August 2015 Chemo Group
Comments
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It has been so great to have this group. I'm day 10 post my first chemo treatment and still having such GI issues I can't leave the house. I went in for IV fluids Friday and the nurse practitioner I spoke with today said she wants me tested for CDiff. Good to know they are taking it all seriously and hopeful we can manage some side effects a little more proactively in the next round.
I am shedding a lot but haven't noticeably lost much hair yet. I did order a wig that will arrive Wednesday.
I made the hard decision yesterday to not return to work. I have a very demanding job with a very substantial salary. I've never been home with my kids and I figured now is the time. Our household income will be about 40% what it was, but I'm excited to spend my healthiest days playing with my kids after school, not pitching a proposal in a board room. Hope I'm doing the right thing.
I've been amazed in the past few weeks how incredibly compassionate our friends and neighbors have been. More than 50 people have signed up to make us dinner--we are fed through October!
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Hello everyone!
I'm Nicole, I'm 27 and was diagnosed with stage 3 infiltrating ductal carcinoma in April. I had just graduated a dental hygiene program and was actively looking for a job before this mess started. My husband and I will be celebrating 7 years of marriage at the end of the month (yes, we were babies!) we have weathered through 6 years in the army and one deployment so i know this is just one more storm we have to make it through. We desperately want children and were finally trying prior to my diagnosis.
Now onto my cancer "journey". I found a lump in my right breast sometime around October/November 2014. I had been on the birth control pill for 8 years prior to me coming off of it to start trying to conceive. I figured this lump was just a side effect of coming off the birth control. I of course googled it and found that some women do experience lumps after discontinuing their birth control so I didn't think anything of it. During that winter I was sick with the flu 4 times within a 2 month period and I was just SO tired and exhausted all the time. Fast forward to March, I was deep "spring" cleaning the house and my armpit started hurting. I thought it was just from mopping and scrubbing everything. Days after I was still experiencing the pain so my husband called the doctor because I wouldn't. I was in denial, I'm too young for this - our lives are finally just starting! I go to the doctors and she told me that it was just a more "dense" area of tissue, she did blood work because of my tiredness and sent me for an ultrasound. Ultrasound turned into biopsy and on April 8th I was called into my doctors office to tell me that it was in fact breast cancer. From there we went to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston where my treatment plan turned into a lumpectomy and 5-7 weeks of radiation. I had the lumpectomy and sentinel node mapping May 15 and it wasn't too bad. I retained too much fluid so I did have to return to have some fluid suctioned out. A week after I found out that my margins weren't clear and that both sentinel nodes they had removed were also cancerous. At this point I knew that my treatment plan would change and include chemotherapy.
My husband and I contacted a fertility specialist and my oncologist cleared me to do one round of IVF in hopes to freeze some eggs and or embryos. That was a two week grueling process, very tiring! But we want to have a chance to have a family in the future. June 10th I went in for my egg retrieval and was able to get 1 embryo and 7 eggs frozen. I hope that my ovaries continue to work after my chemo and I won't even need to use those but they are there just in case and it helps me have some peace of mind.
At this point I was ready to have my next surgery (another lumpectomy) plus a full axillary dissection. I met with my surgeon prior and she said that she thought that another lumpectomy would get it all but my husband asked her if she was sure. Of course nothing is guaranteed so she offered an MRI to be sure which surgery was right at that point. I had the MRI and the day after I learned that they had found 3 more areas of concern, 2 in my left breast, 1 in my right. I had biopsies in all of the areas and the day after I learned that the two spots in the left were additional tumors and the one in the right was a fibroadenoma. I was now facing a mastectomy and losing my mind.
July 17th I had my single mastectomy with a total axillary dissection and also had a tissue expander placed. It was hell. I hated the lopsided feeling and even made myself a little bra to give my right breast some support. The pain was unimaginable especially in the armpit but I got through it. I found out that they had removed 17 lymph nodes and two more were positive. So now we were looking at 4/19 lymph nodes being involved. My range of motion is getting better by the day. I am uncomfortable most of the time with the tissue expander(especially sleeping!) but I will get through it. I've had about 540ccs put into the expander and my plastic surgeon wants to aim for around 800.
