Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?
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Tipnas-
Thank you for replying about my hair question. My hair is rapidly coming out. I may shave it on Saturday or Sunday.
Thanks again.
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Lynmichel-
I appreciate you responding to my questions about your hair loss. I am having more and more hair falling out. I think I will shave my head on Saturday and start sporting my wig.
Susan
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Bonsye- You and I will be starting chemo on the same day. Are you as afraid as I am? I am anxiious to get started, the sooner it starts, the sooner it ends, but there is just so much to all of this. From the date I was first diagnosed (Sept. 28) until now, I have been overwhelmed about 3 times already. My daughter and I always get up early on Black Friday and go shopping, then to breakfast. This time we are going to start at midnight, shop for a few hours, then eat at IHOP. I am hoping that I will be able to sleep during my treatment since I would have been up all night and may not freak out quite as much during my first treatment. Let me know how you do during your treatments.
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Beth, I could not feel the nurse access my port at all and I did not have the numbing cream. She did recommend that I talk to my doctor about getting it, just in case. The anxiety I had before my first treatment was definitely worse than the treatment itself. Day 2 I am still nauseous and feeling icky, but nothing major. I'm prone to stomach issues anyways with my anxiety and colon issues, so it's hard to say how much is nerves and how much is true chemo.
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Lory48-Thanks for the encouragement about the port. I am not looking forward to getting it placed, but hopefully it will be easier than the alternative. I see so many people mentioning the neulasta shots. Are those automatic? I can't remember for sure, there was so much she talked about, but it seems like the nurse from the oncologist office told me that they would give those if my counts got too low. But in reading these posts, many people say that they are getting them the day after the chemo treatments and it sounds like they get them every time. Can you explain.
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Gamer girl, did you start taking your comp and Zofran right away? I started the same day as chemo and have been alternating them, I feel like I have morning sickness all day. Not terribly bad, but enough to kill my appetite. I hope your chemo fog lifts soon. It's consuming me right now also
We'll get thru this together! 
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Tipnas, no one has told me to take claritan when taking Neulasta. What is the purpose and dosage?
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Well, it's a few hours later and I am still doing as well as I have been all day, which is a blessing. IK have a very white tongue and sore throat...anyone else? If so, what are you doing for It? I do not get the shots and am not scheduled to see the onc until the day before my next chemo (Tuesday, Dec. 6) unless I have an issue, which I am hoping will not happen. Nothing, and I mean, nothing sounds good to eat. I know I should have protein, so ate a bit of ham. Guess I should try something else tonight.
Kim ~ you are absolutely right about the treatment. It truly ended up being a non-event. However, I feel bad for those of you with needle issues and all I can say is just don't look when they are doing that part. I also have colon and stomach issues, so I figure that is why I have been hit with these as I refer to them TOXIC side effects. Just nasty, but hopefully, next week will be better for all of us.
Deb ~ I hate to say it, but I think you are following my path. Hang in there, today was better and I feel like I may live after all! LOL!
Take care and again, if anyone has any ideas on the tongue and sore throat thing...please share!
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Hi All,
Third round of taxol and hercpetin today. I have had minimal SE with this and was told that might be the case. I feel so very fortunate. I was l told I may lose my hair. It is not showing any signs of falling out right now, but is anyone else on this protocol. what happened to your hair and when.
And I do get red/acne face. How lovely at my age (57) but if that is the worst of it, I can tolerate it.
Had my port put in on Wednesday and it made today much easier, but the area is still very sensitive. I am hoping that this passes over the weekend. The numbing cream was wonderful I did begin to cry, knowing the next time I will be back in the OR will be Feb/March for a MX. That surgery is beginoing to really worry me, the psychological SE the most. If I want reconstruction it will be a minimum of 6+ months due to the type of cancer I have, so major worry about wrapping my mind around that one.
Linda,
Thank you for the herceptin link for the package. I will look into that over the weekend.
Round 3 down and 9 more to go.
