Thinking Of Quitting Chemo! Help

Christina82
Christina82 Member Posts: 3

Hi, my name is Christina and I am 30 years old. I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in October of last year. I started chemo the 1st of December. My doctor started me with Paclitaxel chemo, one dose every week. My last dose of Paclitaxel was on February 15th. I did very good on that type of chemo, meaning I had no nausea or vomiting! I did lose my hair and have had very severe itchness on my hands and feet. To the point that I can't walk, drive or anything but scratch. Has anyone else had this issue?? My hands and arms look like I have chicken pox! 

Now I started a new chemo called FAC(Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin & Cyclophosphanide) on the 21st of February. With this type of chemo I am really having bad nausea and vomiting for about 5-6 days! It's horrible! I have 3 more doses to get. I get one every 21 days. (Next one is on the 14th of this month)

So with all that being said, being sick for 6 days and adding my previous side effects I am really not wanting to do Chemo treatment anymore. I would love some feed back from anyone or anybody! 

Oh and after my last dose of this Chemo I am suppose to get surgery and I am thinking of going for a double mastectomy so I was thinking of stopping chemo and just going straight to surgery. I haven't spoken to my doctor about this and don't think that he will be to happy to hear this or even allow it at that. HELP! Has anyone ever done this??

«13

Comments

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member
    YIKES Christina! 
    I am on

    YIKES Christina! 

    I am on week 8 of Paxlitaxel and I had to stop because my feet got big red sores on them.  Almost as much 'fun' as itching.  I can't do anything but sit around too.  I had FAC last year right after Christmas until about April.  6 rounds every 3 weeks.  Are they giving you anti nausea meds?  They gave me maybe 3 kinds in my IV pre-meds and then Zolfran and Comprazine to take at home.  I was supposed to take the Zolfran every 8 hours for 3-5 days and then the Comprazine (or something like that) if there was any 'break through nausea'.  That worked REALLY well for me.  ALSO for the first couple of times I had some nausea until I learned that if I ate during treatment and kept something in my stomach all the time I felt WAY better!  I guess the food distracted the FAC and gave it something to do besides aggrivate my stomach. 

    They should be able to handle that nausea better for you - Tell them you need help and don't give up just yet. 

    It should be easier - ask for help and keep us posted!!

     

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    McMarty said:

    YIKES Christina! 
    I am on

    YIKES Christina! 

    I am on week 8 of Paxlitaxel and I had to stop because my feet got big red sores on them.  Almost as much 'fun' as itching.  I can't do anything but sit around too.  I had FAC last year right after Christmas until about April.  6 rounds every 3 weeks.  Are they giving you anti nausea meds?  They gave me maybe 3 kinds in my IV pre-meds and then Zolfran and Comprazine to take at home.  I was supposed to take the Zolfran every 8 hours for 3-5 days and then the Comprazine (or something like that) if there was any 'break through nausea'.  That worked REALLY well for me.  ALSO for the first couple of times I had some nausea until I learned that if I ate during treatment and kept something in my stomach all the time I felt WAY better!  I guess the food distracted the FAC and gave it something to do besides aggrivate my stomach. 

    They should be able to handle that nausea better for you - Tell them you need help and don't give up just yet. 

    It should be easier - ask for help and keep us posted!!

     

    Anti - nausea meds worked for me ---

    you  usually start taking them a day or two, before your chemo infusion therapy.  Don't give up,  and Don't give in.  I have been there like so many before .. and it is not pleasure == DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO ... and complete chemo.

    We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days  a week.

    Gentle hugs -- prayers, and positive thoughts coming your way.

     

    Vicki Sam

  • bkelli2000
    bkelli2000 Member Posts: 5
    As hard as it is try and see

    As hard as it is try and see it through. If you don't they may possibly do chemo again after the surgery. That is what happened to my friend.

  • jamiegww
    jamiegww Member Posts: 384
    You don't have to put up with nausea and vomiting.

