Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!

1…1112141617…227

Comments

  • fidget
    fidget Member Posts: 92

    Thinking of you Flower! Glad hubby is there with you! Hope all goes well today, and hopefully not too many SEs.

    SouthernCharm, I'm right there with ya. My husband was saying he hopes my chemo chair is near the pee pee room! I'm gonna be a pain I'm sure.

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    Annie sorry about your nose.

    Twiggy fingers crossed for today

    Perjeta is starting now.

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    Good morning fidget, thanks for the nice words. Will keep you guys posted.

  • Scotland
    Scotland Member Posts: 216

    Flower68 and Fidget: we should definitely plan a rendezvous!

    Tessu: the generic name for Claratin is loratadine. It may be marketed under a different name in Finland. In the U.S., the generic is available at most pharmacies without a prescription.

    I have to be at the hospital at 5:30AM on Wednesday to get the port installed. I am so not a morning person. At least I'll be home for breakfast! Still waiting to schedule the echocardiogram and PET

  • Lila-claire66
    Lila-claire66 Member Posts: 73

    It is so comforting to know I have all of you out there going through a similar situation. I've already learned so much and feel encouraged.

    I am two days after my first Chemo treatment done via my port. By the way, those of you worried about the port implant for me it was an easy event. Sure i was sore for a few days and only had it in one week when I had my chemo but it worked great the first time. I learned to ask RX for numbing cream to apply an hour or so before the my next treatment even though without it it only hurt a little when the nurse attached the IV clip.

    I had my Neulasta shot yesterday and was warned of side effects but was told to take a Claritin and Tyleol before the shot and have had NO reaction at all. Don't know if this will always be the case.

    I feel really good today. NO nausea at all, still kinda funky head thing but energized because I am on my 4 day steroid regime. Eating as nutrient dense as I can and drinking lots of lemon water. I even mix in a dose of Miralax with my water as a preventive. No problems so far. On my way out for a long walk then back to my desk (home office thank goodness) for more work.

    I too have my bright pink cancer fighting tennies and love them!

    Do not be afraid to ask for help

  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 364

    Hi Ladies dropping in with good wishes! Drink the water and take the meds, this is not the time to be a hero. Stay on top of the big C and D, I used Senokot the night before infusion and for the next 4 to 5 days as needed every infusion. And ate a lot of popsicles. The cold felt good and they count as a liquid. I used Brach's lemon drops to help with dry mouth. I still keep them around. Stock up on Kleenex and baby wipes, good for runny noses and sore bottoms. And use lots of lip gloss and body lotion to combat chapped lips and dry skin. Just watch scented ones, they can cause rolling tummies in some ladies.


    You got this, just stay ahead of it, eat, drink, and sleep! Hugs, Cheryl

  • fidget
    fidget Member Posts: 92

    Thanks Beachbum for the tips!

    Lila-Claire-- thanks for sharing! So glad you are doing well! Keep us updated.

    Scotland--Sounds like a plan! I was living near Savannah up until a year ago, but South Carolina is home. I get my port a day ahead of you, but I'm still waiting on day surgery to call with a time. I've been really nervous about it, but everyone here has made me feel better. I'm such a baby.

    Octogirl--glad to hear your swallowing issue is better. Hope you continue to feel better!

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    Scotland and fidget: its a date ladies

    Claire good to hear you fine

    Beach appreciate encouragements

    Cheers now ladies, Perjeta down two more to go.

    image

  • Scotland
    Scotland Member Posts: 216

    Fidget, you're not a baby for dreading surgery, even "minor" outpatient surgery. It's funny how an outpatient procedure goes from "holy cow!" to "I'm just having a port put in" once you're diagnosed with cancer. But we will be OK. Ports are our friends for the next few months.

    My husband is from Vidalia, and we've spent a lot of time in and around Savannah. Such a lovely town

  • drummerswife
    drummerswife Member Posts: 1

    Hi everyone, started my chemo yesterday and am doing pretty well so far. I cannot tolerate artificial sweeteners suddenly - it happened during chemo infusion. Also this morning I have reddened and slightly painful skin over my chest area, from below my breasts (or my ever-increasing expanders) up to my collarbone. It's not itchy or anything, just red and a little irritated. I have a call into onc just to be sure it's nothing.

    I'm so very happy to have found this place, my tough sisters!!

  • mom2boo_and_buzz
    mom2boo_and_buzz Member Posts: 133

    flower you look so cozy! I brought a nice soft blanket with me too. They had heated ones that I put underneath, the perfect combination. I'd love to hear more about reiki. I'm using my guided imagery cd's and I love them but more hands on healing so to speak sounds wonderful.

    Good luck today everyone! Before I lose my hair I'm going to get passport pics done for my renewal in a few months. I bought a kit called shebangz that lets you use your own hair to make a bang fringe to wear under hats and scarves. I looked for something like that locally but I couldn't find anything. So I will wait to cut my hair until that arrives.

    My poor 14yo is taking this much harder than I am. She is so nervous to see the SE's she is having panic attacks at school :(. I'm going to find a therapist that she can talk to.

  • Shopgal2
    Shopgal2 Member Posts: 594

    Hi ladies. Sorry to hear so many of us are having a tough time with SE's. My heart aches to read about those in pain. I too wish we could pick our SE's. I only hope they are not too bad for my 2nd AC chemo next Wednesday. I am feeling nervous just thinking about it. For all those with port pain it does get better; I am a week and a half out but it still feels like an alien in my chest.

