Starting chemo February 2018
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hi LLG0,
You mean u got mouthsores after trying the water with salt solution. I just started it today..
Its my day 4: i am feeling good just fatigue and lazy.. sometimes lil bit of nausea .. no taste for food.. and major concern is only thick saliva which i haveto keep spitting now and the
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Hi Aanoliver, No, sorry if I was confusing. I have had NO mouth sores. I was diligent starting the gargling 3x/day with the water, baking soda, salt solution starting the day of chemo and everyday since. When I noticed the Orajel mouth sore rinse, I bought it so that the mint flavor is what I went to bed with....
Sounds like your day 4 and mine are similar. I was on the couch, total fatigue, metallic taste in the mouth, not much appetite. No vomiting, but some what I considered mild nausea (waves that would come and go).
Later in the week, I had some diarrhea, in the mornings, but not sever, thank goodness.
An infusion site (I had an IV) irritation started a week after infusion - needed Rx steroid cream and may need oral, as it is still there.
Rest through these middle days, drink lots of water - I've set a goal of 100 oz a day.... I think it has really helped.
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this is day 4 for me after and it's kicking my butt my stomach is a total wreck can't eat I have mild diarrhea again just feel like I've been hit by a truck or something send a prayer up 4 me hope you are all surviving it a little better than I am today
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hi,
LLG0, its nice to know that i am not alone .. every small side effect makes me wonder is it just me ..prior to chemo i got a mouthwash from my doc . She told me to use to every day. Yet i have this thick saliva which makes me wanna spit every second .. so annoying right . Hope days get better for us.
Debs, try some rice or oats, i think that would really help.. it helped me alot while in diarrhea.
All of you lets hope days get better as it passes by.. sending you love ,hugs & prayers
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Hi everyone! I am six months post chemo, but I like to come back to the new threads to see if I can maybe inspire or comfort those just starting or going to start chemo. I had four dose dense AC treatments, and twelve weekly Taxol treatments. There is absolutely nothing I can say that is going to remove all anxiety, of course. This is one of the scariest moments of our lives, besides being told you have cancer. What I found, is that if I prepared myself for the treatments, the SE's were totally manageable. Taking care of my mouth and body became number one. I used Biotene products several times a day, and I never did get a sore in my mouth. Just keeping your mouth rinsed and teeth clean helps to eliminate those awful mouth sores. I also used Xylimelts at night when I went to bed to keep my mouth moist overnight. As far as my body, I would take detox baths twice a week. I would run the water as hot as I could stand, add two tablespoons of coconut oil, 10 drops of lavender oil, and a quarter cup of baking soda. I would sit in the water for at least 20 minutes so I could sweat. My body held up well. My toenails and fingernails did turn dark by the end of chemo, but keeping a clear coat on them seemed to help-I'm not really sure on that but they held out til the end. Taking a B-complex, and drinking lots of water seemed to help me a lot. I came to love sparking water because it had flavor, but helped calm my tummy too. I did lose most of my eyelashes, and I tried a pretty expensive treatment that was supposed to keep then around, but it didn't work. I found that tight lining my eye helped it appear that I had lashes. It looked MUCH better. As far as my eyebrows, what worked best for me was the Anastasia powder brow kit because it came with stencils. Once I got the hang of it, my eyebrows looked better than before I started chemo! When I went to treatments, I found that taking popsicles was SO much better than chewing on the ice, or take crushed ice from home. I also found that going home and going to bed on the day of chemo helped me feel so much better the next day. I too, have a seven year old and a four year old. They were my main worry through this whole thing. I just wanted them to know Mom as they've known Mom....the one to take care of them and do everything. I will tell you- that didn't change. The oncologists have everything down to such a good regimen with the steroids and such, I was able to keep going the whole time. Just take everything when you are supposed to take it...don't wait or think you don't need to take it...you do. Besides losing my hair, I looked pretty much normal. And yes....losing the hair, it is...well, traumatic of course, but you adjust. They make some really awesome wigs now a days, and they usually look pretty awesome. When I was at home, I wore little hats most of the time, and the kids hardly mentioned a word. My kids never seen me bald until the end of my treatments. I will say this....kids just want to know you are going to be OK. They are worried less about how you look, so if you decide to show your kids your bald head....awesome! They will accept it and get used to it. Just keep reassuring them that Mommy will be fine, and that is all they care about. I have so many different little hats I wore that if there is someone on here that is in need, please message me and I will send them to you. I've been looking to get rid of them so if there is someone that could use them, please let me know. I want to tell you this--it will be OK. It is OK to cry, get frustrated (I still do), but then you have to stand tall, and strong. I kept reminding myself how strong I was...and so are you! You have been trusted with this challenge, and you will emerge victorious. Do not let your circumstances be bigger than your courage. Your body can take almost anything, it is your mind you have to convince! Take care my sisters!