    You need to let them know what is going on and that something has to be done about it.  There are lots of meds they can prescribe for nausea but you have to let them know you need help.  Maybe you need Emend or maybe you need suppositories but you definitely need something that works for you and please don't let yourself be that miserable for that many days.  Yes, chemo is tough but with the proper treatment you can get through it.

    HUGS!!!

    Jamie

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    jamiegww said:

    You don't have to put up with nausea and vomiting.

    You need to let them know what is going on and that something has to be done about it.  There are lots of meds they can prescribe for nausea but you have to let them know you need help.  Maybe you need Emend or maybe you need suppositories but you definitely need something that works for you and please don't let yourself be that miserable for that many days.  Yes, chemo is tough but with the proper treatment you can get through it.

    HUGS!!!

    Jamie

    Call your onc for different drugs!

    I agree with Jamie.  You don't have to have all these side effects, or at least not as severely.  If the anti nausea drugs you were prescribed aren't doing the job, there are others.  Call your oncologist and ask for more help.  They expect us to call - I did plenty of times.  Part of their job is to get you through this.

    Please don't quit chemotherapy.  Yes, it is not a guarantee, but it's the best defense we have and so many of us are still here because of it.  As our beloved Claudia/Chenheart says "we keep doing what we have to, so we can keep doing what we want to". 

    Hang in there, get help, don't suffer.  You will likely not feel wonderful, but you don't have to feel horrible.

    Hugs,

    Suzanne

  • Christina82
    Christina82 Member Posts: 3
    Thank you guys!!! :)

    Thank you guys for all your kind words and thoughts! It means a lot. 

    When I started the new chemo yes they did give me nausea meds through the IV and then gave me Ondansetron to take every 8 hours for the next 3-5 days. But even doing that I still felt weak and had nausea! I only had vomiting for 2 days. One thing I do notice while taking the medicine is that I get bad headaches so after the third day I have to be honest I stop taking them.  I am going to talk to my doctor and see if he can give me any other type of meds that can help me better . 

    It's because of the way that I felt after doing the last chemo that I want to stop it. It is so hard to go back when now I know how I am going to feel afterwards. Frown I will keep you guys updated on the how this next chemo goes on the 14th. I almost to the end and had been doing so well up until now. I just think now I'm to the point that I am finally breaking down. I get so many compliments from everybody telling me how well I am taking all this since I found out I had BC.

    Thanks again guys for your replies. I honestly feel a whole lot better! 

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member

    Thank you guys!!! :)

    Thank you guys for all your kind words and thoughts! It means a lot. 

    When I started the new chemo yes they did give me nausea meds through the IV and then gave me Ondansetron to take every 8 hours for the next 3-5 days. But even doing that I still felt weak and had nausea! I only had vomiting for 2 days. One thing I do notice while taking the medicine is that I get bad headaches so after the third day I have to be honest I stop taking them.  I am going to talk to my doctor and see if he can give me any other type of meds that can help me better . 

    It's because of the way that I felt after doing the last chemo that I want to stop it. It is so hard to go back when now I know how I am going to feel afterwards. Frown I will keep you guys updated on the how this next chemo goes on the 14th. I almost to the end and had been doing so well up until now. I just think now I'm to the point that I am finally breaking down. I get so many compliments from everybody telling me how well I am taking all this since I found out I had BC.

    Thanks again guys for your replies. I honestly feel a whole lot better! 

    Christina .. I wanted to share my personal

    experience .. and struggles with you ..

    I had breast cancer, but breast cancer no longer defines me. I am a breast cancer SURVIVOR!

     

    =====================
    August 14, 2010

    First: thanks to all my breast cancer sisters for being out there. You women have given me more hope and valuable information than any of my doctors ever could. I just wanted to share my gratitude, feelings and thoughts.

