First chemo done!
Well...I survived...ha! It took 7 hours and only one set back with the rituxan. My throat got all scratchy and felt like I couldn't swallow, so they stopped the infusion and gave me something to counter-act and half an hour later we started the fusion back up. I slept most of the day which was fine with me. The prednisone hasn't made me crazy yet. I'm wide awake, but I'm not shaky jittery or off the hook with it...N~I~C~E!!..ha! I've been drinking a ton of water which is making me pee constantly, but with just one kidney I really need to keep the water flowing. I feel good guys...tired, but good. I go back to my doctor on Sept 7th to check my blood counts. John...I did get copies of my blood work today and also a copy of my chemo cocktail order. No mention of me getting any shots before the 7th.Does that sound normal? I've got all of my instructions handy and what to be watching for, so I think I'm good to go. Thank you all for being so very wonderful!
One down 7 to go!...Love....Sue
Comments
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YAY!!!!!!
Sue,
Boy I must really be getting your vibes. I just thought I better check on Sue and you had just posted! So glad #1 is over! You were in my thoughts and prayers all day. Your healing has begun and you're on your way. Drink, drink,drink and rest,rest,rest!! Love ya, take care!0 -
One down is beautifulonlytoday said:YAY!!!!!!
Sue,
Boy I must really be getting your vibes. I just thought I better check on Sue and you had just posted! So glad #1 is over! You were in my thoughts and prayers all day. Your healing has begun and you're on your way. Drink, drink,drink and rest,rest,rest!! Love ya, take care!
See, all that worrying, for nothing! Congratulations woman you are on your way! Glad the rituxan went pretty well, they had to stop mine and just give me saline for awhile too.
Enjoy the time while you can. It's probably the happy drug LOL0 -
Neulasta Shot
Sue,(GRANDMA)
Congratulations on round #1. I had to go back the next day after chemo to get the shot.I get it each time after chemo. They say it speeds up the white blood cell count production. I think they are the granulcytes(spelling). You should see it on your blood work. They are baby blood cells that are made in your bone marrow. I was told it cost $10,000 a shot. I got a mix-up and got billed by accident and when I called about it they straightened it out and they said the total was closer to $16,000 a shot. Don't you just love those rip off insurance companys? The shot doesn't hurt but in a few days the hips start to ache due to the shot working the hip bone marrow overtime. The faster they produce the less tired you will feel. John
I had a slight reaction to the rituxum too. It felt like my sinuses were clogging up. It passed.0 -
Yea Sue!!!!
Been thinking about you all day and so glad it went well. They had to stop my first rituxan infusion for 30 minutes also but only with the first treatment. It didn't happen again. You must feel so much relief having 1 down. As others have said rest as much as you can. Don't project too much about the shots. You will only get it if you have to. I never had any so it is far from a given. Take care. Mary0 -
You Go Girl!!!merrywinner said:Yea Sue!!!!
Been thinking about you all day and so glad it went well. They had to stop my first rituxan infusion for 30 minutes also but only with the first treatment. It didn't happen again. You must feel so much relief having 1 down. As others have said rest as much as you can. Don't project too much about the shots. You will only get it if you have to. I never had any so it is far from a given. Take care. Mary
Way to go Sue......one down yeah! So proud your remembering to drink lots and lots of water. But now like everyone else I'll remind you to rest as much as you can. Right now your probably on a steroid high. Both my primary oncologist and my specialist give everyone Neulasta if they are 60 years old or up. Your right on the cut off, happy birthday, but my onc said better safe with the shot than sorry with an infection.
John, my insurance paid around $2900 of the $8900 my onc billed out on the shot. Wonder why there is so much of a difference between the costs of Neulasta here on the west coast and the east coast?
Thinking of you all,
Leslie0 -
Neulastayesyes2 said:You Go Girl!!!
Way to go Sue......one down yeah! So proud your remembering to drink lots and lots of water. But now like everyone else I'll remind you to rest as much as you can. Right now your probably on a steroid high. Both my primary oncologist and my specialist give everyone Neulasta if they are 60 years old or up. Your right on the cut off, happy birthday, but my onc said better safe with the shot than sorry with an infection.
