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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
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Happy Sunday Ladies...had my port put in on Friday and all went well except they were 3 hours behind and didn't get home until 9:30 pm...chest is a little sore..Oh,and they put the BP cuff on my right arm, even with an orange bracelet that said "NO BP/LABS in Right arm" My husband was very upset...I was kind of out of it and didn't realize it. Still feeling nausea and it is day 11...next cocktail in on Thursday the 22nd...10:15 am. Having a CT scan and bone scan tomorrow. Just a baseline. Hope everyone is enjoying the race.
Love to all,0 -
Hey ladies...found this on another thread and thought I would bring it here for all us. Just type in your prescription and then view other peoples responses/side effects. Very valuable site for us.
http://www.askapatient.com/
Carynn, I am also gonna copy/paste our list and add it so everytime you bump it it will be there. Marsha0 -
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
good website: www.askapatient.com0 -
Marsha,
I called them this morning and they felt confident that it should be letting by today-no such luck. They are calling me back in the morning to see if I am better. I guess the zofran works the same as Aloxi (sp?) so she did not think it would help. I still feel horrible but have managed to eat a few pieces of toast and 3 popsicles. Funny how I can eat that but liquids make me actually sick. Having some pain too-shooting like in my legs. I guess from the Neulasta.
I don't think I mentioned that while I did make it to the swim meet my son is swimming at state. I would have to drive fours hours on Thursday evening and then the meet is Friday and Sat. The hotel is 30 min from the pool. Initially my DD was going to go with me but can't now. Given how I feel I am not sure I could drive that much. SO now I am faced with not going. Plus it would be in a crowd of thousands (the stands hold 2100 and it is standing room only) Need some advice here. What would you all do?0 -
Karen --
What a tough decision! When is the swim meet relative to your chemo schedule? Will you have an idea by then as to when you're low WBC will be?
I've had a fever all day today (day 6 of AC). It's never gotten above 99.9 (supposedly critical is 100.5), but I've been feeling lousy. Kind of makes the bloody nose seem unimportant.
I had a neulasta shot on Wednesday. Not sure if this is a reactino to the shot OR it's not working ...
-- Hillary0 -
Hi Sharon,
I am similar to your situation. Oncotype score of 19, just in the grey area. They gave me steriods to take tonight and tomorrow morning before treatment.
I get the Neulasta shot the day after. So whatever time I finish TC tomorrow, I will receive the Neulasta the same time on Tuesday. It needs to be given 24 hours after treatment.
For the pain I took extra strenght Tylenol,but they were not great. The Onco said to take ibuprofen i.e. motrin or something like that. But they don't really encourage it unless needed due to the fact that it can cause bleeding.
So she said if I really need it take it.
Best of luck tomorrow. I'll keep you in my prayers also.
Jel0 -
Ok, now I can recreate the crime, since it is done.
On Day 15, my head felt a little sore. No big deal.
On Day 16, my head was SO SORE I couldn't touch it. If I ran my hands through my hair, some strands would come out.
Throughout the day, it seemed more was coming out if I touched it.
On Day 17, the soreness was kind of gone. The hair looked lank. It was kind of messy, and hair was kind of falling out. I also felt that I had enough time to get used to the idea that it was going.
We bought a clipper at Walmart for $13. He did it at 1/2 inch. (there were clippers for each 1/8 of an inch up to an inch).
In retropspect, I should have gone shorter. It sort of itched, and as soon as I touched it, it came out. The good news is that you can sort of tug it at that length.
The hair really is dead, and you are not really hanging on to anything. As soon as you, say, pull your shirt over your head, a whole bunch comes with it. So it is really not attached. That's why I should have gone shorter.
I wore the wig to the mall, and it was fine. Not sure how I really get rid of the rest of the hair underneath, unless it comes out in the shower or stuff like that. What an indignity. I hated it.
Of course, my armpit and leg hair is still there!
This was the worst. I hope you all have a better time of it than I did. Cried a lot. And now my head itches!
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Theresa and I have been lurking about during this thread over the last couple of days and have hesitated to reply. It is just unbelieveable how well she is doing. Theresa is sleeping well, no nausea, no headaches, no tireness, nothing. She is at 11 days (Feb 7)after 1st A/C+T. If there would be any noticeable side effect it MIGHT be a lack of desire for coffee. We understand this is just the first round, but if this the way the full treatment goes....great. We even went sledding in the snow yesterday with a big group from our church, bon fire and all.
We also want to mention that we pray for each of you everyday that God will guide you and heal you.
Have a great week.
