Starting Chemo March 2021
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thanks Carpe-Diem. I actually don't care much about losing my hair. I have been fine with my beanies. I can't even explain why it made me sad.
I usually do walks to calm myself but these days getting out of bed or sofa is really hard for me. I think I am going through depression and I might need to talk to my MO and see what we can do about it.
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Aram, I went through depression between finding out I needed chemo and starting it. I had 2 months to think about it because I was waiting for a surgical wound to heal. I knew I was depressed, had no interest in anything, just stayed home. But I also knew it was temporary. Once I got that first infusion it was like the veil had been lifted. Allow yourself your feelings. It's ok. Unless you're having hurtful thoughts I would think it's ok to not feel right for awhile.
Heliosue, I make smoothies with a base of a scoop of whey protein powder and whole milk and some ice if I'm drinking it right away, then add whatever flavoring I'm in the mood for. I love vanilla, so I usually add a big dollop of vanilla bean paste to each one. Sometimes I put a package of instant oatmeal, any flavor, fruit, peanut butter, chocolate chips or powder, malted milk powder, spices, agave nectar if I need to sweeten it...depends on the flavor I'm going for. I have a blender that has single serve cups, so I just load it up to the max fill line. No recipe, no measuring. By the way, are you aware that soy products have an estrogen effect? I avoid soy now, including soy protein, because my tumor was estrogen receptor positive.
After each of my first 2 infusions I got a really dry eye. First time it was the right, now it is the left. I'm using Systane drops, and taking claritin every morning. It is really bad and waters profusely. Anyone else have dry eye issues?
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Aram - I am really sorry you are feeling so down right now. I think it’s a good idea to tell the MO and if they can offer any suggestions to you in how to deal with it. Did you have your third AC? Highly possible the fatigue is building up. The chemo is really draining and dealing with what we have is not easy.My head was reeling in after I heard my diagnosis which is rare and aggressive. I just try to take things a day at a time. I think COVID and all this quarantining doesn’t help us in terms of being with friends and family and being distracted from all this.
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Kipepeo, I have a surgical wound too, a seroma, waiting for it to heal before I start radium. Is there anything they told you to do to help with drying it up andhealing? I don’t fancy waiting for months either, until it heals. It doesn’t seem to change. I have read a warm pad a few times a day on the area, to promote circulation, but my surgeon didn’t say anything. I meet the radiation specialist on Friday, maybe she will have some advice.
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NoBananas,
My plastic surgeon had me using Mepilex bandages on it, changed once a day. No ointments or creams used. These bandages absorb the exudate, and don't bleed through. The sticky borders do not aggravate my skin which is sensitive to the acrylates in adhesives.
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Maddy - I am about to start the same treatment on April 16th (4 DD A/C then 4 DD Taxol). Very anxious about the whole thing. Will they give me anti-nausea medication before the treatment? should I start taking Claritin?
Was diagnosed with triple negative cancer in Feb had lumpecatomy in March.
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Carpe-Diem, I had two so far. My third phone is in about 10 days. I think my feelings are the side effects of my anti nausea meds as well. I need to talk to my dr about it.
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Shakti- the doctor should prescribe your anti-nausea meds. You will probably also get some in IV right before infusion.
If you’re getting neulasta, it’s recommended to take the Claritan. I take mine day of infusion and following five days. Helps with bone pain
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yes i will be getting the neulasta shots.
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Thank you Kipepeo! I will look out for them.
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Please join us today to be with others just starting or in the process of chemotherapy in a relaxing, confidential and supportive virtual environment. (This will be a recurring meeting).
To Register, download the Zoom app and click the link below.
When: Every Tuesday 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Hope to see you soon.
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Heidi, I have the dry eyes and more sensitive to light than normal for me. My eyes are really red, I use eye drops but I don't think it's helping. My MO seems to always say “we can blame that on the chemo", so I'm blaming that (and everything else) on the chemo. It's becoming a joke at home and we blame everything on the chemo!
Aram, I'm sorry you're feeling down. I don't have any helpful advice just want to say that I feel down too at times. It usually takes me completely off guard, I'll be fine then I'll look at my husband and say “I need to cry", and he holds me and let's me cry. It's ok to feel however you are feeling and absolutely speak to your doctor. Also, while you're sitting on the couch, the chemo is actively doing it's job and you're being productive by just resting when you need to.Does anyone else's blood work show elevated liver enzymes? Mine have been elevated since TC1, and I'm trying not to focus on it too much but I don't like it at all. One bright side, this no hair- 5 minute shower is so convenient, I kinda miss my hair but I kinda don't!
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GreenOutdoors - my liver enzymes were elevated last bloodwork too. Time before that was glucose. I figure this stuff their pumping us full of has got our bodies out of whack for a bit
I go for my THIRD round today. Had a lot of trouble sleeping last night. Partly steroids, partly anxious about the week ahead.But, I’m more than halfway through after today, and that’s certainly cause to be happy!!
Good luck to everyone
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Chrystlx, good luck today and yay to being half way done!
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Just received my second infusion on April 12 due to delay from diverticulitis. Feeling okay so far but it is only day 3.
Kipepeo, thanks for the smoothie recipes. I've been trying out a few and they are tasting good. Also, my eyes are very dry, all of the time now. A few days ago I felt like I had some kind of cold in my eye - hard to describe but gave me a headache.
GreenOutdoors, yes, my liver enzymes were (are) elevated. I guess they are not too far over the top but still worrisome to me.
I'm staying on a low fiber diet for the time being in order to try keeping my darned digestion under control.
