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Starting chemo July 2014

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Comments

  • MaBarker5
    MaBarker5 Member Posts: 4

    what is the Claritin for when you get the neulasta shot? I will be getting one on Friday after my first treatment tomorrow.

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    Claritin seems to dampen the bone pain caused by Neulasta stimulation of bone marrow. Works for many taken day of shot and 7 days after.

    DH = Dear Husband  (in my case at least)

  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 286

    Hello MaBarker5,  It's kind of a circle thing.  Chemo kills fast growing cells, among them the new blood cells, so your blood counts go down and they give you Neulasta to force the bone marrow to create blood cells, which causes pain.  For some reason  Claritin, an anti-histamine,  helps (not sure if it "prevent" or "relieve") bone pain.  Welcome aboard this crazy train.   To paraphrase our fearless leader, Mags. "The train no one want to ride." 

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    As I'm sitting here having my nini yogurt - Activia Greek strawberry - it occurred to me that it didn't mention the importance of lots of yogurt to keep your tummy bacteria in balance. Probiotics and acidophilus also helpful.

  • too_young_momof2
    too_young_momof2 Member Posts: 44

    Mumford I had the same thing IV leak, however after I said it was burning she adjusted and kept it in same spot, I posted pics of hand earlier in thread took about 4-5 days to start causing issues, 21 days in now and skin pealing off looks like a bad oil burn.

  • MomtoIrishQuads
    MomtoIrishQuads Member Posts: 61

    Chaos - I'm so sorry to hear about your unemployment - like you need that stress on top of chemo stress?  Really?  God is interesting sometimes... big hugs to you. 

    For Round 2's - keep on keeping on.  I hope it's smoother sailing for you.  Michelle - after your allergic reaction I can only imagine how scared you are.  You are brave!

    My doctor didn't offer me the Neus. shot - and I'm wondering if that's why I had a nose bleed today - and slept most of the night and day (talk about tired).  I did get up for my radiation appt. - after yelling about them closing the facility down - they managed to fit me in before it closes on Sept. 3 - so that's good.

    Today (Day 15) single hair strands started to fall when tugged a bit - and my daughter pulled at it and got more than a few (the look of shock on her face was actually funny).....I'm not sure that I'm ready to shave it yet - I'm sure that I'll know when I'm ready for that.  And I haven't figured out what to do for head coverings.....I think maybe I'm in denial about that.  

    Irish / Deb

  • JenKay2001
    JenKay2001 Member Posts: 117

    Hi guys! 

    My name is Jen and I started TCH on the 16th. I posted in another thread about my experience so far, but I'll paraphrase it here as well ;)

    So far I haven't had any real nausea, but if I eat more than a little bit at any one sitting my tummy hurts like heck (or more like h-e-hockey sticks) for an hour or more. Makes it hard to want to eat, knowing that it's going to make me miserable, but once I get hungry enough I can push forward. Ginger seems to help some, and just eating teeny meals. Fruit tastes bad to me, but most other things are ok so far :) I've been super - duper tired, Although yesterday and today were a bit better. Think an hour and a half of activity begetting a five-hour nap. This probably has to do with the pain I'll talk about at the end of this post. .. Generally I feel ok in the morning, try to do something while I'm feeling ok (a trip to the store, breakfast with a friend or a book at the coffee shop, etc) and then start to run down and hurt and go home and crash for a few hours, then get up, eat again, and stay up until 11 or 12.

    I have a rash on my shoulders and chest, which happens/flares up when I get hot at all. Sitting in the shade on a 90-degree day today for half an hour made me itch the rest of the day through. My lips are so dry they feel like they're going to fall off, although the inside of my mouth hadn't gotten bad yet. Still have my hair, but expecting to start shedding any day now. 

    My biggest problem has been pain around my tissue expanders. My reconstructive surgeon put 120ccs of saline into them just before I started chemo, and they were noticeably more sore and tighter than they'd been to that point. Since my first infusion though, the pain has skyrocketed. I've been back on percoset a good hunk of the time just to get through the day. I called my oncologist and my RS about it on Monday, and ended up having to go to the ER to have it checked out because they were worried about blood clots in my lungs and because the pain is in my chest (chest pain of course being big red flag words). Naturally all my tests came back negative and now I'm looking for a referral to physical therapy next time I see my RS, hoping that myofascial massage might be the solution. I'm certain the pain is contributing to my fatigue as well..