    18 weeks of consecutive chemo therapy -- ending on December 18, 2009 - dose dense chemo treatment plan .. I made it ... crawling to the finish line :)

    1 year of Herceptin -- ending August 20, 2010
    Lumpectomy -- 8-10-09
    Breast Cancer diagnosis 8-14-09
    Bilateral Mastectomy January 12, 2010
    Vacation to Grand Canyon April 6th

    Emergency surgery and 5 day hospital stay 4-18-10 to removed right tissue expander infection by staph (Staph infection and where or how I contacted is still a mistery to this day - My Infectious Disease Doctor has ordered me to stay in the US for the next 3 years // no traveling outside US)
    5 weeks with 1 expander - Unbearable and emotional
    Surgery to add a new right expander - 5-22-10
    Exchange surgery -- 7-21-10 (no nipples, no aerola) Incisional scars very visible, and raised (due to the many cuts)

    Severe reactions to my chemo drugs (TCH) -- insomina,depression and chronic fatigue appeared to be my only friends for so long. I cried daily, had many very dark days and nights, I did have family around - but found myself lonely and unable to convey my feelings. I was no longer the Vicki I remembered. 

    I am a Breast Cancer Survior, NED paid me a visit on January 17, 2010. I still find myself very emotional, I don't cry not as much, its just very hard to accept what has happen in my life. I try to be positive but that has its moments. I always wonder will it come back, the dreaded "C" word. My husband is very supportive of all of emotional craziness, as my Oncologist gave us statistics from my prognosis this past Friday. I face several reconstructive surgery, and no health insurance at the end of September 2010.

    My next step and goal -- do all that I can to affect a good outcome (exercise, meditation, massage, foods etc) but I also accept that the outcome is ultimately not in my hands, and I am trying to “live in the here and now. However, I do worry that going back to my old life and work and pretending like nothing happened is denial rather than acceptance and that if I don't use this time "wisely" that I will regret it later. I am adopting my teenager's sense of invincibility, with slight caution!

    Putting 1 foot in front of the other :-))

    WE ARE WARRIORS!!!!

    Vicki Sam

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    Talk to your doctor before stopping chemo.
    I did not have the same cocktail with my first round of chemo, but itas miserable. I had to work and had a trash can next to me. Then I found that when nothing else worked, what is now known as medical marijuana worked. of course it wasnt considered medical for me. but a couple of puffs the firt day of chemo was all it took. It carried me through the next 2-3 days. They had to stop my chemo early because of allergic reaction back then. When mine returned 8 1/2 years later, my first thought was that had I been able to continue, maybe I wouldn't be stage 4. I personally would try and work with the doctors to find something that will work for you. This time (2 years of weekly chemo), I have decadron prior to infusion, and after trying so many, I found that Ativan works well for the next couple of days and it only took a half of the lowest dose. Chemo sucks, but it is better than the alternative!


    Hugs.
  • Christina82
    Christina82 Member Posts: 3
    Holding on!

    I don't know what to do, I am so confused! I mean I know for a fact that I don't want to go through this again!!! Will finishing chemo and getting a double mastectomy guarantee that the cancer won't come back?? 

    I have two lumps on my right breast, one is at 6 o'clock and the other is at about 9 or 10 o'clock close to my under arm. On my left breast I have nothing. Everything is good with no problems. (For now) I had the genetic testing done and it came back positive. My mother passed away at the age of 27 (I was 2 yrs old) of breast cancer and two of her sisters have been diagnosed with BC also. One of my aunts passed away from it about 4 yrs ago. That's why I am thinking of having a double mastectomy done. To be honest I really just wanted a lumpectomy done but after the genetic test results I am being told this is better for me. 

    All of this has happened so fast in a short period of time and has been very emotional for me. I am still working at a full time job just to try and keep my mind busy. I haven't really spoken to anyone about all this till now with all you guys. Smile 

    It sounds like you guys have gone through so much more than me and it makes me feel even bad for complaining of my issues but at the same time it's giving me that push and strength that I probably need to finish my chemo!

    Last night I also spoke with my kids (I have 4) about my thoughts of quitting chemo and the look on their faces just broke my heart. First question I got was "Why? So are you going to die?" 

    So this takes me  back to my first question, will doing and finishing all this treatment Guarantee that it won't come back?? Will I ever feel back to my normal self again?

