Starting Chemo June 2017
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Well, looks like I'm going to have to wait to post in the "Starting Chemo August 2017" topic page...
My biopsy (after a suspicious PET-CT scan) showed cancer cells in/on my spine (T-11 vertebrae). Not a tumor, at this point, just "cells" (I think that was supposed to make me feel better). So my oncologist switched the way we're doing things, and I'm going to have radiation therapy with Femara first, for six weeks, then start chemo mid-August. (Susie, it's to be 4 rounds of AC, three weeks apart, like yours. Onc says the three-week schedule is easier as far as SE go, and since I have no active tumors, there's no need to rush it).
Thank you, all, for the very helpful advice and sharing of experiences -- I couldn't have made it this far, with my sanity intact, without you!!!
Wishing everyone the most positive of experiences!
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Ciaci, We'll all be sending lots of positive vibes your way. Hang in there girl!
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Ciaci. Prayers sent your way. I am sorry to hear of your news, thank goodness they found those 'few' cells now rather than later down the road when it could have been so much worse. Most of us have been where you are waiting for test results and holding our breath.....when we get the answers we cry (whether clean or not). It is hard. You can beat this!
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Kim - It was ML that mentioned the 16 shots of tequila. Oh man I hope that's not the case. Last time I had 16 shots of tequila (if it was even that many) ended with me passed out in a chair in front of the bathroom sink with my head pressed up against the on/off handle and my best friend passed out on the floor next to me. Moral of the story is never party like a rockstar on a Tuesday with a liter of tequila and a Mexican. (I apologize if that sounded bad, it's been my running joke for years). If Taxol is like that I cannot be held responsible for my actions.
In other news on my front, I think my earlier mention of neuropothy was just a scare. My hands are feeling better. I believe that it was just a case of severe dry skin. I was wearing gloves and doing major cleaning in the greenhouses at school the past two weeks. Now that I've had a few days off I feel much better. I do have darkening on the big toe on my right foot, but I can't help that.
Ciaci - You can do this. Just a change of plans, but it sounds like there's a good plan in place. You'll certainly be in all of our thoughts
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Hi JuliaJazz, thanks so much for the update and glad everything is "so far so good". I am having Adriamycin and Cytoxan x 4 cycles every 2 weeks then Taxol for 12 weeks. I thought we were having the same treatment. Continued good luck
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Yikes! On Day 11 of cycle.
Side effects have been manageable up to the last four days but this diarrhea is really getting me down. Thought I had it licked yesterday but it's back again today. Choking down Gatorade to help with dehydration. Thinking about buying shares in Imodium!
How's everyone doing today? Wishing you all the best
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4 days away from my 3rd biweekly AC treatment and the only issue I am having besides my now hairless head is that if I sit for too long I get a sort of tingly sensitive feeling in my feet and a sort of tightness in my hands..I read it could be hand foot syndrome so I'll be sure to bring it up to my doctor on Friday. Other then that I guess I'm ready to get my 3rd one out of the way
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Hello
Ladies,I'm in awe after reading all of your
trials & triumphs during this chemo phase of our life. I had the
first of four TC sessions on Thursday June 15th. I only
had general weakness, constipation, dry mouth, achy joints during the
first four days post chemo; totally manageable. However, on the
evening of the 4th day, that Nuelasta med must have kicked
into 6th gear suddenly because my body felt like someone
taken a baseball bat and hit me all over (I did take Claritin
10mg/day since day 1). The bone pain did went down on day 5th
but then my ears' drums started to hurt due to loads of histamine
that the drug caused fluid to accumulated. I quickly double
Claritin's dose to 20mg and had to take Mucinex D to drain the sinus
as well. After bloodwork last week, my MO told me my lymphocytes
count was so good that he will lower my Nuelasta dose in ½ to help
with the bone pain and reduce histamine. However, I do have to come
in to the infusion center to get the shot 24hr after chemo, because
the dose of auto-injection device cannot be adjusted. I'll let you
know how that works out after my 2nd chemo on July 6th.As I was curled up in a fetal position
on my sofa on the eve of day 4, my 19 yrs-old son read me the
following poem. He said it helped him during his basic cadet
training at the Airforce Academy last year. It inspired me as well.
So, I would like to share it with you, my virtual sisters:“Invictus”
by William HenleyOut of the night which covers me,
Black
as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For
my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I
have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of
chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of
wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the
menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It
matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the
scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my
soul.
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that is right the last two lines matter
Mimi
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MsLin and ML1209, I'm feeling a lot better without the Zofran tablets. I'm now gradually extending the time between my Compazine and Ativan and then will see if I can get off one of them without any bad effects by Wednesday. For all I know, I could go without them now, but I'm just scared to revert to that level of nausea. The triage nurse said to work on adding an hour or two between pills for the next two days and see how it goes.