    Anyway, that's it so far. Not too bad as far as these things go, I suppose, and today was a little better, so hopefully I'm n the upswing until my next infusion. Going to a gentle yoga class tomorrow morning, and really looking forward to it!

    ~Jen

  • Mainlady
    Mainlady Member Posts: 12

    Hello everyone,

    I start my chemo TAC on July 30th.  I've been reading everyone's comments and learning all I can.  My son is getting married this weekend so chemo was pushed to after that.  My mom died unexpectedly in May  after I was diagnosed in early May.  It has been quite a year so far, up & down.  I know we are all different but it does help to hear what others are experiencing.

    Marilyn

  • MaBarker5
    MaBarker5 Member Posts: 4

    Thanks for the answers about Claritin. I'm sitting here eating my breakfast thinking about my first day of treatments today. I've got the Emla on and my water bottles filled along with a few snacks. I think I'm ready for the day. Who knows what's coming tomorrow but I keep putting one foot forward so I can get thru this and come out of it on top! I hope all you ladies have a great day!

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    JenKay and Mainlady, I have added you to our sadly still growing list. It breaks my heart to see you all here, yet I can tell you that you couldn't have joined a more loving, supportive, encouraging group. We take care of each other to the extent that we can in this forum. Add the thread to your favorites, and share share share what your bodies are going through. We are in this together. Also, it's good, when you have time, to run through the previous pages as much has already transpired, several of us past our 2nd tx.

    Also, any of you who are still listed as TBD in the list, if I've missed updating, please remind me. I'm trying to be a responsible administrator of the thread, all the while dealing with chemo, and I apologize if I've missed things. I do care for each of you, but I'm also an old broad with memory challenges. :)

  • jennliza
    jennliza Member Posts: 176

    FYI -  I changed my name from Scared42 to Jennliza......I'm no longer Scared....I'm pissed and angry. but also  grateful for finding it early and having so many loving and supportive people in my life!!!!

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    I've got you corrected up top, Jennliza, and congratulate you on your graduation from scared to angry. All necessary stages of dealing with the Big C. We are here for you. How are you doing now?

  • WalleGator
    WalleGator Member Posts: 80

    Add me to the list! Started chemo yesterday, 7/23. Ugh!

  • jennliza
    jennliza Member Posts: 176

    MAGDALENE: So far I'm one of the lucky ones.... no major s/e's. I starting feeling sick end of day 3 b/c I didnt take my meds. I was waiting for nausea....but never had it.....had stomach cramps and aches around my body. So day 4 took meds....and slept...and went to work day 5....started off not feeling great, but by end of day was about 90%. Its been over a week now and I would say except for being Gassy (isnt that lovely)...I'm pretty much back to me.

    I hope it stays this way..... I hear it gets worse with each treatment....and I have 5 more to go.

    As for emotional spirit....what can I say....THIS SUCKS!!!! BUT....what are we going to do....crumble....NO!.....move ahead....do what we have to do.....FIGHT!!!  I hope that none of us have to post in the future (for reoccurence) except to support those who are going through this SH$*!!!!

  • pinkninja9560
    pinkninja9560 Member Posts: 178

    well, today makes 9 days after chemo and I can say I feel almost normal again! My mouth feels so much better too, the metal taste is going away and my tongue doesn't feel like it's been burned off anymore.  I can't wait to eat something that will taste normal! 

    So grateful that I feel better because I leave Saturday for a family vacay at the beach and I need to play with my gbabies! 

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    pinkninja, you are way too young to have grandbabies!

  • JenKay2001
    JenKay2001 Member Posts: 117

    Eight days out, and I have my first UTI in ten years! Yay! Heading to the Dr. In an hour. 


    I hate cranberry juice :(

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    WalleGater, I've added you to our list above. 

    I just want you all to know, that not only do we have the support and encouragement of each other, this list is being prayed over. I hope this doesn't bother any of you, but I believe in the power of prayer and I feel such a heavy heart for each of you, that I do this and ask others to join me in it. You are loved and treasured.

  • WalleGator
    WalleGator Member Posts: 80

    I'll take all prayers, good thoughts, etc. It can't hurt! Just have to get through this, moving forward and hoping for the best.