  • Treecy1106
    Treecy1106 Member Posts: 144

    Holding on!

    I don't know what to do, I am so confused! I mean I know for a fact that I don't want to go through this again!!! Will finishing chemo and getting a double mastectomy guarantee that the cancer won't come back?? 

    I have two lumps on my right breast, one is at 6 o'clock and the other is at about 9 or 10 o'clock close to my under arm. On my left breast I have nothing. Everything is good with no problems. (For now) I had the genetic testing done and it came back positive. My mother passed away at the age of 27 (I was 2 yrs old) of breast cancer and two of her sisters have been diagnosed with BC also. One of my aunts passed away from it about 4 yrs ago. That's why I am thinking of having a double mastectomy done. To be honest I really just wanted a lumpectomy done but after the genetic test results I am being told this is better for me. 

    All of this has happened so fast in a short period of time and has been very emotional for me. I am still working at a full time job just to try and keep my mind busy. I haven't really spoken to anyone about all this till now with all you guys. Smile 

    It sounds like you guys have gone through so much more than me and it makes me feel even bad for complaining of my issues but at the same time it's giving me that push and strength that I probably need to finish my chemo!

    Last night I also spoke with my kids (I have 4) about my thoughts of quitting chemo and the look on their faces just broke my heart. First question I got was "Why? So are you going to die?" 

    So this takes me  back to my first question, will doing and finishing all this treatment Guarantee that it won't come back?? Will I ever feel back to my normal self again?

    Hi Christina

    Boy can I relate!!!!!! I was diagnosed with Triple Negative BC 2 years ago this month! I had the cancer in only one breast and opted to have a bilateral mastectomy. I could have had a double lumpectomy but didn't want to take a chance of having it come back. So when they removed the tissue from the breast that had no cancer...they found the beginnings of cancer in it that never showed on any test.

    I also wanted to quit chemo. It was my second treatment...I had the port in my neck....I was holding on to my pole with the meds .....went downstairs to my Dr's office (chemo was given upstairs at the oncologists office building)and screamed at him "GET THIS FN THING OUT OF MY NECK!" SO yes I can really relate!

    The only thing I can tell you is.....there are no guarantees in life about anything...nevermind BC BUT you need to do anything and everything to fight!

    You need to take all of your focus on what you can do to help the chemo work and keep your body strong through treatment and afterwards!

    I actually wrote a booklet about this.

    its called

    "WHat to DO when You're DIagnosed?' by Patrice Sarnatora

    Check it out ...you can google it and print it out. I hope it helps.

    Remember if you are estrogen positive...which it sounds like you are....stay away from foods that elevate estrogen...SOY is one of them. Read labels!

    WHile on chemo I hope they told you to take probiotics. That will help with digestion and protect the good stuff inside. ASK your Dr.

    I'm on the chat alot if you ever need to talk.....Treecy....:) You'll be ok!!!!! Just remember that!!! Have faith (((HUGS)))

     

  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413

    Holding on!

    I don't know what to do, I am so confused! I mean I know for a fact that I don't want to go through this again!!! Will finishing chemo and getting a double mastectomy guarantee that the cancer won't come back?? 

    I have two lumps on my right breast, one is at 6 o'clock and the other is at about 9 or 10 o'clock close to my under arm. On my left breast I have nothing. Everything is good with no problems. (For now) I had the genetic testing done and it came back positive. My mother passed away at the age of 27 (I was 2 yrs old) of breast cancer and two of her sisters have been diagnosed with BC also. One of my aunts passed away from it about 4 yrs ago. That's why I am thinking of having a double mastectomy done. To be honest I really just wanted a lumpectomy done but after the genetic test results I am being told this is better for me. 

    All of this has happened so fast in a short period of time and has been very emotional for me. I am still working at a full time job just to try and keep my mind busy. I haven't really spoken to anyone about all this till now with all you guys. Smile 

    It sounds like you guys have gone through so much more than me and it makes me feel even bad for complaining of my issues but at the same time it's giving me that push and strength that I probably need to finish my chemo!

