Starting Chemotherapy March 2018
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day 1,second cycle... accessing port took extra time. During the intital flush the nurse wants to see blood flow. If not then she will keep trying syringes hoping to break up a clot. Doesn’t hurt... Lastly, if that doesn’t work than they give medication in a syringe to break up the clot. But u have to wait for the medication to work about half an hour. In all it was additional hour or so..
But during treatment I felt good, actually better than first time. No headach..Got home took nap bcuz I’m exhausted. Woke up bcuz of nausea feeling. Weak legs, leg cramps while in the recliner, stomach in chest and blah. Took some tums and lounged. Managed eat a piece of wheat bread and rice, then I wanted something a sweet(2 pieces of an apple.) Ugh maybe I shouldn’t of bcuz now my stomach is in the middle of my chest with some acid taste. So I took the back up nausea pill..Meanwhile my puppy wants to pee and I walk all the way down to main floor, I live on 3rd floor. Starting to feel as if I am going to puke, slowly make it up to the bathroom sitting on the edge of the tub and beginning crying. Never puked but crying bcuz I just wanna feel like I did yesterday and the days before when
I didn’t know I had Cancer.This too shall pass but it sucks! I feel better since the back up pill has kicked in.. Hair is still falling out, and I don’t touch my head to exam how much..
There’s a few clinical trials for TNBC that I might sign up to help support knowledge.Good news my MO said the chemo is work and size has reduced a little in tumor and lymph nodes. She is keeping a close eye on my blood test. Two more AC treatments than 14 days after my last one, I will start the Taxol. Not sure if another drug(carboplatin)will be added to the 2nd phase. Surgeon and plastic Surgeon talks will begin probably around June.
Time to drink water and read/rest. We are not alone, we are Strong and Alive able to make changes not just be part of them.
Sleep well, wishing everyone a Health Friday.. weekend is almost here..
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urdrago71 I'm sorry you are feeling so bad. I know its not easy to deal with the physical pain of your body and then throw in the emotional as well. I hope being here and knowing you're not alone in your battle helps. Thank you for telling us about your first port use. I got mine a week ago but have not had to access it yet. It's still so tender and sore just the thought of someone touching it scares me.
To all the ladies that had treatment this week I pray it went well!!!
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Thinking of all of you that have/had chemo this week, I hope you are all having as few SE's as possible and you all feel better soon. We are here for you and we get it, let us know how you're doing.
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hope everyone is doing well. Day 2 on 3rd cycle here. I am glad it is half way thru. Counting down helps.
Questions for everyone. Has your MO mentioned how will they measure the effective of the chemo once we finish the treatment? Will they do tumor marker test etc? I had regular blood test before each cycle but I didn’t see the tumor marker tested. Just wondering how the doc know what chemo drugs have accomplished in killing all the cancer cells
Chme in please.
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Nvdobie, I have monthly visits with my MO and we feel it/measure as well as plan to have additional MRI before Surgery. No date set yet.
Kanona7795, that was my second port access . First access was good a little pain ful.. scale low 0 to 5. ..a 1.. hope that helps ..
Feel so much better today..thanks for all the well wishes!
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My tumor was Removed so this chemo is to prevent a recurrence. So not sure how they measure anything for me. 😩
I had my nulasta yesterday... And today I feel like I weigh a ton and I haven't even gotten out of bed and it's 1230 in the afternoon. Thank God my kids had no school so I didn't have to get up for that.
I'm achy and super tired and a slight headache.
Hope everyone else is good. ❤️
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thanks, Undrago and Bec-ky
I also had surgery already. Hoping chemo will work it’s charms on lowering recurrence.
Bec-ky
I am going for my shots tomorrow. Took Claritin Thisbe morning to get ready, hope it will do its thing like it did on my second round. Didn’t work much on my first cycle but did wonders for my 2nd. So we will see.
Hope you feel better. I went for a walk this morning with dogs just trying to squeeze some in before side effect hits.
Counting down!
