Starting chemo July 2014
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hi ladies,
Somehow this thread got lost off my 'follow' list...I had been wondering why everyone was so quiet!! (And worried it was because everyone was super sick!)
Mags - ugh. That's no fun at all. Really hope it passes soon!
Rambling Rose and Gilmour - welcome and sorry you have to be here
Scared - I am capping too :-) think I have seen you on the capping thread? Good luck!!
Mumford - delighted to hear the TC hasn't been too rough on you
Keep it coming!! My support to you all.
Rain
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It's interesting how far spread we are across the country. Welcome RamblingRose from New England.
Mumford, Yes, I did have a nosebleed issue when I had chemo in 2012. It was right after my 5th infusion and my blood was not clotting well. I'd blow my nose was clogged up and I would blow it...and it would start flowing. Use all the standard nose bleed techniques and let the MO know if you can't get it under control. I started keeping the membranes moisturized with chapstick on a q-tip and it eventually stopped happening.
Hmmm. We partied tonight because my birthday was today. My chemo date is the day after tomorrow. Two years + a couple days from when I discovered the original lump. So the birthday connection is here too.
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Happy birthday coyote, and sending best wishes to you during your chemo.
The Mods
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i found my lump a few weeks before my birthday but put off going to the doctor until after my birthday... birthday connection here too...
Round one: ChaosRainz vs the RedDevil begins this morning
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ChaosRains-Good Luck and an easy time in the gold lounger today!!!! Keep breathing....... You can do this!!!!!
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Thanks Melrose, not as nervous as i thought id be... more like ready to get started and get it over with!
I hope everyone has a wonderful day, beautiful blue sky sunny day here.
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good luck ChaosRains. Kick its butt!
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All the best today chaosrains. We'll be "in your pocket". Hemmie, are you still on for today?
Gut seems to have settled down. Whew.
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Good luck ChaosRains. I hope it all goes smoothly for you.
Nancy
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How are you others who started doing? Too young momof2, Blownaway, Mumford, Ladytdf? What's hitting you?
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Hope the day goes well ChaosRains. I'll be right behind you. Took the first pre-chemo pill this morning. Love the dandelion sign. It is now on my fridge.And...TY to Mods.
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Coyote-What is a pre chemo pill? It amazes me that so many people are getting things that I haven't heard of.
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Mags- I am at work with shooting or stabbing pains here and there that come and go. Also some pretty bad heartburn and constipation BUT NO NAUSEA!!!!! Does anyone have an irritated throat? I noticed that for several days prior to the heartburn coming on. I am fotunate that work is not very busy this week. Had a heck of a time with reconciling the bank statements! It might have to wait a few days!
God bless all the ladies doing their first infusion.
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Blownaway I take zofran and promethazine. I take them around the clock. Zofran every 8hrs and I take it. Promethazine is every 6hrs but it puts me to sleep so I take that one at bedtime. Today I am really fatigue. I am just resting. I wish the best for
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My pre- and post- chemo pills are steroids, dexamethasone. I take two twice a day the day before and the day after.
Blownaway, so glad you have an easy work week, take care and get some rest. You too, Ladytdf.
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Well made it back from first round of AC... feel slightly nauseous and kind of spacey but so far so good!
Coyote good luck tomorrow- you can do this!
Blownaway where are you getting your treatments? I go to Methodist Houston... I hope you are feeling better soon!
Hope everyone is doing well!
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magdelene51, I'm doing way better than I expected to be. My mouth is a little sore and my scalp is starting to itch. Constipation now resolved (I think that was from the dex). One nosebleed. I really have little to complain about...
Thank you for asking...
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Blownaway; The dex tablets. 2 the day before and 2 the day after. Well,I had my first side-effect today. I'm diabetic and my blood glucose shot to 605! I've never seen that before. I called the clinic kind of embarrassed by not asking "what if" earlier, and the Dr. called me back immediately. She said to take my night dose of metformin and if it kept climbing go to the emergency room. Thank heavens, it dropped to under 200.0 -
Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement. I feel like we are the Multi-Musketeers! "One for All and All for One" I realize what I missed by not interacting with my fellow BC mates the last time I went through this. Actually, you all mean a lot to me already. We will get it done! If experience counts for anything...when I get my head out of the bucket, I'll be there for you.
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Okay, since we are all friends, I added a photo so you will know who I am. The photo was take 6 months after my last chemo on the last go around. My hair came in curly (now straight but super short) and very white.0 -
Oh I hope my hair looks that great next spring!
Finally took Imodium and gut has settled down; took a shower and wrapped a bandana around my hair. Decided that since it's going away anyway i'm not going to bother with it and DH is fine with that.
Steady as she goes, girls.
