I made it through Day 1 of chemo - not so bad after all :-)

margz35
margz35 Member Posts: 53
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone:
Well I made it through Day 1 of chemo and hey, not so bad. Amazing nurses! A

After being hooked up with the nausea drugs first, then Taxotere (Docetaxel)followed by Cyclophosphamide - I was finished in 4 hours (took longer due to it being the first time and navigating the system.)
I did not get a port placed in and after warming up my veins the IV slipped in just fine. Very very minimal bruising today which is great.

As you already know I am vain about my hair! One of the nurses made a comment that because I have thick hair (actually it is fine but a lot of it :-) ) she does not think it will come out until after the next cycle - interesting? I have my newly styled wig already so I am ready to go, just in case this happens at the end of next week.

The key for me was resting a lot the night before and keeping well hydrated. My husband picked up lunch for us during the nausea drugs infusion and constantly snacking kept the sugar levels up. Am heading into work today and will see how it goes, but hthe main thing is that I can do this!

1 down 3 to go!
Thanks everyone for your advice - have a lovely day,
Margz

Comments

  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #2
    Aww.. Margz you are a
    Aww.. Margz you are a quarter of the way finished. Woohoo.... Congrats on making it through your first treatment and your positive uplifting attitude will help you every step of the way. In a way you kind of remind me of myself just a few short months ago.

    Now keep in mind each treatment can bring different side effects. Make sure you tell your nurses/doctor everything. Don't be a tough wonder woman type person. I felt good for my first couple , the last two made me nauseous. I should have taken the shot offered before my last treatment but didn't think I needed it. I should have... LOL

    But everyone's different and you my friend seems to have what it takes. Keep up the positive charge...

    Hugs,
    Lorrie
  • margz35
    margz35 Member Posts: 53
    #3
    butterflylvr said:

    Aww.. Margz you are a
    Aww.. Margz you are a quarter of the way finished. Woohoo.... Congrats on making it through your first treatment and your positive uplifting attitude will help you every step of the way. In a way you kind of remind me of myself just a few short months ago.

    Now keep in mind each treatment can bring different side effects. Make sure you tell your nurses/doctor everything. Don't be a tough wonder woman type person. I felt good for my first couple , the last two made me nauseous. I should have taken the shot offered before my last treatment but didn't think I needed it. I should have... LOL

    But everyone's different and you my friend seems to have what it takes. Keep up the positive charge...

    Hugs,
    Lorrie

    Thanks Lorrie
    And thank you for reminding me that I am not superwoman (even though I pride myself on that!)

    My husband took a picture of me yesterday working on end of month forecasting while having treatment and sent it to my boss. Poor thing - she felt awful! She now thinks the nurses think she is a slave driver! Nt in the slightest - that is just me. My boss is phenomenal and even now just called me to say "hey, work from home if you want." I miss my incredibly supportive colleagues and am going in. I can and I will. I know that in a few weeks/months I might not feel so up to it but for now all is good.

    On a completely different note, I am happy that I am regular this morning - not a fan of stool softeners and alike. I reckon all the water helps as well as lots of veges and fruit.

    The nausea shots will be given every time and I even have them (orally) before and after each treatment as well as some others to pop under my tongue if nausea comes on while out of treatment or away from home.
    Medical science - don't you love it.

    Time to pack up an head out to the office.
    Have a lovely day,
    Margz
  • Texasgirl10
    Texasgirl10 Member Posts: 668
    #4
    margz35 said:

    Thanks Lorrie
    And thank you for reminding me that I am not superwoman (even though I pride myself on that!)

    My husband took a picture of me yesterday working on end of month forecasting while having treatment and sent it to my boss. Poor thing - she felt awful! She now thinks the nurses think she is a slave driver! Nt in the slightest - that is just me. My boss is phenomenal and even now just called me to say "hey, work from home if you want." I miss my incredibly supportive colleagues and am going in. I can and I will. I know that in a few weeks/months I might not feel so up to it but for now all is good.