    Last night I also spoke with my kids (I have 4) about my thoughts of quitting chemo and the look on their faces just broke my heart. First question I got was "Why? So are you going to die?" 

    So this takes me  back to my first question, will doing and finishing all this treatment Guarantee that it won't come back?? Will I ever feel back to my normal self again?

    To be direct and answer your

    To be direct and answer your question...no, there is no guarantee.  Just like there is no guarantee that you will not be in a car accident. 

    Will you be back to your normal self?  Sadly, none of us have a crystal ball.  We can't see into the future.  Maybe (and it happens) when you are done with all this, you will feel it has changed your life for the better.  Many cancer survivors feel more appreciative of each day and more appreciative of their relationships.

    Yes, some of us have more treatments and more challenges.  But this is YOUR challenge...we are all different.  Your cancer, your treatments, are just as valid and important to you as mine are to me.  The only thing those differences mean are that we both get to join this sisterhood.  So there is no reason to apologize.

    You are trying to make a very difficult decision and predict the future.  What treatment plan will keep cancer at bay permanently?  I wish I knew the answer to that.  But I do know that whatever you decide, it will be the right decision for you and your family.  And I do know that whatever you decide, we are here for you.

    Hugs,

    Linda

     

     

  • Finch_Lady
    Finch_Lady Member Posts: 1
    Ask for Sancuso Patch

    Christina, I had severe nausea with the common chemo, Adriamycin and Cytoxin.  The day of my 2nd treatment, they wrote a script for a Sancuso Patch.  You put it on the back of your arm the day before treatment and it continuously works for 7 days.  It did wonders for me.  It's very expensive though, even with insurance.  It helped so much that I didn't care how much it cost.  You might ask about it and ask if there's any financial help.

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member

    Thank you guys!!! :)

    Thank you guys for all your kind words and thoughts! It means a lot. 

    When I started the new chemo yes they did give me nausea meds through the IV and then gave me Ondansetron to take every 8 hours for the next 3-5 days. But even doing that I still felt weak and had nausea! I only had vomiting for 2 days. One thing I do notice while taking the medicine is that I get bad headaches so after the third day I have to be honest I stop taking them.  I am going to talk to my doctor and see if he can give me any other type of meds that can help me better . 

    It's because of the way that I felt after doing the last chemo that I want to stop it. It is so hard to go back when now I know how I am going to feel afterwards. Frown I will keep you guys updated on the how this next chemo goes on the 14th. I almost to the end and had been doing so well up until now. I just think now I'm to the point that I am finally breaking down. I get so many compliments from everybody telling me how well I am taking all this since I found out I had BC.

    Thanks again guys for your replies. I honestly feel a whole lot better! 

    Ondanestron is not the only

    Ondanestron is not the only meds out there for nausea, so keep asking. 

    I hate to mention this, because I know that it can cause permanent tardive dyskinesia (so don't pm me please), but metoclopramide (which has a black box warning for td) saved my life.  I don't know why it worked so well for me but it did.  I went from being unable to even make it into chemo, to being mildly nauseated and was then able to finish chemo and even go back to work.  Discuss various meds and risks with your onc.

    Anyway, don't give up!  A good specialist should be able to work on this with you.  And don't forget to ask your onc nurse! It was actually my onc nurse who recommended that I try metoclopramide.  My point is not to recommend metoclopramide (and I only do because it really did save my life), but that there are many, many new options out there.  Don't give up!!!  I was 33 when first diagnosed and I will be 60 this week (YIKES).

