Starting Chemo April 2016
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My port hurt for a week or so and then was ok.
day 4 second round of Tch , feel much better than first round . Sucked ice in my mouth during chemo and oil pulled with virgin coconut oil ,has helped prevent the awful metal taste. Walking regularly helping too.
Happy weekend to all
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numb i had my second neulaste on friday, i feel fine, if i have a little joit pain i take some advil, it really has been not so bad for me, i hope itll be the same for you
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Well , spoke too early about breezing through first chemo, as I am getting some mild side effects. Felt great here early on Day 2...until about 5 pm, when despite 8 am Zofran, nausea set in. Also got facial slushing on cheeks and nose. Took another Zofran early, and also 50 mg (4 tsps) Benadryl Nausea abated but it is in the background. I ate (trying hard to keep my weight on) and one hour later no vomiting , just mild nausea. Stomach also hurts a bit. Will take a Lorazapem shortly (it is to help with nausea but will make you sleepy too, but no hangover effect; I can't take Ambien but this is fine with me.) and I'm getting a bit achey and tired. For my chemo combo of Taxol and Herceptin, Day 3 (tomorrow) to Day 5 each week are supposedly the worse days, and it appears that could be the direction I'm going. MIZZOH, sounds like the timing was the same for you. Nevertheless, I am going to make another walk tomorrow. At least I will now what my best days are after week one is through!
Wellshoot- Welcome to the group. It sure seems like a great group of ladies willing to listen and share!
WeRWarriors- I just got my port on Thursday, the day before my first infusion. (We thought I was no chemo until 10 days before I did just start it yesterday, when a different lab test showed up HER2 definitively positive...so everything happened quickly.) It hurt when the local wore off, but Tylenol is enough to help. They used it for first infusion and I must say it is vastly better than IVs for me. I'm on weekly chemo, too, plus the weekly blood tests, plus have a main vein that "rolls", and plus can only use the left arm, whose veins are starting to scar...so I am in love with my port. If you are a slim person with little fat (the port surgeon said this is the one medical time it is good to be on the plump side), it can be difficult to place where it won't be seen too obviously, because they place it under fat and skin, but not muscle. Ask for a "slim" port, and if you are super tiny, maybe very thin and very short, ask for a childs' size port. They will tend to clog more, the childs' size. but I know someone who has one (she is 5'4' and 105 lbs) and she has childs. I am 5 ft 5.5 inches and 120 lbs and asked for a slim....they are not always stocked so check. I also brought pictures of good and bad port placements (gathered from elsewhere on the web) and told the doctor I really wanted him to try his best! While I'm still bandaged and can't entirely tell, I think it will be decent looking and hidden in most shirts, but in any event it was SO NICE to have an infusion with the port and not have the needle in my arm for almost 6hours!
More to say but am really fading...so time for that last med and then hopefully a decent enough sleep!
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with Mother's Day quickly approaching everything has set in. I don't know what to do or plan... I bought my mom a lush bouquet of flowers for her first chemo. I guess I could buy her more flowers... You can never have too many flowers right?
I would have loved to have taken her to a nice restaurant and to the ballet or something. I love planning and making elaborate surprises. I know life doesn't end with treatment but I also have to be realistic... She will be having her port inserted 4 days prior and I don't want her to be around "too many people"...We already spend a lot of time together, movie nights, girl nights, dinners and etc. I'd really love to do something special... But I have no idea what to do given everything going on
Zoziana: my mom is also Her2 + and I've heard great things about the advances and outcomes with Herceptin
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Good morning ladies,
Happy Sunday to each of you. I hope that everyone's feeling good or at least a bit better today.
WeRwarriors - I hope your mum is doing well. What an amazing support you are for her.
Wellshoot - Welcome to the group. I look forward to sharing our experiences and wish you all the best.
CJ - Hope you get a hold over the nausea and get back to feeling like your energetic self soon.
Zoziana - Hang in there! It will get better x
Numb - The price of these chemo drugs is outrageous! Thank God for the health system we have here in Ireland. How could anyone afford to be ill otherwise?! You hear so many negative stories about the HSE but I cant fault anything I have experienced. It's all been so positive and my treatment has moved along so quickly.
Well, I have completely shaved off the remains of my patchy hair and now have a head as soft as a baby's bum! I'm glad I did it - the shedding was driving me crazy and it actually looks quite good! Not that I can see myself running around my local supermarket without a beany hat or head cover anytime soon, but looking in the mirror doesn't seem quite so traumatic now. It's done...
