1st chemo done...

geanninem
geanninem Member Posts: 14
Hi everyone I just wanted to let you all know that i recieved my first chemo yesterday..I will have 8 total treatments..one every two weeks. Mine are on mondays .. Adriamycin and cytoxan (another chemo drug) then I also get steriods, nausea med in iv the one shot of another one. then on the next day tues it get a shot of Neulasta..
I am actually doing fine.. Feeling it a bit tonight nausea & aches & pains. & wow a headache..but taking my nausea meds to stay on top of the game..
Just wanted to update you all..

Comments

  • Stacy7676
    Stacy7676 Member Posts: 17
    I'm had to hear you are
    I'm had to hear you are feeling pretty good. I had AC with my first diagnosis and ended up having nausea and vomiting for the first week and a half after my first treatment. This time I am doing Taxol and cytoxan. Hoping you stay feeling well!
    Stacy
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    I did 6 rounds of taxotere,
    I did 6 rounds of taxotere, adriamycin, and cytoxan. It was tough, but if you take care of yourself and listen to your docs you will get through it.

    You've probably already heard about drinking lots of water. It really does make a difference, I liked Smart water icy cold. Ask your doc/advice nurse about claratin (not claratin D) for the bone pain that might come with Neulasta. Eat when you can, and pamper yourself. Best wishes through all your treatments.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    Your First A/C Infusion
    Hi Geannine,

    1 down and 7 to go! I had 4 rounds of A/C and then had 12 rounds of Taxotere. The best advice I was ever given by my infusion nurses was to drink an ice-cold smoothie while the Adriamycin (aka The Red Devil) was being pushed through the IV. They said that it would help to prevent mouth sores. Before each A/C infusion my husband prepared a large fruit smoothie that I took along with me. I was lucky and never got any mouth sores. I figured the fruit was good for me, also.

    I wish only good things for you, your husband, daughters and step-daughters. May your side effects be minimal.

    IRENE
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493

    Your First A/C Infusion
    Hi Geannine,

    1 down and 7 to go! I had 4 rounds of A/C and then had 12 rounds of Taxotere. The best advice I was ever given by my infusion nurses was to drink an ice-cold smoothie while the Adriamycin (aka The Red Devil) was being pushed through the IV. They said that it would help to prevent mouth sores. Before each A/C infusion my husband prepared a large fruit smoothie that I took along with me. I was lucky and never got any mouth sores. I figured the fruit was good for me, also.

    I wish only good things for you, your husband, daughters and step-daughters. May your side effects be minimal.

    IRENE

    Congratulations on one
    Congratulations on one treatment down! I did 4 A/C every 2 weeks, then have done 10 of 12 weekly Taxols now. Best advice: Like several have mentioned drink LOTS of water every day.
    I always drank an icy drink while the A/C was going in, and did 3 or 4 rinse and gargles with saline water (1/4 tsp to 1 cup) every day and never had mouth or throat sores. Also used Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash. And I used lotion twice a day on hands and feet (and don't put either in hot water). I made a terrible mistake. Soaked my feet in warmish/hotish water to soften my toenails and feet turned bright red, swelled and peeled. :-(
    Good luck and keep us posted! It seems like a long haul ( and it is) but it does pass.
    Angie
  • geanninem
    geanninem Member Posts: 14
    well it has hit..
    Well it has hit me this morning.. Nausea the whole ball of wax.. I am taking zyrtec for the pains, loratab for the head ache, & all the nausea meds.. I will try the smoothie for the mouth sores.. I had heard that but didnt try it this time.. I als am drinking ALOT of water.. Taking it as easy as i can today. Oh yea the steriods & I dont mix.. I wouldnt want to be around me.. :)
    Thanks for the advice & support.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member

    Your First A/C Infusion
    Hi Geannine,

    1 down and 7 to go! I had 4 rounds of A/C and then had 12 rounds of Taxotere. The best advice I was ever given by my infusion nurses was to drink an ice-cold smoothie while the Adriamycin (aka The Red Devil) was being pushed through the IV. They said that it would help to prevent mouth sores. Before each A/C infusion my husband prepared a large fruit smoothie that I took along with me. I was lucky and never got any mouth sores. I figured the fruit was good for me, also.

