Starting chemo August 2014
Comments
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This is just today! Amazing! Looks like you have tegaderm (like a big see though plastic sticker) on to cover incision. Enjoy the couch and norco. I'm sure you'll be happy for it as time goes by. Remember use a big glob of Elma cream to numb the port, like pea-sized, with a tegaderm on top for 10 min. Should be ver minor discomfort or pain free. Good luck!
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yep I got it at 9, was home about 12:20. I'm not really uncomfortable but am using ice pack and did take the two Norco. I will be putting the emla cream on it on Monday, I guess over this clear stuff. I'm glad I saw here to use more than a clear coating of it. Yep, no gauze or anything covering it, just this clear sticker. They said I can shower and not worry about it.
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Kellya - that's exactly how I looked after I got my port. It's been weeks and I still have a little bit of the clear glue on my chest. For my first infusion I put the Emla cream right in top of clear stuff and covered with Saran Wrap. I was advised to apply the Emla an hour before infusion.
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Hi Ladies I statrted chemo may 30th. Just wanted to share this with all of you who just started, you might enjoy.http://chemoangels.wix.com/chemo-angels-1/
Good luck to all of you. I'm suppose to start Taxol today, but I'm stopping treatment. Something I have soul searched and decided is best for me. Good luck to All of you.
Laura
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I was looking up information on the nuelasta shot since I'll be giving that to myself Tuesday. In the site, I found info on side effects. Haven't looked at it but I'm always into reading stuff. Here's a link if maybe you like to do that too.
http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/default.aspx#.U_eX1GK9KK0
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not sure why that link didn't highlight, really has good info, I just looked at a few. You can copy that link and paste into your browser
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kellya, my fellow tnbc girl, thanks for posting your picture. Wow the surgical site looks incredible, already healing. Will be thinking of you as you begin AC on Monday. I'm on day 7 after my first AC. If you're like me, Plan on days 3-4.5 as your down days. Keep on top of heartburn and anti constipation issues. Will be trying DGL licorice next time for heartburn although rolaids did provide fair relief.
Please let us know how you make out.
Cheers,
Toots
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hi Wizard 50, I'm glad that worked for you re emla. In the OR we used to lift the tegaderm partially, squeeze emla directly on the skin, the replace the tegaderm to keep it from wiping off. The tegaderm, if I remember, is only slightly permeable. Ask the nurse for her instructions, of course, Kellya, but you may have even better results applying it directly on top of the skin. Good luck.
TootsEtu, I'm feeling really foggy and sleepy, fatigued day one after AC.Not looking forward to day 3,4,5 then. Wonder if the cold caps take a lot out of you too? Time will tell. Hope you are feeling better a week out. Good luck!
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toots, what is DGL licorice? I'm hoping I'm ok Thursday after the AC Monday as I have an appt with my BS. I guess I should be fine if just sitting in her office waiting.
Did any of you drive after treatments? They said I may feel fine when I leave. It is about a 45 minute drive. I have lots of people who've offered to take me, just wondered. I also hoped to drive Tuesday to pick up my wigs.
Edited to say: that clear tape is above the port except the very top, so I think I will be able to cover almost the whole thing with the cream. I notice there are a couple dots in the middle, do you think that where they will try to put the needle? And do you tape Saran Wrap on top?
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just read about the licorice, Toots, thanks! I am glad to know there is another TN girl here...well not glad, but will be good since we should have same cocktail etc.
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Gatomal - I didn't know you could lift the tegaderm. I felt a pinch when the port was accessed but I assumed that was because I had applied the Emla about 30 minutes prior. Thanks for the info, that's good to know.
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Kellya - the Saran Wrap stayed in place without tape.
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Hi Ladies,
Justamy - sorry to here u r dealing w SE so quickly. Maybe they will go away as quickly too. Hang in there!
When I showered this a.m. Clumps of hair came out. So my sister came up and buzzed my head. My husband and son joined me and even shaved their mustaches. Here is my new/temporary look.
