Starting Chemo June 2025? Let's support each other here!

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Join together to share experiences. Discuss your chemo regimen, how to prep, what to expect, how you're feeling, side effects you're having and tips to alleviate them.

We're all here to support you - you've got this!

barbara12345

I started TC treatments on 6/1/25. Week one was all about controlling nausea for me. So far this second week, I am seeing face rash, the need to take lots of Imodium and feeling better. How are others doing?

alliec1068

I start TC hopefully next week pending insurance. I will be doing cold capping and hopeful it will work to keep some of my hair.

puggrace2018

I start Taxol and Herceptin on 6/23 I am HER+ (triple positives) I want to know if anyone is using cryotherapy: ice gloves and socks to prevent neuropathy ????

iambecoming

alliec1068 I start TC July 1st and am also doing cold capping. I am staying hopeful, too, that it will help me keep a great deal of my hair. I hope the insurance comes through for you soon, the waiting is stressful. Have you looked into any of the funding sources to get help with the cost of cold capping? Check out the Rapunzel Project, if not.

iambecoming

puggrace2018 I start Taxotere + Cytoxan on 7/1. I'm planning to use ice packs under my hands and cold socks to prevent neuropathy. I got a set of socks in a care package, they are called Natracure Cold Therapy Socks and the box says they help with side effects of chemo and neuropathy, in addition to several other issues that aren't specific to chemo treatment. I look forward to hearing how it goes for those here who are starting in late June or in July.

alliec1068

@iambecoming I will definitely check out the Rapunzel Project. Thank you for recommending! I met the nicest woman yesterday at my nutrition appt and she gave me every single advice she had on the planet to start chemo. As much as it's hard to face my cancer diagnosis, I am so lucky to be around such wonderful women in this community.

bluebird63

I started THP Chemo this week. I am trying the gloves mittens and cap to try protecting from neuropathy. The cap actually felt nice and relaxing. Had some heartburn yesterday, hopefully that won’t be a big nuisance. I have to work as much as possible because I burned up all my FMLA except for two weeks, caring for my mother. She is in a facility now, not in my care. I’ll probably have surgery in September.

iambecoming

@alliec1068 That's awesome that you encountered someone so knowledgeable and willing to share all of that info with you! It sounds like it helped you feel a little more ease or reassurance during an undeniably stressful time. Did your insurance come through and have you been able to start your treatment yet? I'm in those last few days before starting July 1st and the anxiety is ramping up. I know it will feel better once the first treatment is under my belt! Or my skin, I should say…sorry, poor chemo joke, lol! 😂 But sometimes I have to laugh or I may burst into tears!

alliec1068

@iambecoming Yes, I start the day before you do on 6/30! I feel the same way. I am nervous and excited at the same time. My last first chemo session, ya know? Sleeping has become a little bit more difficult with the anxiety ramping up for sure. But trying to just work out as much as I can to deal with it and get strong for Monday. We got this!

iambecoming

@alliec1068 Oh, wow, we're pretty much chemo twins! 👯‍♀️ I love your perspective! The last first chemo session, yesss! My sleep has been a total wreck the last week or so, which has been rough. I took your approach with my surgery, I did as much yoga as I could to get my body as strong as possible, and I think it definitely helped my recovery from a bilateral mastectomy. I'm looking forward to being able to keep moving and practicing during treatment as much as my body will allow me.

I'm Linda, btw. :) I pick a word of the year to guide my year, and the word I chose for this year was "becoming" — which felt so significant after I got diagnosed in January! What is this experience going to bring out of me, what gets forged in one when one walks through fire and emerges transformed, rather than burned?

I'll be thinking of you all day today (told ya I can't sleep!) and am sending you all the cosmic, positive vibes for a smooth last first treatment! We got this!! 💪

alliec1068

So nice to meet you Linda @iambecoming ! Chemo went well but starting to feel a little drowsy and fatigued with a touch of nausea. Yay! haha How are you feeling?

iambecoming

hey @alliec1068 Glad to hear chemo went well, in spite of some of those side effects starting to come on. How are you feeling today?

Mine went well, too, and I felt amped from the steroids for the first 24-48 hrs. I had to go back next day for a shot to stimulate WBC production (Fulphila) and that definitely gave me some bone/muscle pain & all over body aches, like the flu coming on. I rested a lot yesterday bc it was pretty painful, and have taken today slow, but do feel an improvement. They told me to take Claritin for the bone pain (something about it helps the histamine response), so next time, I’ll see if I can take it proactively before the shot or at least right after.