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ugh the heartburn!!! That’s the one thing I had first time with this that was aweful and now I have it again!! I keep taking Pepsid. I just injected myself with the neulesta...hope I tolerate it well...taking the claritan, and this time I’ll take it a few extra days.
Happy Friday ladies...we will get through this together xx
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NVDobie - Because I'm part of a study I'm scheduled to have a MRI before every trial infusion which is every 4wks. I just had my first MRI Monday since starting weekly taxol treatments with the trial drug on the 1st infusion. I got my results wed and the tumor has shrunk from 2cm - 1.6. I know not everyone will get a MRI to track the tumor but it was nice to know all of this isn't for nothing and the chemo is working.
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Hi, Kanona
Thanks. Good thing to be on a study as I am told as they track you more closely. So good for you! Assuming you are also having the chemo before the surgery to shrink the tumor.
in Canada, I think blood test for circulating tumor marker is not covered by our public health care. Also don’t think our MO orders MRI routinely, i asked my MO who said MRI often produce false negative as they pick up more. So he didn’t consider it.
So I am now all curious about how he know and how I know what chemo did to the residual tumor cells or traveling ones. Especially the ones travelled since I do have lymphvascilar invasion.
More insights are appreciated, everyone!
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NVDobie,
It is true about MRI and false positive. My breast surgeon was totally against them. my tumor markers blood test was done and they were in normal range at baseline and then I startedgetting chemo...so I'm not sure how much of a benefit the tumor markers are ...unless they are out of range at baseline and you can track progress after chemo to see if they went back to normal range.
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Stopping by to complain about how I have a headache and I'm achy.... Every muscle aches... My skin aches... My jaw muscles hurt... Im starving...
OK. I feel better now that I got that out.
😩😩😩😩😩
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bec-KY , I took tylenol for the headache /achy. It helped also heating pain or blanket.. I go thru those SE 4 days after treatment.wishing u fast recover from SE.. so u can enjoy the nicer weather!! Hugs
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I just took ibuprofen... So now I'm very impatiently waiting for it to go Away... 😩
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Urdrago—glad you’re feeling better today!
Bec-ky and May07–sorry you’re both not feeling so hot. I had a pretty good day today...went to work with no issues. Haven’t needed anymore Zofran other than the “just in case” one last night. BUT after my Neulasta shot went off this evening it was like I was automatically hit by a ton of bricks! I swear that shot is worse than the chemo! I anticipate spending the next two days lying low if last round is any indicator. Also have had weird side effect both times with Neulasta now- about 30 mins after injection I get a serious hot flash and my face flushes a bit. Last time I thought it was unrelated but since the same exact thing happened again this time I’m chalking it up to the shot. Have to splash water on my face and sit in front of a fan. It goes away pretty fast, but it’s still weird. Will have to mention it to my doctor..
Hope everyone has a restful weekend. If you need me I’ll probably be on the couch watching Netflix. 😬
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Hello Ladies who had their chemo this week hope everyone is doing well less SE's for you all.
May07,Steph74,Down doggie,Quiltingnut and Bec-ky. Nice to see your updates hoping the best for you ladies hugs and Prayers to you all.
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Bec-Ky, May07,Steph74 and Urdrgi71,sorry to hear about you SE. hope y'all be fine soon seem that my post was late enough. Hugs and Prayers for you guys..
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I had second chemo Wednesday and have had 2 Zerxio (similar to Neulesta but 5 days)shots but I am all plugged up and constipated again. It happened last cycle as well and I have been taking Miralax but I am miserable. The nurse is suggesting I drink lots ofwarm liquids.Anybody have luck with anything else?
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Morning all!
Jstarling - have you tried Colace 2 in 1? It's the softener combined with a laxative, and has been pretty effective for me.
For all who had chemo this week, remember the "ick" will pass (again) and there will be good days which follow. And for all who are 50% through - you're on the downhill side! Rest up over the weekend - and remind those around you it's their turn to wait on you!
I'm on Day 10 of round 3 TC, and this time the hand rashes are much milder with no itch - not sure if that means I'm getting use to the stuff or just pre-treating the skin better.