Hope everyone has a gentle weekend
Nel
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Bahamamom ~ Truly, the treatment was not bad at all. I can say that I had anticipated some drama and there was absolultely none at all. I did doze off after the Benadryl for a little while. I have to say that it was actually pretty boring to sit for all those hours and I didn't experience any pain. I looked around and the majority of patients were reading their Nooks and Kindles the entire time. I did not see any other patient (and I think there were 7 or 8 of us) having any problems. I wish the same for you. Enjoy the shopping and breakfast with your daughter. I honestly believe you will be fine!
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Kim, The claritin is for the bone pain associated with the Neulasta shot. As I understand it, as the shot works the bones expand as they make more white blood cells. When the bone expands it can cause pain. The claritin minimizes this expansion so less pain. The dosage is 1 tablet a day, as they are 24 hour tablets. Take it at least 2 hours before your shot to get the full benefit and for a few days afterward.
linnyhopp, there have been several suggestions on these boards for mouth issues. A baking soda/salt water gargle and rinse, Biotene toothpaste, Biotene mouth rinse, and one that kills bacteria is called "Prevention mouth rinse". It is a zinc/hydrogen peroxide rinse. I didn't get the neulasta shot either and now my white blood counts are very low, neutopenia, I'm having to take a different shot now everyday for 5 days and a antibiotic. So your onc will probably monitor your counts every week.
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Sueshane, I finally gave in and buzzed all my hair off to 1/4 of an inch this evening. It feels so much better, if not a little colder! But no more hair falling out all over the place. I get my wig tomorrow. good luck!
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Kim, as GrandmaV said, the Claritin helps to minimize the bone pain from the Neulasta shot. My onc said to take one the day of the shot and for a few days afterwards. Dosage is 10 mg you can also take generic Loratadine. He also said to take Alleve 2 tabs a day. I did this and had miniimal bone pain. I did have it for a day or two but it was just felt like contractions in my lower back that were intense and would come and go. I felt that it was the Neulasta working and it did because my WCCs were back up yesterday. Hope the nausea eases up soon.
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Linda, glad you're feeling a bit better. I Iost my sense of taste the last time round and it's starting to go again. Did they warn you about yeast infections in your mouth? I got a little pharmacy of meds before I started treatment. They gave me fluconazole for oral thrush and told me to call the office if I developed a white tongue. It might be no harm to call them. I found the Biotene helped a lot but I developed an extremely painful canker on the side of my tongue and I also got a sore throat on the same side. The baking soda/salt water gargle that GrandmaV talks about also helps. I also found a benzocaine past called Orabase at Walgreens and it gave me good relief. This chemo really seems to do a number on our poor mouths!0
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GrandmaV, I hope you start to respond to the meds soon and your neutrophils start to come back up. I agree with you on not wanting not be in hospital and would feel safer at home. My neutrophils went down to 15.4% but I was feeling very tired. I felt better about 2 days after the Neulasta shot and yesterday they were back up to 83%! Glad your feeling good and hoping your counts will be back up by Monday! xoxo0
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Tipnas, Thank you. I have a fear of hospitals. We've had bad experiences with family members going into the hospitals for something, getting infections and having to stay longer because of it and in isolation because they were then infectious. About 3 years ago My mom had broken toes, went to the hospital and ended up there for 2 months because of MRSA and Cdif. Two infections she got at the hospital. It was a nightmare. Not one I care to repeat, so I'm hoping I can get better at home.
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Good morning everyone! I can say that I am feeling so much better today. I have a prescription for a mouth rinse that is used for mouth sores. My appetite has come back and I slept last night for eight straight hours for the first time since my surgery in September. After my first treatment, I didn't think I could do another. Everything I ate tasted like it had a thick layer of oil on it and I was so depressed. I go the day after my treatment for a Neulasta injection. I have started taking my Vitamin D and a multivitamin again. I wish I could feel this way during my whole treatment!
I was told that my hair would come out and it seems like everyone here has been losing theirs. When did you notice your hair coming out? My hair is fine and I can't tell much of a difference. I wash and blow dry it like I always have. My first 4 treatments are Adriamycin and Cytoxan. The last 4 treatments will be Taxol. I don't like the not knowing...will it come out in clumps, will my eyebrows go too? I know ALL of my body hair will be gone. I just want to know how it will go!