    Had a bit of good fortune today with getting a call from Cleaning for a Reason. They accepted me into the program and arranged for free cleaning services for the next 4 months. They provide free cleaning for chemo patients. The cleaner started today and will come once a month. It is a huge help. I tried to clean my bathroom Wednesday morning and only got to the sink and toilet. I ran out of energy and couldn't get to do the tub and floor. I had a pity party after that. I felt so useless but then realized I need to pace myself and think differently about how to do really physical tasks.

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    Hello mom2boo this is Daniel, Flower's DH.Reiki is a form of healing by channeling the positive universal energy. It can be done in person or distance. Distance treatment require the name and state and eventually a picture of the person for whom the session is done.

    It was proven to help on recovery after surgery and improved life quality.

    If interested just post the name and state and a picture of the person and it can be done. And of course it is free.

  • edwsmom
    edwsmom Member Posts: 270

    Hi ladies,

    I start chemo on Thursday and I'm following those of you who have just started with rapt attention.

    I'm trying to get my things together. What did you bring to the infusion center? What did you wish you had brought? What did you carry it in (did you get a special bag?)

    Thanks!

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    imagesecond down, herceptin, and now comes the real one taxo

    By the time i am done here i will finish more than 2 liters of fluids in my big container

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    Hi edswmom will list in order of importance:

    Hubby (or anyone else available), tons of hope and believing that no matter how bad you might feel today is worthy because you will beat the cancer, plenty of your favorite water/juice etc., crackers, apple sauce, iphone/ipad, comfy blanket, whatever bag you have around the house, comfortable clothes.

  • tshire
    tshire Member Posts: 54

    Ugh I'm still recovering from the port placement- I feel like someone has punched me in the throat. It feels like an alien in my chest. It feels more like what I thought a tumor would feel like! I can't wait to get this damn thing out of me. How long PFC do you have to wait to get it out?? I am "only" doing 4 rounds of TC, should be finished by the first week of December....

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    Hi mom2boo having your daughter talk to someone i think is very wise. Psychodynamically is not the SE causing the panic but the unconscious anxiety related to you. Sorry do not mean to interfere but she needs help to since her coping skills are still developing at this age.

  • AnnieB43
    AnnieB43 Member Posts: 724

    i ordered chemo caps from a lady on etsy. She got rave reviews. Supposed to be soft, awesome, wonderful. She sent me 3 odd shaped caps with scratchy seems and a tag sewn inside all made out of recycled faded ugly tshirts out of a rag pile. I am so angry!!!

  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,434

    Drummerswife: welcome to the thread and these boards, I have found them to be incredibly helpful. We are glad you are here. I am going to add you to our list. Sorry about the redness and irritated skin. For what it is worth, my MO told me that is a common side effect and I have had a little of it too. My skin doesn't feel irritated, but the area from my neck to my chest looks a bit sunburned. I put pure aloe vera on it...

    Edited to add: just took a closer look at your avatar! Looks like you might be another diver! Check out our scuba thread elsewhere on these boards...just search for scuba!


    Octogirl

  • AG3
    AG3 Member Posts: 71

    tshire - I had my port placed in three days before chemo. It was sore for a day and I took Tylenol 2 which helped. I barely feel it now . Also when I'm driving , I layer up my tops, so the seatbelt won't dig in. I am doing four rounds of TC (first one last August 31) and had a port because it was protocol in my cancer center regardless of length of treatment.

    Flower68- love the blanket,You look comfy:)

    Ladies, I asked for numbing cream on my port before my infusion and it helps (tip I got from one of the boards)

  • twiggyOR
    twiggyOR Member Posts: 246

    Here we go. The herceptin is flowing. Weird taste in my mouth and feeling a little light headed but that's it right now.

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    Day one of infusion: done.

    Side effects: none yet

    I trully believed that drinking incessantly, peeing my brains out, snacking on appleasauce and crackers helped me.


    image

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    Twiggy just hang in there you are doing great keep us posted.

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    AG3 thank you, self-soothing tool my blankie

  • AG3
    AG3 Member Posts: 71

    flower 68 - yay! Done! Keep drinking eating and moving. It will help with SE's.

    TwiggyOR- thinking of you!Try sucking on candy for that weird taste.

  • twiggyOR
    twiggyOR Member Posts: 246

    Has anyone used the onbody nuelasta injector? If so, how did it go?

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    Yes AG3 today was payday so on my way to buy a treadmill so i can start walking more. Today was an ok day and i feel very greatful for not having any problems! Thank you for your kind words

  • flower68
    flower68 Member Posts: 114

    Ok where is southerncharm i know she had her ct any news

  • twiggyOR
    twiggyOR Member Posts: 246

    I am 2 hours post TCHP treatment. The only thing I'm feeling at the moment is dry eyes/nose and some sort of intestinal/gas pain. I should be exhausted since I didn't sleep much last night but I'm really not.

    I listened to guided imagery during the actual chemo drugs. I really liked it. At one point I was to imagine my support group coming to help me. The first people who showed up were all of you. 😃. The website I purchased it from was www healthjourneys.com.

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.