Scott0 -
Hello Everyone
It's been some time (day 11) and I'm feeling half human again. Some days I wake up with 100% energy and within a couple of hours - I am so exhausted, I have to take a nap. Luckily I work from home. Fatigue and weakness
has been the most frustrating part. I'm fortunate that I can work my hours of choice (Leah - I work Tech Support for Oracle :-)). I'd like to make it 40 hours..but so far I've only been able to manage 20 hours.
Karen, Hillary I'm so sorry you're still not feeling well. Hang in there. Each day gets a little bit better.
Leah -- After watching the race and reading your update - I decided to go ahead and have DH just go ahead and shave my head. He made it fun!!, joking all the way through it. I think Laughter is the key to getting through all this.
I went for a follow up appt on Wednesday and WBC is very very low that my Onc put me on an antiobiotic for 10 days and I go back tomorrow for another lab work. I had received the Neulasta shot immediately after Chemo - but didn't have the bad aching bone pains/joints that most everyone is having. Does this mean that the Neulasta shot isn't working? I also was given this shot immediately after the chemo, not 24 hours later as it seems the rest of our group is getting. Not sure if the time relavence has anything to do with it. Any thoughts?
Carynn, Lulu, Donna - My thoughts are with you tomorrow or
Tuesday. My prayers are with everyone.
-Melody0 -
Glad to see there are a couple other race fans on the board.
We are season ticket holders for the track here. We usually camp at the track with 10 other couples/families for a week for the two races here. We sold our race tickets this time as I'm afraid I wont be up to camping come April. Still planning on going in November. 
So Melody, did you have a couple minutes with your favorite drivers number shaved into your head?
BTW...it looks like there are also 3 of us that work in IT. I'm an IT Manager working with our Linux, Windows & Mainframe teams.
Thanks everybody for your good wishes for tomorrow. I'm most anxious to see if I end up with drains as everyone says that part is the worst. Plus, I use my hot tub every night for the arthritis, and I know that will be off limits for some time.
Take care everybody. Talk to you in a few days.
Carynn0 -
Thanks for the updated list. I had my first chemo last Tues. Getting ready for second dose of Taxol day after tomorrow. Visited the website and typed in my drug and was really freaked out. Others say Taxol is worse than A/C. So far my side effects have been indigestion and constipation. Many speak of neuropathy. I guess that will come with more doses. Sometimes I think 'ignorance is bliss'.
My first visit for chemo was disturbing in that the woman using my port for the first time, tried to draw blood without flushing it. Then said, "oh I'm sorry, thought you were here yesterday". This was the first time my port was used. Didn't seem to do any harm thank goodness. I am not such a good sport about incompetance. I have been through too much to get the port for someone to mess it up because they have me mixed up with some other patient. Oh well, I am trying to have happy, peaceful thoughts and not get upset about such things. But we deserve the best care. I am not as fortunate as some of you in that I am not at a cancer center. I get chemo at the onc.'s office and I am not sure of the credetials of the people giving treatment. As one doctor friend told me, "you have to quit worrying about every little thing and just trust God to take care of you". I was questioning the fact that nurses are mixing my chemo and wondering if they really know what they are doing. This is quite humorous, as I am a registered nurse myself. Oh well, I am rambling. God bless you all.0 -
Theresa & Scott, Please folks don't hesitate to reply. A support group wants the good the bad and the ugly! I, too, have had a really easy time of it. Lucky me so far. When someone comes on here and says they are doing great, that makes me feel great. If someone is having a bad time of it I want them to know I am here for them. Please don't feel guilty that you've done well!!!!! Everyone here is thrilled) Hugs, Marsha 0
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Oh Kay! I'm sorry, I didn't look at the chemo stuff! ALL kinds of things I don't want put in my brain. So so sorry. I posted that to look up sleeping, anxiety, anti-naseau etc but didn't even think about looking up the "cocktail".
YIKES Marsha 0 -
Hey Marsha, thanks for the link. Leave it to me to go straight to chemo drugs. Yes, you are right. That site isquite helpful for nausea drugs etc. Like my husband said, "the people who take Taxol and don't have problems are not posting on website". I was just looking for info on Taxol, as it seems I am one of the only ones getting the Taxol first. Don't apologize at all. I really appreciate you. You have given me so much good information and it certainly isn't your fault I got freaked out. I am torn between wanting to know what to expect and being alarmed when folks talk about permanent joint damage and neuropathy. Anyone have anything positive to tell me about Taxol? Love all you fellow travelers and never, never apologize for anything.
