Cancer Survivors Network - I start chemo on Friday - Comments

my regimen

Whoknowz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:45:21 -0500

I'm doing TC (taxotere and cytoxan) 4 rounds every 3 weeks. I have decadron to take the day before, day of and day after. I have phenergan and ativan to take as needed for nausea. I'll have about 20 minutes of aloxi thru IV before the chemo starts for nausea. Like most everybody else I get the Neulasta shot the next day.

Awesome you're doing so well during your virgin trip! :)

Hey Whoknows - Do not feel

mizcaldwell — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:14:20 -0500

Oops - I hit send twice!

Hey Whoknows - Do not feel

mizcaldwell — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:13:30 -0500

Hey Whoknows - Do not feel guilty - we didn't choose this - and even if in our conscious brain we know it's part of it all - fear comes from a deeper, more primitive part of our brain. Acknowledge the fear and that will help let go of it. There are so many unknowns - and those are the hardest things to deal with - the unknowns. I can tell you this - so far the infusion part for me is going well (knock on wood - I am on the last bag - typing here from the infusion room). We'll see how tonight and the next couple of days go. I have heard from many sources that the 3rd days seems to be the hardest for some reason.

Has your doctor given you anti-nausea meds to start the day before your treatment? What chemo are you doing? I am on TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin). There is a little group of us all going through this about the same time - as you read above. We are here for you - logical, illogical, happy, sad - there's always someone here that has been through what you are going through. There's no question too insignificant, no emotion too trivial, no fear too silly. You will only find acceptance and understanding here among your sisters-in-survival!

Lori

Following in your footsteps

Whoknowz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:05:27 -0500

Thanks for posting this. I start chemo Mon and was searching for info on real experiences and found this wonderful group. I hope all went well for you.

This seems to be the most difficult to deal with psychologially. Maybe because we all react differently so we don't know what to prepare for and swing between focusing on the best outcome and fear of everything horrible that might happen. On top of that, I kind of feel guilty for letting the fears set in even though I know that's a normal reaction.

My prayers are going out to

natly15 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:25:07 -0500

My prayers are going out to both of you today. Yes please let us know how you do.

Best wishes!

Marlene_K — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:47:52 -0500

Hope all goes well for you both today, Lori & Lola! I'm thinking about you remembering how nervous I was that morning! I hope it goes as smoothly as mine and that neither of you experience many side affects. Please post when you can so we know how you made out!

Truly, Mar

N/A

LALOMAN18 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:25:38 -0500

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Lori - Sitting here waiting

lovelylola — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:45:32 -0500

The pre-chemo steroid has to be taken at 12 hours prior and 6 hours prior so I get to take it in about 1/2 hour at 11:00 PM! Then I have to be up at 5:00 AM. Yikes, actually it's not bad cuz it's the time I'm normally up, just not with only 6 hours sleep.
I'm glad for these boards cuz I'm normally not up this late but didn't want to go to sleep yet. I've been feeling more anxious as the time approaches and I don't do well with steroids (have had them for bad asthma attacks) so I decided to take 1 ativan prior to taking the 11:00 PM dose of the steroids. You right I can't remember how to spell it either.
I'm also getting the Neulasta shot as well but at the tail end of the time I can. Dr said had to be within 72 hours of treatment and they don't work on Sat. So I'll go in first thing Mon morning. I'm a school counselor at the intermediate school.
Good luck to all of you tomorrow. My thoughts are with you all.
Lola

LizzieJane, Lola, Donna and Marlene

mizcaldwell — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:25:51 -0500

We are all about on the same schedule. We'll have to keep comparing notes.

Thanks for all the tips! I am getting Emend - and they have given me Zofran and the steriod (I can't remember how to spell it). They also gave me Compazine and Ativan just in case the other three don't do the trick. They have decided to give me Neulasta since I work with children at an elementary school - so I'll get that on Saturday!

I feel so much better having heard from you all! Donna - I'm glad you are feeling better! I hope it just keeps on improving! Lizzie Jane and Lola - Good luck tomorrow! And Marlene - good luck next week! :)

Lori

chemo

lizziejane — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:29:32 -0500

thanks, at least since the first one went so well, i am not petrified this time, just will be so happy when tomorrow evening gets here and it is over with...

Lola and Lori

pitt — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:57:43 -0500

We are cheering you both on every step of the way. And I will tell you, I am very susceptible to nausea (On anti-nausea meds for both pregnancies, sea sickness, etc.) and I have done extremely well with the Emend and Compazine! They work VERY well!!!! I wish you both the best of luck and drink PLENTY of water every day!!!!!!!!!!! Pitt

YOU WILL DO FINE

BlownAway60 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:22:56 -0500

Looking at day 2 now after fist Chemo. Last night was a little scary but this morning is better. Off to get Nuelasta shot this afternoon.

Will be thinking of you and praying for an easy day for you on Friday. Drink lots of water and eat small snacks. Hope they give you Emend.

Donna

know how ya feel

brenda247 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:12:02 -0500

just wanted to say hi and hope everything goes well for you! i took chemo (6) treatments and just finished on oct 1 2009. it was tough no doubt my counts were off just about the entire time. my daughter was 13 when i was dignosed and it was hard on her even though she doesnt really know how bad i really did feel the part of asking her to cut my hair when it started falling out think she realized what i was dealing with.. its tough for kids to understand when its something tough with have to do.. i wanna wish you the best and my prayers are going your way!!
brenda

Yes

Marlene_K — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:55:41 -0500

If hair loss is the biggest thing, we are doing VERY well! I am at that point now and will admit that it's scary. BUT I know I was a wreck the day I went for chemo and it all turned out just fine. Thankfully, I didn't have much more than aches either from the taxotere or from the neulasta shot, but if that's all that I have to contend with, this is extremely doable! Instead of thinking of it as poison, I prefer to think of it as medicine that is attacking every bad cell floating around in me, and with this new neulasta shot, my white cells have been perfect at both subsequent oncology visits that I've had. You'll be right behind me, miz, as my 2nd treatment will be on Nov. 13th. It is doable and the hair WILL grow back. It's a bump in the road and I can't wait to look back at this, like so many others on here, and realize how strong I was. Wishing you the best during your first treatment!

I see the oncologist

mizcaldwell — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:22:39 -0500

I see the oncologist tomorrow and will get all the pre-meds - but I think it is about what you are getting! Good idea about the biotine -I'll ask about that tomorrow. Keep me posted and good luck! Also - thanks to all you who have wished us good luck! I think I can speak for both Lola and me - we appreciate all your support!

Lori

I start chemo on Friday

mizcaldwell — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:07:47 -0500

I finally decided to do the chemo - but I figured they would put the port in before I had to do the actual chemo. WRONG! He wants to start ASAP - so I will have the IV in the arm on Friday and get the port on 11/16 in time for the 11/27 infusion. It's all kind of hit home today - it's really happening. I'm pretty nervous. I sat down and had a talk with my 9 year old daughter. I don't think she really understands - but then again, I'm sure I don't really understand it and won't until I'm experiencing it. On top of it all, I just paid to have highlights put in my hair a couple of weeks ago!!! Bummer! I guess if hair loss is the worst thing, I'll be doing good.