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Bahama, the neulasta shot was not mentioned until the day of my first chemo. I think it also depends are you treatment plan, but it seems most gals here get that one or the daily shot. I see a therapist that is a 5 yr BC survivor, she told me that she wished she had that option when she was going through treatment. Mine is just under my collarbone, a hint in so it does not interfere with my bra strap.
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Good morning ladies
Day 15 and still hanging in there. Went for my 10 day checkup and my white blood count was down so I had to go for a series of shots and take an antibiotic. Count is now up so i'm good. Hair hasn't fallen out yet. If I pull on it I get a few stands. Next treatment is Friday. My son has already shaved his head.
Hope everyone is doing good.
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Bethu77- my hair started falling out 17 days after firdt treatment and was gone a month later, I had hair down past my butt, I lost a few eyebrows, a few eye lashes but the 10 or so I have left look great still with mascara LOL, It will just start to all of a sudden fall out in Clumps, and its heartbreaking trust me but Once you notice some coming our do Like I said to everyone else YOU be in contriol YOU decide when it goes...... Do not let the chemo decide...... And always keep tha beautiful smile on your face..... I lost a bit of armpit hair not all of it though, I still have to shave my legs just not as often haha Grrrrr was hoping to be rid of that for a while anyways, also lost a bit of pubic hair, NOT like they said though either..... Ive heard a few friends say they lost all their hair everywhere, My friends daughter who is 26 and battling Leukemia lost it all, mind you she is on chemo 24 hrs a day for 5 days then a 24 hr break then back for 24 hrs a day for the 5 days again.....I have NEORCC3 for the yucky mouth, Nystatin, Mouth Kote spray, and Bioteen toothpaste, Gonna try thr gingerale eveyone is talking about hope that works.... And food YUCK Id rather chew on an SOS pad Im sure It would taste better...... Everything is like cardboard and sawdust...... Im done treatment now as of Thursday, To all you ladies coming up in the home stretch, KEEP ON TRUCKIN.... If I can do it YOU all can do it..... WE GOT THIS.......
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Beth and knebel, I'm at Day 15 and so far I still have my hair. knebel, glad to hear your counts came back up in 5 days. I've had 2 shots (3 more to go) and am on an antibiotic and hoping mine will come back up in the next 3 days.
Terry, Thanks for the pep talk. I really needed it this morning. I was kind of down in the dumps. I had planned on seeing the grandkids today, but my wbc being low, I had to cancel. They're all well now, but have been sick with strep throat, so I thought it best to wait, just in case. I'm not on the home stretch, but needed a reminder that there is an end to this.
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Goodmorning Ladies, I'm glad to wake up every morning to another day, but right now it's interesting to see how we're going to feel. I crashed for about 4 hours yesterday afternoon and slept well last night. This morning I feel queasy and nauseaus. Hopepfully it will pass soon. I've tried what some of you have suggested and have takenthe anti-nausea meds before I eat. I've also lost my taste and my tongue is starting to burn. I've got the magic mouth wash in the fridge just in case! One the plus side we all know this too shall pass and we'll start to feel good again soon.
For the ladies starting to feel better who like tea, my friend gave me a box of tea called Mighty Leaf. It comes in several subtle fruit flavors, even ginger, I think and tasted really goood. I drank it hot. I wish everyone a good day with minimal se's!
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Beth, glad you're feeling better today. I'm on TC. My hair started coming out on day 16 to 17 slowly at first and then in large handfuls which was very messy. I gave in and buzed it all off last night and it's taking a bit of getting used to but feels much better. I've still got my eyebrow and eyelashes and my nether regions appear to have hair too! Like Terry I still have to shave my legs but maybe only about every 4 days.
I tried the t-shirt wrap and it works very well. I think it will be a great option for around the house and it's nice and soft!