John, my insurance paid around $2900 of the $8900 my onc billed out on the shot. Wonder why there is so much of a difference between the costs of Neulasta here on the west coast and the east coast?
Thinking of you all,
Leslie
Leslie,
Not trying to be a smart A$$ or anything ,but the answer to the price difference is simple. Because they can!!! John0 -
alright!!!!!yesyes2 said:You Go Girl!!!
Way to go Sue......one down yeah! So proud your remembering to drink lots and lots of water. But now like everyone else I'll remind you to rest as much as you can. Right now your probably on a steroid high. Both my primary oncologist and my specialist give everyone Neulasta if they are 60 years old or up. Your right on the cut off, happy birthday, but my onc said better safe with the shot than sorry with an infection.
John, my insurance paid around $2900 of the $8900 my onc billed out on the shot. Wonder why there is so much of a difference between the costs of Neulasta here on the west coast and the east coast?
Thinking of you all,
Leslie
The worst one is out of the way!!!!!!!!! congrat's!!!! the rest are a piece of cake, ok not really, lol Vinny0 -
Thanks everyone!!!vinny59 said:alright!!!!!
The worst one is out of the way!!!!!!!!! congrat's!!!! the rest are a piece of cake, ok not really, lol Vinny
WOW!
Feels soooo good to know you were all thinking of me. I still feel good, but I have a sneaky feeling that since I slept all day I'll probably be up tonight. Thats ok....I'm not shakey or jittery from the prednisone so I'll be able to hold and read my book or watch t.v. Steve is wiped out! He sat there all day watching the machine and me and wouldn't budge unless he had to go to the bathroom. Both of my sons dropped in off and on and brought their dad lunch and coffee. Grandaughter showed up and took my picture...she's so silly. Phone hasn't stopped ringing all night, but I think everyone have finally calmed down for the night...hasn't rang in 30 minutes...ha! Well...I'm going to go and sit down in my comfy recliner and see if I can get sleepy.
I'll Check back in tomorrow,
Love to all....Sue0 -
Oh finally!
Sue,
It is good to hear you made it through your 1st chemo treatment! It was scary for me the first few days because I did not know what my body would react and I was scared of the nausea side effect but I took anti-nausea meds and I never had nausea. Yayy!! But like you, I got real painful and scratchy sore throat, mouth and gums plus sinus headaches for 4 days. Then today, I went in for bloodwork check up and found out that I should take Claritin for my headaches which I did and now they are gone! Wish I knew about that medication in the first place. Anyway, last 2 days, I did experience awkward gait - or stiff walking and balance. Looked up for info and found that it appears to be related to neuropathy. It comes and goes during the day. Gee, I do look forward when these temporary side effects will go away eventually.
Generally, I feel good because I feel much better now and wait til next Tues for next chemo.
Hugs,
Liz0 -
Liztruckingalong said:Oh finally!
Sue,
It is good to hear you made it through your 1st chemo treatment! It was scary for me the first few days because I did not know what my body would react and I was scared of the nausea side effect but I took anti-nausea meds and I never had nausea. Yayy!! But like you, I got real painful and scratchy sore throat, mouth and gums plus sinus headaches for 4 days. Then today, I went in for bloodwork check up and found out that I should take Claritin for my headaches which I did and now they are gone! Wish I knew about that medication in the first place. Anyway, last 2 days, I did experience awkward gait - or stiff walking and balance. Looked up for info and found that it appears to be related to neuropathy. It comes and goes during the day. Gee, I do look forward when these temporary side effects will go away eventually.
Generally, I feel good because I feel much better now and wait til next Tues for next chemo.
