Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?
Comments
-
Quaatsi I'm surprised you're doing the taxol every week. Isn't that the hardcore chemo? I'm on it every 3 weeks, with the herceptin every week for the HER2+. That worries me for you, because of it's strong effects. Sorry, don't mean to alarm. Could be I misunderstand.
Gabapentin is working on my bad, bad leg pains, but not enough, so I'm on oxycodone and morphine (which I'm avoiding still), and if that fails, some hydrocodone. The doc doesn't like me on the hydrocodone because of the acetaminophin masking infection symptoms, but it's the most effective pain med for me for my SEs and my bad arthritis on top of it.
Still, I count today as a good day. No nausea!!! No trips to the hospital or infusion center for supplements. THings are looking a lot better on my second trip around the chemo bend.
0 -
Has anyone experienced their fingertips burning? Mine feel like I have touched a hot pan! I had a treatment on Tuesday and my Neulasta injection on Wednesday. The depression didn't lift this time. I am going to let the doctor know the Prednisone didn't work for the depression. I spent most of the weekend crying again. I don't like spending my days crying. Everyone tells me this will be over soon and I know it will but that doesn't help me when all I can do is cry.
I haven't gone back to work full time and don't know that I could handle it with everything else that is going on. I get a fill in my expanders this week. If I had known I would need chemo, I would not have had reconstruction. When I get through this, I may feel better about my decision...
Is anyone else going through some strong depression?
0 -
Beth, it's ok to cry. I know you don't like it, but if that's one of your side effects from the chemo, then the only thing you can do is try to manage it the best you can. As far as I can tell that's what you're doing. You're a strong, courageous woman. You'll get through it and it is temporary, but sometimes knowing that doesn't help the side effect when you're in the midst of it. I can't say I have strong depression, but I have had days when I cry and think I just can't do it anymore. I wish I knew what would help you manage this side effect. Maybe some of the others here will be able to tell you what medication they take for depression. I hope your doctor will be able to prescribe something for you. I have no doubt that you will feel better about your decision for reconstruction once chemo is over. It's just so overwhelming right now, with all you're going through.
0 -
beth, there were days when i was getting chemo that i thought i couldn't go on and told myself that i wouldn't do it anymore. by the third week, though, i'd forgotten how bad i'd felt. i cried and cried during those days and kept telling myself that it WOULD be over. and it was!! talk to your onco and hopefully, you can get some medical relief. good luck to you!0
-
Hi first I just want to say Thanks! I found your chat room this week when I was desperately looking for fhe courage to shaveoff my hair that was coming out in handfuls and hurt my scalp something terrible! Reading your posts helped soooo..much! Even after 2 surgeries and one chemo treatment done, for the firsf time, my appearance was going to say "i have cancer" and i wasnt ready for that, espeially at work. But i did it - my sister shaved it to a crew cut and I went to work. It was really difficult but Im glad i did.I go in for my second dose of t&c on Tues. Does anyone have any foods that really helped for nausea?after my first chemo I took the meds and i felt ok, but totally out of it. I would like not take so much nausea medication - any ideas?
0 -
JTT, there's information about how to manage those feelings of nausea on the main Breastcancer.org site that may help you. Click here to read the article, and I'm sure other members will add their own suggestions.
Judith and the Mods
0 -
This can all be so overwhelming...this morning I am going to my friend to get my head shaved....I was emotional last night trying to hide my tears but boy is my head killing me! I think this morning I am thankful to help with the scalp pain. I couldn't lean on my head sitting back in a chair-took some pain meds and it was much better. Rocking a scarf on my head today....
0 -
Beth, my fingers also feel like they are on fire and tender. I am using lotions to massage my hands and got some B6. I read that the neuropathy (sp) can be helped with these measures. I too go through the crying spells, despite the antidepressants I am on. We are all strong ladies, with so much on our plates and hearts. We all need to cry to get it out, we are not weak, we are fighters!!0
-
JTT, welcome to our group. Many of us have found that ginger in just about any form helps tremendously with nausea. I personally like Canada Dry ginger ale and ginger snaps. I also take a ginger root capsule 3 days before, day of, and 3 days after a treatment, with my Onco's blessing. Our cancer center participated in a study about the use of ginger root for nausea with Chemo and found it can cut nausea by up to 40%. It helps me a lot. I can't remember who recommended ginger chews found at most health food stores, but I plan on trying that too.
