Starting chemo July 2014
Comments
-
Mags, You are the best. All ladies looking good on pics.
I'm having a difficult time since I got a could from my hubby and also did my doughtier . So mama duty all night long because she had a fever and I have so much congestion that hurts to move my head.
A new symptom now dry mouth. But what is bothering me all the time is the pain on my stomach that since the infusion day never goes away ...,
Well hope for a better day
Too yang , chaosrains, Mags and the other girls that are going to have infusion day my deepest wishes of no SE 's
Hang on there girls the ride is on.....
XO
0 -
I sounds as if we all made it through the day... some in better condition than others. I noted with interest the "hair" conversation. I had my first shedding today - day 12 - when I ran my fingers through my hair. There was something interesting that happened when my hair came back in last time. It was whiter, curly and in a little Mohawk. I'm kind of hoping it will do it again. When I had it cut off really short before my infusion, it sort of did the Mohawk thing.
Chaos, That's a lot of road time. I travel 1 1/2 hours to the chemo treatment and then home again. I will eventually be getting Neulasta and have wondered how to deal with it since it given 24 hours later. My SE's (especially nausea) seem to hit that second day, and the thought of traveling back to the clinic and then home the evening of day 2 is extremely un-nerving. Is that going to be a problem for you too? .
I hope all you freshly infusioned gals have a peaceful night. I am actually going to work in my art studio tomorrow. That's my job. The good thing is that the boss gives me time off when I'm feeling punk.
0 -
Coyote, quick thought before I hit the sack. Would they let you give yourself the Neulasta shot yourself? Like maybe you could take it home with you and give it to yourself the next day? I thought I had heard that somewhere.
mommymel, did you call your MO about the stomach pain? I had that and they called in a rx that was just for stomach pain.
And thanks for the compliment, though I don't really feel like I look good...
0 -
Hey girlfriends - I feel a little weird staying on here since I'm bailing....but I do like to whine while I can.
Yesterday, I felt so much better - but then today, I was sooo tired and slept all day. I wonder if that's my WBC/RBC's dropping?
My scalp starting to be tender/hurt today (I guess that's the start of the hair loss ....I think it's so strange how the hair has such a delayed reaction. I'm a biology nerd so just wondering why that happens?)
Also - I have no taste buds, except salt. Everything tastes sooo salty. Anyone have that?
Now - the good news - my skin is really smooth and soft, my sinues are clear (I usually have congestion, I think from allergies) and I have no sweet cravings....got to look on the bright side.
MomtoIrish/Deb
0 -
I do my neulasta/neupogen shots at home.
Apparently some insurance doesn't like it, but totally doable if yours will play.
0 -
Okay. I'm going to see if I can do the Neulasta self shot... or see if I can make arrangements to have the local emergency clinic (we do have one of those) give it to me. Thank you for the thoughts.0 -
I am awaiting my neulasta shot as i type... having driven the two hours to get it.
Unfortunately i was unemployed (got laid off in February) when i got my diagnosis so am on state medicaid.. medicaid will not pay for a prescription to take the shot home it will only pay in facility, and to pay for a shot myself would be $1000 per shot so im stuck spending 2 hours driving, and $40 for round trip gas and $10 for parking and even that amount of money is straining an already tight budget with only hubbys income. My unemployment ran out in June so his is our only source of income. Thank our lucky stars my sister in law stepped up and offered us a place to stay (she has rent houses and is letting us stay in it rent and utility free) sorry guys this gets on my nerves so much because it is an added expense and unnecessary drive but has to be done.
***End of rant. (Ahh felt good to get that out)
I hope everyone is having a good day!
And any side effects can be held at bay...
Today i am starting an "i am thankful" project writing at least 3 things i am thankful for each day... figure its a good way to try to keep a positive mindset through the fallout that i know is coming.
0 -
I am day 8 after tx and I thought I was feeling better yesterday then had the D again last night and this morning. I hate the cramping feeling so much, I feel like I'm in labor! I haven't had lots of D, just the most horrible cramps and the acid reflux is so disgusting
My dr called in a rx for the acid and said it would also help the cramping but it hasn't worked yet. I go in this afternoon for blood tests and I hope I can make it there. I feel so weak and still have some pain from that shot. I feel so terrible today. We are going to the beach Saturday for a week for family vacation and I am hoping and praying that I'll feel much better. I want to play with my grandbabies
0 -
Hi, everyone!
I was supposed to start chemo on July 18. After an hour of stabbing, the nurses weren't able to find a usable vein for the drugs.
I had a Power Port surgically implanted yesterday. It kept me awake a lot of the night, and I don't quite have the pain from the port under control yet.
New chemo day is this Friday, July 25. I'm hoping they will numb the port area before inserting any IV, because I will seriously cut a b**ch if someone touches this thing right now! I'm having more anxiety about this thing right now than about the actual chemotherapy!
Port advice? Anyone a Port Authority?
