Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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WTG Annie!!! You made it through!
Artista - I want your center too! Mine has about 40 chairs and 1 private room. The chairs recline and they will give you a heated blanket but that's as far as the hospitality goes. I've waited over an hour to get my meds from the pharmacy and sometimes over half an hour for the nurse to change to the next med. A few times I've bled from the port because there was nothing to go in. They are super busy. I also have to bring my own food because they don't have any snacks that are gluten free. I can't wait to be done with that! At least when I just get Herceptin it will be a short trip.
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Chemo #4 AC ended at 4:45. We went and got some dinner. Now I'm just really sweaty and that ick feeling is starting. Took my handful of pills. Got my jammas on. Tomorrow is Nasty Nuelasta which I did try to get out of, but no such luck. I still have some bronchitis hanging on so Nuelasta is a must. They had me ring the bell after chemo. It was a moment. I bawled in the elevator...2 more weeks of sick and pain and that part is done. I pray on knees everyday that this cancer just does not ever come back. I pray that for every single one of you too.
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Mom2boo - I got a halo but it drives me crazy. If you want to try it, I could get it to you. I'm in Scottsdale.
It's kind of a dark blonde and not very long. I get you about the cold neck! I am wearing a hoodie right now! I think maybe a neck scarf might help.
Yes, we are kind of wussy here in AZ. It was only about 60 as a high and wind and I was shivering!
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Annie yay you are done! Congrats! Enjoy your break before rads. Hoping for easy minimal SE's for your final round. Any word on when you are going for deportation?
I go tomorrow for my initial consult with the rad oncologist. Nervous to meet a new doc. Trying not to have dr anxiety that seems to pop up recently. Just filled out my new patient paperwork they sent me to complete before my appt. Why do they need to know the same crap that is in my patient file with the hospital? Plus I belong to the patient portal where all my info is. I can't remember half the crap I take to combat SE's and duh I have chemo brain!
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They want me to keep the port through rads and all the scans. Unless I throw a fit and demand to be deported! Lol. I can do a couple more months I guess. The nurse practitioner said some people just keep it. NO THANK YOU!
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I met the radiation onc the same week I met the MO. He's like soooo young! When I questioned my MO about how new he was the doc told me that just between us radiation is so computerized now a monkey could operate the machine. I laughed so hard! The radiation nurse said the same thing last week when I called to make the next appointment.
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You guys get FOOD at chemo? That must be an American thing, we barely get water here in Canada! Wow!!!
I will be busy watching all of you head to Taxol, any dose-densers for Taxol out there? Anyone? Bueller?
Kim
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I have Taxol #1 tomorrow, and just took the steroids. For AC, I took 8mg, and that had me bright eyed and bushy tailed at 4:00am. For Taxol, they're making me take 20mg tonight, 20mg in the morning, and a bag of premeds. My husband promised to peel me off the ceiling.
Annie, I'm so happy that you've had your last treatment!
Tessu, it's appalling that you can treat your lymphadema until you're done with chemo. I showed my MO my slightly puffy arm, and she had her office make the lymphadema therapy appointment for me. They want lymphadema under control. They may want me to unwrap while I'm loaded with steroids. I'll have to ask them tomorrow.
Minnesota Lisa, no reactions to the Taxol infusion tomorrow for both of us. Deal?
I'm dying to be deported. I can usually feel it, and it skeevesme out.
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I don't mind my port. I'm so used to it now that I forget it's there. I put a gob of Emla cream over it and cover it with sara wrap 2 hours before it's to be accessed and I don't feel anything. I hate needles in my arm. After that 3 weeks of swelling I had in my non-lymph node removal arm I was happy to get the port. My MO's office can do labs right there. I say no. I'm going next door first to do my labs via my port and I'll hop over when I'm done for the results. My MO is the type to watch you closely so I'm anticipating probably more labs coming after I'm done. If I'm stage IV then it'll be more frequent I"m sure. So I'm hanging on to it because I sure don't want that sx again. Most people do hang on to it for a year or two after unless they are high risk then I know one gal irl that still has hers 7 years out cuz she's Her2+.
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I think I have just experienced amateur hot flashes until just now. I sweated through my clothes, a sheet and a pillow case. WTH?
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Yay Annie...awesome!!!
Kimmer...had 4 DD AC then when done, started DD taxol #1 a couple of thursdays ago and due to have #2 this thursday. I was wracked with joint pain that first weekend and had a constant fever for about 10 days. I ended up in ER but labs show no sign of neutropenia so we don't know if it was really from the taxol and maybe just a funny reaction to it. And I'm supposed to do this again this Thursday? I don't know if I can take it again. I will see my MO on wednesday and discuss.
btw the fever is back...wtf???
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Lindy, wow that's harsh! Is fever and joint pain a side effect of Taxol? What other side effects have you had that were different than AC? And did the AC side effects go away? Just wondering what to expect in 2 weeks for my first Taxol. Thanks!
Kim
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Kimmer- I'm also signed up for DD Taxol starting this Friday. My 4 DD AC "jello shots" were definitely an experience. I suffered minimal SE, thank goodness. My biggest SE is skin pain from Nuelasta. They took an echo cardio gram before AC and will take another one after Taxol to check to see if there was any damage to my heart.
We were told neuropathy and some nausea with taxol but should be easier than AC. Promises promises
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Temp is at 100.2. Ugh. We'll see if I land my first ER trip tonight.
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thanks ElTigre
Will be thinking of you this friday! You are exactly 2 weeks ahead of me!
I have had minimal side effects from the "jello shots" also, so that's why I wonder if Taxol side effects will be minimal for me also. Here's hoping!
