Two lumpectomys, Four (triple doses) Treatments of AC and then four treatments of T???

Hi Elaine and Welcome,
Hi Elaine and Welcome, though sorry you are here because of your diagnosis. I had a lumpectomy with radiation treatments, no chemo. I want to wish you good luck with your upcoming surgery, chemo and rads. The only thing I know about any chemo is to drink lots of water and I only know that because the pink sisters here always stress that. I know many will post lots of good information for you to help you. Keep us updated on how you are doing.

Hugs, Lex

camul said:

Hi Elaine
and welcome. I had A/C and lost my hair exactly 14 days from the first treatment, and they did get harder as they went along. I did not have Taxol, but remember that we all respond differently to the treatments. I haven't done very well on most medications, so I didn't expect it to be different. I was able to work through the treatments, just took Fridays off for the infusions. Drink a lot of water after the treatments to wash it out of your system and stay hydrated. I found that eating bland worked better for the days right after treatment, but nothing had much flavor anyways. I had pop-cycles on hand all the time, but really ate whatever I had an appetite for, and what I liked one day, tasted awful the next. Rest when your body needs it!

Prayers and best of luck to you. This is a good place to be for info and support.
Carol

Sending a warm welcome,
Sending a warm welcome, positive thoughts and lots of prayers to you!

Hi Elaine,
I wish you didn't
Hi Elaine,

I wish you didn't have the need for us. But I do hope you find us as welcoming and caring as I have.

The combination of A/C and then T is actually fairly common in chemo. I actually did my ACT all at the same time, and I did 6 rounds of it. I'm not saying this to compete, it definitely isn't about that. It's give you encouragement and let you know that you can do this. Is it fun? Heck no. But is it doable? yes.

And we'll help you. As you encounter side effects, please let us know. There is so much experience here you'll find someone who has been there, done that.

Some tips to get you started...drink lots and lots of water. I started seriously hydrating two days before each treatment. The day of treatment I drank smart water icy cold, it has electrolytes. When I wanted some flavor to my water I drank vitamin water.

For me, the bland foods worked best...plain noodles, plain rice, instant mashed potatoes, baked potatoes in the microwave. Eat whatever sounds good at the moment. With each treatment I wanted something a little different, but still the blands. I was told in my chemo class to focus on protiens and calories. Your body needs these to recover from the poisons. The chemo class also recommended Carnation Instant Breakfast, now Breakfast Essentials. When I couldn't get anything else down, but needed the nutrition I had one of these, vanilla worked best for me.

If you're getting neupogin or neulasta ask your onc about claratin, not claratin D. It will help with the bone pain.

If you get mouth sores, ask about majic mouthwash. It's a prescription. Biotene toothpaste will help some with the dry mouth and tastebud issues. Plastic ware instead of silver ware will help if you get that metallic taste.

Follow your docs plan for any meds (decadron, zofran, compazine, whatever) carefully. It will help you to stay ahead of digestive issues, rather than trying to get control of them after they've hit you.

Know the number to call during and after hours...if you have a question or concern don't wait to call. The docs and nurses are there to help you, and they can't help if they don't know you have an issue. And you pay for that service. Ask about what should warrant a trip to the ER, and what should warrant a phone call. I was told a fever over 100.5, but your doc might have a different guideline.

I hope all this helps...come back and let us know how you are doing.

Hugs,

Linda

Hello Elaine and welcome :-)
Hello Elaine and welcome :-) I too had 4 rounds of A/C followed by 11 rounds of Taxol. Great advice has been given already, I did lose all my hair with A/C and then Taxol took my lashes and brows, which grew back beautifully and now I'm losing it again, roller coaster ride for sure. Eat ice chips while getting A/C to help reduce mouth sores, this helped me a lot, I loved pop-sickles as well. Keep coming here and you'll find all kinds of us that have tid bits of advice, just remember, we are all different and react differently to different things, but a world of knowledge and experience is right here:-) Welcome again and all my best to you as you continue your chemo regimen, I pray you have minimal side effects.
Miles of Love,
~Kari

ElaineS said:

thanks so much for your
thanks so much for your information, I did really well first chemo..had a port cath put in i will take my second chemo this wed. so I WILL take your advice. thanks

Glad you've got that 1st
Glad you've got that 1st chemo done and did well. Praying it will continue to go well for you Elaine!


Hugs, Leeza