I started my chemotherapy Thursday, August 13th. I had my port placed and my first chemo in the same day. I forgot to take my heartburn medication after I woke up from the port placement and when I got home after my chemo I started experiencing some pretty intense heartburn which turned into nausea which turned into vomiting. Friday I had to return to get my neulasta shot which I didn't really experience any side effects from thankfully. I kept on top of my anti nausea medications but in turn they gave me some pretty bad insomnia. I felt so tired but couldn't get a wink of sleep. By Tuesday I called and told them the nausea wasn't getting any better and they prescribed me some zofran which worked a bit better. By Wednesday I couldn't take the lack of sleep anymore so we called and went in for an appointment. They prescribed me some Ativan to help with my anxiety and sleeping. I felt like a brand new person on Thursday and actually made it to all 3 of my appointments including one in boston to get my tissue expander filled. I'm nervous for the next chemo session, I get nausea even thinking of it. I am so nervous to lose my hair, I've always had very long beautiful blonde hair, but I know it will happen and I'll eventually get over it.
On Thursday I was told that my WBC count was low and for the past few days I've been experiencing some pretty bad cystic acne (I've always had acne but nothing like this) on my chin. I have about 7-10 cysts on my chin alone. Should I be calling the doctor and letting them know about this? I'm unsure if it's anything "serious" because I'm new to this chemo world!
Thanks for listening to my story, I can't wait to be done with all of this, which I'm sure you all feel the same way!
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Hi Nicole! I'm very sorry you have to be here! And you are right you are too yong for this, but I'll tell you what my doctor said, he said the younger you are the easier will be to go trough the chemo. Now that you know how the first chemo went you will take the Zofran in time and it will be easier. Hair.... I know... It's hard but it will grow back after the treatment, you have the whole life ahead of you. I also have anxiety and I take Xanex, which helps me so far.
I wish we never have to go trough this... But we have to ! For the better future!
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I started chemo on Friday. Felt fantastic all day. My "chemo-mates" are grand people, all of them. (My doctor has everyone together in one room, although I could choose a private room if I need to work or want privacy.) Two women much younger than I am, who had much worse cases, but are as positive as can be; one man much older than I am who has had several different cancers, all of them very bad ones, and yet has the most optimistic mindset of anyone I think I've ever met. (I think you'd have to be pretty optimistic, after getting through several cancers and living past 80.) Overall, I thought the whole chemo procedure was weird, but very tolerable. (Actually, the constant stream of conversation was probably the hardest part about it, because I wasn't anticipating that and had hoped to be able to do some work.) There was also a woman about my age who was on her last treatment, and another woman who just came to visit, who had made it through pancreatic cancer with my doctor's help, and who looked radiant and very healthy. That was sure encouraging!
We were scheduled for a big weekend camping with all of our friends and our kid's friends, meant to start that night. I felt fine, so we went for it. Didn't experience any side effects during the trip, and even went hiking twice (to my own surprise - it's been a few years since I've hiked at all). I suspect that as my doctor promised, the lower-dose weekly chemo regimen means that my side effects may not be quite as bad as they would have been otherwise. But I don't like even a little bit of irregularity, so I'm going to try the BRAT diet (bananas, applesauce, rice, toast) just to keep on an even keel, and also some probiotics and yogurt.
Luckily my son starts school in a few days, so during the day if I'm not feeling well it won't be weighing on him, and in the evenings he'll be distracted by homework and entertained by his dad. I am taking an anti-nausea med that makes me feel sleepy, so I've been sleeping more than usual. I'm not feeling terribly productive today, maybe also because of the sleepy feeling (and I have a really bad headache too, not sure if that's a side effect or just a coincidence.) I am thinking of asking for both the Friday (treatment day) and following Monday (3rd-day, side effects expected) off sick for the next 12 weeks, if I have that much time available.
On Friday I was thinking, hey, this isn't so bad after all ... now I'm feeling a lot of trepidation about what I might be in for. I just keep saying to myself, it's only 12 weeks, it's only 12 weeks ...
BTW did anyone catch the New York Times story about over-diagnosis and over-treatment of DCIS that happened to come out on Friday? It felt kind of ironic seeing that headline, as I was about to sit down for my first chemotherapy treatment, since DCIS was my initial diagnosis. Had they chosen (as one doctor in the story proposed) not to tell me about the DCIS at all, there would have been no biopsy, no Lx, and thus the cancer lurking within the DCIS would not have been discovered, at least maybe until my next mammogram. Scary thought.
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@Nicole, if you haven't yet, you might want to look into the "chemo diva" halo wig. I'm planning to have one made. It's made from your own hair, so you can go on feeling like yourself while you wear a wig (under a scarf or hat). I need to get my hair cut off by Friday if I don't want to start seeing it fall out. Had to prepare the kid and we are planning a "goodbye party" for my hair this week. I promised to pose for kooky photos with my hair up in all kinds of weird 'dos for him.
