Starting chemo July 2014
Comments
-
Hi, Walle Gator. It looks like you and I are on the same regime (TC) as well as Rain Dew.
I had round 2 today...allergic reaction to the Taxotere in the first five minutes. First, tightness in the chest, then a wild flush of heat that came up from my chest to my head, followed by very intense back spasms...lifted me right out of the chair. They turned off the Tax, hung a bag of benadryl, then some more steroids and flushed me out for a bit. What then? They just ramp up the Tax all over again (but a little slower). They called it re-challenging my body. How charming.
Home now and totally stunned from the Ativan/Benadryl combo...and the lack of sleep last night. Much like others, the steroids have the combination effect of making me pee a lot and keeping me from falling asleep.
Bonus Points: haven't shaved the armpits for 3 days...smooth as a baby's bum.
0 -
Wow, Mumford! I had no idea that they'd just pump you full of Taxotere again, even after you'd had such a bad reaction! Best wishes for SOME sleep. I just had my first dose of AC yesterday, and my mind was racing until midnight.
LOL re: the armpits. There has to be some silver lining to all this.
0 -
Hello! I am also a newbie. Got my chest port in today and AC chemo starts on July 30th. Then on to Taxol and Herceptin. I am sore for sure and feeling a bit guilty as I don't feel up to playing with my 7 year old. Very nervous about SE as watched my mom suffer through it for colon cancer. Lost her nearly 4 years ago. I feel like I've had very little info from the medical community about what really happens with chemo or what to expect so I've found this site to be invaluable. I am worried also because my PS is scheduled to fill my tissue expanders again the same day I have my first chemo. Has anyone else had this too?
0 -
My husbands uncle passed away last night. He was such a sweet loving man that instantly made me feel welcomed to the family. His sense of humor and outright flattery of every female within speaking distance will be greatly missed. He was a big flirt and every single female in the family has a story of how he made her at one time or another feel like the prettiest most special girl on the planet...
Bone pain from the neulasta shot is horrible today... this time the bones in my face hurt too... kind of like if you are touching a bruise...
Actually, with the loss of my husbands uncle my body as well as my mind feels beaten and bruised... I am too exhausted to cry maybe thats a good thing... no puffy eyes to add to the reflection that stares back at me from the mirror
0 -
ladyb1234 and maidentiredofwaiting, I have added you to our list above. You will find lots of support and encouragement here.
ChaosRains, how sad for your family! And your poor little body has just had its fill. I will be keeping you in my thoughts & prayers. I understand about the bone pain you're having, as that is what fibromyalgia does to me; everything just feels bruised. I suppose I could say the bright side is that I couldn't tell if I'm having Neulasta pain or just fibro stuff. Ah well!
maidentired, we have lost several family members to cancer as well, especially difficult was my beloved mother-in-law in 2001 from throat cancer. And so you can imagine what my poor DH is going through watching me go through this. His mom was the sweetest soul and fought so hard. But remember that each year brings new hope and new medications for us, and we will not end up as they did, God willing.
I'm off to bed early tonight. Ate some Cream of Wheat, too sweet, had half a baked potato, that was better. But fighting some nausea. Sleep well my dear ones.
0 -
ladies,
Before I stock up on cotton yarn and make another batch of chemo caps, what colors are preferred?
I've had a couple requests for purple and black. Any other favorite colors?
Shirley
0 -
I was initially scheduled to start chemo today and it was pushed back to next week. I saw MO today and once again chemo is being rescheduled. I guess my CT scans (AB/Pelvis) show some enlarged lymph nodes so now MO wants me to have a colonoscopy before we start chemo. He said it's "unlikely" that it's anything serious and I told him I just had this conversation with my BS the other day...every time my BS says something is "unlikely" it turns out to be "likely" for me. My MO and I had a chuckle over this and he reassured me that it's "unlikely" to be serious and he just wants to cover all bases. I see the GI tomorrow and hopefully we can get the colonoscopy scheduled ASAP.