I’ve also had some little zaps/zings in area of uterus/ovaries, which has been very weird. Sort of like cramps, but they zap/zing and only last a few seconds, plus move from one area to another. I was relieved to read about someone else describing them on this forum a few years ago.

I hope your nausea didn’t get any worse. I’ve felt lucky to avoid it so far. My lips feel chapped and mouth gets dry, had some face flushing the first two days after, but I’m feeling encouraged at this point. “Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best!”

It felt great to get the first infusion done that day and I was repeating what you’d shared: “I never have to have a first infusion day again!” 🤗

Sending positive vibes your way! 🩷

alliec1068

hey @iambecoming I guess we are the only ones here! Ok, the WBC shot killed me too! I'm taking Neulasta and it hit me so hard on Thursday/Friday/Saturday. It was so hard for me to get comfortable and the bone pain was real. I even tried my 40 minute walk and I struggled through all of it. Finally started feeling like myself on Sunday and was so happy about it.

The little zaps/zings sounds so weird! I was getting more hot at night and just very flu-y like you said. It just felt like a hangover I couldn't shake!!

I think I mostly avoided the nausea. Did you take the Zofran just to be safe? I think I took it more to be safe but it really just made me more drowsy more than anything. Trying to figure out how much I want to take of it next time especially while working. Someone recommended me go to acupuncture after treatment. I already go for anxiety/headaches and I went on Monday and it really helped. So I am going to try and do it on the Friday after my next treatment (7/21).

You're right.. excited to be done but dang the last one still seems so far away. Gotta stay positive and take the good days as they come and feel like ourselves!! 💜

iambecoming

@alliec1068 :) Oh, wow, your experience w/the WBC shot sounds so much like mine!! As you said, the bone pain was REAL. I started to feel better midday Saturday, but as the day got later, I felt myself hit the wall again…I'd been taking Claritin around 6pm each day b/c that's what time it was when I first bought some, so I could feel it wear off, I guess? Like a hangover is a good way of putting it, too — I felt so lethargic and low energy and my face was more flushed the first two days after the shot.

I've got a naturopathic oncologist on my team, met with her today and shared about the WBC shot effects and she suggested I try skipping it this next round to see how I fare, as long as my counts are well enough to do so. Her exact words were, "It jacks everything up!"

I seem to have had what she called "a strong reaction on the first round, but delayed" — I started getting a red rash in my underarms and along the pubic line (sorry to be TMI :/ ) over the weekend and my mouth began to feel very fuzzy, tongue was white coated…so I've got oral thrush, too. :( They put me on liquid Nystatin, so hopefully that all clears up pronto!

I also have what looks like a 3-inch rug burn where the IV went in. It's red, irritated, burns/is painful and feels hard under the skin where the vein is. It feels like after one burns themself on a stove or something and the burn hurts for several days. Do you have a port? They had said I wouldn't need one and we could use my arm since it's 4 rounds, but now the nurse I spoke with when I called in said I may wind up needing a port. So I was feeling pretty cranky yesterday, but was able to attend a support group this evening that helped.

I didn't really have any nausea issues, either — I didn't take the Zofran, I had it filled and was going to, but was also taking a natural product called Boiron Nux Vomica (they're tiny pellets you put under the tongue) and drinking ginger juice in the morning and before bed. I drank 2 oz. straight ginger juice the morning of my infusion, too, and think it helped. I know my body takes a longer time to process medications out of my system, so I'm trying to limit how many prescription things I'm on at once — they sure don't make that easy, though! That stinks Zofran makes you drowsy — hopefully you can tweak it a bit next time to see if that helps. I'm going to acupuncture this Friday and want to book an appointment nearer my next infusion, that's so encouraging to hear that it helped you!

I feel you on that last one feeling far away right now. Yes to staying positive and trying to embrace the good days in this, and let myself rest on the other days! There's a full moon this Thursday, so I'm bracing for some big energy with that! 🌕️

alliec1068

@iambecoming Wow! Ok you have been through a lot these past few days! Ok… if you get to skip your WBC shot next time, I am so jealous. I am definitely going to talk to my oncologist about it tomorrow.

I've also been getting some nose bleeds but I think it was from mixing Claritin with my Nasacort nasal spray so I've laid off that a bit. But nothing compared to your rashes! I'm sorry to hear about the port. Try and stay positive about it and it will only be there for a short time. I know it sucks. I don't have one either, just veins. Try to get as hydrated as possible all day every day.

That's good to hear about that natural product. I am going to look for that! I hate taking all of these meds. I am definitely feeling a bit of the tongue fuzziness and less tastebuds so I gotta look into that. Gums are definitely feeling a bit more sore/sensitive.

