Cancer Survivors Network - I made it through me FIRST Chemo - Comments

Treatments -- new here

GrandmaJ — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:23:06 -0500

So glad I found this site.

Donna, it sounds like you know a lot about the side effects and what makes them better. The first treatment is the worst because you don't know what to expect.

I was diagnosed in July of this year. Doctors decided to do chemo first, then surgery. I have completed 5 of 6 chemo treatments. Each one brought me different side effects, but days after the treatment. My ACS support person never had any side effects, so its reassuring to read here that side effects are not abnormal. For me the mouth sores were the worst. Through it all, I have been able to work, except for several days around my treatments.

One more treatment to go next week, then the lumpectomy. I wish you the best in the remainder of your treatments.

Judy

you did it !!!! CONGADS!!

brenda247 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:19:48 -0500

just wanted to say congrads!! i was taken taxotere and herceptin lost my hair after 3 weeks of first treatment.. i am done with the taxofere but will be on herceptin for awhile NO SIDE EFFECTS!!! YEEPPPPY!! i had a pretty tough time through mine my counts were off and it was shot after shot. but i made it!!! and you will do just fine you already got a head start just take those meds and if you have any problems ask your dr. they have some great drugs for chemo effects.. well take care and good luck to you!!
prayers with you!!
brenda

THANKS PITT

BlownAway60 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:51:43 -0500

I am feeling much better this morning <:-). Temp back up this morning to 97.6 and sugar back down to 152, not so scary. There was a Diabetic in the Chemo lab that told us that his suger went to over 600 and he had to be hospitalized. Not something I ever want to happen to me. Will be monitoring it very closely and I always watch everything I eat anyway. So should be doable. No nausea so far this am. Just nice rosie cheeks from the steriods.

I'm following your posts. I

pitt — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:13:07 -0500

I'm following your posts. I can tell you are going to do fine with this because you are armed with information and a no-nonsense ability to get the job done. Way to go!!! There will be high moments and there will be low. Just remember that you can do this and it is only for a certain amount of time. There is always graduation day when we get to tell the chemo staff that we hope to never see them again! Good luck! Pitt

All Good Thngs Must Come to an End

BlownAway60 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:45:21 -0500

Had to take Compazine at 6pm. Small dinner at 630pm 3 ribs 2 spoons brown rice and half a small salad. Took Diabetic meds right after dinner and went to the drug store with my husband and got Immodium. Tanked out at 800pm and went to bed. Up at 1211am. Checked temp 96.98(Normal for me is 97.6), sugar 178 not horrible but high. Mouth is really dry drinking more water. Cheeks are red from the steriods. Very tired but cannot sleep, steriods again. Glad I cut my hair, sweating a lot. Get my Nuelesta shot around 230pm today. Excuse any boo-boos I am really not with-it. I am in FL and it is the middle of the night here. Gonna drink some more water. maybe rinse my mouth with Biotene and try try try to go back to bed.

Cannot wait for day three.

Donna

Congratulations! I hope the

mizcaldwell — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:17:34 -0500

Congratulations! I hope the side effects stay minimal. I've heard the 3rd day is the hardest. . .but since I have my first treatment Friday, I haven't experienced the 3rd day effect myself! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you don't have to experience it either!

Lori

Emend is a wonderful drug that will

VickiSam — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:51:48 -0500

keep you on the mend and sane. Hydrate, Hydrate and rest when you can. Next week Herceptin ..

I am thinking about you and praying.

VickiSam

Congrats

always — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:38:17 -0500

You are on your way now. Take it as it comes and keep up all your good hydrating. I found that Sams' advise and a few others about making sure I ate helped. If I stretched out eating my gut ached.

best to you. Thinking of you and wishing you well. Becky

great job on the water thats

carkris — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:22:29 -0500

great job on the water thats impressive! one done and in the books!

Glad you got through your

Kat11 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:57:20 -0500

Glad you got through your first round. That drug Emend is just great. Best of luck to you.

Stock Up

BlownAway60 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:45:37 -0500

I also have the Biotene and baking soda. Found that in another post.

You all are just full of good information.

Donna

Glad to hear

cindycflynn — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:13:21 -0500

It went well for you. It sounds like you were very well prepared and I hope the rest of your journey goes as smoothly.

Take care,
Cindy

Bless your heart! As

chenheart — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:44:24 -0500

Bless your heart! As previously mentioned, the first one is usually the most difficult, and it seems you are doing just fine! Glad to know you are hydrating and flushing your system; it is really important!

Hugs,
Chen♥

Good for you!

mimivac — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:38:42 -0500

Glad it went OK. Good call on the water and the immodium. My doc. recommended this as well. You will know more or less what to expect now. It's funny, but you actually get good at handling the side effects after a while, and by then it's just about over. Best wishes.

Mimi

Donna

Cat64 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:33:19 -0500

Despite all the discomforts, I'm glad you made it through the first one alright. Once you know what to expect, it's easier the following. Yes! Get some Immodium just incase! If you don't use it,all the better! I stocked up on Immodium,Senokot,Biotene Mouthwash,& Baking soda. So glad I did. I found CNS hard to eat with the drymouth so I got the Chicken & Stars instead. Hope your s/e are minimal!
Take Care!
Cathy

I made it through me FIRST Chemo

BlownAway60 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:12:02 -0500

Well I made it through my first Chemo session. I had a few side effects while they were admistering the different drugs. Mostly headaches, dizziness and stomach discomfort. Mostly with the Taxotere. I took Emend before Chemo and have had no nausea so far <:-)(Me with no Hair). They also gave me more Decadran(Steriod),which effects my sugar levels, not good, since I am also a Type II Diabetic. I will have to watch my sugar really closely. I took Prilosec OTC as recommend by the Chemo nurse for my stomach discomfort. I had alredy read that it was what I needed to have on hand somewhere in this site. So I was prepared. I had my Chix Noodle Soup when I got home and am really tired but the nurse told us it would be better for me not to just lay around. So I am doing the next best thing and posting here. I spoke with a friend of ours that was having Herceptin. She had already done TCH Chemo and Radiation and was finishing up her every 3 weeks of Herceptin. She told me the worst for her was the diarrhea. I will probably need to some Immodium.