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GrandmaV, hang in there. You're definitely doing the right thing by staying away from anyone who's been sick, especially kids. I'm sure it's really hard not being able to see your grandbabies, but hopefully your counts will be up my Monday and your immune system will be strong enough to handle any little bugs that can make us sick when we're low. Then you'll be able to kiss and hug them all you want. Will you get to see them for Thanksgiving?
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Beth- I also have expanders & chemo. The docs did not expect me to need radiation so they never told me pre- BMX that it is advisable to have the exchange before radiation. I was told that there is a post-radiation failure rate of 50%- because of skin damage. So I am now facing the prospect of TE for implant exchange after chemo & before rads. Ugh!
Hang in there- Have a great weekend :-)
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Tipnas, that's a really sweet thing to say. I haven't seen them for over 3 weeks though, because they've been sick, one after the other. I haven't made any plans for thanksgiving day. It all depends on many factors, including their health, my counts, the weather etc. Probably won't do anything on that day. But I keep telling them, we'll make up for it when I'm done with chemo. It really isn't that long. 5 more treatments 3 weeks apart. I'll probably be done some time in February. In the meantime we talk on the phone, I make up little stories in the form of comic strips and e-mail them, and we send pictures back and forth. That will do for now.
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Big Hugs to you grandmaV- I know that feeling I miss seeing kailyn when my counts are low, so she calls me on the phone and we chat like she is 16 and she is only 3 LOL, I saw her yesterday as I had my last neulasta injection so I knew it was safe to see her and hug her lots and give her loads of kisses until I can be around and see her again..... grand babies are the best they bring your spirits up and makee you smile...... You keep your chin up missy LOL
Its Only 5 more, then 4, and before you know it your DONE........ xx 
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I've been fortunate with no mouth sores, etc. My cousin, who has been down this road before and going through a recurrence, highly recommended the glutamine supplement. I have both the powder and the tablets (like the tablets much better but they're big). My oncologist agreed.
I agree that grandkids are the best therapy ever!
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Greetings to All my Brave Fellow Warriors,
I am on Day 5 after 2nd treatment and feeling fairly well, though I did run a fever all day yesterday. This hapened the first time too and they really did not have a good reason to explain it when I reported it on my 2nd visit. Today it is fine though and I feel like I am in the upward swing of the cycle. I too had a meltdown a few days ago. For the most part, I have been keeping it under control and trying to deal with it in an intelligent fashion but while alone, I became so angry and just wanted to break everything in the house. Fortunately, I did not act on that impulse and all windows are in tact. I still struggle with the reason behind my cancer. My partner tells me I will never know "why" for sure and just have to forget about it.
Anyway, I got through my temper tantrum and have moved on once again. For those of you who are nearing the end of chemo, how do they determine that you have had enough treatments? Have you been told you will have scans, tests, etc., at some point during your chemo treatment. My oncologist originally told me 6 treatments, maybe 4 so I am wondering how she will determine that when the time comes. I have done well with my blood work and I do self administer a neulastra shot each time after chemo 24 hours afterwards. I live so remotely that we asked if we could do it at home. So far, my white blood cells are staying fine. I have not noticed any unusual muscle or bone pain. The last time I had muscle spasms in my lower lumbar that lasted just overnight and were gone the next morning. I don't seem to be having the sore dry mouth as much and have not lost my taste buds as much as I did the first time. Looks like I will be enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings.
I am very bald on the back of my scalp now but I have not gotten a buzz cut yet as with a bandana on and a few strands sticking out here and there, I look like I usually do for the most part. My eyebrows are still with me as are my eyelashes though the lashes were never very full anyway. I don't pay too much attention to the other hairless areas. Speaking of those areas, is anyone having any issues down below with burning and itching? I know that chemo kills fast growing cells and that is why the mouth becomes sore and why we lose our hair. Those areas have fast growing cells as does the area down below.
Let's all get this done.
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LynMichel- I am new to the thread & am reading all the previous posts. Love your Emily Dickenson quote. When I was diagnosed my granddaughter made me a shadowbox with that very same quote. It gives me hpe & strenth every day.
{{{HUGS}}}
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