    I wish only good things for you, your husband, daughters and step-daughters. May your side effects be minimal.

    IRENE

    Congrats on getting that
    Congrats on getting that first one done. I pray you will have no side effects.


    Hugs, Jan
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    geanninem said:

    well it has hit..
    Well it has hit me this morning.. Nausea the whole ball of wax.. I am taking zyrtec for the pains, loratab for the head ache, & all the nausea meds.. I will try the smoothie for the mouth sores.. I had heard that but didnt try it this time.. I als am drinking ALOT of water.. Taking it as easy as i can today. Oh yea the steriods & I dont mix.. I wouldnt want to be around me.. :)
    Thanks for the advice & support.

    So sorry that you are having
    So sorry that you are having all of these side effects. I wish I could help more. I will be praying for you. Keep us updated as to how you are doing.


    Hugs, Angie
  • rallendorfer
    rallendorfer Member Posts: 244
    geanninem said:

    well it has hit..
    Well it has hit me this morning.. Nausea the whole ball of wax.. I am taking zyrtec for the pains, loratab for the head ache, & all the nausea meds.. I will try the smoothie for the mouth sores.. I had heard that but didnt try it this time.. I als am drinking ALOT of water.. Taking it as easy as i can today. Oh yea the steriods & I dont mix.. I wouldnt want to be around me.. :)
    Thanks for the advice & support.

    Your experience is just like mine.
    I finished one chemo too, with the same side effects. The advice here is going to help you and I!! Tomorrow is my 2nd of 8 too, and I am going to drink the ice water (why didn't the nurse suggest it to us both?) My mouth was so sore! For a week. And not just my mouth, my throat and behind my nose. I get the shot Sunday, so when I talk with the Oncologist before the treatment I'm going to ask about that Claratin too. And the headache for a week may have been because they needed to slow down the IV, which I am also going to ask about. You would think with so many people going through this that they would have it down to a science about telling us. Grouchy me....grrrr....can you tell I soooooo don't want to go and do this again?? You and I are going to let these sisters of ours help us....God bless them!
  • salls41
    salls41 Member Posts: 340
    Chemo headache
    My first treatment came with a whopper of a headache that did not let up for a week no matter what I took! Each treatment after the headache was less intense and lasted only a few days. Please take care of yourself. Do not feel guilty about anything! This is your time to tend to your needs only! Good luck to you, prayers!
    Sandy
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    salls41 said:

    Chemo headache
    My first treatment came with a whopper of a headache that did not let up for a week no matter what I took! Each treatment after the headache was less intense and lasted only a few days. Please take care of yourself. Do not feel guilty about anything! This is your time to tend to your needs only! Good luck to you, prayers!
    Sandy

    I am so sorry that chemo
    I am so sorry that chemo made you sick. I will be hoping and praying that it will be smoother for you from now on.


    Hugs, Kylez
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    Kylez said:

    I am so sorry that chemo
    I am so sorry that chemo made you sick. I will be hoping and praying that it will be smoother for you from now on.


    Hugs, Kylez

    I certainly wish for all of
    I certainly wish for all of you on chemo that you could get through it with no side effects. I didn't have chemo so I don't know what it is like. But, I will be praying for each of you.


    Hugs, Debby
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    DebbyM said:

    I certainly wish for all of
    I certainly wish for all of you on chemo that you could get through it with no side effects. I didn't have chemo so I don't know what it is like. But, I will be praying for each of you.


    Hugs, Debby

    Chemo was no walk in the park, or joy ride for
    me. My side efforts were off the 'Bell Standard charts'.. Go figure! It was only
    after my 3rd ER visit did my Oncologist sit up and take notice of all that I said.