Onwards and upwards
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CODY_MX - thanks for the feedback. I took the Claritin yesterday and this morning and so far so good. I was told that it would take 24 hours to kick in though, but I am still hopeful.
GRACIETOO - Yes, imagine having to pay €2,400 a Neulasta shot. I wouldn't be getting it if I had to pay that a pop. I have to say though that I agree with you about the HSE everything I have gone through so far has been perfect. I have had immediate attention any time I needed it and everything has gone so smoothly. I think it could be though because we are private Gracie, or it could be because we are cancer patients. I had to pay my MO €200 for my consultation with her but if I was public I would not have to pay anything. I don't think that public cancer patients have to wait for anything either, but not sure about that. I am in VHI and at one stage I had a shortfall of 600 euro on my statement but when I rang them they said that 99% of cancer patients are covered. So I didn't have to pay. Intersting, isn't it ?
I was thinking of cutting my own hair down to quarter of an inch. Not sure about the completely bald head though. The colour is very brassy at the moment and is sickening me, but I might go back to the hairdressers to have my wig shaped a bit better and let her then cut my own hair too. I'll see.
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CJSHARMA - sorry to hear you are feeling nauseous. Hope you have a better day today. I can feel nauseous when I get up first just because 13 hours have passed since I last took Zofran, my schedule is every 12 hours. As soon as I take it I am right again. My face is flushed today and that is a little bit overpowering because it makes me feel tired, but this only lasted about 2 days in the first round, so no worries there. So far so good, I am not finding this round harder than the first one, but early days yet.
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WELLSHOOT - Welcome to the group. What chemo are you on? If you filled out your profile and made it public it would appear on the bottom of your posts, and give us some idea of where you are at. Hope we are of some help to you on this journey.
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Sheri - sorry to hear about the severe leg pain. That is not fun!
Positive - Good idea to avoid the metal taste. I haven't gotten that, yet, but I do get days where everything tastes like sawdust.
Cody - I'm with you - the pain has not been bad. My ankle where I broke it and my knee where I had surgery does ache every now and again, but nothing I cannot handle.
Zoziana - hope you feel better. I did the 3 miler with an unhappy tummy. Walking does make the fatigue feel better.
WeRwarriors - My daughter will most likely get me some really nice bath products from Lush for Mother's Day. They are all natural and smell like heaven. So nice bath products, especially anything all natural would be a nice idea. But flowers are always appreciated
Gracie - I loved your profile pic with the cut, but now our bald.
Like me. I'm glad it's not traumatic! I still have some hair, and I'm debating on whether or not I want to shave it. I probably should so I look like I'm making a statement, not sick. 
Numb - glad your shot is covered! I'm better today. I was really flushed yesterday, but I'm better today. I found round 2 easier than round 1. Hopefully round 3 will be okay, too. :P
A friend who is a foodie made up some chicken, kale asparagus meat pies for me to freeze and pull out when needed as well as chocolate chip almond cookies and brownies. She and her 5 year old son (who is adorable) will be over this morning and we're going to breakfast and a walk. Should be fun. Then it's relax with my daughter (she'll go to breakfast too, of course) and get ready for the week. Happy Sunday all!
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Here's me a year ago at about TC#2:
Today, a year later, I'm attempting to walk a half marathon. You'll get back to your life!
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Reporting from Round 2.
We had another quick visit to the center. Had my IV in 10:15 and was out about 12:30. After that we went to eat some Italian. I knew that I should have eaten light but ended up having a whole pizza (Yes, by myself) and some desert. Then we walked an little but I've gotton a bit tired and nauseous and went home. Popped a movie and ate some yoghurt as dinner. I don't know if it's the steroids but I was sleepy at 9:30pm and went to bed at 10pm. It was not a comfy sleep as it was expected. I think I didnt get much fluids this time and I could'nt flush them out in time, that's why I had those SEs. I felt much better in the morning, so we went to have breakfast with friends. The sun was shining and we've had a nice day. I was thinking that I got some sunburn on my face but after reading the comments here I see that it was just another SE. So happy that I've found this group so that we can share our all experiences simultaneously
Wellshoot - Welcome! Please share your regimen and info so we can be more helpful
Numb - 2400 Euro for 1 Neulasta shot? I can see why it is not standard here
Hope it helps though. I'll be back on yoghurt and green tea diet then..Ksusan - Great pic. I'm hoping to get my life back in no time..
