2010 Sisters
Comments
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Aw Kristy!!! {{{HUGS}}} You can do it and we will be holding your cyber hand and giving you all the hugs you need. Welcome CEC to the place no one wants to come. AmyJo I am glad you are getting the rads, that should help with your pain.
i Cheryl, Janet and Tina, missed you all. I have been AWOL in Boston all week where the stupid hotel wanted TWENTY $ a day for internet!!. No WAY!
While I was in Boston, I had dinner with Redsoxfan last night! What a delight! Maureen is so nice! We were rads buddies and I felt like we had known each other since grade school. Here is a pic:
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awwwwww Kristy....in a way im happy they are rushing you in because the sooner you go in the faster you are done with this crap.there will be many Thanksgivings where you will be better then ever.You know what the sistas say YOU DONT HAVE TO LIKE IT YOU JUST HAVE TO SHOW UP.
IM PRAYIN FOR YOU.
hugggggggggggggggs
k
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Thank you Barbra and Granny. Im expecting to be here on these boards alot.
1 thing, Im not sure if I am getting steroids.... there will be meds administered during chemo, and an anti nausea med to take when I get to the hospital and for 2 days after, and of course I made him give me my xanax. LOL. then the nulasta shot the next day. If my chemo is on a Friday, I hope someone is there to give me the shot on saturday. I AINT doing that my damn self.
Tell me, those who get steroids, do they give you pills to take? or will this be at time of infusion?
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Keep forgetting to add to list of favs, and I cant seem to do it without posting. So Im adding it now.
Haha, almost hit submit without checking the box.... chemo brain already??? lol
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sweet- if you do need to do the shot yourself it is very easy, smallest needle around, can barely feel it going in, same with the injection, no burning, no biggie! Good luck as you begin treatment. I'm half way through chemo (TAC).
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I cant do it myself, my boyfriend better pay attention, because he will be the one sticking me. (If necessary)
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Sweetaerobabe: I am new to this thread so hello! I have steroids the night before tx, the morning of by tablet. My onc gave me the script. The dose is quite high and they give me another in my infusion. Then, for 6 days after, I have a smaller dose that decreases by the day to wean me off. Apparently it's not good to come off them quickly. I am halfway through 4 x TC. I know what you mean by being overwhelmed after all the info. You know it's coming but BAM, it's there and it starts so quickly. I tried to schedule mine around an important event coming up next week which meant I was given the option of starting the next day or in 3 weeks. Looking back on it I wish I had taken the quicker option. Waiting was way worse than the actual chemo. Happy to answer any questions for you too.
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Must be psychic, Barbara. I checked in 4 minutes after you posted. (And it's taken that long to write this.)
Ladies, it was my pleasure to meet BarbaraA, who is as generous and lovely a spirit in person as she has been on these boards. For me, meeting Barbara, who's shared the bc experience, was a gift of a special type of intimacy, immediate, understanding, and soothing, more so because of the common bond of bco (starting with June rads group). Facing mortality. Fearing you'll lose your life. Fighting to save your life. Hoping the treatment will do the trick. Accepting that you will die--someday of something. The challenges of family issues. The world keeps spinning. The experience of bc is so life-changing and so similar, no matter where we come from... Last evening, we had cocktails and ate and talked and laughed, but because of bco it was more than that. For me, it was a very special evening.
Thank you for all your support through this, Barbara. (Beginning with the tip about emu oil.) I admire your constancy, and generositiy, and dedication to the ladies here.
And thank you to all of my 2010 Sisters for sharing and supporting and teaching and comforting all of us, posters and lurkers alike. You're each and every one of you great.
God bless us all.
PS Hang in there, Kristy. One day at a time.
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Mumorange, Ill have to call the office tomorrow and ask about the steroids. I dont know what they called in for me. Thank you.
Kristy
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It's worth noting that I am in Australia so the drugs etc may be different. I am on the October Chemo board and not many of those girls have been on the same steroid plan as I have.
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Good to know, but I will ask anyway. Not that I want the weight gain they cause, but if it somehow helps, I'll deal with it.
Kristy
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sweetaerobabe I know how you feel. I remember going to see my port surgeon for the first time on a Wednesday… When I left I had my port surgery scheduled for the Monday and chemo was going to be the same Monday or the next day. I didn't know they were going to do things that fast.
My steroid plan is different from my down under twin (mumorange and I were separated at birth but that's another story). I take steroids the night before, morning of and night of chemo only. To be honest I wish I was taking them just a couple days more because I bloat something awful once I go off them. I dont' seem to have any SE from the steroids like others do. I don't even have trouble falling asleep.
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Mumorange have fun at the concert!
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I get steroids the before, day of, and day after. They make me a bit hyper but otherwise I don't notice much. I haven't had weight gain or bloating. Sounds like you'll be getting emmend, an anti nausea med for the two days after chemo. You may want to ask about emla cream (lidocaine & prilocaine) to put on the port before treatments. It numbs the site. It's a whirlwind. I still sometimes feel like it's not really me going through this and get a little surprise when I see a bald chick in the mirror!
