch Chemo 2/6 AC
    26 Tracy madoline Texas Chemo 2/8 ACx4
    27 Scott and Theresa lightphoto
    28 Carynn comandobarbie Arizona Port 2/19 Chemo 2/22 AC + T
    29 Jel hockeymomfl FL
    30 Lynn maclean
    31 Steph TampaChick
    32 Angel Angel
    33 LindaDK
    34 FreeThought 2/13, Chemo 2/14
    35 ronnee07 15-Feb
    36 Tonimad9
    37 Sallyann
    38 Tropicmom
    39 Lorilat Eastern Ontario Chemo 2/23
    40 Taurie
    41 Alyson Chemo 2/22
    42 Donnabres 2/23
  • CommandoBarbie
    CommandoBarbie Member Posts: 474
    edited February 2007
    Welcome to the February Chemo Cruisers Donna! I know you dont want to be here, but you will find a wealth of information, peace of mind and comfort. I was diagnosed 1/29 and I've learned so much since then, it almost seems a lifetime ago!

    I've added your name and start date to our list. You're starting one day behind me, but I'm certain you'll find others receiving or starting treatment on the same day as you.

    Speaking of which, Lulu, we're not only starting the same day, it's almost the same time! I'm at 10:45. Alyson, we'll be holding your virtual hand too.

    Well, off to watch the race, try to relax and get ready for tomorrow.

    Hugs

    Carynn
  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 796
    edited February 2007

    Karen, you need to call your onc nurse. They can try switching you to another anti-naseau medication. What are you taking now? Hopefully when you get past days 5-6-7 things will improve! Hugs to you, Marsha

  • KimberlyC
    KimberlyC Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2007

    I am very lucky that my insurance is covering Neulasta. The true cost for all 8 shots could be up to $48,000. I only have to pay $100 per shot. I am terrified of picking up the first one at the pharmacy on Wednesday and taking it to the onc though. If something happens to it, I would have to pay for replacement!

  • Primel
    Primel Member Posts: 652
    edited February 2007
    Carynn, good luck with everything and hoping the RA pain will leave you alone. You are a brave lady, and I like your moto... Try to relax as much as you can during treatment, thinking of nice positive things you experienced, it helps I think. We'll be looking forward to hearing from you... wishing you no severe side effects.
    Hugs, CatherineH

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