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I've been collecting these and figured I'd share them with y'all too... sorry if the language offends anyone i will remove it, as that is not my intent at all so just let me know...
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I like it. I like the spirit.
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Hello July chemo sisters!
I just started today (July 9) with TC chemo. So far, I have a massive headache, metallic taste in my mouth and I'm a bit wired but tired at the same time (maybe steroids?).
My oncologist here in SC wouldn't give me an opinion on whether or not to do chemo, but my CA oncologist said absolutely YES - so here I am.
I'm going to try to set up acupuncture, restorative yoga and do the things in Dr. Block's "Life Over Cancer" (melatonin, etc. etc.) My friend who just finished chemo for Stage 3 ovarian highly recommends it.
So happy to share this ride with others. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node 6 weeks ago since it was Stage 1 - and had a partial mastectomy and radiation 3 years ago for Stage 0 DCIS. Estrogen is obviously not my friend.
Deb
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Hi MomtoIrishQuads and welcome to the club no one wants to join. We're
notreally glad you're here. Seriously, we are already a pretty tight knit group, but there's always room for one more on this bus. Check in often and share your experiences with the side effects etc.I'm off to bed.
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Sorry it has been a few days..... I need advice.... after my allergic reaction to Docetaxol.. I felt decent the next day...slowly started to teeter with energy, on Sunday began to feel pressure behind neck pressure in face.... sore mouth swollen tounge holiday heart burn.. all some what normal side effects. On Monday I called cancer center as I woke up with a painful pimple like rash in ears and in face.... they told me to keep sores clean rinse mouth with baking soda.... I felt kinda stupid calling. A friend / fellow survivor brought me over a bunch of wigs...as we were talking my face neck swell and have hundreds of painful pimple like water blisters all over skull, face, in nose in ears over chest...skin so sire it almost crawls... I go to ER scared I am having delayed reaction they give me benadryl send me home..... today cannot leave bathroom stomach cramping in pain as soon as I out something in my mouth I have to run to bathroom with intestinal cramping and diarrhea.... now all of a sudden my injection site has stared to swell turn red and go numb....a week later is this normal...?
I don't want to be the girl who runs to Dr every little thing but.... I have done this before and nothing seems normal to me.... am I crazy or should I call cancer center again and make them see me???? very worried.
Soo sorry for the rant, trying to type fast before I run back to bathroom....as long as I sit still don't move I feal nirmal....
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Hi LadiesJust wanted to say hello and offer some support, my last chemo was 6/17. These forums are so wonderful for support thru this chemo crap! Hang on tight sisters, this too shall pass. ((hugs))
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Too Young...Call the doctor asap. Call as often as you need/want to. These are extreme side effects - not an "every little thing". Most oncology centers have 24 hour staff standing by for just such issues. Tell them you want to see the doctor. Your doctor will want to know and provide a remedy. They really don't want you to suffer! A good mouth wash: water, salt, baking soda, xylitol (a sweetener used in Europe in children's gum to help prevent tooth decay that can be purchased at most health food stores or online)
I'm afraid the stomach cramping/diarrhea is probably somewhat normal. Did your doctor give you a list of meds to have on hand for this? I will be taking Pepcid in the am and pm - symptom or not. I will also use Imodium at the first sign of cramping / diarrhea. When you call your doctor about the other matter, check to see if he/she agrees with my doctor.
So sorry things are so very miserable.
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Rambling Rose,
I really was planning to continue working as long as I felt well enough. Today I saw my primary who advises taking STD. I work in a hospital and she's concerned about what kind of 'bugs' I might come into contact with. She's starting me on a large weekly dose of vitamin D and something for sleep. Port will be laced on Wed next week, then my first treatment on Thur. I'll be glad to get it behind me so I can stop freaking out about it. This week I'll try to get some much needed rest and try to keep my stress level down. She also suggests either acupuncture or therapeutic massage, has anyone had experience with either of these?
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So thankful for this forum and everyone's willingness to share their experience, strength, and hope.
Had my arm port installed yesterday (beam me up, Scottie!) and going for the heart scan (MUGA?) this afternoon. Rough night of pain with the port--I don't see many people getting the arm port. I hope the pain and tenderness is a lot better by Tuesday, July 15, when I get the Doxyrubicin aka Killer Koolaid. The Hem/Onc team told me to be prepared for a six-hour visit on the first day of chemo. Yikes! It makes me wish I was one of those people who fall asleep on flights.
Greatest fear: nausea and vomiting. Having spent the better part of family vacations in the backseat of the car with my head poised over a brown paper grocery bag, I'm not eager to repeat that history. I will definitely take the advice of those who advocate staying ahead of the nausea.
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