If not for feeling really tired and like my brain is nothing but a puffy pink cloud, I would almost think everything was normal! I've been eating small amounts gently and trying to take in as much liquid as possible. The infusion nurse recommended PediaLyte for getting the electrolytes, which is like Gatorade for kids, so any of you with children probably know about it but it was new to me. Maybe the first one I got, "fruit flavor," was just not a good choice as I don't like it much, but trying to get it down. To me it tastes alien, like it must be made with fruit from Neptune or something :-) What I do like is Propel Enhanced Water. They have that at Costco where I live, in various flavors including lemon, mandarin orange, and cranberry lime. It is intended for electrolyte replacement from sports, similar to Gatorade, but I think it is much much tastier. Give it a try if you are struggling with water taste.
HapB, sorry about that, anti-emetic is just another word for anti-nausea.
Upheld, I'm having those same experiences with food. I had a weird craving for a pickle. So I ate a small dill pickle very slowly in about 8 separate pieces to make sure it was going to be all right, and it was. Same thing with salty potato chips. So I think it is about the salt somehow.
It seems to me that the only time we should FORCE ourselves to eat something is if we haven't eaten anything in 2-3 hours. It does seem to make nausea worse to have nothing in your stomach. I don't think eating more volume at a time is necessarily good or bad; it's one of those things that depends on the individual body. But if something sounds good to you, and isn't contraindicated by your meds or something, then I'd try a little bit and see how it goes. I'm a believer in listening to my body as it frequently (though not always :-) ) knows best.
Wendeez, I think I'm on the same regimen as you so I'll be anxious to hear how yours goes.
Ciaci, sending healing light to you!
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Klt5817, thank you for posting that. I have loved that poem and it really rings a true note for me right now.
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Denise T - hi neighbor
!! I finished chemo in April, but have been looking through some of the other months. Having some side effects that I am checking in to see what has helped others. I saw some were dealing with SE that I had had, so thought I would share what had helped me. I am always grateful to hear from those who are little further down the road than me. Getting ready to start rads - yippee!Kim - Yes, I did feel pretty drunk when I did the Taxol since it is in an alcohol base and then benadryl in hopes of preventing any allergic reactions on top of that. And I did eat Cape Cod kettle chips with this chemo - the salty helped! Of course, fell asleep about mid-crunch
. The beautiful part though - no nausea and never had to take meds for it either!!hugs all around!!
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Thanks HapB. I've actually been drinking the G2 which is less in the sugar content. The sugar content in the regular Gatorade is the killler. I checked out the Pedialyte but the sugar content is pretty high as well.
WordLady: does the propel have high potassium? I'm heading to Costco tomorrow if I'm up to it and I'll check to see if it's available here.
I think the Imodium is starting to work. It was my own fault. I should have started it at the first episode on Friday night but because Saturday it was mostly gone I figured I'd be okay. Lesson learned get on top of before it gets out of hand.
Not liking this side effect too much
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klt5817,
Yikes!! I start my AC on Thursday and was nervous about everything you mentioned. At anytime during all of that did you call your oncologist? I'm just wondering at what point do you know something is really wrong. I sure hope you feel better very soon.
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Hi Wendeez,
I'm doing fine now. I say I'm 99% back to my pre-chemo day. MO did warn me about the bone pain & histamine due to Nuelasta. I was really afraid of the nausea/vomiting which thankfully I did not have (I used Ginger patch). You can get them in the Pharmacy at your infusion center. I drank lot of water daily, but added V8 juice & Adult Pedialyte after day 2 because I started to get muscle cramp (from too much water I think). The Nurse Practitioner who gave me a Chemo 101 class 3 days prior to first infusion gave me a "must have items" list and what to take for what problem and when to call MO so that was a big help. I will try to scan them in and post them later.
You'll be okay. But do not afraid to ask questions (to your medical team). Post them here and I'm sure one of us will be able to help.
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hhuey, What day did your hair start to come out? Do you recall? I guess that is now my biggest concern, since I am feeling fine this week. Eating more and more!
Ciaci, Prayers that you can remain focused as you await chemo, believing that it will destroy any rogue cancer cell anywhere in your body.
ML, Wow. Taxol isn't until August, but that souns w-i-l-d. (Funny description.) I will be anxiously awaiting that one!
Hugs to all having SEs that are interfering with a good day. Remember they are short-lived in the grand scheme of things. (Remind me of that this time next week, after round 2 kicks in.)
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Wendeez in in the same chemo as you. I actually am supposed to start tomorrow. I go for pre blood work today and a check with mo. I still have a couple small open areas on my incision and getting over a head cold so hopefully no delay! I want to get this started and over with! I'll let you know tomorrow how it goes. Got to get my chemo bag ready
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klt5817,
Thank you so very much! My schedule is Port today, Chemo education tomorrow, Chemo on Thursday so I appreciate your help. I'm sure I will be shopping like crazy Wednesday night. Thanks again and I hope you are at 100% tomorrow.