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@BlueFrog76, that must have been such a hard decision to make, but I totally understand your choice. The time I've got with my family is so precious to me now. If I weren't working at home, I'm sure I'd be thinking of the same thing, because I can't imagine being gone all day every day now. But honestly we couldn't afford it, even if I wanted to leave work - we need both our salaries to make ends meet. Best of luck with your treatment - I sure hope they get a handle on the GI issues for you!
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Welcome to all newcomers. Sorry you have to be here, but welcome nevertheless. We have a pretty awesome group going! My biggest advice to ALL is this: stay hydrated (a gallon or more of fluids a day), take your nausea meds, call the doctor if you have questions or concerns, and don't EXPECT side effects, but be prepared for them. My biggest complaint, other than the back-and-forth pendulum between constipation and diarrhea, was feeling completely hungover and tired for the first 8-9 days. Fortunately, that's passed.
It's day 11 post-first-infusion for me, and I feel almost 100%, other than--wait for it--this giant, angry pimple on my right buttock, which complements the newly-developed acne on my face. Good thing I already have an appointment with the NP on Wednesday, or I'd be calling. . . . The last thing I need right now is a staph infection, am I right? I'm treating it with hot compresses and tea tree oil in the meantime.
I'm shedding, too, and have scheduled an appointment to buzz the rest of my hair this Friday. Nothing like starting a new semester with a new look, is there? Here's to hats. Lots of different ones. I seriously contemplated getting a wig, but I run very hot (and sweat, especially in my head/neck area), so hats it is. A good friend just got me a super lightweight one that I think will be my favorite teaching hat.
Hang in there, ladies. This sucks, but it's doable. I'm already looking forward to December, when the chemo leg of the journey will be over. Herceptin for a year, sure, but the hard-core stuff is . . . well, it's hard-core!
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You just read my mind! I'm waiting for the New Year when the chemo will be over !
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i need help! I can not drink the amount of liquid they are telling me to drink. If I sip one more cup of water or juice I am going to scream. Any ideas??? I am not a big drinker, like 2-3 glasses a day, bad I know!
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Hey, nsweeney43, thanks for sharing your story.
You sure are beautiful and I can see why you're nervous about losing your lovely blonde hair. And goodness, how many 'life events' can any of us cope without losing it just a little? But listen, almost everyone who loses their hair gets it back again. It's hard hard hard but it won't be forever.
You (we) need this chemo, and it's going to help in the long run.
The WORST bit of all this is the uncertainty at the beginning. Even if it gets physically worse as the cycles build up, mentally it gets better because you start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Mom2ABoy, I too balked at that DCIS story. I was told I had DCIS initially but it turned out to be IDC. Glad I was told and treated fairly promptly!
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Cah21, how about soups? That's liquid too. What I do for myself is a ginger tea with lemon and honey. I use fresh ginger, not a tea bags. And I drink it cold. Try it...
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Ruska, you look beautiful! I can see why your ex didn't see any difference.
Cah21, I like fruit teas (caffeine free), hot or iced and water, but with lemon, lime, orange or other fruits infused into them, even decaf iced tea is nice. Ruska is right, light vegetable broth is an excellent hot drink you could have with your lunch or dinner. And like her, I also like ginger and lemon tea. It's a nice change from the sweet teas. If you can handle bubbles, flavored seltzers are also a good option. I'm not a big drinker either. I could take all day to drink a 12oz single cup of coffee, but we have to push ourselves temporarily. Just do the best you can! Anything is better than nothing.
Bluefrog76, that must have a been a very tough decision, and one I am currently mulling over (good money, insurance paid for in full, make my own hours). I'm sure your kids will love the extra time with you as well!
nsweeney43, welcome and I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I would mention the cystic acne to your MO, and also contact your dermatologist. It may be treatable and right now we need to do everything we can to feel as good as we can inside AND out.
KateB79, you continue to inspire me! I just did my chemo prep shopping and I ordered three caps from headcovers.com. I am also not a wig person, although I have a couple from my opera days (normal looking hair, not crazy eighteenth century extravaganzas!). Good luck with your bum. My best friend, also with BC, has an infection in hers that abcessed. What a mess!