0 -
Bonseye - I hope you will feel immediate relief with shaving your head - my pain was almost completely gone as soon as we finished my head (I have about 1/8 inch left), and it only hurts when I wear my wig because it is really tight. My scarf doesn't hurt at all. It was really overwhelming, but I stopped crying as soon as it was off! Good luck & let us know how it goes!
0 -
GrandmavV- Thanks for the ginger tip - I will ask my onco about the ginger root capsule & stock up on ginger ale & snaps. I have gone shopping for english muffins, toast, rice and crackers. I am ready for chemo no. 2 . . .
0 -
JTT, I agree with Grandma V-Ginger in any form is helpful! I found some Ginger gum at CVS that I chew whenever I feel the first hint of queasiness. I also purchased Sea Bands at CVS. They are wristbands that help with nausea by using pressure points. I will say that my first treatment was much worse than my second one as far as nausea goes. Wishing you an uneventful round #2!!!
0 -
Hello, I have just been diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in November and have my first meeting with an oncologist Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. Would like to know how you are doing with your chemo? I've been very lucky in that a wonderful lady from Reach to Recovery, a program sponsored by the American Cancer Society, contacted me and gave me a lot of literature as well as comforting gifts she and her fellow cancer friends had made. She also introduced me to a group of women at a Cancer Support Community Center in my area where there was a networking meeting being held. All good, but I find myself overwhelmed with information and scared of what's ahead. Any suggestions?
0 -
Hi to All~ Well, it's day 7 past chemo #2 and for some reason I still can't get past the feeling that nothing tastes good and food turns me off? Have any of you experienced this and if so, how did you talk yourself into food being appealing again? The nausea isn't as bad, it's just the feeling that I can't even think of swallowing food. Even my usual drinks sound yucky. Sorry to whine, but I am almost getting to the point that I could just try and sleep until the next round. I don't feel depressed, just defeated. My little dog, Gracie, doesn't mind cause she is getting treats that she never got fed before. I guess that is her silver lining! Take care. Linda
0 -
Reeds Ginger Chews are awesome for nausea! www.reedsinc.com. You can see where they are sold in your area. I bought them in a boutique in a cancer institute. Highly recommend them! They even come in peanut butter
.
Feel better everyone0 -
Bonseye ~ Thanks, I will look and see if they are sold anywhere in the San Diego area. I just wish something sounded appealing/tolerable to eat or drink.0
-
Thanks for all the support about side effects and hanging in there. I know this is a temporary situation and I have gone through a lot so far. I got a call from the doctor and they are going to wait until tomorrow for a blood test. She thinks I am having side effects from the steroids. I want to not take them but that is not an option right now.
Linda--I am 6 days past treatment and have the film and sores in my mouth. My husband took me shopping and I bought everything that I might possibly want to eat this week. I had a sweet potato with the pure coconut oil and brown sugar. It didn't taste too bad. It's so hard to be starving and not able to eat. Hopefully, your appetite will come back soon.
The ginger ale is wonderful. I am going to look for the ginger gum at our CVS.
0 -
alameda, Welcome to our group. To start with, Chemo isn't as bad as I had imagined, that being said, it does produce side effects, most of which are manageable with diet, medicine, rest, and exercise. It's not fun, but I think most of the women here will tell you, it is doable. It depends on your chemo regimen, as to what side effects are worse than others and also each person is different. What is a bad side effect for one person, is not so bad for someone else. At any rate, the waiting and anticipation that builds up before your first tx is very difficult and most of us found it was actually one of the worst parts of our journey. As far as being overwhelmed, that feeling comes and goes, depending on what you're going through at the time. Being in support groups is definitely the best way to cope. Either here, or locally, or both. It helps to know you 're not alone and have plenty of support. When you're first diagnosed you are bombarded with a lot of information. I suggest concentrating on the phase you're in at the time. If you're facing surgery first, concentrate on digesting that info. When you get to chemo, concentrate on that, radiation, etc.Take it one step at a time. May I ask if you've had your surgery, yet? Some have surgery first, others have chemo first, depending on many factors. Please feel free to ask questions. Someone here will know the answer, or at least be able to point you to the place to find the answer. The ladies here are all very knowledgeable and ready and willing to help if they can. Thank you for joining us. We look forward to your future posts.0
-
linnyhopp, For me, I think the no appetite and food tasting bad and can't tolerate liquid is nausea. This last round of chemo, whenever that feeling was at it's worst, I took a compazine or if I could manage it, gingerale. I still had that feeling, but it was considerably less. I read somewhere, I can't remember where, that some women can't tell when they have chemo nausea and so I thought maybe that's what I have. It's worth a try. I hope this helps you, because it is so miserable to know you need to eat and drink, but just can't do it.