Best to you all.
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heliosue, I have started having issues with my eyes as well. It has started yesterday, and it feels like I have needles poking in my eyes. It is a very weird sensation. I was hoping it would be gone when I wake up, but nope still there. I am going to bring it up to my MO next week. Have you talked about it to your MO by any chance?
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Argh. So I have C. Diff. Had it back in 2010-2011 for initial and a couple recurrences. I'm waiting to get the antibiotics filled. Will hopefully be Dificid for recurrence. My 3rd infusion was to be on the 20th, and will now be delayed to the 27th to get this infection under control.
Aram and Heliosue, Pataday antihistamine drops worked great for my dry eye. Like I said before my dry eye was severe...very red, swollen, grainy, and profuse watering non stop. It's one drop per eye per day. I use other drops throughout the day. I also take a claritan once/day.
My chemo pox (scalp pimples) are getting better with no treatment. I'd say there's about 3 bad days in there.
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thanks Kipepeo. I just got some normal hydrasense ones. If it doesn't work, I will try the one you mentioned
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Thanks so much for the feedback on blood work results. It helps to know that elevated liver enzymes are somewhat common. Hoping it causes us no symptoms and goes back down to normal after treatment. I bought the antihistamine eye drops and they work much better than plain Visine, thanks Heidi for mentioning them.(I hope your C Diff infection resolves fast with the antibiotics.) New symptom is night sweats and hot flashes. I'm premenopausal so I'm guessing this is chemo pause. And it kinda goes along with the out of character random crying, not sleeping well, and just feeling overwhelmed. As Crystal said our bodies are out of whack! Crystal, I hope you are making it through your third treatment cycle ok, I go for my third treatment tomorrow. Thanks for letting me vent here and thank you all for sharing your experiences. Good luck for the upcoming week!
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Good morning all - Hope you are feeling well today.
Chrystix - hope you are hanging in and not having too many effects from Dose #3 on Friday. You were right because as the days went by, food became more tolerable, and stopped tasting like nothing.
GreenOutdoors - Good luck tomorrow on your Dose #3. Hope you don't feel too bad afterwards.
My experience with TC Dose #1 was that days 4 - 8 were absolutely intolerable for me. Fatigue and bone pain all through my body were awful. And then to top it off nothing tasted good, and I was getting heartburn as well. So I was just trying to eat to have something in me. Day 9 came around and I woke up and felt like my old self. Not 100% but almost. I even got to play some tennis last week. Wednesday will be Dose#2 and I am definitely going into it with some trepidation. But got to do what one has to do.
Hang in there ladies and hoping everyone has a decent week.
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Hi all! I’m hanging in there. Hot flashes new for me too! But not as bad as head sores, so I’ll take it.
Trying to just rest and find something I want to eat.
Pretty grateful to be past the halfway point! Hoping radiation won’t be so bad after
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I had to get a blood transfusion today, my hemoglobin plummeted to 6.9 and blood pressure low. I was lightheaded, pounding heart and couldn't make it up my stairs. Hopefully this will get me boosted back up.
Dose #4 on Friday.
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NatureYogi, get better quick. Wow, what this stuff does to us.
My c diff is under control now that I got dificid on Saturday. Saw my MO yesterday, and all things considered in doing very well. He does want me to see an infectious disease doc tomorrow.
I'm feeling really good. We rode our motorcycles to Gettysburg and are enjoying a nice dinner at the Appalachian Brewing Company in our beautiful weather.
My next treatment isn't for 1 week, so I have a brief respite. Found out yesterday I have to keep my port for 6 months after all treatment ends. Also I'm getting covid vaccine #1 Thurs.
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Wow! Why do you have to keep the port so long? I wonder if I will have to also??
Brewery sounds amazing!
sorry about the blood trans, Nature. Hopefully you’re feeling well soon
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Carpe-Diem, I hope your second dose went well.
Chrystlx, yay to be half way done!
Natureyogi, I am sorry you needed a transfusion but you are almost done! Number 4!
Kipepeo, great to hear C diff is under control.
I am going to put in my port today and tomorrow is AC #3. I talked to my MO about my cancer blues a week after my last treatment and she adjusted some medications. We will see if that helps. Any tips for my port surgery and after?
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Chrystal, he said keeping the port "just in case". Scary thought.
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Aram, how did your port placement go, and AC #3? My port was pretty sore for several days after placement. I can't imagine it being used the next day. Did you opt for anesthetic cream or spray?
My port had been accessed several times (even though I've only had 2 chemo infusions), and I've never used anesthetic. It really does not hurt to be accessed.
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Kipepeo, the procedure went very well. I was on local anesthesia and it was ok. But it was very soar when I got home and had a hard time sleeping. I am on the chemo chair right now and the port is being used. It was painful when the nurse tried to access it but after that it is going well so far
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Kipepeo, I'm glad you had a enjoyable time on your motorcycle trip and dinner. Sounds lovely, we need to enjoy and savor those moments. I'm sure the fresh air and sunshine did some good!
Doing better after blood transfusion, but back to the chemo chair tomorrow for #4. I see Oncologist also.
Aram, I'm sure it hurt when trying to access port, hopefully they were able to numb you a bit.
Everyone hang in there!
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I’m scheduled to start the same type of chemo treatment. I’ve decided to wait until September which puts me at 6 months from surgery date. I had 1.3 tumor and had localized radiation. All tests turned out negative as well as Brca 1 & 2. I’m a healthy A healthy 70 year old. I am so anxious over the thought of chemo because of the list of side effects. I am just wondering how you did through this process.
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