Hugs to all.
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I’ll have my 3rd shot today and if goes like last round I will be crashing for next three days. Just mainly tired, some aches, heart palpitations and a little wheezing after shot yesterday. Hope everyone else has an easier time this round.steph I had that flush and heart palpitations first round when I had my first shot. After that I take a Benadryl thirty minutes before my shot now and I haven’t done it again.
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Jstarling- what about some coffee or tea?
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Jstarling, I'm with you on the stomach issues. I alternate between diarrhea and constipation. Such a miserable feeling of bloat. Metamucil was working for me, but I stopped due to artificial dyes and sweeteners, and mixed opinions from the onco nurses. I tried something more natural that made me feel like I was in a fog machine. Pharmacist suggested Citrucel, but I've not bought it yet. Out of desperation I went back to Metamucil last night and already feeling better. You do have to drink a ton of water with it, but we have to do that anyway
I'm so happy to feel kinda ok on this Saturday morning, my chemo day 3. Hoping it holds and I have some energy to get outside.
Wishing you all a peaceful weekend.
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Last infusion was Wednesday. Fell off the cliff yesterday afternoon fatigue-wise but feeling much more awake today and actually getting chores done! No bone aches from the Neulasta to speak of yet, I'm trying to keep moving because it seems to help. Hoping to go for an evening run or night hike tonight, we shall see. So far this seems a little better than last time, but it's not over yet. 2 down, 4 more to go!
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Hello Ladies,
Just wondering because I keep seeing Neulasta why most of you have it? Was it necessary? What is it for?
Thank you all and hope everyone is doing good.
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Good evening ladies, well to report day 2 I'm really exhausted done more sleeping than last time. And I've got neck pain or stiffiness. I'm going to take tylenol for the achyness. My nauses is not bad with back up nauses pill. But I surely can tell when I need my medication, this should get bether tomorrow. My puppy is curled up on my lap to give me comfort or so she can sleep! Also as of now I don't touch my hair bcuz it's just barely attached any longer. I want to shave it but don't . I'm sure you all can understand ..well I will be around watch Harry Potter movies tonight..hugs to all
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The nulasta shot is a shot you get 24 hours after chemo to help your bone marrow make more white blood cells. It can cause debilitating bone pain. They suggest Claritin (over the counter anti-histamine) to offset that bone pain.
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YangSainst - Neulasta is a shot we get to keep our white blood cell counts up. It stimulates the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells so we don't get infections. Chemo usually kills off white blood cells. The bone aches from the Neulasta are really unpleasant, but better than getting an infection.
Some people get Neupogen instead of Neulasta. It's a similar drug but you have to get several shots of Neupogen over a few days whereas Neulasta seems to last longer in the body, so it's just one shot.
Not everybody needs the Neulasta. Some people will never have a problem with their white blood cell count. I think most of us get it just in case.
And just when I thought this time was easier than the last...my throat feels sore and my sinuses are dry. Are other people getting the sore throat and trashed mucous membranes or is it just me?
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Hapa- mine got really raw the first time (sinuses felt hollow and nose was raw) and i just had my 2nd infusion Wednesday too... I feel a little bit like that same thing will be happening again. Nothing ever came of it last time, it just hung around a while... More annoying than anything.
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I had a bit of a lump in throat or sore throat feeling last time too on and off for a few days and nothing came of it. Just had infusion number 2 on Thursday..
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Yang, I get the Neulasta shot attached after chemo. But it doesnt actually administrate medication til 27 hours later. I was told during taxol I might not need it at every infusion.
Hapa- my throat gets sore and sinus membranes acted dry at first , today they are running. Maybe thats due to hair loss in my sinus as well.
My new pain is in my groin comes and goes by my pevlic bone..growing pains as some would say. Cannot wait to get thru the next couple days bcuz I will be on the climb back to almost normal again.
Does our normal change allot after we get thru all of the treatments? Do we become more spontaneous bcuz of the diagnosis and our ability to survive,?
Wishing everyone rest tonight, I've got faith...
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