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cah21, try watermelon, popsicles, and everything that Bunnybumps and Ruska have suggested! It's hard, for sure--I've always been a big water drinker, but a gallon is really pushing it, even for me. Anything that has water IN it counts toward your fluid intake. I drank a lot of sparkling mineral water and such that first week.
Bunnybumps, thanks for the kind words! I'm keeping a close eye on this thing (well, as close as I can, considering its rather unfortunate location), and it seems to be getting better. That said, I'll have the NP take a look on Wednesday when I see her. At this point, I've lost all sense of modesty, so I'll just bare my rear and ask her what it is. Really hoping I don't have to take antibiotics for it, given the already-crappy thrush situation. . . . OH, THE INDIGNITY. But, hell, if the potions are curing the cancer, I'll take the SEs, even the buttock bump.
That said, I think you should wear some of the eighteenth-century extravaganza wigs. That would be very cool.0 -
Hi All! Shaved the head today! Went well actually...no tears...I know it will hit me (with tears) but ok as of now. Wig is good - but in process (need to get it steamed so it sits right and do some styling with the straight iron, etc.). Soon I may post some before, during (took some really funny pics) and after...
2nd treatment of TC tomorrow...will let you know what cumulative SEs feel like after a 2nd treatment.
Hugs!
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Day 8 on TC (first of 4 sessions):
So, I was supposed to get out of town, go visit my son away at college, and go to an art show (Pageant of the Masters--it's awesome). I thought I was doing GREAT, but my WBC count plunged to 1. So, I got a Neupogen shot today, and I get them for the next few days. It kind of depressed me. I really thought I was doing great. Anyone else get a low WBC count after the first treatment? Does Neupogen make you ache like the Neulasta? My face is still broken out. They determined it's not acne and it's not a rash, so it might be Rosacea... still probably aggravated by the Taxotere or the steroid. I'll take minocycline. So, the doc said if I get shots today and tomorrow, take monocycline, and come back for a shot on Thursday, I can go visit my son and go to the show. The good news is that my energy is good, and I'm still walking 4 miles a day (which is why they said my RBC and platelets were good). Any one else feel fine and then go to the doctor's office and feel "sick" because you're getting all these tests?
@susanne50: In my IV is a steroid, zofran, and the Emend. I haven't had to take any nausea meds yet, either. Whew!
@SDCA and @Ruska, I'm right in there with you (and days 4/5 were my most difficult). Oh, and nice wig Ruska!
@Italychick, Thanks for your veteran input. Did your WBC plunge?
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10 yrs of chemo! cannot imagine!
Ruska your wig looks awesome! A friend bought me a wig, but it's too hot here in southern Cal...
I am still keeping my eyebrows so far (day 8, round 2 TC). I know they sell those templates but my brows are sparse (just like my fine thin hair), so that's not going to work. maybe I should start doing them, practice make perfect.
Happygrammy… the collapsed veins sound scary. My chemo nurse took one look at my veins the first round & she text the Dr for a Picc line.
Tipitina90 I guess I'm also on Chemo as preventive, Although I would like to think we are on the Offense. I was looking for an analogy to explain to my worry wart friend, why I'm doing Chemo. I came up the Pac Man going through the blood stream, eating up any bad cancer cells that might have gotten loose. Make sure they are game over!
Sloan15 I take Neupogen shots day 3-7 of each round. this time is much tolerable. I have some aches & pains but not too bad (only need to take 1 oxycodone this round). I asked the nurse if there's any time frame I need to do it. he said no, as long as it's day3. So I took it at night & sleep it off.
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Hi Sloan15:-) My WBC plunged after 1st treatment also, down to .8 (!) a week after and the nurse sort of freaked out. The Neupogen shots helped and as a precaution they gave me antibiotic pills strong enough to stop the plague! Hells bells! (I didn't get a Neulasta shot right after the chemo) It was creepy 'cause I didn't "feel" that bad or have a fever...just was tired. Better now thank goodness. And the Neupogen didn't cause any ache.
JenPam, your picture is nice. With the hair buzzed away, the focus goes to your face and pretty eyes. You'd look cute in anything; hat, scarf, or as is. I'm not going about this as elegantly. My badass Mohawk chemo hair is freaking out strangers I think...kids stare at me and grown men snicker, they must think I'm going for the punk rocker look. Let 'em stare, hah! They have no idea....
Nicole, yes you are too young for this unfair crap. Makes me so fuming mad and teary sad seeing rotten things happen to good people, young people...any people. A hug to you little sister.