Mizzoh - I'm also nervous about my Taxol/Herceptin regime which I'll start in July. We're planning a short vacation to Greek islands after my first T/H and I hope leg pain and other pains are managable. How are the following days went?
CJ- Hope your feeling much better. This time I didn't get heartburns but nausea much like you. I've had my last Emend today and from tomorrow we'll see how Kytril react to nausea.
Happy Sunday everyone. Hope sun is shining both outdoors and indoors
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KSusan - you GO!! Is the Half today? I'm so excited to hear this as that is one of my goals after this is over.
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Agharta - Glad you are doing better this round. I swear the first is a learning curve, the second you're more prepared for. Good for you on the pizza. You can eat light today.
It is a beautiful day here, so thank you! 0 -
I was very nervous to have my port installed because they told me that I would have to go under they wouldn't Twilight me but I was able to get twilighted which was great because I was in and out of the hospital in less than a half a day. My port has given me problems since the day they installed it. I bumped it and it was so painful I statred wearing a wash cloth in my bra to protect the area. I've had issues during chemo and on my last round I had to stop using it and they had to use my peripheral. I told them that I no longer want to use it and I want it out. Most people on the other hand tell me that they don't even notice it's there. I guess I'm just that odd man out when it comes to just about everything.
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Just wanted to say good morning to everyone! I think my info should show up now. I am making my first outing with a head wrap and hat at my girls swim meet. So far so good! It's amazing what your brain can adjust to- I used to have a needle phobia but went through 7 rounds of shots in my abdomen without a flinch. I wouldn't ever go in public without makeup or my hair looking good and now I sit at a pool with 500 people with little makeup and no hair and feel confident!
My sister is coming up on her 5 year cancer free anniversary for breast cancer and she has a great attitude so she is my inspiration.
On the port, I was sore for a few days but not bad. I do use the numbing cream but that is because of my needle fear! The one time it's been used I didn't feel a thing! I wish had known about the slim port because mine is very obvious and I spend all summer at the lake. Oh well- just another bump in the road.
I am getting nervous about Tuesday though. I felt so good after my first round I'm nervous that my luck won't be so good. I'm working full time but I took several days off last time. I plan on doing it again. It's a full time job staying ahead of the side effects
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CJSharma: I did not have a shot that I'm aware of, so just the Taxol.
I'm much better today, though not 100%. We'll see how the next one goes
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Well, I buzzed my head - probably about 1/2 in the longer spots. It feels better (I was just a shedding mess!) but it looks like heck! My poor husband was concerned about trying to get it even and I had to keep telling him that would never happen since it's still coming out. Besides I'll probably have something on my head most of the time and don't really care what it looks like. My scalp has been tender the past few days, so it wasn't super fun but it's over now. I have a doctor's appt. tomorrow and will probably just wear a hat or beanie since just the thought of putting a wig on my scalp hurts!
ksusan - you are one of the lucky ones who look awesome with no hair! Best of luck with your 1/2 marathon.
wellshoot - I thought the same about my second round - the first went so good I didn't think I could be so lucky the second time. It went about the same - minimal effects but still worried that it will be cumulative especially when I move on to the weekly infusions later this month. I also wish I knew about the slim port. I'm pretty thin and my port is pretty visible (at least to me since I know it's there!)
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Hi All-
I am a newbie here and have started my chemo on March 10--six rounds of Carboplatin (Paraplatin) and Taxotere (docetaxel) so I am a half way done. Every time is different for me and I do not know what to expect....I had my surgeries on February 10 and my chemo started on March 10.... I do not have port put in ( not sure why) but now I have some problems with my veins..... I am wondering if anyone has something like that??? I have problematic veins and every time the nurses have to use a different vein... Additionally since I have lymph nodes removed I can use only one arm/ hand......
another question that I have is is anyone has their surgery site turn red after the infusion. It seems that my effected breast is always red, and the other one is not.....the doctors do not know why and keep giving me more antibiotics.......maybe it is an allergic reaction to the chemo drugs??? Thanks
Dx 01/07/2016, IDC, Left, 2.5 cm, stage IIA, Grade 3/3, 0/2 lymph nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- (FISH), BRCA1+
Surgery 2/10//2016 Bilateral Mastectomy (BMX) with Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement, Prophylactic mastectomy: right. Prophylactic salpingectomy and oophorectomy , Lymph node removal: Sentinel
Chemotherapy 3/10/2016 six rounds of Carboplatin (Paraplatin) and Taxotere (docetaxel)
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Wellshoot - Great job at dealing with your needle fetish and I love that you are confident sitting with no hair and little makeup and feel good. Congrats to your sister! That is cool! I actually found round 2 was a bit easier. The nausea should remain the same. It's the fatigue that gets worse. It is a full time job staying ahead, isn't it? Good luck on Tuesday!