  • oceanbreeze1818
    oceanbreeze1818 Member Posts: 43

    Hey Mags,

    Can you add me as TBD?  Although I don't have a date yet..waiting on insurance and what they will cover I already feel connected to all the ladies on here.  Also, I will take all the prayers I can get!  I'm still teetering on scared and angry.  Just want to get this chemo show on the road...lol!  

    Thanks!

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    oceanbreeze, I've added you to our list, and to our prayers. None of us wants to be here, but you know what an awesome group of ladies we have. 

  • too_young_momof2
    too_young_momof2 Member Posts: 44

    I with you I'll take all the prayers I can get :) 

    (((Hugs))) to all

  • WalleGator
    WalleGator Member Posts: 80

    I had my first chemo yesterday. 1 down and three to go! I'm feeling real tired and a little queasy on my first day after. I didn't sleep good last night - peed every two hours! I loaded up on tons of water and green tea the last few days knowing I need to flush these chemicals out of my system. Could use a nap but my racing thoughts won't cooperate. I'm doing TC and I'll let you know how the SE are over the next week. I go every three weeks. Keeping on eye on your Triple Negative ladies, too, out there!

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    I will share a bit more... I have a dear friend and pink sister who is now working with our pastoral care staff, and she calls me every week to see how I'm doing and to pray with me over the phone. She asked me a couple weeks ago, how could she pray for me. I told her about this thread, and this wonderful group of ladies, and how my heart aches for each one of you, and especially those of you going through this with families, and work, and even some going through recurrence, and so she has been praying for the growing list above. I have recruited praying friends to cover you as well. I hope that I am never too sick to send up a prayer for you, and if you have a specific request, please feel free to PM me any time.

  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635

    Hi!

    I am also a newbie. I started AC yesterday (7/23), and just got my Neulasta shot. I will be doing 4 rounds of AC, and then 12 rounds of Paclitaxel + Herceptin, and then just Herceptin for 8 months. I haven't had my surgery yet, as my surgeon wants to see if we can shrink the tumor beforehand (so as to give him more surgical options).

    Just some basic info. -- I am 47 years old, married with three children (two with autism), and I plan to work part-time through my chemo. I teach at a university, and am lucky that my department has assigned me two Ph.D. students to help me out. I am a little concerned about whether "chemo brain" will affect my teaching! I already seem a little foggy and I've only had one dose of AC!

  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 286

    WalleGator,  welcome to our world.  Yes, there are a few TNs included in the group.  We are very diverse. It's odd to me that breast cancer has so many different adaptions.  They are all bad actors for sure.  Interesting that you are  only having four infusions. There are some others here that are doing that series also. 

    Anyone know why?

    I hope the SEs are easy on you, Walle.


     

  • RainDew
    RainDew Member Posts: 228

    well, funny side effect of the day...13 days out and apparently I am en route to a bonus Brazilian...

    :-)

    Welcome new sisters!! Sorry to see you here of course.

    Elaine - I am 39 in a professional sr mgmt role. I am working through it - first week was pretty tough (and I did more like 50%) but second week much better so far. I am doing TCx4 - overall I think it's manageable - not fun, but manageable. Thank goodness my company has been wonderful.

    Mags - again, thanks for all you do for all of us. We appreciate it every day.

    Tooyoung - I just wanted to say I am sorry to hear about your staging news. Giant hug, hang tight and let us know if we can help.

  • magdalene51
    magdalene51 Member Posts: 2,062

    RainDew – bonus Brazilian – LOL!

    Elaine, I have added you to our list. Let me just say, in case you haven't read any of this thread, that you've joined a remarkable group of strong and loving women who are sharing their stories, supporting and encouraging each other even when things are dark for themselves. I'm honored to administer this thread and I look forward to long friendships arising from it. Add it to your Favorites and visit often, and read back through the thread when you have time, you will find much help there.

    Too_young – you are indeed too young to have this laid on you, but we will be here for you through it all. Special prayers for you, my dear one.

  • elainetherese
    elainetherese Member Posts: 1,635

    Thanks for adding me to the list! Yes, this thread seems to include a very supportive group of ladies, all with their own challenges. Reading through the thread has been very informative. (I even remembered to take my Claritin this morning before receiving my Neulasta! My ONC nurse confirmed the info. in this thread about it possibly reducing SEs.)

    And, thank you, Magdalene, for administering this list. Your welcoming presence encouraged me to join.

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,239

    Hi Mags, add me I start Chemo on August 6th. I posted earlier this week but I think I got lost in the other post.   

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