First Day of Chemo

Hi Deb
I didn't have a funny tasteor smell with my port, but I would ask your chemo nurses what could cause this. Most of the side effects do start day 2 and 3 but most are manageable, make sure to drink lotsof fluids.
like Moopy I had claritin given to me before each infusion, I only had to get the neulasta shot once, since they did blood counts each week and before each chemo and mine were not too low.
Wishing you the best
Jackie

elm3544 said:

funny taste and smell
yes I know what you are talking about. It happened to me every time. Plus it happened when I got IVs. I asked about it and was told it is the saline.

I remember having weird
I remember having weird tasting burps after surgery! It tasted like something I've never expirienced! Guess I have that to look forward to again next month. i have the hernia surgery scheduled for the 8th of October. They will also remove 2 lumps in my axilla which they don't know what they are, but didn't think they were cancer.

Hi Deb
THe funny taste is when they are flushing the port with the saline. I didnt notice it at first but my chemo nurse asked me about it and I noticed it the second time around. Next time chew gum or hard candy and you wont notice it so much.

As far as A/C goes, that is not a very friendly chemo. I noticed on day 2 that I felt like I had morning sickness most of the day. I was also really tired. You need to force fluids to 8 to 10 8oz glasses of liquids and eat small and often so your tummy doesnt get empty. To me the empty tummy made it worse. You will probably find that your appetite is sluggish on the a/c for the first wk, then it will get better the further out from the day of chemo.

Also a/c can give you mouth sores so start rinsing your mouth with 1/4 tsp of baking soda and 1/2 tsp of salt in 8 oz of water. Do this 2 to 3 times per day and it will help prevent the mouth sores.

And above all, believe that you will feel better as you get further from your date of chemo. You should feel almost normal then they zap you again.

Hang in there
Linda T

mberg said:

funny taste
I get this when my port is flushed too fast. I had chemo #4 today and it was the worst one for the nasty taste yet, i had a new nurse. If you suck on an old fashioned lemon drop candy when you are having your port flushed it really helps!It doesn't happen every time, next time just ask for the flush to be done slowly and it helps! monica

?
I"ll be getting my port soon and wonder..how often do they or should they flush it? Didn't think to ask the surgeon that. Good suggestions on how to deal with the smell.
Cathy

tommaseena said:

funny taste
For the funny taste I suck on peppermint candies.

Cathy,
The port needs to be flushed every time you have treatment. I fyour port needs to stay in after the treatment it needs to be flushed I believe every 4-6 weeks. They flush it so you don't get clot and the prot gets clogged and they can't use it.

Margo

Margo
Thank You! Wow! I didn't think it would be that much. What did you mean by if it stays in after treatment? Why would it stay in?
Cathy

Deb1969 said:

Thanks to all for you input.
Thanks to all for you input. Next time I'll try some hard candy during flushing of my port especially seems like I am real sensative to smells. Smells are more noticeable like colognes, soaps, air freshners, pretty much anything with an odor stinks! (Almost like being pregnant when smells would nauseate you)
Thanks again
Deb

Sense of Smell
Deb, even 5 months post-chemo, I am still sensitive to smells. I used to enjoy the candle and lotion shops in malls, but now the smells are just overpowering. Even though I am just passing by.

I find this a good thing because I am no longer spending money on scented candles and lotions! No more Yankee Candle Company stuff for me!

tommaseena said:

Port
I have been told that sometimes they keep the port in up to a year just in case they need to give you treatment again. This only happens rarely.

Usually the port I have heard is taken out about a month after you finish treatment.

I want mine out the day after I finish mine. Mine was put in 3/10/09 and my last treatment will be in August 2010.

Don't get me wrong--I do love my port for treatment and blood draws but clothes don't hide it and I have to be careful how I swing a club when I play golf so I don't hit it.

Margo

Thanks
Margo! The oncologist told me I would have it in about a year. Does this mean I'll be doing treatment that long? Heck yeah, me 2! Take it out!
After being stuck 2 more times this week I am sooo ready for the port! And here I was freaking out about it just a few weeks ago! Hey! I'm progressing! :-)
Hugz,
Cathy

Pick Line
Hi Deb:

I have a pick line and I get the funny taste and a headache from the saline solutions when they flust my pick line. I just finish my 2nd round of AC. Drink plenty of water if you have nausea make sure you call your doctor right away. I battled with this all week long. You will feel really tired, get lost of sleep and eat little meals. Don't feel guilty for resting or not doing anything, that is how you get well.

Good luck,

Patti

Cat64 said:

?
I"ll be getting my port soon and wonder..how often do they or should they flush it? Didn't think to ask the surgeon that. Good suggestions on how to deal with the smell.
Cathy

I was told the port gets
I was told the port gets flushed after every treatment and then every month if you keep the port in longer.

Deb1969 said:

Im doing ok, kinda tired.
Im doing ok, kinda tired. Main thing is not having an appetite. I know Im hungry just dont know what I want to eat. Im eating lots of popsicles, jellos and puddings, just trying to keep my strength up between treatments. As far as the smells it seems to be not as bad as first day after treatment.
Thanks
Deb

Glad
to hear you are ok! A friend of mine is having Chemo & he says he feels like he just ate a Turkey dinner all the time and has no appetite. That's good you are eating. And don't forget the liquids-water,juice,gatorade and such, you have to keep yourself hydrated and flushed! Must be the Chemo then.
Anytime!
Hugz,
Cathy