Yes, let's embrace the good days! Felt so good to workout yesterday and today as normal. Without getting my head too hot of course because my scalp cooling tech would not be happy with me! 💙

iambecoming

@alliec1068 It's interesting about the WBC shot, as apparently they weren't previously recommended as part of treatment, but then got covered by insurance and became a blanket add-on in treatment, when some may not actually need it. It can put more stress on the kidneys and specifically in breast cancer patients receiving chemo, can cause an increased risk of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. If my body needs it based on labs, then I'll do it, but if it doesn't, then I'll try to avoid taking on those extra risks. Definitely think it's a personal decision and specific to each individual, so trust your own body and do what feels best for you!

Oh, the nose bleeds sound rough and inconvenient, too. Boo! :/ I keep watching and waiting for my nasal passages to get really dry or for my nose hairs to suddenly disappear one day. Do they all fall out en masse, lol?!

Yes to embracing the good days! I do feel so much better than last week! Except still not sleeping great, the steroids really throw me off. I'm going to try to catch my nephew's baseball game this evening and hit a yoga class tomorrow. You are awesome that you got to workout yesterday and today, I'm inspired by your keeping your normal routine amidst so much that doesn't feel "normal." Keep going!! And keep that scalp cool!! ⛄️

iambecoming

@alliec1068 How's your treatment going? Hope things have been smooth for you. I had my second infusion yesterday. Brought up skipping the WBC shot w/my oncologist, but he strongly advised against it for me for the TC regimen, which was a bummer. My WBCs were within range on the labs, but he stressed that without the shot, I could get a severe fever and may have to be admitted for IV antibiotics due to infection. I felt so torn, but I definitely don't want to wind up in the hospital, so I got the shot again today. But took Claritin yesterday and today to try and get ahead of the bone pain and flu-like symptoms. We'll see how it goes…

alliec1068

@iambecoming Ok somehow the second round has done nothing to me! (sort of).. I was definitely nauseous the day after infusion and puked for the first time. Got my WBC shot and asked if I could have fluids… and I think that changed my whole life 🤣(definitely asking for fluids every time now if I have to drive up to get this shot anyways!!!)

I got myself back together that day, stayed on my Zofran, Aleve, Claritin for the past two days and I have had very little side effects. Not sure how this is happening?! Thankful for the good days I got back after infusion. Today I am still feeling good and off to acupuncture. Not much bone pain either. Hope you are hanging in there and have some fun stay at home plans for the weekend!

alliec1068

@iambecoming Ok I'm not sure how this happened, but I just tried posting and it didn't work. Hopefully this one will go through. I had my infusion on Monday and felt totally fine. Then Tuesday got hit with some nausea and puked for the first time. Not fun! Drove to get my WBC shot and asked if I could have fluids… which I think changed my life?! 🤣 (I will definitely be asking for fluids going forward and everyone should!!)

I got myself back together on Tuesday and stayed on my Zofran, Aleve, and Claritin on Wednesday and Thursday. Today I feel totally fine, off the meds. Headed to acupuncture and somehow have totally evaded any symptoms this time around?? I am so confused by my body, but thankful for the past two days I've had with a somewhat "normal" time. Even was able to work all week.

Hope you have something fun planned for the weekend to celebrate being halfway through! Hang in there ❣️

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Sorry, @alliec1068 — our auto spam filter mistakenly flagged your posts and caught your posts up in our spam filter. We just reinstated them!

iambecoming

Hey @alliec1068, that is GREAT news that you're feeling so well after your second infusion & the WBC shot!! 🤗 That's amazing you were able to work all week, too, wow! I am sorry about the nausea and puking, though 😰, hope it was a one-time thing for you.

Tell me more about the fluids you asked for! I imagine you mean an IV bag of fluids…am curious for about how long they gave them to you? That's so smart, though, as no matter how much I try to hydrate ahead of infusion, I feel like the chemo enters my body and a day or two later, I'm a hot desert for 24-48 hours, face flushed and extremities are hot to the touch. Even my eyes look hot and kinda scorched!

I felt the bone pain/muscle aches come on around 5 hours after I got the WBC shot this time. Yesterday was that "hot" day for me and I had the highest temp I've had thus far. I also went to acupuncture and think it really helped as today I don't feel the aches/pains of yesterday. I let myself sleep in this morning, my sleep has been pretty off through all of this, so think the extra rest helped. Now just trying to get my appetite back on track. I get the munchies the day after infusion from the steroids, but once the chemo drugs do their thing on my gut, I have zero appetite and have to work hard to jump start my digestive fire again.