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Liz,
Do you get your treatments every 3 weeks also? Remind me what chemo your doing...mine is CVP-R. I took my nausea pill about an hour ago but kind of have a creepy taste in my throat and mouth. I don't feel sick, just kind of yuky stomach. I think the water is bloating my tummy..it's pooching out and it's hard and full. I went to the bathroom real good this morning(before chemo)...sure hope I do tomorrow because I hate this bloated tight tummy feeling. My face looks a little bit red and flushed. My normal temperature runs at 97.0 but each time I take it tonight it's reading 98.8. I'm not suppose to panic unless it hits 100.5. My neck feels stiff, but I don't really have an actual headache...more of a pressure feeling across my forehead. On a scale of 1 to 10 I think I'm a 6 leaning towards feeling ok. I hope I'm right and not missing some warning sign. Theres just so darn much stuff to remember and even though I keep refering to my chemo notebook...I'm sorta wondering about how on the ball I really am. Oh well...now I think it's the prednisone talking so I won't keep rattling on. My next chemo will be on the 20th or 21st...I don't know if they count today as day one, or tomorrow as day one. See...another thing I forgot to ask...ha! I hope you have a good week before your next treatment. Let me know how your week goes. Thinking of you, and everyone!
Love...Sue0 -
Sueallmost60 said:Liz
Hi Liz,
Do you get your treatments every 3 weeks also? Remind me what chemo your doing...mine is CVP-R. I took my nausea pill about an hour ago but kind of have a creepy taste in my throat and mouth. I don't feel sick, just kind of yuky stomach. I think the water is bloating my tummy..it's pooching out and it's hard and full. I went to the bathroom real good this morning(before chemo)...sure hope I do tomorrow because I hate this bloated tight tummy feeling. My face looks a little bit red and flushed. My normal temperature runs at 97.0 but each time I take it tonight it's reading 98.8. I'm not suppose to panic unless it hits 100.5. My neck feels stiff, but I don't really have an actual headache...more of a pressure feeling across my forehead. On a scale of 1 to 10 I think I'm a 6 leaning towards feeling ok. I hope I'm right and not missing some warning sign. Theres just so darn much stuff to remember and even though I keep refering to my chemo notebook...I'm sorta wondering about how on the ball I really am. Oh well...now I think it's the prednisone talking so I won't keep rattling on. My next chemo will be on the 20th or 21st...I don't know if they count today as day one, or tomorrow as day one. See...another thing I forgot to ask...ha! I hope you have a good week before your next treatment. Let me know how your week goes. Thinking of you, and everyone!
Love...Sue
Hi, Sue,
There goes my insomnia again. My tummy feels bloaty too. I just ate pretzels which is probably a no-no before I went to bed! Just took Antacids. Seems having that daily. Just looked up and learned that drinking ginger or peppermint tea should help... Gotta drink lots and seems I don't drink enough. Yes, Sue, feeling flushed and red was what I experienced also two days after the chemo started. It was weird feeling the rush of dead cells going through my body. You will know it when you feel it! Then goes the fatigue, and all those crazy symptoms. But they go away in few days more or less or so it seems. Oh, my treatment is the ABVD which is for the Hodgkins type and I get that every other week. Huh!
On a lighter note, my friend took me to the hair boutique to look for a wig and turban. We had fun trying them out! I was told that my hair may fall out after 2nd treatment which is next Tuesday! Looking forward to the new me soon!
Hope you have a good rest and recovery after your symptoms hit you...
Liz0 -
GREAT START!
Hi Sue,
I have been off line for a while but I've been wondering about you so I just checked this AM.
CONGRATULATIONS! Without having read the history, I assume that you got your port on Monday. It must have gone OK. Did you love getting your port? Frankly, I love it when they put me in la la land for one of those procedures.
So you did your infusion in 7 hours and so far no bad stuff.
Take heart Sue - you may not get any bad stuff at all. They do a great job with side effects now. I have hardly felt sick at all - just tired a lot. I'm praying that you have a really easy time of it, as I hope we all do.
It's great to hear that you've gotten started and I am very interested in how it goes for you. Please keep us up to date.
Now I must go upstairs and get on the exercise machine - just to remind myself how much I don't like it.
There is no encouragement for me that comes close to the support of Mimi-Warrior and my Lord. If you have that, you are way, way, way ahead in your battle. (And the support and understanding of everyone in this group of experienced sojourners is a wonderful advantage also.) The other thing that I have for personal motivation is ------ wine. Someday I will have a glass of wine to toast my success and the success of each of us.
