Who is starting chemo in September 2016?
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LisbethS - I had a hysterectomy (complete with ovaries) in July due to bleeding issues. It was laparoscopic, and done by a surgeon who specializes in that operation. I took ibuprofen (800mg) for a couple of days afterwards because I thought I should, but I really wasn't in any pain. I went back to work 9 days after the surgery. I have an active, standing, walking around job. If I had a desk job, I probably could have gone back sooner. I was taking a night class, and drove myself there 4 days after surgery. The worst SE for me were the hot flashes. I recovered really well, and felt good about the whole thing. However, that was before any BC stuff, and I was healthy and hadn't had any abdominal surgeries like you. Still, it was a good experience. Make sure you ask for the anti-nausea meds and get them BEFORE the surgery so they have time to kick in, if you have those kinds of problems with anesthesia.
I got set up with rides to and from chemo next week for my first Taxol treatment. They will be giving me Benadryl, and I'm not sure how I will handle it. Well, I'm pretty sure I will be dopey. I can't handle the over-the-counter version very well. Has anyone been affected by that? How long were you out of it?
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hi there, just finished 4th and last CT cycle Friday and it knocked me out. None have been this bad. Stayed in bed all Sunday and though I got to the gym this morning, came home and crashed. The flu like feeling and fatigue are withering. I've been at gym most days which makes me feel so much better despite the fact I'll need knee replacement revision surgery in three weeks. Am so glad this is done with at least!
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Hi everyone-
Sorry to jump on your ship! I'm on the Aug 2016 chemo board, and just popped on here and saw that many of you are doing similar chemo regimens as I am. Just wanted to connect- my board is still full of supportive ladies, but many have moved on- and I feel like I'm still at the beginning of this journey with surgery to come. I had #5 of 6 chemo infusion last week.... (every 21 days)- #4 was much harder, and now with #5 I'm recovering very slowly (6 days out geez!)- usually by Monday after- I'm tired, but functioning. My accomplishment today is going to the couch lol. Anyways- I wanted to say Hi and there's more of us out there doing chemo now, and then surgery and who knows from there?! Thanks for reading.
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NotTheBoss--I had the exact same concerns about the Benadryl they give with Taxol. Although I have had someone with me during the chemo treatments that could drive me, I needed to be fully alert 2 hours after treatment is finished so I can drive for my job. For the first Taxol treatment they gave me 50 mg of Benadryl in case of an allergic reaction. The only thing I reacted to was the Benadryl itself. Before it even was all in I was very dizzy and shaky--enough that my husband had to walk with me to the bathroom. That feeling lasted about 30 minutes and I slept for about 45 minutes, was fine. The second treatment the Benadryl was reduced to 25 mg. No dizziness and shaking but still sleepy. Third treatment it was cut to 12.5 mg. Still a little sleepy and had to take a nap. My 4th infusion will be on Friday and I have already asked to have it cut down to 6.25 mg to try to avoid the sleepiness. The nurses said that is the lowest dose they can give because they can't completely eliminate it in case there is an allergic reaction. If after your first Taxol treatment you don't have any type of reaction (and they will watch you closely and said if it's going to happen it will be at the beginning of the infusion), definitely ask if they can cut the Benadryl down. I also get 10 mg of Decadron and Pepcid, both to prevent any type of reaction.
I hope you are as pleasantly surprised as I was with the Taxol. It's a breath of fresh air after AC!!!! It's amazing to feel somewhat normal again! Good luck!!
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Welcome ajbcla....I have my 4th round tomorrow. The steroids have me up right now...not looking forward to tomorrow.
So I believe bc of the chemo I have been thrown into menopause. Has this happened to anyone else? I have had hot flashes, no period, and tonight I am cramping like crazy. Any thoughts?
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Denny, I had both!! Hot flashes, night sweats, skipped a period. AND had 2 very prolonged periods (about 14 days each) while on TC (one at the beginning, skipped one, one at the end). I haven't had another one yet (4 weeks PFC this week), but also started Tamoxifen 12 days ago. Night sweats are getting worse... Not sure what to expect!
