Starting chemo July 2014
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Check out this web site for free crochet chemo cap patterns. I have made several of these for ladies on breastcancer.org and given them away. Let me know if there is a pattern you really like!
Shirley
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Hello all - here I am out and about today (went to get my favorite chicken noodle soup after my shortie hair cut) with our 16 year old daughter, Katie. Yup - looks like I was hit by a truck on the way there. I told my hair stylist not to spend too much time on the hair cut because it will be buzzed next week! (talk about changing hair styles every week!)
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Hi Everyone,
Well, I made it through round 1. Feel fine so far, have been eating my meals. We'll see what the next few days bring - got all of my nausea meds ready to go if necessary.
The day ended up very long (mostly because of the cold caps which stayed on an extra 4.5 hours) but time seemed to fly by at least. Will check in again soon.
Thanks for the shout out Raindew :-)
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Good evening Ladies... I am happy to say that my first treatment went well today... so far so good.. I know SE come along later but hoping for not too many
I am thrilled to have a port.. it was painless where because of my deep veins I suffered with 3 attempted iv's the day of my lumpectomy where 3 different nurses were digging the needle around under my skin until one finally got it... I am sending good thoughts and vibes out to all the ladies who began treatment today and all others who have begun or have yet to begin... Keeping positive thoughts is the fuel leading you to a happy and healthy tomorrow... the treatment is a temporary additive that will go away.. you are all in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you comfort and healing as we all walk this road together... Hugs ! 0 -
MomtoIrishQ, you look great! Kp and JoeysMommy, so glad you got through the day with no serious effects yet, and hope you don't have any at all. Keep hydrated, keep ahead of the SEs and you'll do great. Don't hesitate to call your MO if you need help or answers. You got this.
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ZKITTY - I took Zofran too - is that what was making me dizzy???? I took it for the nausea and being dizzy makes me even more nauseous - go figure. I just assumed the dizziness was from the chemo. My next chemo is same day as uours July 24 at MD Anderson. I see you are a fellow Texan. Welcome to our little pep rally.
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Kpmacmill - I wish you well and hope you you get through the next few days with no side effects.
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Just wanted to comment on the port conversation, when I did this 8 years ago had a port and second to last chemo found out about emla patches really wish I had known all along. You will.be happy you have a port
This time around my Dr keeps ignoring my requests for a port, and with over a year of herceptin I really want it...
I posted earlier I had redness and pain in my hand 4 days after chemo, well guess what it leaked so I suggest everyone have a port
Here is a pick of my hand today, very painful and causing issues in my joints..... and it has been almost 3 weeks.since chemo
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Shirley i would Love the blue one is just beautiful.
Thanks
What should I do:)
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Z-Kitty, I am so sorry I missed your post! We must have posted almost simultaneously then we have a new page and I just missed it. Well, welcome to the club no one wants to join. I've added your info to our list at the top. What is your protocol?
You will find a warm and wonderful bunch of women here, lots of support, some tips, and even some laughs. We're finding laughter to be essential.
Tooyoung, that looks awful! Has your MO seen that?
Mommymel, send Shirley (slappy-squirrel) a private message with your name and address, and the hat you want. She will send it. She doesn't ask for anything, but I sent her some more yarn anyway.
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For those that are starting this week......drink water and then drink more. I honestly think that was one of my biggest issues - I didn't drink enough water because I felt nauseous. Also - find out the biggest dose of pain killers you can take from your MO and take them around the clock - stay ahead of the aches and pain. Oh - and take colace and the nausea medicine until you know you are safe. And if all else fails - take Ativan and sleep for a week. Big hugs - mind over matter.
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Magdalene51
Yes I showed him.... he said "yup it looks like the chemo leaked at infusion...." I have done some research and am happy it was decetaxol as others it could have been devastating. I remember after they had to stop treatment to do the benadryl and cortisone when they re started the chemo it was burning but went away so nurse did not move the IV, as I have read now IV should have been removed and treated asap.
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Too Young - that's shocking on your hand. No wonder our hair falls out. I'm so sorry that they didn't take care of that properly.