Until then,
Journey Onward,
Tom0 -
Tummy Problemstcvine said:GREAT START!
Hi Sue,
I have been off line for a while but I've been wondering about you so I just checked this AM.
CONGRATULATIONS! Without having read the history, I assume that you got your port on Monday. It must have gone OK. Did you love getting your port? Frankly, I love it when they put me in la la land for one of those procedures.
So you did your infusion in 7 hours and so far no bad stuff.
Take heart Sue - you may not get any bad stuff at all. They do a great job with side effects now. I have hardly felt sick at all - just tired a lot. I'm praying that you have a really easy time of it, as I hope we all do.
It's great to hear that you've gotten started and I am very interested in how it goes for you. Please keep us up to date.
Now I must go upstairs and get on the exercise machine - just to remind myself how much I don't like it.
There is no encouragement for me that comes close to the support of Mimi-Warrior and my Lord. If you have that, you are way, way, way ahead in your battle. (And the support and understanding of everyone in this group of experienced sojourners is a wonderful advantage also.) The other thing that I have for personal motivation is ------ wine. Someday I will have a glass of wine to toast my success and the success of each of us.
Until then,
Journey Onward,
Tom
Hey Sue,
So glad your doing pretty well today. Just a heads up on tummy problems. Vincristine causes your digestive system to slow down. It also can cause sever constipation for some. I actually had some major problems with this during the first chemo and was put on Miralax daily starting with my second cycle. Just be aware and let your onc know if your having any problems in that area.
Try and remember to relax. Your face is probably flushed because of the steroids, common side effect. And you will know when your running a fever, please don't drive yourself crazy like I probably would with taking your temperature. Far too early to get an infection. Six days after my first chemo my husband and I went out of town, about 150 miles from home. Of course I started running a low grade temp first night there but went back to normal by morning and never had any problems again. Also never told my Onc I was going out of town, not too bright. Figured if anything happened weren't that far from home.
You count chemo cycles from the day you got your infusion so your next cheom is 3 weeks from yesterday.
Sorry for the long post. And sure hope this answers some of your concerns.
You'll do great.
Leslie0 -
Great info...Thanks!yesyes2 said:Tummy Problems
Hey Sue,
So glad your doing pretty well today. Just a heads up on tummy problems. Vincristine causes your digestive system to slow down. It also can cause sever constipation for some. I actually had some major problems with this during the first chemo and was put on Miralax daily starting with my second cycle. Just be aware and let your onc know if your having any problems in that area.
Try and remember to relax. Your face is probably flushed because of the steroids, common side effect. And you will know when your running a fever, please don't drive yourself crazy like I probably would with taking your temperature. Far too early to get an infection. Six days after my first chemo my husband and I went out of town, about 150 miles from home. Of course I started running a low grade temp first night there but went back to normal by morning and never had any problems again. Also never told my Onc I was going out of town, not too bright. Figured if anything happened weren't that far from home.
You count chemo cycles from the day you got your infusion so your next cheom is 3 weeks from yesterday.
Sorry for the long post. And sure hope this answers some of your concerns.
You'll do great.
Leslie
Thanks Leslie,
I appreciate every bit of information that gets shared. I didn't know the prednisone causes face flushing, so that was good to know. I was thinkin it was fever. See...you did good...now I can quit running that darn thermometer across my forehead..ha! Keep the info flowing! Love...Sue0 -
Happy Sueallmost60 said:Great info...Thanks!
Thanks Leslie,
I appreciate every bit of information that gets shared. I didn't know the prednisone causes face flushing, so that was good to know. I was thinkin it was fever. See...you did good...now I can quit running that darn thermometer across my forehead..ha! Keep the info flowing! Love...Sue
So happy you are doing fantastic so far. You are in the game now and it mostly consists of problem solving as they occur. For most of the nuisances there is always a reason and an answer. Keep up the good spirits and the sense of humor. Pretty soon the finish line will be slightly visible. I had 6 R CHOP treatments and started right away with..OK I am 1/6TH done, then 1/3rd and so on. LOL The things we do to get by!! Take care. Mary0
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