Here's to having 2 infusions down! Halfway there does feel good! 💜

alliec1068

@iambecoming I just asked for normal fluids so who knows what was in the IV bag, but I'm guessing sodium chloride, saline, water.. who knows. But I was there for an hour getting the fluids and it was so excellent. I definitely recommend. I didn't get any fever/hot flushes. No bone pain. Like I FULLY recommend. Was going to talk to my doctor about it on Thursday when we speak to make that a regular thing.

I had a totally normal week. Didn't lose my appetite at all this time. It was just so bizarre. Maybe my body knew what was going to happen and is now processing the chemo differently?

So proud of us!! Almost there 😅

iambecoming

WOW!!! I am so happy to hear this for you @alliec1068 !! Such wonderful news! I agree with you on the idea that your body now knew what was going to happen and processed the chemo differently this time. Our bodies are SO WISE. I feel like mine bounced back faster this time, too — we also reduced my dosage for round 2 and I think that helped a lot.

I'm so grateful to you for the fluids recommendation, as I saw my new oncologist this week for the first time. When I mentioned it, she put the order right in the system for next time & was fully supportive! My previous oncologist is leaving my hospital system, so I'll be transitioning to a new infusion center for my 3rd, where this onc is based. It is actually even closer to home for me, though the other wasn't far. They also had me book my last two infusions, whereas previously we'd been doing it as I went, so I now know #3 will be 8/13 and #4 9/3. Yay!! I left that appointment feeling like I'd somehow turned a corner and just felt lighter!

When I think back to how anxious I was in mid-June leading up to my first infusion July 1 — and now, tomorrow is August 1st — wow! So much can change in a month. Look at us, doing chemo and getting through it! I don't know about you, but I feel a big burst of courage/adrenaline and all sorts of other things from doing the thing that I thought I could not do! I am so proud of us, too! 💪💪 2 down, 2 to go!

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Here for you All!! You got this! 😍

kks_11

I love reading about you all being almost done already! My course has been so long, 16 rounds almost 6 months long. I just did #14 and haven't dared think about how it might feel to finish. Yet.

Side effects are moderate: fatigue some days, bone pain - at times interfering with sleep, and I still have a sore mouth and throat. Neutropenia. Anemia. None of this is new.

New in the past 2 weeks is the earliest signs of neuropathy in my feet and fingertips, which is frankly a bit terrifying since it could be permanent. Of course, my team is aware of all of this. I was surprised to learn how little can be done for the neuropathy... of course I'm still icing my hands and feet, and my NP suggested vitamin B6. If it gets bad enough they can prescribe gabapentin. It's hard to show up and accept treatment knowing it can harm me in this way, but the alternative - not getting chemo and letting any lingering cancer cells grow - is worse.

Most days I have good energy, and work is going great! I'm trying to stay active, lifting weights or doing cardio dance or yoga workouts at home (it's been sooo hot this summer), yard work or neighborhood walks when it's nice out. Some days I just can't, but most days I try. Even 20 minutes is better than nothing.

It's hard going out in public these days. People stare. I don't feel like myself. I've gained weight so my clothes don't fit right and I have no goddamn eyebrows...unless I draw them on, which I'm getting OK at doing (eyeliner too!). I do my best to be presentable and go out anyway.

I know I can hang in there just a little longer. It's August now, and August is the month I finish chemo. 🤞

staystrong25

This chemo journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions on so many levels. The first is the unknown of what to expect, going into my first treatment the night before I had a dream that while getting my treatment, my eyebrows caught on fire, I was screaming, the nurse, everybody, it was crazy. (lol…obviously nothing caught on fire).

Each week brings something new, and not always bad but something to look forward to. I like to think this treatment is kicking all the mutated cells butt and I have to do my part by staying mentally strong and physically active to help the chemo.
During treatment, I use a cold cap, ice my hands and feet. I also put a heating pad near my liver.

I walk on the treadmill daily, unless I’m not feeling well and just cannot. Spinach smoothies have helped so much, especially when nothing sounds appetizing. My husband has been a Godsend throughout this process. I try my hardest to focus on the day and drink as much water as possible.

I’m so happy to hear others finishing up this month. It almost feels like a graduation for upperclassmen and you wonder, ok what are those kids going to do with the rest of their lives?

I have a few more left. Then I will graduate and have to answer that question for myself. 💛

Stay strong!

kks_11

@staystrong25 I'm curious, what does the heating pad near the liver do?

You stay strong too! 💪

staystrong25

@kks_rd Met to my liver and we are trying to target those cells. I did some research around heat during chemo and I believe this could be assisting. If nothing else, it’s helping to keep me warm.