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Kim my hair started sort of pulling out very easily right before round two and after the second round my head hurt so bad and then every time I washed it small bird nest sized globs were coming out and then when I would brush it it would just come out with no problem..I finally decided just to shave it but left a little stubble because I could not stand the sight of the thinning. Shaving my head felt a lot better because the pulling of the hair on my scalp was causing a lot of discomfort. I went from looking like Gene Simmons to the woman from the Matrix to Sinead O'Connor all in the matter of 4 days..I finally feel comfy in my home without a hat but out and about I wear a soft cap...good
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Hi Wendeez,
I know you feel like a freight train is coming straight to you right now & you can't move out of the way but just take slow deep breaths, imaging a year from now you'll be at a paradise beach somewhere with a glass of best margarita you ever had. Remember " You're the master of your fate & soul". And please, if you have someone who can help with the chemo shopping list, ask them to do it for you. You need your health/strength at their max on days prior to chemo. I find Amazon prime (one of the few best things that my dear hubby spent) is my best friend as most items I can get it within a day.
Many hugs! KLT
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So all scans clear (no brain scan) onto first Ac tomorrow. Was sooooo happy for the resylts. I never have I been so relieved in my life!
Told they will push the adrimyacin (sp?) Then hang the cytoxan. Will be there 3 hours first time. Have my wig and buffs and a hat. Going to get my chemo bag ready.
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How's everyone doing? Feeling pretty good today.
Wishing everyone good luck with their chemo and no side effects.
It's always great news when tests results come back with an all clear.
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Good evening ladies! Well I did go to the baby shower on Sunday and I didn't outdo it. I was very nauseous in the evening but I'm guessing that's normal. Yesterday I went to work, 3 days post chemo, and it was very hard. I looked and felt like crap. I didn't make it the full day. I came home at 3p.m. at slept until 5 a.m. I woke up with a new side effect of dry mouth. If any of you had it you know it's awful. There is no saliva to help any of the food go down. Teeth always feel like they're sticking to your cheeks. Everything is dry. And I'm celiac so I have to eat gluten free, which makes everything 10 times harder. Nausea wasn't too bad today but constipation became an issue. That was short lived as I ate a bag of cherries and diarrhea kicked in. I'm not sure what's going on down there! Im just a hot mess! My emotions are out of whack and I never cry but lately I can't stop crying. I just want this over. This is really hard. I try to stay positive but feeling like i have the flu all the time sucks. I'm hoping tomorrow is better. It's post chemo day 5 and I heard it's the worst!
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- HapB Why didn't i think of popsicles? I love the banana ones, I'll pick some up tomorrow! I have not tried the warm water and salt but will try it tomorrow! I'll try anything! As for work I am taking a week off, I'm taking off from June 30 til July 10. As for work my employer has less than 50 employees so they are not required to offer FMLA or short term disability. And I cannot work from home since it's a surgery center. If i take a leave of absence they will require me to pay my health insurance premiums, $1500 a month. That would be hard to do if I wasn't working making money to pay it. I'm just trying the best I can. Believe me if i could i would take 6 months off! Gotta start playing the lottery!
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Hi Susie,
Try mixing 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, with 2 cups of warm water. You can half that with one cup of water but I hate measure 1/8 tsp of salt so I double the amount. Take a mouthful of the solution, swish it around then spit it out. Take a mouthful of clear water after that then swish it around. My RN told me to do that every 3 hrs and it helped a lot. I did not have any mouth sore & it relieve some dryness. Cover the cup with plastic wrap then you can use it for several days so you don't have to make it many times.
Hugs, KLT
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KLT I will give it a shot!
HapB I'm hoping the worse is over, and if that's true then work won't be so bad. Looking forward to having time off! I Hope you are doing well.
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Tpralph,
I hope you day went well!! I hope there were no surprises (that's my concern). I had my Port placement today and start my AC on Thursday. I love to hear how you are feeling.
Everything I read says drink as much water as possible.
Take care
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My cancer centre pharmacist said today to mix 1/2 tsp both salt and baking soda to 2 cups of warm water. Might be easier to measure.
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klt5817 Big hug and thank you 😊 You are so sweet! After my Port placement today I ordered what I think I need from Amazon. I also ever so slightly decided to ask my husband to help with my list tomorrow, which is hard for me to do.
Thank you
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hhuey, Thank you for explaining your hair timing. I will let you know about mine. If I follow your pattern, I have a mere couple of days for this to start letting goooooo.
Susie, I tell you, I am like a new person since the weekend. All the SEs went away. I had a couple of days of constipation, but bananas work wonders for me. I cannot complain, really, looking back at the worst of my post #1 chemo SEs. I do pray that you can continue to work. Just rest when your body tells you to.
Tpralph, WONDERFUL news!
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