Mags, can you please can my chemo date to TBD?
ChaosRains - I'm so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
0 -
Hello everyone! First I need to thank Shirley for the beautiful hat! I love it. It keeps my head warm especially while sitting in the hospital. I haven't been on for a minute due to my youngest son being in the hospital and having major surgery! He is doing fine! I am so ready to go home from this place! I say when it rains it pours but I am still standing! I hope everyone is having a wonderful and blessed evening. Hugs to
0 -
Coyote, I called my insurance company to find out about payment for Neulasta injections. My insurance pays much better if I have the nurse at my local hospital give it instead of doing my own.
I'm really bummed, and sick and now in the hospital, septic, spiked a temp with zero neutrophils. Treatment was Thursday and I was admitted Tuesday night. I was having those horrible gas pains and I knew I was too dry. I really thought that a couple liters of fluid and I would be home. I'm feeling much better tonight. I was able to eat some, the horrible diarrhea they tell me was mucositis. My MO is two hours away so they called in another to consult while I have been here. I called to let my doc know what was up. I don't know if the every 3 week schedule higher doses caused the problem. What a crappy situation.
I Love My Port! I asked about doing the first few treatments peripherally, but the MO doesn't recommend, nor do the nurses. If you start with good veins, they will be shot by the time you're finished...and when I was so dehydrated that my ER nurse could get a second IV site, the ole port was already accessed and working.
BLEH!
0 -
Mags - Thanks for the warning, I know some things are not as easy to share as others but we really appreciate the heads up. I just got home from my second chemo infusion. I had a lot of time on my hands between onco appt and infusion so I stopped off at the hospital beauty shop to have my head shaved. I was amazed at the nice selection of wigs which they carry in various colors. Also scarves, caps and turbans. I was given my choice of 1 of each. How nice was that!
0 -
Slappy Squirrel - When I got home from my infusion today, guess what was in the mail? I love my hat! It fits nicely and will go with anything. Thank you so much! I had to rip out the winter hat I was making. It appears that you have to buy the exact/correct yarn for the pattern. I bought super bulky instead of bulky and the hat was turning out to be way too big. I started over, casting on 50 stitches instead of the required 80 stitches and now it looks to be sized better. When I learn how to upload a photo, I'll post a photo of the hat you made.
0 -
Maidentired, my RS filled my expanders a couple of days before my first chemo. This was the most aggressive fill he's done so far, and because of that when I went in for my first chemo they were already a lot more sore than the ones in the past. The idea was that by doing a double fill, we'd only have one more fill to do while I was I undergoing chemo. Since my infusion they've been hurting pretty much non-stop, to the point where I've been popping percosets at least twice a day. That said, I suspect if we'd stuck to 50-75ccs instead of doing 130 it'd be fine.
0 -
Shirley, if I can get on your list for a hat, I'm partial to fall colors. Are they light enough for a SoCal summer, do you think? Or maybe I should just stick to scarves?
0 -
Mags, thanks for adding me to the July 2014 Chemo thread.I started one for August but no one has joined and I am really ready and needing the support and encouragement and sharing information / experiences. Hope I can join in with this group that I have been following in the shadows for a while.
My treatment is AC every 3 weeks for 3 months so 4 treatments, then weekly Taxol for 3 months, followed by 6 weeks of radiation 5 times a week. Is anyone else on the AC/Taxol regimen. My first infusion is scheduled for August 6th.
Shirley, I would love to get on your list for a hat. They are beautiful Like JenKay I am partial to fall or neutral colors.
0 -
For me "Hair" is the word of the day. My hair began seriously coming out in clumps. Two weeks to the day. I sat on the couch and helped it along until I started looking like the mad professor in "Back to the Future". I was surprisingly grumpy about it! I really did think I was ready for it. Guess not so much. Hubby kindly put me out of that misery and shaved my head for me. That job fell to him last time too. I still have my collection of hats and wigs, so they will be put back into service. One of the things I did last time was make some really soft caps by tying off the tops of pantyhose near the crotch. They make really nice sleeping caps. A child's soft knit t-shirt will work too. They are not as beautiful as Shirley's hand made ones, but they work well for the 115 degree weather we get to enjoy this time of year.