    "Tardive dyskinesia is a known side effect associated with metoclopramide. The current prescribing information contains information on this risk. Health Canada is working with the Canadian manufacturers to include stronger, more detailed warnings in the drug labelling that contain the following information:

    • Tardive dyskinesia may develop in patients treated with metoclopramide. The elderly, especially elderly women, appear to be at increased risk.
    • The risk appears to increase with treatment length and the total amount of drug taken.
    • Tardive dyskinesia is more likely to be irreversible with long-term treatment (over 12 weeks).
    • Less frequently, tardive dyskinesia can develop with short term treatment at low doses; in these cases, the symptoms are more likely to disappear either partially or completely over time, once treatment has been stopped.
    • Tardive dyskinesia may not be easy to recognise in its early stages.
    • Metoclopramide treatment beyond 12 weeks should be avoided, unless the benefit is judged to outweigh the risk.

    Tardive dyskinesia usually appears as involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth or jaw. These movements can include lip smacking, chewing, or puckering, or sticking out of the tongue. Sometimes, movements can include the torso or limbs, such as leg shaking. There are no known treatments for tardive dyskinesia once it has become established."

    http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2011/2011_99-eng.php

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    VickiSam said:

    Christina .. I wanted to share my personal

    experience .. and struggles with you ..

    I had breast cancer, but breast cancer no longer defines me. I am a breast cancer SURVIVOR!

     

    =====================
    August 14, 2010

    First: thanks to all my breast cancer sisters for being out there. You women have given me more hope and valuable information than any of my doctors ever could. I just wanted to share my gratitude, feelings and thoughts.

    18 weeks of consecutive chemo therapy -- ending on December 18, 2009 - dose dense chemo treatment plan .. I made it ... crawling to the finish line :)

    1 year of Herceptin -- ending August 20, 2010
    Lumpectomy -- 8-10-09
    Breast Cancer diagnosis 8-14-09
    Bilateral Mastectomy January 12, 2010
    Vacation to Grand Canyon April 6th

    Emergency surgery and 5 day hospital stay 4-18-10 to removed right tissue expander infection by staph (Staph infection and where or how I contacted is still a mistery to this day - My Infectious Disease Doctor has ordered me to stay in the US for the next 3 years // no traveling outside US)
    5 weeks with 1 expander - Unbearable and emotional
    Surgery to add a new right expander - 5-22-10
    Exchange surgery -- 7-21-10 (no nipples, no aerola) Incisional scars very visible, and raised (due to the many cuts)

    Severe reactions to my chemo drugs (TCH) -- insomina,depression and chronic fatigue appeared to be my only friends for so long. I cried daily, had many very dark days and nights, I did have family around - but found myself lonely and unable to convey my feelings. I was no longer the Vicki I remembered. 

    I am a Breast Cancer Survior, NED paid me a visit on January 17, 2010. I still find myself very emotional, I don't cry not as much, its just very hard to accept what has happen in my life. I try to be positive but that has its moments. I always wonder will it come back, the dreaded "C" word. My husband is very supportive of all of emotional craziness, as my Oncologist gave us statistics from my prognosis this past Friday. I face several reconstructive surgery, and no health insurance at the end of September 2010.

    My next step and goal -- do all that I can to affect a good outcome (exercise, meditation, massage, foods etc) but I also accept that the outcome is ultimately not in my hands, and I am trying to “live in the here and now. However, I do worry that going back to my old life and work and pretending like nothing happened is denial rather than acceptance and that if I don't use this time "wisely" that I will regret it later. I am adopting my teenager's sense of invincibility, with slight caution!

    Putting 1 foot in front of the other :-))

    WE ARE WARRIORS!!!!

    Vicki Sam

    Christina, I didn't have

    Christina, I didn't have chemo, so, I have no idea of what you are going thru.  All I can say is that it is your decision, to either keep taking chemo or to quit.

    I wish you the best!

  • Caseycm2013
    Caseycm2013 Member Posts: 1
    Need more meds
    Hi Christina,
    I was so worried about nausea, but it hasn't been bad. I take emend one hour before chemo, then one the day after, then one more on third day. They are frightfully expensive, but worth it, I've been told. By expensive, I mean about$500.00 for three pills. My insurance pays about two-thirds. Then put stuff in before the chemo. The afternoon of the fifth day, some nausea but I managed to control it with lorazamam and promethazine. Also, I've heard that acupuncture works wonders.
    Were they trying to shrink tumor so you could have lumpectomy?
    If mastectomy was planned, I question some clinics pushing chemo first, but, hey, I'm no doctor. Good luck, and please try some more before giving up.