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Dennyj, chemo induced menopause in me because of my age and I was probably perimenopausal anyway. There are a couple of others on this thread who are closer to your age and thought they were going through menopause because of the symptoms but their periods came back. Night sweats, hot flashes and irregular periods seem to be common side effects for chemo regardless.
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I'm like Sharon- probably age- had 1 period during 1st chemo, and now nothing. I'm not sure if its hot flashes, or chemo reaction- but hot then cold and back and forth throughout this session.
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I'm like Sharon and ajbclan...interesting though I was reading today that chemo can interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature. So I'm wondering if what I'm assuming to be menopausal symptoms brought on by chemo is really just chemo SE. It happens at times that may not be hot flashes..eg. Come in from the cold and before I can unzip my coat I can be virtually sweating.
Anyway, it helps to curl your tongue into a roll and breathe in an out through your mouth. Cools the air, slows the breath. Of course it looks utterly ridiculous, but desperate times call for desperate measures! Lo
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Taxol round two successful. So far, zero SE except steroid energy boost (not such a bad thing, got the tree up last night). 2 more to go and done with chemo! I've not used any compazine either which is great because blah. Waiting for the aches and pains I seem to get a couple of days out from the neulasta. On a down note, one of my dogs has diarrhea. He has had it since sat night. He was eating up til yesterday but not today. We are going to the vet today. I'm very worried about him. I hope it's nothing too serious.
Happy Thanksgiving my warrior friends! Enjoy this holiday with your family and friends. Put cancer out of your mind and just enjoy the here and now. I know I will be doing some mind work...
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Dennyj - I've had hot flashes but have still gotten my period throughout treatment, usually prolonged and seemingly never-ending :-( I'm interested to see if they will test my hormones one of these weeks and let me know if I look like I am pre-menopausal yet.
Heading in for Round 5 today! Stay Strong Ladies and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Share your fun moments! (I'm expecting a few with my boys cooking new things this year... Life is an adventure, right?)
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Good luck today BeachBabyK! I have my 5th TCHP on Friday so we're almost twins (except I'm ER/PR-, HER+). Hopefully I'll be able to enjoy the Thanksgiving feast tomorrow and not regret it on Friday, lol. Looking forward to my 2 college kids coming home tonight! I'm making their favorite Pumpkin soup recipe, and some sides to bring to my sister's tomorrow. This is by far my favorite holiday!
Angie
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Docmama- I was on Fridays, but they moved me for the holiday. I don't mind too much as everyone is off Friday and I get to be home with them! Also, now I'll finish 2 days sooner. So awesome about the college kids. Nothing makes a mom happier than a full house! Mine are all pitching in this year and making a dish on their own. I have boys and this is all new to them, but I figured it's all good to try a new recipe and if it doesn't work out... no harm done as there is plenty to eat!
I love that Thanksgiving is all about family. No gifts, no other expectations. Just food, fun, and family!
Have a great day
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Hi everyone, today I will have infusion 8 of 12 Taxol treatments I am doing Taxol only I see most of you are doing A/C and then Taxol or a different combination and I though I would post my experience with the Taxol.
I take 5 steroids 12 hours beforehand and another 5 6 hours before Chemo, they give me Benadryl and zanax premeds by IV, I also get a Zofran and a maxaran (both anti nausea drugs) then the Taxol - entire infusion time is about 2 hours. I do get restless leg syndrome with the Benadryl but have food keeping my feet firmly on the floor or standing and walking around eases it.