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Hillary, I had my Neulasta shot on Wed. morning, too, and sice Friday afternoon, feel like I am battling a cold... or side effects?. My temperature was 99.6 before dinner, but I was fairly active today, my normal walk, then I "felt like" vacuuming the house (very small house, mind you)... are my periods around the corner (I get frantic with house cleaning before my periods...). This got me fairly tired, I must say, took a good hot shower to breathe easier and soothe my "war wounds", and then... bang... felt really crummy. Did not prevent me from poaching a nice piece of King salmon and fix some curried spinach and left-over mashed potatoes... and I am feeling a bit better now (with a headache, though...). I may go to the onc office tomorrow to make sure nothing sinister is brewing... I can't wait to take the Ativan and crash for the night... I noticed that my stomach feels a bit more funny (I did not take the 'day" anti-nausea, Kytrill was prescribed "if needed"...) Chewing peppermint gum helps me...
Wish you to feel better soon, looks like we developped the same bug (or SE?)... let us know how you're doing tomorrow.
Big hugs to all for a good night, and thinking of those of you undergoing some procedure or treatment tomorrow.
CatherineH0 -
Carynn, I kept the drains 15 full days... I found this part much easier than expected and it did not gross me out. In fact those drains are really ingenious little things, well designed. The nurse will show you how to handle them. Don't worry about that part... not worth it,
Good luck with everything,
CatherineH (as a translator, I do a lot of IT work, too, mostly in medical applications -- DICOM, etc. for imaging transfers)0 -
Hi everyone! I just want you all to know that you can do this! I started chemo in October 06 and thought there is no way I can get through it. But I did, and I am glad to say that tomorrow, (Mon, 19) is my LAST CHEMO!!! It was tough and even on my crappiest days I pulled through. It went faster than I thought it would. Good luck to all of you and take care.
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Good luck Carynn--I'll hope for no drains for you, but don't worry about it/them if it does happen. I had mine for 3 weeks...a little bothersome, painful, and inconvenient, but completely doable.
Leah---thanks for blow by blow...I'm only 5 days out, and already my hair feels drier...not good news though on the armpit and leg hair! Since I hadn't gotten out to buy an electric shaver for my 1 pit, I decided to do the European experiment (not that tough in the cold of winter, especially when you feel lousy)...I may break down and have to shave!0 -
Melody,
The neulasta website is explicit that the shot should be given 24 hours after chemo. Also, this week where I was "late" due to the IV fiasco, they moved my neulasta appt on Friday to an hour later. They seem pretty religious about the 24 hour rule.
Oracle tech support- now there's a job!
Glad you and DH could have a good experience over this. I think in retrospect it was better than having a hairdresser, in the comfort of my own home. Hubby had some emotions of his own, but he did well.0 -
Good morning Fellow Chemo Cruisers --
What a difference a day makes -- it's day 7 after AC treatment and I feel so much better! Fever broke last night, no nauseau, no wierd taste in my mouth! I can deal with the runny, slightly bloody nose if that's all I've got. Good thing I'm feeling better, as ds is off from school and dh is at work!
My thoughts are out to Caryn today -- anyone else have a treatment this week?
-- Hillary
P.S. Marsha -- my listing needs to be corrected to ACX4 (every two weeks), TX4 (every two weeks)0 -
Feeling a bit under the weather today, seemed to have caught my hubby's cold/cough!
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Hi all. Well, I am on way to start the cruise. Unfortunately, I am now stage IV, but we will just ignore that for now. I got my port in Friday, what a nightmare. Waited three hours in hospital for them to get it together.
Done now, hurt like h*** all day Saturday, but not too bd now- itchy!
Meeting with onc again WEdnesday am and he will tell me my exact ticket for the cruise. He was pretty sure it was going to be Taxol and Herceptin, bc of the mets, but he was going to do more research and see what all will be the best. He could not give an end date for my cruise, I might be cruisin for a looonng time. So cheerleaders, please pray for some good tumor remission so I can get off this boat asap.
Thanks for letting me join in and lets hope we can dump this stuff off waayy out in the sea so it never comes back0 -
the best to you "tropicmom", we are all here for one another, and we all try hard to send positive vibes to push this cruise ship forward, smoothly, and with some humor notes when we can (Marsha is our captain, here, in that regard)...
CatherineH0 -
I nominate Marsha for Captain...Kangaroo that is!
Feeling alot better than this morning, went back to bed for awhile after hubby left for work and slept.
hHad the oddest sensation last night after shampooing my hair. Felt like all the hair holes/follicales were burning a bit!
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Good Monday afternoon FCCs. Best of luck to all having (or had) a tx today.
Karen - I sure hope you feel better soon.
Hillary - very glad to hear the spell finally broke.
Leah - thanks for the blow by blow account on the hair. It really helps to know what to expect. Are we gonna lose 'all' our body hair??