Mizzoh - not everyone does get the Nuelasta shot. Believe me, you would know. That is known to give bone pain, but evidently Taxol does as well. I have one more round of AC then I go to Taxol. Hmm, not looking forward to that.
![:\](https://community.breastcancer.org/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
Hope you continue to improve!NJR - I still have some hair - it looks funny, but I don't care. Do you have a soft cap for under your wig. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Cotton-Liner-Natural-Beige-Cancer/dp/B00J3IDJ2Q/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1462143243&sr=8-4&keywords=Under+wig+cap That should help with the sore scalp and a wig.
Verock - Ouch! I'm surprised you weren't offered a port. Can you ask about one? You said you are half way done, but if your veins are complaining that much, I would ask. Especially as you can only use one arm. It would be worth it for the remaining ones.
I feel much better today, although I ate way too many cookies. My friend brought some over. Fortunately, it was a limited amount!! Oh well, they were fairly healthy.
My daughter also brought me a Lush bath bomb. As she had to leave early, I decided to take a nice long bath with it. So nice. I'm all soft and I smell nice. 0 -
Hi. I started AC + T on April 8th and have had some lethargy and mild nausea that was well managed with eating every two hours and meds. Not everyone has horror stories.
Kelly
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KATJADVM - Welcome and glad you are doing well. Are you doing AC every 2 weeks or ever 3 weeks, just wondering as you started the same day as me.
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KSUSAN - you sure do rock a bald head, lovely pic
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VEROCK - Welcome. I don't have a port but didn't get the reaction you got, nor is my scar red. I would not know how to advise you on this, but it does look nasty. If the Doctors don't know why this is happening they should investigate it, but I guess if you are on antibiotics you can't come to any harm. Looks like an allergic reaction alright.
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Katjadvm - Many of us did well with symptoms. I know I did not have anything too bad. Just more fatigue.
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Welcome to all of the newbies!
I don't have a port. I was actually going to ask if I was the only one without. I'm hoping I can get away without it.
Wellshoot- I'm getting infusion 2 on Tuesday as well!
I haven't started the mega shedding yet. I have one tender area on my head when I touch it. My original plan was to do a mohawk this weekend, but my daughter's softball tournament was cancelled due to rain, so I chickened out. I had promised the team a pink mohawk & we are off next weekend. I think once I start shedding I'll go for it. If I react to chemo 2 like I did 1 and shed during that time, ugh.
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Hi Everyone -
Well I had my 2nd treatment last Tuesday and I had been warned the previous week that I was most likely going to need iron fusions too since my iron levels were so low. So I had one after my chemo on Tuesday then one on Friday then I get 3 more this week. The 1st port access wasn't bad but since its being accessed more for this iron I feel like I am a tad sore there this weekend.
I really didn't get sick much I have some tired days and headaches I do the shot the day after and I have slept more than usual but I am doing great for the most part (so thankful) since this is a busy time of the year for my kiddos.
My hair had started to come out around day 7-9 but now I'm patchy and wearing hats which I love having fun with different looks. Here is a picture of me before treatment this week excuse the zit that is in the center of my forehead..oh and who ever asked the question on periods I still got mine this month with my chemo I had heard that would stop possibly so we will see what next month brings.
As far as working I work part time and really I am able to do most things the week after my treatment (so this week) last round I was at the gym on my week in between, cleaning my house, working and doing everything I normally would. I really hope that continues my kids are used to mre being super mom and so this treatment week when I am exhausted is a new thing.
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ps how is everyones appetite mine is huge and my cravings are CRAZY I feel like I am pregnant with the cravings I have
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Twaz - oh too bad! I was looking forward to photos of the pink Mohawk! Oh well, I get that. Good luck with the shedding.
CreateYourOwn - I love your shirt and your cap - you are adorable! I'm with you - not horrible, just tired, and some times tougher to do things. Funny we were just talking about food on the Facebook page. When I first get chemo, I'm okay because I'm not that hungry. But when I'm passed that, I want to eat ALL the food. And not healthy stuff either. I'm going to make a concerted effort to really try to eat more of an anti-inflammatory diet. But it will be tough. Hoping Greek yogurt, blueberries and a bit of honey satisfies that sweet tooth.
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