P.S.- Of course, everything needs to be cleared with your doctor before you try any of the methods or supplements I used. Everyone's situation is individual.
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sana18. Thank you for your encouragement and advice. We February ladies are just starting to navigate through this monster and can use your helpful wisdom.
Deb- Foods supposedly good for diarrhea include bananas, applesauce, boring rice, toast. Any of them sound tasty? Probably not....Hopefully you are about to turn the corner and feel good. Diarrhea is so dehydrating.
Anyone have some fun tasty drink ideas? I’m so sick of water I’m glaring at the faucet. I’ve tried Gatorade and ginger ale but am tired of that too plus all of the sugar is not a great idea. Im not normally a hugedrinker so this is getting challenging.
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llgo- I would definitely check with your Dr on eye problems. You don't want to risk any permanent damage to the eyes. I had a very bad eye infection over the summer ( unrelated to cancer) and the eye drs did a lot of follow up to make sure all would be okay. Hopefully your situation is just one of those chemo side effects that will lessen soon. I know dry eye is common with chemo. Redness and even tearing are some it's symptoms. I would get and use artificial tears preventatively ( after checking with the Dr)
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Welcome LLG0! Debsmisto hope you're feeling better.
I'm so pissed. I just got a phone call that my insurance denied my pet scan for tomorrow. I'm putting it on a payment plan and doing it anyways. How can they not consider itneeded, when the cancer was found in my lymph nodes? How can they not think that we need to know if it's gone anywhere else? Insurance dries me absolutely insane.
sana-ETA thank you for the encouragement!! I’m sorry I didn’t say that earlier, my phone updated slow and I only now saw your post.
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Colleen your insurance is just trying to save it's self some money they would probably cover doing a ct plus bone scan as crazy as it seems doing those two cost less than doing the PET. It was pretty hard for them to turn mine down as this is my second time getting cancer. I had endometrial cancer two years ago. The PET scan does so a better job finding the smaller tumors if you have any. I did get mine today. Thank you Sana18 I am doing the same regime as yours and have already bought the biotene and mouth drops. Still going to do cottage cheese and popsicles and such while doing the chemo. It helps so much to hear from others who gone through the tunnel and are on the other side. Deb hope you feel better soon can you get or make some bone broth? It is easy to digest pretty easy to make (meaning even someone who normally does not cook can make it,)and is on the list of good for us. It is also supposed to help get the GI tract back in balance. It certainly would not hurt to try. Bonus is it has some protein not tons but some. Banana smoothies with made with almond milk are also good and will add to your liquid count for the day. Almond or other nut milks don't have the lactose that can make your circumstance worse or give us gas.
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Hi everyone,
Welcome LLG0!
I am sad to read that some of you are still experiencing SE 4 days after chemo. I hope you will feel better soon.
Sana18: thank you very much for sharing your experience with us.