Infusion 1 - only SE was numb toes, constipation
Infusion 2 - SE's - numb feet, 1 day of mild nausea, constipation. extremely dry skin
Infusion 3 - SE's - neuropathy to feet and hands, mild nausea, tingling of scalp and hair starting to shed, constipation, dry skin
Infusion 4 - SE's - neuropathy hands and feet, slight headache and hair falling out in clumps, joint pain, fatigue, constipation, very dry skin
Infusion 5 - SE's - neuropathy hands and feet, hair loss slowing down, joint pain, constipation, all over feeing like I am coming down with the flu. dry skin
Infusion 6 = SE's - acid reflux, neuropathy hands and feet, HAIR STABLE AND NO LONGER FALLING OUT, joint pain, slight headache, mild nausea, 2 days of not feeling great, dry skin
Infusion 7 - acid reflux, neuropathy hands and feet, nausea, joint pain, headache, fatigue, dry skin
All my side effects have been mild to moderate and quite manageable I have noticed that when I started the first few infusions that I was amped up on Steriods for a few days before I crashed and the SE appeared, but now they usually kick in by day 2 after infusion and now last 2 to 3 days instead of 1.
I have had no nail issues, I did cut them quite short beforehand and they are quite brittle but that is it. I did not ice nor does anyone at the Cancer Center I go to.Eyebrows and Eyelashes - have had no loss of them whatsoever
wishing everyone well
Charlene
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seq24 and Charlene1 - Thanks for your detailed Taxol descriptions. I will definitely be expressing my concerns before the infusion starts. I think I'm more concerned about being dopey from the Benadryl than any of the other SEs. My husband had committed to taking a friend who can't drive to his doctor's appt that morning, so I enlisted several people to help me out. My college kids are home, and will drop me off and stay for a bit before driving back to school. My in-the-county kids will be coming over lunch break, and a friend will drive me home. Phew. This is the first time I've taken up a offer for help.
I'm actually having a "week off", so I get to enjoy some cooking today! Didn't clean, that's me playing my "C" card, but all the cooking is happening.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Happy Turkey Day Ladies!
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Hello Ladies Happy Thanksgiving!
Had my 4th TCHP infusion yesterday. They got me in and out! Had a little energy due to the steroids..I was able to cook a few dishes for today. I will have a house full. Thank God for my mother in law and auntie who are doing all the cooking. Hoping I have energy by the time folks show up. Praying the SE stay at bay at least until tomorrow. 2 more infusions left..my last one is scheduled for Jan 4.
Everyone enjoy your day with your families. Be grateful for God and His Blessings!
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The menopause questions are interesting. I'll never know but it seemed to me starting tamoxifen pushed me over the edge. I'd been pretty regular when diagnosed my first time with DCIS at 48, but stopped a month after beginning tamoxifen. No chemo before then, just mastectomy and radiation.
Had treatment #5 on TCHP yesterday. Labs and echocardiogram scan all ok except they did confirm my levels had dropped again into the severe anemia range, MO ordered another blood transfusion Friday with fluids. I wasn't surprised about the anemia return as it seemed to me last week some of the symptoms like obvious shortness of breath were resurfacing.
Peripheral neuropathy progressing some but still considered in mild range, no change in treatment recommended this time. Dr. said he would reassess for round 6 and possibly dose reduce for last session. I asked if he recommended any vitamins or anything for this issue, he said no due to concerns that vitamin supplements can interfere with the chemo. He said multivitamins are mostly ok. Interesting how opinions vary on these things. He Ok'ed me to get a flu shot which I hadn't got around to yet but need to.
He did a breast exam on the L side where I had the issue diagnosed this year. He could not feel the discrete nodule at all, but said he could still sense 'thickening' in the area so I guess that means not everything has receded. It felt a little thick or rough in there to me last time I checked, don't recall that when I checked in October. I was thinking it could be just I lost weight and so things felt different around the implant (most of my new issue has been under the scarline from my mastectomy). Eventually I'll get a scan to see what's up after the two final rounds of chemo.
Felt ok after treatment except for seeing my face flushing bright red, mostly on the left side so felt very lopsided lol. Woke up around 4, watched some tv, went back to sleep around 6 or 7 and didn't wake again until 11. Feeling ok today except the nasty taste seems to be starting up early. Going back Friday for IV fluids and a new blood transfusion to counter the anemia, and then again Monday for more fluids.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and best wishes with your continuing treatments and recovery.
eta: One funny item. The MO made a point of thanksgiving and how he was giving me permission to "have dessert." They never gave me any diet advice or restrictions that I can recall along the way, except to deal with D or some other side effect.
