Starting chemo July 2014
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For those afraid of the nausea, ask your doctor for ativan. It will help that and calm nerves at the same time. Sometimes the fear of nausea can trigger it, at least for me it did. I had 3 anti-nausea's in my cocktail, ativan, aloxi....and for the life of me I can't remember the 3rd one right now. It helped alot, my first tx I only had aloxi and it made a huge difference when they bumped me up on the others.I also agree about calling your MO when you have a concern. They are there for that and always have on-call doctors and staff. Please don't suffer in silence ((hugs))
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Can anyone tell me if you have to pay a copay every time you receive a chemo treatment and shot... 4 rounds of AC with shot and then Dr. Visit then 12 weeks of taxol then 6 weeks of radiation will put me out on the street if I have to pay a copay every time... I have oxford liberty and I called to inquire but the girl didnt seem like she knew...Im worried
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There was a billing person at the Oncology office that I went to, actually I guess she was the insurance specialist. She went over everything with me in the beginning. Can you see if there is anyone there that can help you with this? The cancer center I go to knows that no one can afford all of those payments everytime and were/are willing to work with us as we go.0 -
Hi Girls hope everything i going fine with you....
CoyoteNV following your foot step I'm putting up my picture also is good to see you guys feels more real. I did cut my hair short so when start to fall I will shave
CoyoteNV since my treatment will be the same as yours, do you have any advice before chemo to manage better the side effects?
I went wig shopping but the one was good on me was $ 390 and my plan does not cover ,...so I think Im going to pass that...
I'm anxious to star and get over with ....I'm having a lot of stomach pain since I had the Zoladex shot so Im thinking that could be related ...Anyone here had the shot before treatment?
XO
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Mags - thats so funny. I stopped wasting conditioner on mine. Put all my expensive hair products away in the back of the cabinet and said see ya next year!
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Hi mommyme - I just ordered a couple of wigs on ebay after going into a wig shop and trying on a few to see what styles work for me. I refuse to spend alot since Im getting one in every color and changing my name with each to match the style. So far I have a Holly, Sirena, Tammy and Gloria. Might as well have a little fun on the days youre feeling well!
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Momof2, I will echo what the others said: call the doc!! They really do have 24/7 monitoring of phones for exactly this! What you are having is NOT NORMAL!! Don't let it go unchecked!
Cinchacha, definitely keep ahead of the nausea. Some have said it's best, especially if you have had trouble in the past with nausea, to take the meds on schedule rather than as needed.
Here is a lesson I've learned so far: Don't try to wait out a side effect thinking it will pass because it always has before. Deal with them as soon as they come up. Keep meds on hand that you might need, even if you never do. Wish I'd had Imodium in the house a few days ago, my derrière would be much happier now. I didn't because I'm so prone to constipation I never thought I'd have the opposite problem.
Chemo changes everything.
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BlownawayLove the idea and even more the attitude... that's the spirit!
Well I will try to get something online too and see how it goes.
Thank's for the idea
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DH has promised to take me wig shopping when I'm up to it, but I have to say, being an old hippie at heart, and a hermit to boot, I predict I will be content with my bandanas for the most part. But I will let him get me one he likes on me. Just in case I should ever leave the house for anything other than chemo and doc visits.
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I cut my hair short too, then shaved my head on the 4th... pretty emotional dont think ive had short hair since the first grade! But i wasnt letting cancer take it from me... i was going to do it first!!
Right now im just sticking with wraps, beanies, hats and bandanas... it feels so weird to have something on my head. I think i will eventually get a wig or two but they will be cheapies...
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So its 24 hrs since first treatment really just feel kind of like im dragging, nausea comes and goes but not bad. Id almost describe it as how you feel when you are just getting over the flu... had to go get my nuelesta shot this morning and they said it would cause even more fatigue... we will see how it goes... i might actually have to take a nap!!
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You are gorgeous!!!!!
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ChaosRains,
You are beautiful with or without the hair.....My first time around I had a very long hair just like you. It was very hard so I imagine what are you feeling.You must be very young the first time that I had BC I was 24. I definitely will shave after my first chemo and plan to do a girls tea party for that....I need to make it feel better than last time.