Colleen: I am in the same situation as yours. I have also lymph node involved but my insurance won't pay for PET scan. My oncologist told me that CT scan and bone scan were enough to detect metastasis. I am looking at your picture Colleen, did you cut your hair? They look nice. I have a wig appointment this Saturday. I want to try something out of the ordinary (blonde or red hair as I am a brunette).
What is this neustela medicine that creates bone pain and must be injected!!! I did not sign up for that! Just kidding but I am sooooo afraid of needle. I am also scared of the mouth sores. Back in Belgium, we had this liquid that you put on them with a brush (the name was Pyralvex) and it hurts like crazy. We were running around the table to alleviate the pain (I know we were kids...) I will really need to stay on top of my mouth prevention program in the hope that I don't suffer from it.
Again hope the second week will be a peaceful one for the ladies who started chemo beginning of the month.
Big hugs to everyone!
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Colleen and lolette I am sure you were both denied the Pet Scan because of cost would you be willing to do the bone scan and CT scans instead I hate to see any of us paying out-of-pocket for any of these tests just sucks these insurance companies have become so difficult. Thanks for the bone broth idea and the BRAT diet ideas I'm trying to eat and drink but boy today was a real rough one for me girls hope I'm not developing some secondary thing and it's just normal chemo drainage. Hope you're all doing well
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Ladies, the hospital is giving me a discount and I’m paying out of pocket for now, hoping to appeal insurance. The peace of mind is worth the bill for me. I can’t imagine not getting complete answers about everything. Insurance companies SUCK.
I did cut my hair, it is mostly cut very close except a left some in the front. I would never ever cut it short by choice, but here we all are eh? Anyways, thanks for noticing.
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I am start AC February 15' 18. We got this!
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fortisrd - I'm starting the same day as you! Go us!
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Hi All, I just want to give some encouragement to anyone just starting chemo. I am 10 weeks out from my last chemo and only have 2 more radiation treatments left!!!
YOU CAN DO THIS! I remember feeling terrified before my first AC infusion. The actual infusion is very uneventful. Use Elma cream on your port one hour prior to treatment and you don't feel them accessing it. Keep on a strict schedule with anti nausea meds. Don't wait until you feel sick. Take regular Claritin, not D to counteract Nuelasta aches. Drink water especially on chemo days. Keep some food in your belly.
I lost my hair after second DD AC treatment. It is upsetting at first, but I adjusted quickly. 10 weeks post chemo and I already ditched the hats and scarves. It looks like a VERY short pixie. I did not ice my hands and feet. My nails discolored, but didn't lose any.
Think of this as a marathon, not a sprint. Remember how much you are loved. Remember it's ok to cry and be scared. Remember we are all here for each other. Remember that you can and will get through this
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And......I never got mouth sores (sucked on ice during Adriamycin push. And I never vomited. That's for anyone afraid of those two things. I pray you all do very well through your treatments. Make sure to tell the nurses about any concerns you have. They are amazing and there to help you
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sana & mama - thank you for the words if encouragement and sharing your experiences! Reading your posts really is a lifeline for me as I start to navigate thru this.
My first AC was Friday with neulasta Saturday. Bone pain today for 2nd day-taking Claritin and Advil to manage it. I did work today and I pulled through although I was feeling more tired than usual.
Thinking of you all.
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ugggg I’ve felt horrible today
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Hello Everyone,
I had round 1 the end of January. I had a prescription of Magic Mouthwash for mouth sore. It worked. I also did the baking soda rinse.
Sucking on lemon drops helped when they were flushing my port. It takes that wierd taste out of your mouth.
Peanut butter crackers, ensure/boost drinks, and cheese/turkey/craisin snack packs were quick snacks I kept by me once I got home from chemo. I also found eating an egg with turkey was a quick meal I liked.
Remember to keep hydrated and the medicine/ steroids given to you gives fake energy. Pace yourself, rest when you're tired, and stay in front of your nausea and pain medicine.
I over excerted myself and learned lessons of the sentence above the hard way.