I suppose I shouldn't tell him about all the ice cream & similar that I've had to help make up my fluid quota
I have partially lost my taste for chocolate though, so there's that.0 -
Good Morning Ladies! I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving and ate and drank to their heart's content (or as much as your MO allows, lol Misslil)! My MO has never mentioned any dietary restrictions, at least not yet.
I'm in today for TCHP #5 and it's a real skeleton crew. My MO will stop by the infusion center today - I usually see him in his office. I've got a feeling that I will probably be delayed because of that as the pharmacy won't release my chemotherapy until the labs that were just drawn from my port are reviewed by him. I also think I escaped being weighed on the day after Thanksgiving
. Here is the view of Miami Beach from my window. I always try to get the same room for my infusions - I'm just superstitious I guess. Not a very good selfie though because you can't see the skyline.
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I hope everyone had a successful thanksgiving full of new memories. I think we all have different ideas of successful this year but it is perfect just for us. I was very thankful that my labs came back good a day early so was able to get my second taxol Wednesday morning. Most important it means I should finish before Christmas now! Had the benedryl fog all Wednesday for the 3 hour drive to the inlaws and the steroid high all night with little sleep. Dolled myself up to look normal for the inlaws of the inlaws. Got compliments on the wig and how that really should be my color once I get my hair back (from the inlaws that know). Got neuropathy in my thumb during dinner -weird. Heading south back home to drop the dog off and gather soccer gear and head 2.5 hours east for my daughter's tournament this weekend. Lots of car time this week! Expecting bone/nerve pain to set in this afternoon. MO said since it happened last time I should expect it again-joy. Got to keep an eye on it though and make sure it doesn't get worse. Really strange that I've gotten more SE on taxol than AC...I blame the majority during AC on neulasta since I didn't get it the first round and it wasn't bad. Hoping everyone has a wonderful weekend.
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Good morning.
I am the youngest daughter of three and we are all trying to pull together to pay for my moms next round of chemo. Please visit the link below. Have a blessed day.
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Hi All. I have not been on this feed since the start if treatment. I wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving, and to re-connect.
Chemo 5 of 8 was Wed.
I have received some great advice and support from the CMF message board, but Now that I am past the half way point, the denial has gone away. I would like to join in with the support.
It seems as time goes on, the fatigue gets worse. It becomes obvious when blood counts fall (which is also happening more frequently). I hope to be done with chemo the end of January.
It seems as if chemo induced menopause is something most of you are experiencing. Since I had ablasion several years ago, I don't get a period. How will I know?
Rest and be well.
Heidi
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Heidi, I had an ablation too but I still had my monthly pimple, had water retention, was overly emotional, etc. That all stopped. Plus there were the hot flashes that continued even after most of the other side effects subsided in between treatments. Lastly, my MO ran a hormones panel because of my age that showed I am menopausal.
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Thank you, Bagsharon.
I seem to have the menu symptoms, but guess the MO will run tests after chemo is completed. Plan "B" is to have oopharectomy down the road, although I am 50.
Anyone else just soooo tired days 2&3 after infusion? I feel like Rip Van Winkle?
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Good morning all. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
Is anyone having shooting pains going through their breasts? I apologize if this has been mentioned and I missed it. My visits to the forum have been hit and miss lately. My last chemo was Thursday the 17th, and it has been the worst as far as fatigue. I was out of breath just walking across he room so I spent days three and four in the bed. The energy has been back a little better each day, but I still get drained very easily. My sense of taste has been terrible this time around -- just in time for Thanksgiving lol. I sooo wanted to taste that turkey and dressing. Pretty much the only thing I can taste is spicy food like chili and tacos. My tongue has been extremely dry this time around, and that has been really annoying. Does anyone have suggestions for that? I guess I'm getting a little bit of neuropathy. Opening even a ketchup packet is almost impossible. Woke up with "the big D" during the night, and it continued this morning. That was a first since chemo started so I'm wondering if it's just a result of something I ate. The shooting pains through the breast have been going on the last three nights and have kept me from sleeping well. My daughter has been sleeping with me. She said I woke her up with the moaning. Is anyone else having this? Should I call the MO?
