started chemo

redrosesplz

Hi I started my chemo last Thursday. I was so scared by the whole mess of it. I had a bad reaction to one of the meds. think it was the TAXOTERE they had to stop it for awhile. They gave me normal saline for abit before startin it again. It now feels hot all over my neck and legs all the time. told me to watch for fevers. I'm on TAXOTERE, CYTOXAN, HERCEPTIN, DECADRON for my frist visit. Its Sunday my morning has been bad. I feel like it's hotflashes and sick to my tummy. Cant drink much water, I do try too. Just cant seem to swallow it without gettin sick. My PORT is doing much better the pain is now gone. I move my arm more easy now also.
My son and I both cryed the night before chemo. Only cuz we didnt know what I was going to go thur.He has been my Angel. Makes sure I'm resting enough and plenty of water too. JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ANSWERED MY LAST POST. I sit here most evening reading other post and cry that now I have somewhere to REACH TOO THANK YOU.... Martha

Unknown

Hey Martha! Boy do I know what its like to check the message board while lying around fending off chemo. It's true, you don't know what to expect. I just finished my last one but am still feeling the aftershocks. The worse for me is the horrible depression. I am not sure what brings it on, but life looks pretty dang bleak (or life looks good and C looks bad!) But, after 8 chemos, it went away everytime. Please give yourself lots of room and don't mistake chemo for reality. I did run fevers with each new cocktail, but only the first time. Lasted one day. The decadron is a steroid to offset allergic reaction. The Dec. may make you feel speeded up. And something in the whole thing made me cry, alot! Your experience will be different from mine. Please do check in with us if you have any little questions. You will find someone who has been there, felt that, and most importantly, gotten through that.
Keep chuggin that water. The herceptin should be easy. It is not really a chemo and causes no hair loss, naseau. There are lots of naseau drugs and the docs. can adjust yours till you find the combo that works. Please consider calling your doc. and telling them that you need some attention regarding naseau. When you feel up to it, try doing a little exercise, nice and easy, but it will help with mood and function. You do indeed have somewhere to reach too. Write anything you feel, either on the post, or email me. By the way, I also am her2+. Herceptin is a wonderful drug for us. Best wishes and love, Joyce

seof

Sorry you are having a hard time with it. I had different drugs and have been one of the lucky ones with very little of the bad side effects. The main places I go for help: 1. My Dr. 2. The chemo Nurses...they are GREAT at knowing how to help patients feel as good as they can. 3. Chemocare.com...it is a place to look up reliable information about specific drugs and their side effects. 4. this site is a great place to hear stories of those who have been there and done that.

The fear should get better as you learn what to expect. three cheers to you for raising such a supportive son. I am glad that you are there for each other.

best wishes, seof

Unknown

hi martha, well you made it through your first treatment successfully. i know it is scary and i was very emotional also during treatment. in fact my frequent crying sessions continued for over a year afterward. so don't feel weird about it. you have to be good and patient with yourself. you will get through this. it is yucky but eventually you will get to the end of chemo and start to feel like your old self again. keep drinking the water. i too had difficulty swallowing water. So, i drank pop, juice etc...try to remind yourself that the chemicals are seeking and destroying any bad cells that may be floating around your body. Try to think of it as a good thing--a weapon in your arsenal. Hang in there and stay strong. We are all here for ya! Take care, Eileen

skt48

Awaiting Hair Loss. Just had my first chemo also a couple of weeks ago. Not knowing how long it will be before my hair starts falling out. Someone please give me an idea. My doc. said maybe a week. Been its been over that and that seems to be all I think about.

redrosesplz

skt48 said:

Awaiting Hair Loss. Just had my first chemo also a couple of weeks ago. Not knowing how long it will be before my hair starts falling out. Someone please give me an idea. My doc. said maybe a week. Been its been over that and that seems to be all I think about.

Thanks you all are the greatest.... LOVE Martha
Just woke up from a long nap only way to keep from being sick... and eating small meals. Just the heat is the worse... Can one drink Cold items to help.. I heard a nurse tell a patient not to drink ice drinks while he was on his meds. not sure if it was meant just for him.... ??? thanks Martha

survivor51

Hello Martha,
One down and my first chemo was bad as well, I ended up having to go to the hospital for fluids and to the oncologist for more later in the week. They can make changes in your chemo so the side effects are better. I'm glad you have a son that is close to you. It will get better. I bought one of those "Magic Bullets" to grind up the ice and it helped to suck on it. Plain saltine crackers and some yogurt helped me. The two of you could get some funny videos and watch them together...the laughter will be good for both of you. Keep posting and remember, we are here. Take care and God bless, Angela

mgm42

I, too, have bad reactions to the Taxotere. My first one was the worst, but they took certain medical steps the 2nd time to reduce the reaction. I'm headed for my 3rd one this coming Friday and we'll see what happens. The decadron should help with the nausea. You don't mention any other anti-nausea meds. Check with your chemo nurse. She will help you as well as you onocologist. I'm a true believer in the "more water the better" theory. If you can lick the nausea, the water part will get very easy. Ice chips may be a help also. The more your drink, the more you flush that "stuff" out of your system so it does what it should do, but does't hang around too long. Hang in there. I'm going through the same thing. I don't know that I can be of any great help, but please know that I'm here for you. Marilynn

Jadie

skt48 said:

Awaiting Hair Loss. Just had my first chemo also a couple of weeks ago. Not knowing how long it will be before my hair starts falling out. Someone please give me an idea. My doc. said maybe a week. Been its been over that and that seems to be all I think about.

After 2 weeks my head got really sore and I knew that it was time for my hair to come out. I had a friend to buzz it off. I thought "now I'm not letting the cancer (indirectly) take my hair, I'm going to take it myself". This way I had controll of what was going on with my body. This worked for me because I was in controll.