Hope everyone is doing better today.
Cathie
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Cathie- You're gorgeous! I can see your surrounded by lots of love and positive energy! I start my 'regime" 8/28. I hope i am smiling like you two weeks later!
All the best!
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Glad all went well kellya!
Day 2 for me has been super good. After a rocky start yesterday today brought no SE's at all. Slept well last night. Went and got my shot and went grocery shopping. Found some food that I could eat and ate a complete dinner. Enjoying the up days cause I know SE's are coming.
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Cathie, what a beautiful photo!
Justamy, glad you had a good day! Will you give yourself the next shot? Is it nuelasta?
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Chemo #1 is officially done! Or looking at it another way, I'm now 12.5% done with my treatment
) The port worked just fine and very little pain when the nurse accessed it. I don't feel too bad right now, a little headache, a little queasy, and a little tired. Fingers crossed these SE's all stay on the little side. Kellogg, I was thinking of you today and hoping your first day also went well.
Toots and Kellya, I'm also a TN girl. I am doing A-C first and then T with carboplatin.
Cathie, you are beautiful and I hope I look that good when I buzz my hair in a few weeks.
Robyn
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Cathie - you look beautiful! Your smile is contagious
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Cathie you look great! Very inspiring for us that will be losing our hair soon. Thanks for sharing.
Got 2nd neupogen shot today. Began running a fever of 102.9. It's had me in bed all day. I'm hoping and believing for a great weekend and hope everyone SE's are minimal.
Hang on to the good days!! Keep believing and fighting!!
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Cathie, you and your family are beautiful! I have the same cocktail as you, but started 4 days later. I'm trying to be "careful" with my hair
but thinking I probably have 4 more days or so left...Today was much better; got a full day of work in! Now ready for a relaxing weekend. I don't want to jinx it, but I think my taste buds are coming back! Hubby just surprised me with a batch of brownies, which are cooling now. Fingers crossed! Still pretty tired, energy goes without warning, and I feel SO BLOATED & not much appetite, but brownies might help!
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hi everyone. Had my first chemo today. It went well. As the cytoxan was finishing I gor light headed, dizzy and just all around foggy. My nurse said that can be normal for some people and should subside in an hour or so. Then my cheeks and lips went kind of numb. She's never seen that side effect so she called my MO's nurse practitioner and she said she's seen some patients have that but I should hang around for a not and make sure it goes away. It did in about 30 minutes. Came home played with my so a dr watched Elmo and read Elmo book, he's obsessed. Now I'm feeling a little nauseous and have. Headache so took some meds and am off to bed.
Justamy and didi I hope you feel better tomorrow.
Purplegurll I hope your treatment went well today and you are feeling good!
Welcome Ella and Jennifer!
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weird I hit post and when it posted a bunch of new posts showed up!
Cathie you look great!
Purplegurll thanks for thinking of me!
Strongenough I hope brownies helped.
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welcome llizz, Jennifer,Ella and Toots! Pangtidor I updated your date.
Glad to see minimal SEs for those that started chemo this week.
Hope50 get the temp checked out. I was told if my temp was above 101 and some say 101.5 to call MO. Hoping you are feeling better tomorrow.
Cathie love the picture.
Went to see my MO today. All went well. She was surprised to see I still had a head full of hair with no thinning. I am losing a few strands but no heavy shedding. I figure I have a few days. I have my wigs ready and cutting my hair this weekend.
For the port I don't have a clear plastic covering. Are you guys referring to the glue or something else. Also for the cream is it over the counter or prescription? Want to ensure I get it before next infusion on Wednesday.
For those going in for your 2nd or 3rd infusion let us know the day/ dates so we can support you.
Have an awesome weekend! I am going to enjoy. Wishing minimal SEs for those that just had treatment.
Hugs and sleep well August Ladies!