Hope you are all feeling as good as possible today. 😀
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it seems as if the chemo reactions exacerbate over time, or you have a virus. I'm concerned for the shooting pain in your breast area. Not to alarm, but I would call the MO asap for peace of mind.
Feel better.
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GonnaBePoz -- I think the general rule should be that if we have any symptoms that are really concerning, then we should be call about them. Especially if it is something that is not an expected side effect. It's better to bother them about nothing, than to not call and it be something. (I'm telling myself this, too, since I don't like to make those phone calls.)
Taxol treatment #1 was today. I expressed my concerns about the Benadryl and they halved my dosage to 12.5mg. The IV was not moving along quickly, so I think I was there longer that I should've been, but otherwise I had no reactions or side effects. I had a friend drive me home, but I think I could've managed it by myself. Here I am being really optimistic on day 1 of a treatment that will last 15 weeks. But, a good day is still a GOOD day and I will take it!
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Tomorrow will be three weeks from my last chemo infusion and I just got the EOB for my first three infusions. They are denying coverage for the Neulasta at nearly $5800 a pop. My doc told me he does nothing without getting approval from the insurance company first. I'm hoping it is covered by the prescription company. Did they deliberately wait until I was out of the woods with side effects before stressing me out with this news?
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Hi everyone! Finished my #4 TCHP last Tuesday and had terrible SE's. Really bad big D for first time ever. It's gone now and I'm just focusing on 2 more chemos!
GonnaBePoz - I would call your onco or surgeon ASAP. They want to know what's going on with us. My plastic surgeon met me one late Saturday evening at the ER due to infected sutures. Bother them. They want to know. And, if they can help and/or answer questions, it takes away from our stress which is a win-win for us.
BagSharon - My onco went to bat twice for me with my insurance company....and got the insurance company to pay for my treatments. The first decline was for Neulasta as well. Does the insurance company want us to get sick first....then have to approve our treatment? That's just asinine IMHO. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right?! Best of luck!
Hoping everyone is hanging in there as we are ending our treatments and/or moving on to different ones. Been one hell of a ride so far, but keeping the faith and remaining positive are what's keeping me going. Thanksgiving as a holiday may be over, but I remind myself of my blessings every day now. It matters. Best wishes to EVeryone!
PEACE!
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Bagsharon, have the MO's office check with the insurance company again. There should be a paper trail some where for the approval. I think I wrote about my curious incident of getting two letters from insurance the same day - one denying one approving Neulasta coverage. Turns out they first denied, then got push back from MO and approved it. Generally, doctor's office will not do any big ticket item without prior authorization.
GonnaBePoz I occasionally have sharp/shooting pain - at first they told me it was a sign of nerves dying in the breast after MX. Now, the pain is very short - a few seconds, and it goes away. Sometimes I think its the expander about to poke through skin ...
I am a week behind Bagsharon, so 15 days PFC, but I still deal with D - have to take immodium otherwise pretty draining. This whole round, still not recovered. Too tired. Cant walk up to my office on 5th floor without stopping once or twice to catch my breath. And of course, neuropathy. I am taking L-Glutamine, and Vitamin b 6 and Omega 3, but the pain in the fingers is constant. It's just the intensity that occasionally flares up...
Still loosing hair - on the head and eyebrows and eyelashes. I don't recognize myself - even after the buzz cut I still looked like me - without hair but me. The eyes have always been the defining feature on my face, and they are no longer standing out... Waiting for spring and the growth to kick in ...
Hope you all are having better time than me.
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