Stay strong
XO
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Chaos Rains you are beautiful. I am in Houston and going to Baylor for chemo. I love your
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chaosrain- Beautiful picture and glad you are making it through today. Make sure you take your anti nausea meds with plenty of water and with food since those drugs can cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach. When I was in chemoland, I used to eat 5-6 very small meals a day. I was told that keeping something in my tummy would help prevent the nausea. Now, if the nausea doesn't get better after taking your meds, make sure you call the oncologist. There is an on-call oncologist where you are having treatment, 24/7. Keep drinking fluids to help flush that chemo through. Another tip is that you may want to try taking a regular 24 hour Claritin to help prevent the bone pain from the Neulasta shot. There is an on going clinical trial being conducted on Claritin. According to the clinical trial protocal, one takes Claritin for 7 days starting the day that one receives the shot. It is probably a good idea to take the Claritin a few hours before you go in for the Neulasta shot. Just remember, that you may still experience muscles aches and joint pain from the chemo and the Neulasta shot may not be causing these. Wishing you the best with this first round.
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ChaosRains - you got this! Gorgeous pics!
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Beautiful....
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U Ladies are all lovely--
Did u try the cancer wig and hat book for wigs---they are reasonably priced on the low side and come in 3 sizes too. And they are very nice and they have pretty head wear.
Ladies I didn't read all but 1/2 of this thread I'm done and hope for good but I did think of the plastic forks and spoons I was told to use==and Biotene mouthwash to help dryness--It's all so different for all who get this lousy disease and as was said tell u'r Onc. but anything that bothers you right away and they'll help u right away. Cuz when I got chemo it was over a yr. before I said anything, only cuz when the nurse or Doc asked me how do u feel I'd always say fine. Then my sister who was going thru cancer at the same time and my niece told me no no this isn't a polite question from them they want to know--so from then on I told them--I got chemo before my BMX and after and every change of chemo seemed to be different so it's hard to say, but just tell u'r Dr. Now this is something I was told before and I didn't do it and I should have---my foot Dr. told me to wear good support hose during chemo cuz he saw a lot of patients after and they had a lot of swelling, well I do have lymphedema so it would have been a good idea for me but then u don't know I guess. I wish u all well and this is a really bad pot hole but u still go on.
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Melrose - I agree with on the muscle and joint pains. I didnt have a neulasta shot but had stabbing pains in various places from chemo. I took claritin 24 hour and tylenol for several days and was much better.
SURE ARE A LOT OF US FROM HOUSTON! They must have rerouted Buffalo Bayou into our drinking supply!
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Cami you are so sweet to drop in and give us tips and encouragement. Hermits rule! (We only rule a very small domain but we do rule it, right?)
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Mags my world is small but it is great--so u'r right.
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Thanks for all the compliments ladies.
I'm 39... have a 20 yr old son, 17 yr old daughter, and my son made me a grandma 11 months ago!
Sadly, im already use to bone and joint pain as i also have lupus, so it just feels like im having a lupus flare. The nausea is very minimal as well- i bought some of the psi motion sickness bands and you are only supposed to wear them for 2 hrs at a time... when i wear them i have no nausea whatsoever... its when i take them off for an hour that i feel just slightly queasy... the fatigue is what i notice the most as ive always been very active... it seems like im half asleep when im awake
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Chaos - I love love love the sentiment in your declaration to cancer.
I have a similar view, but less polite language :-)
Love seeing you ladies here - gives me strength for tomorrow (ugh. I'm scared...)
I'm also honestly a little shocked at how many of us are under 40. I mean, what? Did we all win the lottery??
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Blownaway--- You are too funny..... always need some humor here!!!!
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I step away from the computer for a day, and it is filled with news and comments! It took me awhile to catch up!
To mommymel: I have been doing lots of research this time around. I've read every word on Dr. Block's site. I purchased and read Anti-Cancer and it explains a lot about what foods we should be eating (or not). It also explains why cancer has become a young person's disease. It is scary. Yes, the Doctor who wrote the book eventually died of cancer, but he exceeded his life expectance x 4. He was 31 years old and found out he had brain cancer.