    Chris
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member

    Need more meds
    Hi Christina,
    I was so worried about nausea, but it hasn't been bad. I take emend one hour before chemo, then one the day after, then one more on third day. They are frightfully expensive, but worth it, I've been told. By expensive, I mean about$500.00 for three pills. My insurance pays about two-thirds. Then put stuff in before the chemo. The afternoon of the fifth day, some nausea but I managed to control it with lorazamam and promethazine. Also, I've heard that acupuncture works wonders.
    Were they trying to shrink tumor so you could have lumpectomy?
    If mastectomy was planned, I question some clinics pushing chemo first, but, hey, I'm no doctor. Good luck, and please try some more before giving up.

    Chris

    Christina ...

    How are you feeling dear Sister...  We are here for you -- worried, and want to help you. 

    Surrounding you with love, prayer, and positive thoughts.

    Courage, Strength, and HOPE for a cure.

     

     

    Vicki Sam

  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member

    Ask for Sancuso Patch

    Christina, I had severe nausea with the common chemo, Adriamycin and Cytoxin.  The day of my 2nd treatment, they wrote a script for a Sancuso Patch.  You put it on the back of your arm the day before treatment and it continuously works for 7 days.  It did wonders for me.  It's very expensive though, even with insurance.  It helped so much that I didn't care how much it cost.  You might ask about it and ask if there's any financial help.

    Thinking of you

    Thinking of you Christina!

    Hugs, Jan

  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    Hang in There

    Christina... I am sorry you are having to deal with cancer.  It's not an easy road, but I hope the support you get here and, most importantly, from family and friends be of comfort to you. 

    Please let your doctors know about your side effects.  If the drugs they are giving you are not working for you, let them know so that they can prescribe something else.  Hang in there.  This is the fight of your life.  It's a scary time, but you can do it.  One step at a time, one breathe at a time.  We are pulling for you all the way.  We are on the other side of the finish line cheering you on!  Hang in there, stay Strong dear Pink Sister!

    Hugs,

    Ines

     

  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member

    Hang in There

    Christina... I am sorry you are having to deal with cancer.  It's not an easy road, but I hope the support you get here and, most importantly, from family and friends be of comfort to you. 

    Please let your doctors know about your side effects.  If the drugs they are giving you are not working for you, let them know so that they can prescribe something else.  Hang in there.  This is the fight of your life.  It's a scary time, but you can do it.  One step at a time, one breathe at a time.  We are pulling for you all the way.  We are on the other side of the finish line cheering you on!  Hang in there, stay Strong dear Pink Sister!

    Hugs,

    Ines

     

    I'm so sorry Christina.  I

    I'm so sorry Christina.  I hope that you will let your doctors know how you are feeling physically and mentally.  They can help you if they know what to deal with.  Please keep fighting and never give up.  We will help you however we can and keep posting so we know how you are.

    We're here!

    Hugs, Leeza

  • Pink Rose
    Pink Rose Member Posts: 493

    Need more meds
    Hi Christina,
    I was so worried about nausea, but it hasn't been bad. I take emend one hour before chemo, then one the day after, then one more on third day. They are frightfully expensive, but worth it, I've been told. By expensive, I mean about$500.00 for three pills. My insurance pays about two-thirds. Then put stuff in before the chemo. The afternoon of the fifth day, some nausea but I managed to control it with lorazamam and promethazine. Also, I've heard that acupuncture works wonders.
    Were they trying to shrink tumor so you could have lumpectomy?
    If mastectomy was planned, I question some clinics pushing chemo first, but, hey, I'm no doctor. Good luck, and please try some more before giving up.

    Chris

    What are you thinking now

    What are you thinking now Christina?  Have you made your decision?  You know we support you in anything you decide.

    Hugs, Rose