RainDew: Eyebrows and eyelashes and undesirable facial hair go too. Last time, the hairs on my chin went last and came back first. Go figure.
0 -
Still waiting for mine to start coming out. I'm only on day 8 (well, 9 I guess since it's after midnight) so I figure I still have a few days left..
My boyfriend has big ol' mountain man beard that he's ready to shave, so I told him to wait till the day my hair starts to go and we can take the clippers to each other! There will be laughter and tears that day, I tell you
0 -
Shirley, I would be very grateful to have a cap from you. I like a celery colour, or light turquoise...anything would be lovely. How do I get info to you regarding address, etc. I'm in Canada.
On that note, I always get a little pang when I read about folks waiting for approval from insurance companies, etc. I can't say I fully understand the American healthcare system, but at these times I feel so grateful for our 'free' health care (we pay in taxes, of course, but worth every cent at times like these). I haven't had to wait on anything and all of my treatments have been very timely. I do hope that no one here has to wait or be denied anything that is required for their treatments and associated care.
Feeling good today (day 2 of 2nd cycle), but I put that down to the steroids today. Neulasta later on then the party starts...
Welcome ladyb1234. You will get loads of support here and the real skinny on all the s*#t! Literally.
0 -
Chaos -- sorry to hear about your husband's uncle. Hope your neulasta pain gets better!
Maidentired -- it's tough to be a Mom to a young child during chemo. My younger children don't really understand cancer, and don't know why Mom is moving a bit more slowly these days.
Kitkatmo -- hope you start feeling better soon! I, too, love my port.
Coyote -- I'm debating about when to shave my head. I know that I have 10 - 12 days to go before my hair falls out in earnest, but I might just get it done before I get to the "falling out in clumps" stage.
Well, it's off to nag my 15yo daughter about our daily exercise routine. We take a "brisk" walk around the neighborhood three times before it gets to hot.
0 -
Mumford...not sure if you are taking Claritin (loratadine) with your Neulasta shot. If you arent....definitely go out and get some I took it about an hr before my shot and for 5 days following....NO BONE PAIN!!! It works!!!
And I agree with you about the US healthcare system....whats crazy is that many americans vote against a free health care system. Unfortunately the Obamacare system (which is not what he had planned but what it has morphed into due to concessions to Congress) isnt great at all. My friend just got diagnosed with LCIS and 2 suspicious areas for possible DCIS. She lives in NYC (manhattan) with the best doctors in the world....and couldnt find a Breast Surgeon that will take her coverage. She finally found one in Long Island (about 45 min outside the city).
0 -
Mumford,
This is the first time since i was DX three weeks ago I have had to wait on insurance. All my doctors saw me with no issues. Had a port placement complete within a week of DX and so far all has gone well. This part of waiting for insurance was something I didn't expect. I hate having to wait but if I can at least know it's covered I won't stress about finances. My husbands work has really good insurance (unlike my work) so I'm thankful our benefits are through him. I called the MO this morning and found out I was approved now they are just waiting on a auth code and will call me back to schedule chemo class and first treatment. It is kinda working to my advantage BC I need to ensure my chemo is scheduled correctly so that the surprise Disney trip we have planned for my two daughters in September is when I'm on the up swing week. Fingers crossed!
0 -
JenKay, wow, I hope the pain subsides and you feel better! Mine hurt more since the port placement so I wonder what's in store for the fill + chemo. Seems like any little thing aggravates my chest. Are you sleeping ok? I'm having a tough time falling asleep and staying asleep.
Mags, thanks for adding me!
Chaos Rains, I'm very sorry for your loss, hugs to you.