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Adey I know what you mean about forgetting. Today I was in a shop I've been visiting since the late 90's. The owner said to me today "I love your scarf". I forgot I had no hair and was wearing it.
BTW I forgot to use the emla cream on my port last time so they had to access it without numbing it. It was as painful as getting an IV in the arm… not painful at all. Had I know I might not of even filled the prescription.
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Yes Adey, I am getting Emmend. Not sure what else besides that any my xanax. Oh, wait, Ill also be getting Compazine. I'll find out what else when i get to the pharmacy.
Lago, what exactly are the steriods for?
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True Lago, what's a needle stick after all! (c: And that cold spray stuff sucks. I'm going to the opera tomorrow and just can't imagine wearing one of my wigs. I think I'll buy a pretty new scarf.
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sweet--things always seem to happen so fast in the beginning. Good idea to change plans for Thanksgiving--let someone else do the cooking! I always had steroids in my infusion, along with Zofran (anti-nausea). Then I had to take them both by pill for the next 3 days. I also took Emend, and had Compazine "just in case". The steroids usually kept me awake the first night, but it was nice to have the extra energy during the day! Sometimes the steroids are used for nausea, and sometimes to prevent allergic reactions, and, I suppose, sometimes both! I always recommend the Emla cream. Getting the port accessed usually hurts me without it, but not everyone (like Lago) is bothered by it. if you do get the cream, put it on an hour ahead of time, use a big blob and don't rub it in, and cover it with Saran Wrap, or Glad PressN Seal.
Barbara and Redsox--that is so cool that you had a chance to get together! Nice picture!
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I was told I would get the spray to numb me before they insert the needle. I hope it works, Im sure I will be hurting already from the port. If not, I will ask for the cream. I have no insurance, so I pay cash for most meds.
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Barbara & Redsox - you guys look like you're on the TV set of "Cheers"
:) That's really nice that you met together!Sweet - wishing you the best as you start treatment! You'll have to make your bf another one of those baskets for giving you injections
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cec 1970--BIG HUG TO YOU!!!
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sweetaerobabe - I take steroid pills the night before, the morning before and then a bit more in the infusion. My dose is 20mg at night, 20mg in the morning and 10mg in the infusion of dexamethasone. I think the steroids are primarily used to prevent a reaction to the taxotere (the T in TCH).0
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Janetinvirginia,
I cant afford another basket after paying for my oncologist! lol
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sweetaerobabe The steriod: Decadron is an anti-inflammatory. I thought it was to reduce fluid retention but actually it can cause swelling in ankles & feet. Odd since I get that swelling after I stop taking the drug.
I also take Zyertec, Protnix, Emend and Neulasta. Be sure to let the Neulasta sit out for 1/2 hour (according to the directions) so it gets to room temperature. If you don't it will burn a bit when injected. My husband gives me mine… no problems.I also have Lorazepam (anxiety) Compazine (nausea) and Vicoden but haven't had to use any of it.
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Adey have you found a good source for square cotton scarves that aren't too pricey? I like darker jewel colors but I mostly see light pastel stuff. My favorite scarf I bought at Marshals for $14. When I searched forthe brand online it was $60!
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Lago - Yes, the taxotere can cause fluid retention. I think it does even with the steroids cumulatively, is that your understanding?0
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I think I heard someone mention Decadron.... its all a blur.
I see people mention Claritan, they mean the sinus med? What does that do? and the benadryl?
Sorry for all the questions.
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I guess I better go to youtube and find out how to tie a scarf.
Kristy
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sweetaerobabe Claritin is supposed to reduce the effects of the neulasta shot. I'm on Zyrtec so I didn't even ask if I could take Claritin because they are similar. Zyrtec also reduces allergic reactions like hives etc. I know Claritin does too.
I get benadryl as part of my infustion. It too reduces allergic reactions.
BTW an easy way to put on a scarf - I just gather it behind my head and use one of those non tangle elastics to tie it up. Just like you would a pony tail.
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Omaz I'm not sure that's my "understanding" but it's my reality. This time I gained 5lbs in fluid in 2 days. but then lost it in 2 days.0 -
Sweet--Decadron is the brand name for dexamethasone (steroid). When I got it for Taxol it was for allergic reactions, when I got it with other chemos it was for nausea--so it has many uses. It also helped with my arthritis pain and seasonal allergies! Depending on the chemo, you get benedryl also to avoid an allergic reaction. I got it with Taxol, because Taxol often causes an allergic reaction. Claritan is recommended by some to help with the bone pain that Neulasta can cause. You take it before getting the shot, some say to take an Aleve with it also. My pain was controlled by alternating ibuprofen and tylenol, but that doesn't work for everyone. I would suggest, at the very least taking some type of otc pain med before the shot. Maybe others will tell you what worked for them.0
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I take Aleve and it helps with the pain from Neulasta. First time around my back pain was so bad I couldn't stand up straight for 2 days.
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Sweet - I would also suggest getting a notebook and write down things. It helps.0