0 -
GrandmaV ~ I just had the same thought about it possibly being nausea and decided to take a Zofran. When I read your post it reinforced the idea, so thanks. I will see if this works. The weird thing is that I am craving Fritos (and trust me, that's not something I even eat). Crazy, huh? I am almost desperate enough to ask my husband to bring some home with him tonight!0
-
linnyhopp, I would. I've had many different cravings, so that's what I eat, unless I think it will aggrevate the Big D or make me cramp.0
-
Linnyhopp, I've had weird cravings also! I can't eat anything I normally would, so I end up eating a bowl of Baked Lays potato chips or sherbet. I figure whatever I can get down is better than nothing at all! Having an empty stomach can also make nausea worse.
0 -
GrandmaV & Kim137 ~ Thanks for the encouragement to just eat whatever I can. On Saturday night I had my DH bring home a McDonald's cheeseburger and he was flipping out that I would eat that and it didn't bother me. I have never been pregnant, but maybe this eating issue is something like the cravings you get during that time in your life. At least that's what one of my good friends told me. I guess I will just go with whatever works and hope this yucky feeling passes SOON! I know it's not good to eat junk food, but something in the stomach is better than nothing I guess.0
-
Alameda, I too was diagnosed with triple negative in late Oct, I haven't had surgery yet, had one dose of AC, 2nd round is tomorrow, then 2 more, plus 4x T all every 3 weeks, so not dense, u may also want to check out "calling all TNs" very helpful for us triple negative women. Let us know what your treatment will be and whether surgery will come first or after treatments like me. Good luck, if u have any questions don't hesitate to ask. The waiting game was worse then the actual chemo treatment for me too, SE from the nausea meds was worse than my chemo SE i think, but like grandma V said, everybody is different.
0 -
naan1004, I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow for your second tx and as Kim put it for someone else, I hope it's uneventful. Also minimal SEs.0
-
thanks grandmaV, 2 down and 6 more to go come tomorrow
0 -
Hi Alameda!
Welcome to our twisted little group!! I am also triple negative. I have had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. My treatment is 4 cycles of Adriamycin and Cytoxan and then 4 cycles of Taxotere. (three weeks apart) Followed by 5 weeks of radiation (5 days a week). I have had 3 AC treatments so far--3 down 5 to go! Not too horrible. :O) You have found the right place for ANY question! If you have a specific TN question feel free to ask...there are lots of us out there! Good Luck to you and Hang in there! OXOXOXO
Kathy :O)
0 -
Bethu77:
My depression usually hits after I go off the steroids. Last treatment, I had terrible depression- I am on an antidepressent and it didn't touch my mood. My husband and I had a terrible fight- my fault because of my irrational state. I felt out of control, could not stop crying but it eventually lifted. I apologized to my husband and he came to my side and just held me.
I can totally relate to your depression. Perhaps it will lift as mine did. Just recognize it is not forever and stay strong while you have the symptom. You will get through it...
Susan
0 -
Just wanted to thank everyone for the anti-nausea tips for my second chemo. I found the ginger treats and will try those first before overmedicating myself first. , I wore my wig all day at work and it didn't hurt so much - maybe I'm getting used to it? It's easier for me because most people have seen it now and I don't have to worry about all the reactions! Maybe that is silly of me, but it was really hard at first!
Welcome Alameda, this group of ladies have an amazing amount of knowledge. If you are having surgery first and have any questions, I can try to help - I had lumpectomy first and a double mastectomy with diep reconstruction. All went very well. It can be very overwhelming, and I agree with the above advice, focus on one step at a time, and when it gets tough, just remember to put one one foot in front of the other - baby steps is fine! U will do great!0 -
Linnyhop,` I pretty much have loss of appetite and mild to medium nausea for a week after chemo. I don't worry about it since my onc. doesn't. I can eat some, just don't really want to.
Strangely I've found that anything I do DURING chemo--surf on my iphone, read a particular book, or eat something--if I think about it again after chemo, or pull out my phone to use it--I get nauseated all over again. I ate a peanut butter sandwich on the drive home from my second chemo and can't stomach thinking about peanut butter now, which I used to love. The mind and that association is so powerful.
0