-angie
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Ladyb - the Emla cream is prescription. I'm surprised you aren't losing your hair too. I noticed I started losing a few more strands than normal on Monday/Tuesday and on Wednesday it really started to fall out. It's thinned out incredibly in the last couple of days and tomorrow it gets cut.
Wishing everyone an awesome weekend and hoping all have minimal SE.
Hugs to all!
Cathy
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great pic Cathie!!!
Justamy, I'm so glad you could find something you like to eat. My taste buds change daily. Bananas were great yesterday but I can't even stand its smell today. Lol. Chewing crystallized ginger helps me today. I had to rinse off all the sugar.
Thank you ladyb. Lidocaine cream /EMLA has to be prescribed by the MD.
Looking forward for my brownies day stay strong ... For now, I'm just happy I could eat something for the day.
Kellogg and purplegurll , stay strong . At least number one is DONE.... Woot woot....
Hope everyone can get through the days well.
Sending my extra strength and lot of hugs for you guys .........
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hi all, slept til 3:30 and took my Norco, laid there an hour or so and finally fell back to sleep, up at 7:30 and took more. Pretty normal sleeping pattern for me. The pain isn't bad, just an aching and pulling feeling mostly in the front of my neck. Think I will put the ice pack on, I think that really helps.
Yes, ladyb, the cream is prescription but I got mine at walmart so must be everywhere. I'd get it, why have any pain if you don't have to.
as far as the clear covering, it's kind of weird. It is kind of rough feeling and over a few days they say it will dissolve. I think mine was some kind of a dura bond?I was told that on the 17th day after chemo I will start to lose my hair. That I will feel a tingling feeling in "the nether region" a few days before that happens. I pick my wig and halo up next week, Tuesday if I feel well.
Were any of you up and about the day after chemo? Like driving and shopping?
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Kellya the first couple of days weren't so bad. For me it was days 3-5 that were the hardest. Mostly the. I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Drink lots and lots of water. I think that helps. Take your nausea meds. I did have a really bad headache those first few days but it didn't keep me down. They said that was from all the meds.
Rest and rest some more. You will probably get wiped out easily. You will be doing great and wham, all energy is zapped from you.
Hang in there everyone. May you all have a great weekend. Be good to yourselves!!
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Hi Kellya
My name is Kelly too and my middle initial is A... Ha ha. I just went grocery shopping today and it is day after chemo. I feel pretty good. I haven't driven mostly because my port is sore from Thursday even though they said I could drive. The nurse had a hard time getting the needle In yesterday because the area was still swollen. She promised an easier time in 2 weeks!
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I'm surprised at how relatively good I'm feeling on day 2. Finished up first chemo yesterday at 5:00. Some friends brought over dinner and I ate a little salad and some bread with butter. I was a little nauseous and had some tummy rumbling but took a pill and fell asleep until 1:00 am. Up for a few hours watching TV and then back to sleep until 7:30. No desire for coffee this morning and I'm normally a must-have coffee girl. Instead, I had a grilled cheese sandwich with cut up fruit and a coke for breakfast. It all tasted fine. I know days 3-5 may not be so great so I'm going to take advantage of today.
Pang, I hope you find some good things to eat today.
Kellya, I had the port put in on Tuesday last week and it feels so much better today. Also, it is day 2 after chemo and I'm about to get ready to head out shopping. I also was told day 17 for hair falling out. Unfortunately the wig I had picked out was on back order so we had to switch it up yesterday and now I'm praying it comes in on time.
Kellogg, glad to hear all is well!
Wishing everyone a good Saturday.
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Kellogg I'm Kelly Ann. I'm thinking I will be pretty swollen Monday still, hopefully the soreness around is better.
Hope50 I hope I do feel ok for a couple days after too, but if not, I will just take it easy.
Purplegurll I see we are doing same Meds and TNBC, will be interesting to see if our SE are similar. Good for you for finding something with protein that tasted good to you.
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