0 -
Fayette37 - ask for numbing cream (I forgot the name). You can ask for a prescription too....so not reliant on the hospital. It WORKS!!!!!
I had my port put in a day before my chemo....I didnt even feel them put the line in to the port.
Unfortunately I'm a week today from Port placement and i still have pain....mostly in my underarm and shoulder. I've been told on here it goes away by 2-3 week.
Raindew - you're lucky!!!! I tried to get my Neulasta shot to take at home. Hell after doing 2 rounds of IVF, I can give myself shots like an expert!!!! Unfortunately, my insurance co wont authorize it....has to be administered by a medical professional.
0 -
Fayette37 - I had the Power Port implanted yesterday as well. I've been told it takes about 10 days to "settle in" and then we won't even notice it. Yesterday was pretty uncomfortable every time I made any upper body movement and today is a little better. Vicodin has helped
I wish I had more advice to offer.0 -
Fayette37 - I had the Power Port inserted yesterday too. I've been told that it takes about 10 days to "settle in" and then we won't even notice it. I was pretty uncomfortable yesterday every time I made any upper body movement and today is a little better. Vicodin has helped
I wish I had more advice to offer.0 -
Momtoirish/Deb- So funny how our side effects can differ, I am a salt freak and cannot taste salt at all.... my only taste buds left are sweet and bitter nothing in between
Yesterday at MO I never received my official staging we just went straight in treatment and I was moving... I have read that a regional re occurrence is sometimes stage 3 not 4. So I asked..... even though I knew I was hopeful, but I am indeed stage 4. having a hard time excepting it. Did not sleep at all last night.... having a feel sorry for me moment, I am so greatful I can share with you all as I don't want to share my mortality fears with DH.
Well off to treatment #2 it will.be a LONG day, after my anaphalactic reaction to Docetaxol last time they will start drip very slow, after my other two infusions. Fingers crossed soooo nervous last time it was the scariest thing I have ever experienced.
Mags: hope you are feeling ok
Too_young : Michelle
I attached my off to chemo #2 pic
PS yes that is a pointsetta in the background in July DH has made it his mission to keep.it alive till Christmas lol
0 -
The cream is called Emla, it's prilocaine and something else I think. They wrote me a prescription for it. They used the freezing spray the first time and I don't like it, so I asked. I used it yesterday, applied 2 hours before access, there's some disagreement among the nurses as to how long before access you need to apply it, some said half an hour, some said two, but in any case, all I felt was a tiny prick. I might apply more liberally, but I was happy with that. The whole event was pretty painless and boring, I sent my cousin home since DH could com pick me up. I don't know why everyone thinks I have to have someone with me. I sat and did forum and Facebook and listened to music and was quite content.
New port patients, don't be shy about using the pain meds for your port pain, it's what they're for. In a few days you won't even know it's there except for the bump. And the two-inch incision scar. Ports rule.
Ports are our friends.
0 -
I have over zealous baby sitters also - TWO of them who want to be with me the entire time of the infusion (4.5 hours), plus my other appts. I would really just like to relax, read a book, watch a movie on my kindle fire during chemo yet I feel like I have to entertain. I do truly appreciate their concern and caring and could not get by without hubby and sister. I have told them that they need to take turns and hopefully I will just have 1 with me tomorrow. Also, I think my onco is irritated by both of them asking questions of their own.0 -
I just wanted to pop in and tell Shirley thank you so very much for my cap. I will try to get a picture when I'm feeling better. It's beautiful. I hope everyone else is having a good day.
0 -
Here's a weird SE. I had this last time for the first couple days but didn't connect it to the chemo per se but to the fatigue. Now I know it's the chemo. My bladder muscles are not functioning properly. When II first stood up our of bed I wet myself, the bed, the floor, finally clenched my legs together and waddled to the bathroom. Then about 15 minutes later, I coughed and wet myself again. I guess it's diapers for the first few days now. Hope none of the rest of you get this one! Every cough, every sneeze, even laughing hard...
0 -
oh no sorry to hear that Mags,
Right now i am feeling kind of exhausted but meds are keeping the nausea at bay.
My hair though it is shaved is falling out big time now...
Funny story:
Was brushing my hair because i read that even when our hair all falls out it is best to use a soft bristle or baby brush on our scalp just to ensure we dont end up with something like cradles cap... i glanced down and almost went on a war path... the sink was filled with stubble... i thought to myself gee really with all this other stuff going on hubby all of a sudden cant clean up after himself... luckily he was at work and my brain kicked in and i realized it was my hair in the sink... disaster averted... cant help but laugh about it now lol
0 -
I had a lot of pain and feeling uncomfortable when my port was put in on 7/11/14. Norco helped with the pain but I also used an ice pack. 20 minutes at a time and not directly on the skin. I used the ice pack for a couple days which really helped keep the swelling down. I feel it in there but no pain with it. AC chemo starts tomorrow and MO prescribed me the Emla cream. I hope it works! I had pre chemo bloodwork done on Monday with no numbing agent used...was not a happy camper after being poked. I haven't gotten used to feeling like a pin cushion between the expanders and the port. Hopefully I will get used to it.