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Thank you to all the new people who have shared their stories. Some of you have stories that I think about for hours after I leave this site. I'm glad you found this support group.
MsBromton and KateB76, BOTH of you are inspirations!!!
I wish I had some beautiful quote or some deep insight to share, but all I can say is that we WILL get through this together. It's like the poem Footsteps but with us as a group of ladies: when some of us are struggling, that's when those who feel stronger can help carry the others the rough patch.
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@Birdysmom, okay, thanks for the encouragement. When my doc said I wouldn't need it the first round, and I did, I got all depressed like I was a weakling, or something. It's just all this mental fatigue weighing on me. I'm going to hope for no side effects, too! (...and, yeah, forget those people who pass judgement without ever knowing our stories!!!!!)
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I did end up having my first TCH chemo today! My lumpectomy was closed enough to proceed! I slept through the entire thing there and then I came home and slept about 4 more hours. I was able to eat and am feeling alright. The only thing is my throat is all scratchy. I also am having some weird sensations in the legs and such. Not sure if its nueropathy type or my subconscious making me think it is because that is my biggest fear. So doing alright for now... Having the neulestra shot tomorrow and hoping I don't have any bone pain or aches from that!
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I'm not having the best day--my temp keeps hovering near fever range but then going down enough to tease me. I've spent the past 24 hours drinking water, taking Advil or Tylenol, taking my temps, and resting. I'm feeling moderately upbeat, however, because my youngest child starts her senior year of HS in the morning. I can't believe it...she was born yesterday.
Ruska, love the pic! You look beautiful in your new wig!
Sparkly, you and I are twins! After prickly bits of remaining hair fell all over me earlier, I shaved my head today & am now entirely bald.
Doesn't it feel strange?? Even though I knew my head would feel cold, I'm not used to the breezes.Hi Sue! Sorry to hear about your mouth problems. I hope they resolve quickly & don't interfere with your chemo.
Bluefrog, I'm sure it's difficult to make a major career change, but what a good time to heal and focus on your children. Sending you lots of support during your transition.
Welcome Nicole & so sorry about your diagnosis. I'm also stage III with positive nodes, and I hear you on the axillary node surgery pain. I can say that nearly seven weeks out from a bilateral mastectomy (no recon) and full ALND, I'm nearly free of pain. Keep up with whatever arm exercises your surgeon gives you. I did lots of wall walking with my fingertips & found that beneficial. Glad you were able to do IVF and have a little peace of mind on that front. (((hugs)))
Mom2ABoy, "weird but tolerable" is the perfect description of chemo (at least the infusion part of it)!
I'd be uncomfortable not having the opportunity to be somewhere quiet. Are there any curtains you can pull closed? I like to be social sometimes, but I value the chance to close my eyes and not feel pressure to communicate. Kate, I hear you on wanting the hard-core part to be over and done with! I keep telling myself I'm 50% of the way through the AC infusions & trying not to think about the rest of the year.
cah21, I hate drinking as well (regular liquids, that is...I was okay with alcohol before I cut it out
). My MO said to aim for 2 liters (8 cups) of water on regular days and 3 liters (12 cups) on the day before, during, and after infusion. Is that doable for you? I force myself to follow his recommendation & check off my progression on a dry erase board. My husband set up rows and rows of bottled waters on the kitchen buffet; the waters are 16.9 fl. oz. each. I drink 4 of them on regular days and 6 on chemo days. If I can get more liquid in by way of broth or skim milk, that's bonus. I have to focus on drinking & can't sip all day. I'll suck down a bottle & be done with it...check! Then a few hours later, another bottle...check! And so on and so forth. I find that if I try to sip, the hydration process feels endless and depressing to me. Sloan, sorry to hear about your WBC being low and interfering with your plans. I'm on Neupogen shots days 3-9 of each round and find it frustrating, but it's not painful for me beyond the point of injection (so far).
Birdys, I LOVE your hair!!
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Gooseberry, your avatar is darling.
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Hello to all the new folks. I'm sorry you have to join us. The support in this thread is wonderful and some very generous ladies from older threads pop in and offer wonderful advice/experience as well.
Those of you dealing with SE's, I hope you get relief soon! And thank you for sharing your experiences. It helps so much to know what to look out for and be prepared.
I finally have a start date. Sounds like my heart problem is not much of a problem and my MO wants to go forward with the AC + T, but I'll learn more details when I see him again tomorrow. I'll also be getting lab work and education, then start chemo on Thursday.