I have a graphic question for all of you. I'm feeling MUCH better tonight (whew!) but I still have diarrhea and it burns soooo much coming out I almost hate to go (but mother nature calls frequently it seems). Has anyone had that burning thing? Should I be concerned or call my MO?
Irish Mom/Deb
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MomtoIrishQ,
Always call if you have a question. In the meantime, use lots of vaseline (or petroleum jelly) to protect sensitive skin.
As someone who has prepped for a few colonoscopies, I can tell you it really helps!
Shirley
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Hi Everyone,
I ended up having a rough night after all. Started feeling nauseous around 9pm and it lasted til about 4am, never threw up, thankfully, since I'm still dealing with fractured ribs from my bike accident. I was able to start my anti-nausea meds this morning - Decadron, Zofran, and Compezine - I'm taking them all. I've been able to eat and I've been drinking water like crazy. It seems like I'm in the bathroom at least once every hour, but that's probably a good thing. Going for my Neulasta shot this afternoon and have taken my Claritin.
Hope everyone else is managing OK.
- Kelly
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Good morning KP, I am sorry to read that you had a tough night
hope you are feeling better today. I had my first infusion as well yesterday and I am happy to say I did not have any nausea whatsoever. I ate a good dinner and even had a little ice cream. I feel it is better to be proactive than reactive when it comes to our bodies. My doctor prescribed Decadron am and pm, Emend which was given with the first infusion and is good until tonight - tomorrow I begin taking 1 pill per day up until day 4 then I took 1 compazine at bedtime last night and for the next 3 days I am instructed to take 1 every 6 hours as needed. They have also prescribed prilosec (for heartburn) in am and Axid for acid reflux in evening. Today I get my shot as well and I am hoping that the claritin works and I wont need to be on any type of pain killer because I am really not one who takes medicine at all especially something that will alter my frame of mind.. Sending you positive thoughts for better tomorrows 
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Ive seen so many getting a shot of Neulasta the day after their infusion. Of course, once again, my onco never mentioned it so.....whats it for and is it worth diving all the way back to the hospital for?
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Here's some info on the drug. Sounds like it helps you rebuild your white blood cells.
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Which is why it causes bone pain, as the marrow is where they are created.
Good morning, ladies. MomtoIrishQ, are you taking Imodium for the diarrhea? I never even kept any in the house, because I have always tended the other way but when it got bad I started and I'm so glad I did. As far as the burning, I have heard that it's helpful to keep a squirt bottle (I have a ketchup dispenser kind of bottle) handy, to rinse down. Also, Preparation H makes a very soothing wipe. Check your chemo info (I got a whole packet of stuff, did you?) for the kinds of OTC meds you should use for that. The worst part of mine was the pain from gas cramps. Gas-X was helpful for that, but also the MO called in a sublingual tab for the bad ones. I take a Gas-X whenever I feel a rumble.
Blownaway, I think the Neulasta shot or not depends on your chemo cocktail. But certainly you should ask.
Ladies, if you have no personal objection to doing so, you can add your chemo info to your dx info and make it public so we can keep up with what each one is getting.
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Blownaway- Some oncos do not give the Neulasta shot right after the first infusion. There are several reasons for that. Some oncos will begin giving Neulasta to patients only after the patient has demonstrated that she truly needs the Neulasta. Yes, it is possible to go through infusions without having a Neulasta shot. For example, I had my first Neulasta shot the day after Round 3 because I developed a high spiking fever/chills episode 12 days after Round 2 of chemo. Fortunately, my onco called in several antibotics for me and kept me out of the ER. The other reason for waiting to administer Neulasta is the insurance cost. Neulasta is more expensive than Neupogen shots which given daily for a specified number of days. I knew before my first round of chemo that I would not receive the Neulasta shot the day after the first round since the onco wanted to know how I would react to the chemo and made sure that I truly needed it. Another reason that Neulasta/Neupogen is given right after each round of chemo starting with the first round is because of the type of chemo regimen. When one has dose dense AC, the chemo rounds are 2 week intervals. The body in general needs 3 weeks to recover from each round. However, one is emerging for the nadir period at the time the next round is to be administered. Do ask your onco questions about Neulasta and the rationale for if and when you may receive it.