    On a completely different note, I am happy that I am regular this morning - not a fan of stool softeners and alike. I reckon all the water helps as well as lots of veges and fruit.

    The nausea shots will be given every time and I even have them (orally) before and after each treatment as well as some others to pop under my tongue if nausea comes on while out of treatment or away from home.
    Medical science - don't you love it.

    Time to pack up an head out to the office.
    Have a lovely day,
    Margz

    you are doing great
    It really sounds like you are doing great. Congratulations on getting through the first treatment. Please don't overdo things though. Continue to drink lots and lots of water and get plenty of rest. Rest is the key here. Keep in mind that for many of us the chemo effects didn't start until the next day. Hopefully that won't happen to you and you will just fly right through all of your treatments. I will keep you in my prayers.

    Hugs and God Bless,

    Dawne
  • BioAdoptMom
    BioAdoptMom Member Posts: 358
    #5
    Glad it went so well for
    Glad it went so well for you! I started this past Friday with Taxotere and Cytoxan. What is your cocktail? Just to prepare you, I felt great too for the first day and through most of the second, then the exhaustion hit big time. Fortunately it only lasted a little over 24 hours, but just be prepared for the possibility of not having much if any energy for a day or two.

    As far as hair goes, since I know I am going to lose it, my hairdresser is shaving it off for me this coming Friday. I didn't want to face mine just coming out all over the place, so......


    Good luck to you, and (((HUGS)))

    Nancy
  • poplolly
    poplolly Member Posts: 346
    #6
    Congratulations! I never
    Congratulations! I never really had many problems with the chemo, and if I weren't retired, I could have worked because I felt pretty well. I bet things will continue to go great.
  • margz35
    margz35 Member Posts: 53
    #7
    BioAdoptMom said:

    Glad it went so well for
    Glad it went so well for you! I started this past Friday with Taxotere and Cytoxan. What is your cocktail? Just to prepare you, I felt great too for the first day and through most of the second, then the exhaustion hit big time. Fortunately it only lasted a little over 24 hours, but just be prepared for the possibility of not having much if any energy for a day or two.

    As far as hair goes, since I know I am going to lose it, my hairdresser is shaving it off for me this coming Friday. I didn't want to face mine just coming out all over the place, so......


    Good luck to you, and (((HUGS)))

    Nancy

    Sounds like we have the same cocktail
    Hi Nancy;
    Thanks for posting a comment and yes sounds like we are on the same cocktail!
    How long is your treatment for - mine is only for 4 weeks.
    I think you are very brave to shave your hair off - I am not that brave!
    I have my wig ready to go and a couple of caps. In reply to Dawne's comment above. I am resting each night and yes chugging through the water.
    All is good and I am learning so much from these boards - what an amazing support.
    My best to you to and post a pic after your haircut - I am sure you will be stunning!
    Margz
  • margz35
    margz35 Member Posts: 53
    #8
    poplolly said:

    Congratulations! I never
    Congratulations! I never really had many problems with the chemo, and if I weren't retired, I could have worked because I felt pretty well. I bet things will continue to go great.

    Thanks poplolly!
    I am trying to keep ahead of the game but early days yet. Here's hope 4 chemo's don't kick my butt too much!
    My best to you,
    Margz
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #9
    butterflylvr said:

    Aww.. Margz you are a
    Aww.. Margz you are a quarter of the way finished. Woohoo.... Congrats on making it through your first treatment and your positive uplifting attitude will help you every step of the way. In a way you kind of remind me of myself just a few short months ago.

    Now keep in mind each treatment can bring different side effects. Make sure you tell your nurses/doctor everything. Don't be a tough wonder woman type person. I felt good for my first couple , the last two made me nauseous. I should have taken the shot offered before my last treatment but didn't think I needed it. I should have... LOL

    But everyone's different and you my friend seems to have what it takes. Keep up the positive charge...

    Hugs,
    Lorrie

    Yes you can do it and you
    Yes you can do it and you did Margz! Congrats on getting this first one under your belt.