0 -
Hi All, Not sure if I should join the July or August Chemo group. I had my follow-up Onc appt yesterday and they will start chemo on August 6th. I have AC every 3 weeks for 3 months, followed by 3 months of weekly Taxol. I have been hovering and reading this thread for almost a month now. They were going to attempt to start next week but I am still recovering from my ALND and the drain has not been removed yet so it was pushed a week. Would like to know if anyone is on AC every 3 weeks and if they are still working?
0 -
After a wonderous weekend celebrating our daughter's wedding, I am back home. Yesterday, I had my echo cardio gram, to establish a baseline ejection fraction. Apparently Adriamycin can cause your heart muscle to get a bit lazy.
Today I had the port placed. I had thought I could get away without a port, but the infusion nurse looked at my veins last week and said she thought I'd be happier with a port. Well, she's been doing this for 15 years, I figured I would take her advice.
Tomorrow, at 8:30, I start chemo. Friends keep asking me what I need, can they help, and I just have no idea. Me, the most obsessive planner and control freak around, has no idea what the next sixteen weeks will bring. Grrrr...very frustrating.
Thank you all for your candid accounts of how chemo has been for you. It has really and truly helped.
0 -
blown away, I too had so many people who wanted to be with me during the infusion, mine lasted 5 hours. I told everyone that I really want to use this time to meet some new friends and explained that the infusion room is a calm, quiet place. Plus you get sleepy with all the meds so I like to take a nap. This explanation seemed to work. My hubby stayed the first 15 minutes just to make sure I was settled. I watched netflix on my IPad and had a great time! I did meet one lady who was just getting Herceptin and she had lots of good advice for me.
I got my port a week ago Monday and it hurt for several days. I took Vicodin too and that helped. It's not so sore anymore and I'm glad I have it.
0 -
started in juney, going to third round tues.! Love the hats I live in cold country!
0 -
Mags,
Was reading through the posts again! Congrats on being half way through!!
I have a total of 7 AC treatments scheduled every other and then 14 taxol treatments every week followed by either surgery then radiation, or radiation then surgery-- yet to be determined
Blownaway,
Hopefully everything went okay and your overzealous babysitters left you a little breathing room!
Rambling Rose,
If i am not on here before you leave for your treatment tomorrow best wishes to you. .. may you have as few side effects as possible... we will all be here for you if you need to vent, whine, complain or even just talk
I registered for the look good feel better classes given through the american cancer society... i go to it tomorrow, hopefully ill have the energy to remember what i learn lol
0 -
Went in for my Neulasta shot and told the nurse about my leaky bladder and she thinks it may be a SE of the steroids rather than the chemo itself, since it went away in a couple of days.
Rose, you will appreciate that port on down the line. Slather on the Emla and cover with plastic a couple hours before a stick. Make sure you have your nausea meds handy, and Imodium and Gas-X is helpful. Also Senakot in case you have the opposite problem, and Colace, as well. And if your friends want to help have them bring food, stuff like Mac & cheese, that kind of thing. But I can only tell you what I would do, and your SEs will be different, as we all are, so you will know better after round one.
0 -
5.5 hours later and I am done, benadryl prior to Docetaxol kept allergy reaction at bay Woooo Hooo!!!!
0 -
hey I don't know how it is for you but be carefull of constipation with chemo and vicodan slows down the intestinals too. Take prevenative. I had hard time with both infusions.
I mean like five days of not going .
0 -
congrats too young!!0 -
Vikingqueen, that's what I was expecting, since that's what I usually have a problem with, but I started having diarrhea and painful gas cramps about the sixth day and never kept Imodium in the house and kept thinking "it'll stop soon" but of course it didn't because CHEMO and I finally got some Imodium in me and it worked pretty well. Still having gas issues but not too bad. Just keep going.
0 -
Hi, Gals
Round two for me tomorrow....Yesterday the head stubble started to fall out, big time...I look ridiculously patchy right now.
Coyote: I did my first Neulasta shot in the hospital (to ensure I could). I will do all subsequent shots myself at home. Piece of cake.
Spoke to my MO about Claritin and he said 'go for it...can't hurt.'
Here's a SE for you...my first dose of Docetaxel leaked at the IV site...they caught it quickly and started a new IV. I didn't think much of it until about a week later when I noticed a spot on my wrist that was numb. At first, I thought it was a bite, but then realized it's actually tissue damage from the drug (Docetaxel is a 'vessicant' -- meaning it causes tissue damage if it leaks). Anyhow, MO says to watch it and contemplated sending me to a plastic surgeon but decided to wait. It's about 3x2cms in size. All to say...this s#*t is toxic! Good think they don't inject it into your veins.....oh, wait....
I must have missed this...can someone tell me what DH stands for?
0