Thinking of you all. Keep kicking it!!!
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Great to hear you have a start date, Tam-iam! Hope your first chemo goes well.
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Welcome all the newbies! I think the first treatment is the worst because it is all unknown. I just had my 2nd treatment yesterday and there were no surprises (so far!). It all went according to plan and actually finished a little earlier than the first time. They speed up the IV when they find you don't have any reaction to the chemo. So my 3rd treatment will be at top speed - an hour for each....plus the premeds. But the cold caps keeps me there 2 hours after the treatment with my frozen head.
I am sorry so many are getting side effects. I am experiencing my "sleepless nights on steroids" bit right now. This happened to me last time and I was up for hours. They suggested I take the steroids earlier in the day. I kind of work Sunday night - didn't get up till 4 am (I can deal) but tonight I am up at 2 AM WIDE AWAKE! I think it was the additional steroid they put in my IV today. Oh well - this too shall pass.
@cah21 -One suggestion about staying hydrated is just take a sip every 10 minutes. It adds up! When my son had a severe stomach virus the dr told us to just sip water every few minutes. Maybe line up a few water bottles so you can keep track of your intake. A gallon is a lot and great if you can but it's a lofty goal. I probably drink 64 ounces/day.
@sloan15 - I get a Neulasta shot the day after treatment. I didn't have any problems with the shot - no bone pain. I take Claritan for 10 days starting the day after chemo. Did you get a neulasta shot ?They told me at chemo yesterday that the shot worked so guess my numbers were good. I hope you get through this bump in road quickly.
@sparlypink - brave you! Shaving your head!! I say I will do the same thing if it comes to that but I know it must have been hard.
After my chemo yesterday, I felt great. I took a walk when I got home. I read somewhere that you should make yourself walk after treatment....even if it's just around the block. So I took a little walk, felt well enough to eat a light dinner and then crashed on the couch.
I am half way done with my treatments which is encouraging! I too am sorry we all have to be here but at least we have each to share our ups and downs. Sending lots of positive vibes to all of you!
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Question for everyone.
How's your sleep? I found myself waking up super early like 5-ish every day. And I am still awake right now pass 1am. I was able to fall back to sleep for an hour or 2 around 7am. But that's it. I'm wide awake through the day.
I don't know if any of the meds that are keeping me awake, or if it's my emotions, dealing with my friend who suddenly decided to show more affection & stuff...
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@superius - my sleep is awful while on the steroids. I take them for 5 days starting the day before chemo. I have been up since 2 AM! Dozed a bit here and there but then gave it up at 4. So if you are on steroids, that definitely could be the problem. Or it can also just be anxiety from the whole ordeal. When I was diagnosed, I didn't sleep well for over a month. Then things settled down a bit.
My dr. was willing to give me something to help but I didn't want to add to all the drugs going in so I took a pass. I am trying to take the steroids earlier in day to see if that helps.
Hope you get some sleep soon!
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Hi ladies,
I just finished my fourth and final TC last week, so I'm not officially part of the August starting group. Just wanted to share my experience in case you find it helpful.
I had four treatments in all. The first and second weren't bad at all as far as side effects. I had some issues with taste buds and a little chemo brain, but nothing I couldn't handle. I thought I was good to go as far as the remaining treatments and having no pesky side effects. The 3rd treatment got my attention because I started having more problems with fatigue. The 4th one totally kicked my butt with major fatigue, low fever, and a little nausea thrown in as well. The onc staff told me the effects are cumulative and I might start to feel them more and more as I got further into treatment. Totally believe it when they tell you this! :-o
Regarding the Neulasta shot: I got the shot each of the four times. The first time I had a good bit of back pain, even taking the Claritin. However, the first time I used the tablet form which may have taken longer to get in my system. For the next three times, I switched over to the 24-hour Claritin dissolvable tabs that you just put in your mouth and allow to dissolve on your tongue. I have had not one bit of pain the last 3 times after switching to this formulation.
You can and will get through this! I was so worried and scared when I started chemo, and it felt like I would never see the end of it, but it does come to an end! Hugs and good wishes to all who are going through this part of their journey!
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Just a quick question . . . Does anyone think it's strange that my MO isn't monitoring my WBC between treatments? The next time I'm scheduled to have a blood draw is infusion day.
I only ask because I want to get onto Neupogen or Neulasta if I need to next time. . . .
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"Hope" is the thing with feathers
"Hope" is the thing with feathers -That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I've heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
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