Shirley, could I be added to the cap list? They look so cute! I'd love a purple one! Please PM me if that's ok and I can send you my address. Thank you!
0 -
Hi Elaine Therese! I have a 15 year son and he walks with me too, although not daily but it sure does help to get outside and enjoy some sun. My 7 yr old likes to walk too so sometimes he comes along. I agree it's hard for the little ones to understand. We do the best we can.
My DH has been my rock but I know he gets overloaded. I guess we will have to learn to ask for help. It's hard when you've always been the caretaker of the family to do that. I hear I am getting chemo 101 right before my first dose. I'm asking for a big cup of ice chips so my mouth doesn't get sore. I remember my mom having such a hard time with that and losing her sense of taste.
0 -
Chaos, Blessings to your family in your loss. I read something recently that has stuck with me. "No matter how long we have with someone we love, it is never long enough." I think that was probably written about someone like your husband's uncle.KitKat, I hope you don't have another round of that problem! Last Time Round (henceforth LTR) I did end up in the ER getting fluids and late in the treatments blood infusions because I was a quart low.
Hoping for a good day for all.
0 -
By Fall colors, do you mean browns, tans, greens?
Shirley
0 -
Hi ladies,
Mags thanks for the prayers. I also pray to all of us.
Since I' m having these for the second time and I'm 36 first with 24 I was wondering if there is anyone here diagnosed yanger than me.
So far my side effects are manageable but the cold that I have is the worst one in years... Fell so much inflammation ugh
BTW I had some news:
The second pathology test they did at Mayo Clinic and the results came back totally different ..,,
So weird, the fisher test came back positive for Her2 and the progesterone is withing 10% positive.
In terms of treatment I know that they must add the hercepcine to my treatment..,, or not I don't know I'm a bit lost as far as what will change .,,,
The good news is that my chances of reoccurrence came down from 30% being a triple negative, to 15% with the Her2 positive and the hercepcine treatment.
Yay that's good news ....,
But I wouldn't let statistics define me anyway. I'm reading the book ANTICANCER and is amaizing what your will power can do!
Chaosrains, tooyang, and all the ladies that are just thinking OMG everything is happening at the same time..,,
Just breath and look towards the future I can tell you that when things go wrong is just one after another but if you foucus on the future . It shall pass and the future will be a blessing ... After every storm comes very calm seas ...
XO
0 -
Shirley, yes.
0 -
JenKay,
I wasn't sure if you meant those, or the colors the leaves turn in the Fall. That's a lot of colors here in Georgia!
Shirley
0 -
Mumford - sorry you had such an awful reaction. I had the Ativan and steroid, then the TC. Been a little queasy the last two days but nothing awful. I couldn't sleep at all the day I had chemo. Peed 4 times! I did take Tylenol PM last night and had a good 8 hours. It was much needed. You started before me. How are you feeling now? Do you feel worse than after the first chemo? Trying to figure out if it's all going to build in my system and I'll feel worse every time...?
0 -
mommymel, I tested positive for Her2 after my biopsy sample underwent a FISH test (didn't test positive under earlier test). Yep, that means herceptin for me, too. The ONC nurse said that they'd probably start it along with the Taxol, but that treatment will last up to a year so it will continue after the Taxol. She said that most people tolerate it pretty well. And, you're definitely younger than me (just turned 47), so you may indeed be the youngest....
maidentired, yes, it's hard to let others be the caregiver when you've always assumed that role. My DH will try, but even now, he needs a lot of guidance from me.
0 -
Hi Mommymel - I was not younger then you but around the same age 26 1st time stage III, 34 now stage IV. I am so sad that you have to do this so young as well, not that any age is easy but so hard when you have young ones
My son was 12 daughter was 4 the first time and now my daughter is 12 and son 19.
Thank you to all the ladies on here guiding support and having a shoulder to lean on, and making hats so are heads aren't cold
Xoxo
0