Skittlegirl, all the best tonight - hoping no ER visit for you!
Kim
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Annie, woohoo! Hoping for minimal SE for you.
Sjittkes, hoping you're fever doesn't go any higher! !!
Scotland, wow, that is a high dose of steroids. That ought to be fun. I take 8mg twice a day. I had major got flashes all day yesterday but not much today and slept about 3 hours last night but I'm still not tired.
Good luck to those going for another round tomorrow. My round 4 was uneventful today. Now just waiting for the se to hit.
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Kimmer I am coming up on DD taxol #3 next wed. Round 1 I had a UTI, leg pain, big C, dry mouth, bloating, & slight tingling in fingers. Round 2 leg pain again but a heavy leg feeling like I an walking thru water, & increased tingling in fingers & feet, plus still some c. Neulesta with DD taxol but not as harsh effects as with AC. No nausea either round. No icky feeling from throat to tummy with either round. Food doesn't taste burnt anymore but still doesn't taste like anything. I can drink water again.
Round 1 def had some left over effects of AC but round 2 has not been as tough. The neuropathy feels like shriveled fingers like when you stay in the pool too long. Vit b's help. I did ask to decrease the steroid from round 1 because of the bloating and weight gain. It helped a lot. First dose of steroids was 20mg; second was lowered to 8mg because I didn't have a reaction to initial taxol dose.
I read before I started on taxol that it is easier than AC. I will say it is different, I don't feel as bad as I did on AC. But it's still chemo. Sucks anyways.
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Grey-I am praying for you.
Annie- I also had my 4th and finalAC today, on to taxol for me.
Kimmer- I am due to begin Taxol 11/30. I have been given the choice of dose dense or 12 weeks. Leaning toward dose dense. I can always switch if the SE are bad.
Hair- I still have a bit of hair too. Never buzzed, but cut it short. Wondering if I should buzz it now to give even start.
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sailorgirl - are you sure? I've never been a blonde but DH might like it
. I ordered one in brown but it won't be here for a little while. I did get a hat liner from TLC direct that feels really good under a hat I wonder if it would help under a halo? I'd love to meet you either way so let me know.Southern and Annie, my hot flashes are epic I have to wash my sheets every few days because I wake up dripping at night
. It sucks, not wonder I still can't wear the stupid wig. Skittlegirl - I hope your temp goes down !
Lindy - your fever is puzzling, I hope it just goes away!
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Hi beautiful ladies!!!
LindyC I had my first infusion of Taxol this past Tue and until today Monday I felt a relief on joint pain, my lower back hips and knees were killing me. I came here tonight to find answers, Thank you for sharing.
Stay strong beautiful ladies!!! We re getting there! Cancer has NOTHING on all of us.
Much love,light and hugs
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thanks Shopgal-what's big C?
How is the fatigue with Taxol
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hazelfrance, thanks - i expect to have a choice to move to weekly if i cant handle it also. You are just a few days ahead of me, glad i joined this group, great info ladies!
Kim
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Kim, big c is constipation....much easier to type.
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Kimmer, Staykarlastrong-
Greetings! Like Shopgal, I completed 4 DD AC and now am doing 4 DD Taxol. Had #1 which went well. Had Neulasta shot the following day. No nausea, body aches on day 3 at bedtime- enough that I took an oxycodone and went to sleep. Much better next day and since then. I also have slightly numb finger tips (well described earlier as like too much time in the bath) and feels like I burned the tip of my tongue (numb). I have #2 on Thursday.
I take vitamin B6 and L- Glutamine to ward off neuropathy - per nutritionist and MO. Also, I take a Claritin, Zantac, and Aleve (am and pm) each day until I am over the hump.
MO warned about C, so I took colace and miralax preventively. Worked well and I have backed off that after the first week or so.
There was discussion about this on this thread approx 10 days ago, if you want to go back and read a bit. I hope all goes well for you as you finish AC. Sounds like it's going well!
My MO felt strongly that I should do the 4 DD. She said I can switch to weekly, if need be but she said most if her patients do just fine with the DD. I guess we'll see...
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thanks shelly!!
Kim
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Wow Annie you did it☺☺☺☺you're going to rock the next phase.
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Yay!!! Annie made it through!!!
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Chugging my miralax and throwing back my handful of pills. Nuelasta today then agony at midnight when the SE kick in. But I'm vowing not to get big C this time!
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^ Annie is my hero!!!
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Yeah Annie! I am so excited - your bell ring must have felt marvelous.
"Minnesota Lisa, no reactions to the Taxol infusion tomorrow for both of us. Deal?" I leave in a few minutes - Deal! And best of luck to everyone having treatment this week.
Since we're comparing centers: I always wait some between appts, but it's a newer waiting room with recliners, wifi, TV, puzzles, lots of big windows, free coffee, cocoa, tea, water. I get everything done at once: labs (after which there's an hour wait of course), MO or PA exam / visit and then the treatment.
Treatment rooms each have two recliners with heat and vibration buttons plus two comfy visitor chairs, TV, wifi, a window with a soothing view and a bathroom. (Nice to be able to walk your IV tree into the loo during those long infusions!)
Sometimes you have a roomie, sometimes you get the room to yourself. They will bring you water, ice, snacks anytime and a light meal over lunch hour (hot soup du jour or sammie). Free parking is across the street and they have free (volunteer) valet parking. The nurses, docs and desk staff are awesome. The nurses don't appear to be over-scheduled and always have time to answer questions or just chat. I'm guessing they are typically supervising two rooms, max four patients at a time.
Off to Taxol Land!
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