    Hugs, Angie
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #10
    butterflylvr said:

    Aww.. Margz you are a
    Aww.. Margz you are a quarter of the way finished. Woohoo.... Congrats on making it through your first treatment and your positive uplifting attitude will help you every step of the way. In a way you kind of remind me of myself just a few short months ago.

    Now keep in mind each treatment can bring different side effects. Make sure you tell your nurses/doctor everything. Don't be a tough wonder woman type person. I felt good for my first couple , the last two made me nauseous. I should have taken the shot offered before my last treatment but didn't think I needed it. I should have... LOL

    But everyone's different and you my friend seems to have what it takes. Keep up the positive charge...

    Hugs,
    Lorrie

    Double post
    .
  • Hippiechick58
    Hippiechick58 Member Posts: 320
    #11
    margz35 said:

    Thanks poplolly!
    I am trying to keep ahead of the game but early days yet. Here's hope 4 chemo's don't kick my butt too much!
    My best to you,
    Margz

    You are finished with the
    You are finished with the hardest part! The first chemo is always the hardest for a variety of reasons, one being that you have fear of the unknown. You did it! You should be pretty proud of yourself, I know I am proud of you! Good luck with the other three. Keep us posted.

    Be Well,
    Dianne
  • Katmy
    Katmy Member Posts: 93
    #12
    Thin hair
    You may not loose all your hair. I lost 85% of my hair around day 14. Then I gradually lost less and less. I have stubble from my crew cut. Also, my family says that my remaining hairs are growing! Weird. I also had a thick head of very fine hairs.

    Because, I did not loose all my hairs, I developed folliculitus at the follicles. They became infected during my 2nd treatment and I had to use antibiotic lotion all over my head, neck and face. The 3rd treatment, my head reacted better.

    I just had my 4th treatment yesterday, and I don't know yet what will happen until the dexamethizone wears off.

    Hope you will do well with your treatment. I hear that some women do.
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #13
    margz35 said:

    Thanks poplolly!
    I am trying to keep ahead of the game but early days yet. Here's hope 4 chemo's don't kick my butt too much!
    My best to you,
    Margz

    Mollyz, very happy that you
    Mollyz, very happy that you got thru your 1st chemo as well as you did. Here's hoping that it will get easier and better for you.


    Sue :)
  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    #14
    Chemo
    Well done. Hair came out near second treatment. I too had four. Watch our for nail problems later on (healed no problem after a little while), mouth ulcers (told to mix baking soda and water to use as a rinse - worked well), runny eyes (again a side effect which went away but if persists tell Oncologist) Best to mention these things because some ladies may think what on earth is going on when it is in fact normal. Honestly, chemo didn't cause me any undue concerns, my hair is growing back thick with speckled gray, (which I actually like). If you take it all off it should grow back evenly at least and easier to restyle. Started to regrow before last treatment but takes time over all, six months for me to venture out. Peoples experiences on this sight are wonderfully helpful when things crop up. Hi to all you brave ladies.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #15
    Katmy said:

    Thin hair
    You may not loose all your hair. I lost 85% of my hair around day 14. Then I gradually lost less and less. I have stubble from my crew cut. Also, my family says that my remaining hairs are growing! Weird. I also had a thick head of very fine hairs.

    Because, I did not loose all my hairs, I developed folliculitus at the follicles. They became infected during my 2nd treatment and I had to use antibiotic lotion all over my head, neck and face. The 3rd treatment, my head reacted better.

    I just had my 4th treatment yesterday, and I don't know yet what will happen until the dexamethizone wears off.

    Hope you will do well with your treatment. I hear that some women do.

    Yea for you! 1 down and 3
    Yea for you! 1 down and 3 to go!


    Good luck,

    Megan
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #16
    poplolly said:

    Congratulations! I never
    Congratulations! I never really had many problems with the chemo, and if I weren't retired, I could have worked because I felt pretty well. I bet things will continue to go great.

    Congrats to you! I know
    Congrats to you! I know that first one is the hardest as it is the fear of the unknown.

    You did it!


    Hugs, Diane

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