I am being treated by an oncologist who is part of the Jon Huntsman Cancer Clinic in Utah. They use a lot of LivingStrong materials and are very pro-active in treating side-effects. I have researched side-effect treatments written by members of Breastcancer.org and put together a personal binder of suggestions and instructions for my husband to help me with regarding foods and supplements, some of which I have offered in this topic. Check my previous posts to see if any of those sound good to you. I'll be happy to share, but not everyone is going to be onboard with my thoughts.
I had chemo treatment #1 today. It went well...so far. I know that the tide will turn in a different direction soon. I am going to take what the Nurse Navigator labeled Nausea pill 1 in a few minutes. Last resort Nausea pill 3 is Ativan. One urp and it goes right to that! I'm going to try to go pro-active rather than reactive. In 4 hours, I will take Nausea pill 2. And so on through the night. Hopefully, I can stay ahead of it. We will see what tomorrow brings. BUT, I was given a shopping list for over the counter meds to deal with whatever comes my way. AND I will use them.
A short note turned into a long post. If you don't hear from me for a couple days, you will know my foolproof plan failed.
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Coyote, give us a holler when you're able. You'll be in my thoughts. I hope you have an easy time of it this time around.
I did fine today until about 3pm when the diarrhea hit suddenly and hard. Had to call my cousin to get the Imodium and a hot water bottle and I lay there curled up in a fetal position for a couple hours until it calmed down but I've been sitting in my recliner with the hot water bottle ever since and it feels like it's going to hit again so I've taken another Imodium and I'm going to bed. I'll call the MO tomorrow and get a rx for something stronger.
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Coyote and ChaosRain,
Glad to hear that you are hanging in there...... I had my first chemo session yesterday so right there with you.
Day 2 feels like a bad flu - worst thing is the headache (that Advil doesn't put a dent in), body aches, quesy (taking the anti-nausea meds), hot flashes, and couldn't sleep last night. Had my hubby go to Whole Foods to get the Dr. Bloch recommended stuff.....guess I'll try the melatonin tonight as I was up until 5am (was that the steroids which I stop today?).
Is this all par for the course? I hope that this doesn't go on for 12 weeks....does it get better?
ChaosRain - haven't cut my hair short but plan to with the hot weather and sweats - you have inspired me! I guess we have 13 or so days to enjoy short hair before the buzz cut. I still haven't figured out what to do for head coverings - I'm not a wig kind of gal - probably beanies and scarves I'm sure there are websites with options - best ones?
Deb
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Coyote thank you so much for the tips I will grab the book to read too. I will make a list to buy the things you guys say it's god to have on hand. You will be on my prayers even more this week . Hope you have an smooth path throughout all of this.
I have a lot of trouble with my stomach, also get nauseated very often hopefully will not be a problem with the meds.
Mags and all girls that are having treatment these week my heart goes out to you and I wish you all no SE what so ever ..... If possible!
Hope you all feel better !
XO
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Hi all,
I just found out my M.O. wants me to start chemo on July 18th before my next surgery and not after (needing another surgery to get better margins). Anyway, my regimen is Taxotere, Perjeta, Herceptin (TPH). Wonder if anyone is doing this... Perjeta is fairly new but has been working great with Herceptin. Scared of the side effects and how I'll feel, as you all are too. I have been really looking into the cold caps and spoke to a rep from "Chemo Cold Caps" today. I think I'm going to go for it...as I told my BS when she asked "what do you have to lose?" I said "only my hair"....
good luck to you all.
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I see what you guys mean about the body aches now... ugh! I feel like I got ran over by a train.
How long does this last ? Will i feel "normal" before my next treatment or is this my new normal?
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Chaos Rains, did you get a Neulasta shot? Are you taking Claritin? The Neulasta is supposed to promote growth of new white blood cells, and its SE is bone pain, and the Claritin seems to mitigate that somewhat. But other than that, general achiness is to be expected.
I have fibromyalgia and arthritis so I'm not sure how much different I'm feeling.
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