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Ive been having a rough time... I have no appetite... Ive lost 8 pounds I did not need to lose in a week!
Last night I felt so horrible that I ended up acting horrible... in so much as telling hubby if he really loved me he would make me feel better... then proceeded to think what I would feel like if the situation were reversed and I was doing everything I could but was actually powerless to do anything to help the person I loved feel better... which in turn made me feel even more horrible so I ended up crying all night.
I realize today that I am so angry at breast cancer disrupting my life, at feeling miserable, at everything that comes along with it. I dont know how to stop feeling angry about it, but think if I could figure that out a lot of this would be easier...
Am I crazy? Does anyone else feel this angry? Suggestions on dealing with the anger?
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Hi girls
Mags I pm Shirley today thanks.
I'm doing ok little ache and headache but manageable. What us not teeing me is that I'm constipated and is starting to get so bad that I'm getting nauseous. I take probiotics and lots of salad green juice I may have to buy some laxative. Any tips for that?
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One lady swears by room temp prune juice. Haven't tried it yet though.
Shirley
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ChaosRains, I think anger is perfectly normal. The first time I did this I was 26 and was so strong for everyone. Worked through treatment, and refused for life to change at home, and insisted everyone be the same around me. Then would be upset that everyone was acting like life didn't change.....
This time around I am angry, upset frustrated. I feel like a whining baby this time.... is it because I am 8 years older or that my body doesn't want to do it again or I am just overwhelmed with the dx of this stupid BC rearing it's ugly head again.
Either way I think anger is healthy when handle properly. Don't stop your self from feeling the emotions if it doesn't come out now it will when treatment is over and you realize what you just endured .
Big hugs
Michelle
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hi ladies,
I'm a bit of a mess today. Feeling super nauseated, GI problems in every which way, low grade constant fever, continuing fatigue and to top it all off I've developed a horrible rash. MO prescribed more oral steroids :-(
Like Chaos I am just pissed off. Am I going to feel this bad for 3 months?
I want my life back.
*whine*
Sorry. Thanks for listening.
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Hi ladies ,
Looks like the day is just not working for us ......
I thing anger as I told before is ok you are allowed to have a WTF day. But at the same time we can't let the cancer get the best of us. I will have my moments but I will not let this ugly disease make me fell an ugly person.
Some times we need a little extra help I needed before and if any of you think your anger is out of normal and you are lashing out to your loved ones or you have no energy to even get out of bed; you could try a mood enhancer Or talk about an antidepressant with your MO . Only something mild to calm your thoughts down and relax. There are also natural options like 5HTP .
I'm talking about these because some times is better to take something even if is just for 4 to 6 months, than feel miserable all the time.
You know buy the time chemo is over than you have all your power back and you can get better and life goes on.
Just a suggestion to keep in mind.
XO
MommyMel
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Chaos Rains- In a day or two you will feel better, the cloud will stop hanging over your head and your emotions will getback to normal. Im not a crybaby (havent shed a tear in years) but I broke down and just wailed while I was "in the pit"
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((hugs))
I've read some of your posts and I know the depths of anger and even despair with this crap. I think the chemo messes with our minds a little too. I could always sense this veil like feeling come over me the first few days after tx and it clouded how I viewed things. I was every 3 weeks, so by 7-10 days out I was feeling better. This IS hard and yes we have to try and be positive, but also acknowledge that this is alot to go thru.
I agree that a little help from medication can be a good idea. Anger, fear, sadness....I'd say all normal, but if it is taking over time to talk to MO.
I know how hard this is ya'll....be brave and keep on keeping on!
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Mommyme - for a quick but safe fix - Colace. For maintainence 250 mg magnesium 3 times a day. If things seem a little too squishy, cut back to twice a day.
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I was just told I have a score of 19. I am 60, my tumor was 9 mm, clear margins, no lymph node involvement, hormone receptive. It was invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast. I had a lumpectomy. Now my medical oncologist wants me to decide whether to have chemo or radiation. The side effects of chemo do not seem to be worth the small chance of recurrence. Help!
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