Read prior months posts. Everyone is great about sharing.
Hang in there, we got this.
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I had medium to long hair and after my husband used his clippers on it I felt better. After my first treatment my hair seemed to be in the way. I started same regiment as Deb, Dec 28, 2017. It still hasn't all gone but it's thinned quite a bit. Just have head coverings available, it's so cold without hair!!!
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sana & mama - thanks for your posts! Very encouraging!
Deb - hope you are feeling better today.
Colleen - insurance companies suck! I had big issues with them covering the oncotype test. They made the hospital & doc jump through hoops and delayed my chemo by two weeks (we needed this results to determine chemo drug)
I had my first treatment of AC yesterday. It was uneventful and I was exhausted afterwards. Got home ate some lentil soup and went straight to bed. Today I woke up ok. A little nauseous so I took one of the anti nausea pills. Apart from that, ok. Waiting for the nulesta shot tonight (they put it on my tummy.). Trying to keep strong
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Worriedme , Deb and LLGO hope today finds you feeling better. Those who are having a non chemo week after your first chemo hope this is a good week for you all. Pbello your first one is done another notch in the battle. Anxietygirl I will be thinking of you tomorrow as we both begin the next step in this journey. Into the tunnel and soon to be through to the other side!
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hello everyone. I'm new here. My name is Melinda and I'm 32 years old with breast cancer, type 1 diabetes, stage 2 kidney disease, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Was reading about everyone's experience with chemo and some of you had it bad and some had it good. Well i started mine yesterday 2 12 2018 and they gave me taxol, perjeta, and herceptin. I had no SE yet but they did send me home with some meds to ease the SE. I was wondering since I didn't have any SE will I get them further into chemo treatments or will it stay the same. I hoping it stays the same. The one think I do have are headaches since I got home but took some meds and it went away. Thanks to all you ladies on here that gave me some answers and easing me from bring scared.
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Rockcity don't forget that smoothies, jello, popsicles, sherberts, broths and teas also count towards liquids for the day and some can also be considered a food. A friend of mine would get the cheap cup of noodles and while they where hot stir in a beaten egg sort of making an egg drop soup some days it was all she wanted to eat the egg helped boost the protein intake.
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amburt - thanks for the advice. I just picked up stuff to make fruit smoothies. Gonna work the soups also. Water has gotten unappealing somehow. Unfortunately I’m probably the one person on the planet who does not like ice cream or popsicles. Just hard boiled eggs for protein. Hope it helps.Worriedme77- hope you are feeling better today
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hi guys,
Hope u all doing great today.. i am feeling better than ever.. i had issues with saliva being thick yesterday which got better today.. only SEi am facing now is bitter taste in mouth & gas /bloating.
I dint know jello counts .. im getting some readymade strawberry jellos soon to save my life.
Worried me, I hope you are feeling better
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Hello you beautiful women,
I start chemo on Thursday the 15th (2 days from now). 4 rounds of taxotere and Cytoxan. I'm scared to death; like someone else has said, it's way scarier than the surgery. Reading everyone's posts has been comforting to know I'm not alone. It's just a lot to process right now.
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Welcome to our new ladies here sorry we all have to meet this way I'm still having a terrible day excuse my TMI but bad diarrhea from the per Jetta had to go down and get a infusion of fluids and they did some LAB Works seems I'm okay just dehydrated feel like I've been hit by a truck and run back over 10 * hope the rest of your fairing okay I'll check back in on everyone later
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deb- I hope the iv fluids make you feel much better. That’s hopefully why you feel so bad and it will relieve quickly now.
Amburt- cheap can of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup tastes so good right now and I’m getting fluids in. Never thought that salty stuff would seem so gourmet ! I think salt is the one flavor that tastes normal right now.
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I just received my pet scan results and it was all clear!!!!! Praise God I have been sooo anxious. Nothing but what they already knew about. I am so thankful
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