Scott & Theresa - sounds like you had a wonderful weekend - that had to feel great!
Melody, Leah and Carynn - I need to join the IT gurus - I head up the mainframe team. (Also a race fan - I'm waiting to watch Ward again
Tropicmom - we certainly enjoy your company on the cruise, but we'll make sure you get kicked off at Porto NoMoreCancer!
Got Cipro for a UTI today and also Ambien CR to make me sleep. Think I may just doze off now.
Hugs to all!
Phyl0 -
Hi Ladies,
Just back from TC treatment number 2.
When I got treatment number 1, I had a reaction to the Taxotere, normal they said as it is a highly allegenic drug. They stopped the transfusion and gave me steriods, saline etc and it went fine after that.
In prep for today's transfusion I took 3 steriod tabs last night, 3 this morning, Then had more steriods at the onc office, zofran, benedryl and then they started the Taxotere. Well within a minute I had a worse reaction than the last time. My neck, face and ears went bright red and I could not breath well. They stopped it and immediately my color started to go down. They gave me more steriods and saline and said that they would stop for the day and the Onc will revisit my situation on Wednesday.
For those of you taking Taxotere, don't be alarmed the nurse said I was only the second person to have this reaction on the second treatment. This is not the standard reaction. So please don't be concerned, I just wanted to share that it is ok if you get a reaction on the first treatment and they can fix it right there and then.
I so wanted to get this over and done with. Now I have to wait to see what next.
Best of luck to all of you taking treatment this week.
G.I. Jel.0 -
Went in today and had a liter of saline IV and some more meds, home, slept then finally ate dinner. Lost 5 lbs since thursday. I am already a wreck worrying what will happen next time. Anyone know anything about acupuncture for nausea?
Decided to go up late but will drive to my son's state swim meet with my DD.0 -
Just to let you know - I talked last night to a gal that called me, thru some kind of reach out program here. They got my name when I called to sign up for the Look Good Feel Better course. She mentioned getting acupuncture and I asked her all about it. I have heard about the benefits and wanted more info -
First, I have to admit that my horse was having some issues with his back legs awhile back. I had 2 different vets look at him, had some tests done - but still no results. I had heard about this acupuncture lady - so I called her. First visit, she told me my horse's issue was in his neck of all places! She told me to get it xrayed before we started any treatment to be sure. Sure enough, exactly where she said his issues were, they WERE! Within 3 treatments, my horse had no more issues, and a year later - STILL FINE! How about that!?!?!
So, when this gal told me about her experience with acupuncture, I was a believer! She said no nausea, AND no fatigue! She felt so energized when she left, it was amazing!
So, I think I would check it out --
OH, and today is Day 14 for me - and if I run my hands thru my hair - I now am getting small clumps of hair!! OMG! I was so hoping for a few more days! A little nervous what tomorrow may bring --
Take care all and I hope everyone sleeps well!
Jen
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Dear Trish,
I clicked on your link to your jounal and WOW!! It was so touching, I cried through parts of it. Laughted alot too. I have been thinking I need to journal through this experience. I am on AOL (skbee2@aol.ocm - all feel free to email me anytime.) I will be having my second chemo tomorrow. I will have 12 weeks of Taxol followed by A/C x 4 doses. So far side effects are mostly fatigue and g.i. upset. Congratulations on finishing chemo, Trish. I hope you are back to normal soon. Thanks for the lovely journal. You are a blessing.
To all my fellow Feb.chemo cruisers: you are in my thoughts and prayers. I think of all of you often. Spent most of today sleeping. Not feeling great, but trying to keep going. I have to admit, I hate cancer and all that we must go through. I went through 7 years of ovarian cancer with my Mom, three different 12 month rounds of chemo. My goodness I have a new respect for her. She lost her battle finally, but man I thought at the time she whined alot. Now I wonder why she didn't whine more.LOL. God bless all of you. Love, Kay Beeson0 -
Ahoy to my fellow Cruisers,
Here I am 12 days post A/C, due for #2 treatment March first. Have been feeling really good for about a week, out walking more, feeling more normal.
But I had fever today and seem to have a cellulitis in my operated breast (left mast. w/ tram flap repair on 12/12). I'll have to call ps first thing in the morning to get antibiotics. I guess my white count is probably too low, not due for labs until Thursday. Has anybody else had an infection post chemo, other than urinary?
Has anybody on our board had the tram flap done? I've been having some issues with it, and would love to talk to someone familiar with it.
Thanks Marsha for keeping the "Crew List" straight for us. It helps so much to remember everyone.
Hugs to all.....Tracy0
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