    I kept a journal of symptoms, which included head aches, fevers, bouts of nausea --
    fatigue, watery eyes ... etc, and presented this list to my Oncologist, or his Onco
    RN each and every time I went in for chemo therapy infusion.

    ALWAYS .. alert your Onco RN of any unusual feelings etc .. Ask your Oncologist for a
    list of possible side efforts, which should be presented to you before your first chemo infusion. Often these list will not be given, as most Oncologist would rather pull
    out their eye, than give us Chemo Queens a list of possible side efforts -- chances
    are .. most of us would run out of their offices, and never return.

    A few personal tips that helped me make it to that chemo finish line. (it is NOT easy,
    but, it is doable.) Honestly, only the grace of God, and the support of this
    site helped me make it thru many a dark days -- and nights.

    =====================


    It is so important to remain and continue hydration, water - water, and more water. Splash in a little lemonade, cranberry juice -- or prepackaged crystal light, or Lipton Tea. Herbal Tea's also work for a change of pace.

    If you are getting the neulasta shot -- Please ask your Oncologist about taking a benadryl -- or claritin -- which many of us === swear by -- as they help alleviate that 'just run over by a truck' aches and pains - some of us experience from the neulasta shot.

    Ask for prescriptions for nausea and vomiting -- as well as diarrhea.

    Plastic silverware is a must ---
    biotin toothpaste and mouthwash is a daily essential
    (available at most Target's or Wall-Mart's)

    Food is subjective -- depending on your personal needs and taste buds .. What taste good or was tolerable 1 week -- changed for me, the very next. I could not tolerate any foods with sugar, i.e. ketchup, or cola's.

    To help prevent mouth sores -- suck on ice chips during all chemo treatments.

    Rest when you can, as some chemo queens have bouts of insomnia ---

    Take goodies to entertain yourself during your infusions -- games, books, friend, a snack, IPOD, laptop ...

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    VickiSam said:

    Chemo was no walk in the park, or joy ride for
    me. My side efforts were off the 'Bell Standard charts'.. Go figure! It was only
    after my 3rd ER visit did my Oncologist sit up and take notice of all that I said.

    I kept a journal of symptoms, which included head aches, fevers, bouts of nausea --
    fatigue, watery eyes ... etc, and presented this list to my Oncologist, or his Onco
    RN each and every time I went in for chemo therapy infusion.

    ALWAYS .. alert your Onco RN of any unusual feelings etc .. Ask your Oncologist for a
    list of possible side efforts, which should be presented to you before your first chemo infusion. Often these list will not be given, as most Oncologist would rather pull
    out their eye, than give us Chemo Queens a list of possible side efforts -- chances
    are .. most of us would run out of their offices, and never return.

    A few personal tips that helped me make it to that chemo finish line. (it is NOT easy,
    but, it is doable.) Honestly, only the grace of God, and the support of this
    site helped me make it thru many a dark days -- and nights.

    =====================


    It is so important to remain and continue hydration, water - water, and more water. Splash in a little lemonade, cranberry juice -- or prepackaged crystal light, or Lipton Tea. Herbal Tea's also work for a change of pace.

    If you are getting the neulasta shot -- Please ask your Oncologist about taking a benadryl -- or claritin -- which many of us === swear by -- as they help alleviate that 'just run over by a truck' aches and pains - some of us experience from the neulasta shot.

    Ask for prescriptions for nausea and vomiting -- as well as diarrhea.

    Plastic silverware is a must ---
    biotin toothpaste and mouthwash is a daily essential
    (available at most Target's or Wall-Mart's)

    Food is subjective -- depending on your personal needs and taste buds .. What taste good or was tolerable 1 week -- changed for me, the very next. I could not tolerate any foods with sugar, i.e. ketchup, or cola's.

    To help prevent mouth sores -- suck on ice chips during all chemo treatments.

    Rest when you can, as some chemo queens have bouts of insomnia ---

    Take goodies to entertain yourself during your infusions -- games, books, friend, a snack, IPOD, laptop ...

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam

    bumping up ...
    .....