Chemo Tx starts next week

That is good that you can finish ahead of what you first thought.  That has to provide for you a mental boost.

kmenurse said:

I am a little worried about

I am a little worried about what if any, side effects I will have.  I know I will loose my hair.  Infact its falling out a lot right now.  It always does after surgerys.  What was your experience with Toxatere and Cytosan any other side effects?.... Kathy

I am sorry that you have to have chemo at all Kathy.  Hoping that you won't have any side effects.

Good luck, Megan

I had cytoxan many, many years ago and the only two things I remember about it: nausea (which I am prone to) and was handled with meds and I also had one bout of "sterile cystitis"-this can be a cytoxan-induced bladder irritation where you suddenly have blood in urine but no infection--it bought me an unwanted drug holiday.  Drink lots of fluid-it may help!

I am on taxotere and didn't get the neulasta first go round (big mistake).  My symptoms with it were critically low WBC and fever which bought me a hospital stay.  Am now getting neulasta first, so hopefully you won't run into that problem.  You can have diarrhea with taxotere for a few days.  I didn't have that too bad.  Chemo nurse did tell me to find a peri bottle (or some kind of squirt bottle) to wash off my perineal area after each time I urinate for 48 hours after chemo.  She said even a small amount of chemo urine can cause burns--especially in your anal area.  TMI, but helpful.

Good luck!!  Hopefully you will have no major side effects and cruise through it.  But, if you run into roadbumps, remember to call your infusion nurses-they are usually so great.  They have helped me troubleshoot so many, many problems over the years!

kmenurse said:

Thank You CypressCynthia....

Thank You CypressCynthia.... Your advise, I am sure will be very helpful.  I will also get a squirt bottle to use... Thank you everyone!... Kathy

I just finished my 4 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan (last dose May 5th).

CC's advice about the squirt bottle is very good, though I think you will need to use it for more than 48 hours with both T/C given together. 

You will be given Cortisone before and after each treatment, if it troubles your stomach, ask your doctor for something. Make sure you drink at least 8 cups of fluids daily, especially the day of the dose and the following days. That will make things easier on your kidneys and bladder.

Try to avoid eating spicy foods -at least for 10 days after each dose- I did that once on the 7th day and my stomach and bladder killed me that day. I used to eat Chicken soup, mashed potatoes, rice, bread, cheese, yogurt and grilled chicken or meat, I used very little salt and very very little pepper. I ate that for 7 to 10 days after each treatment. Just make sure you have 3 to 5 small meals daily to restore your energy, even if your taste buds are not functioning, eating sometimes decreases the nausia. 

The immunity shots are very useful even if they hurt your bones, make sure to ask your doctor for pain killers and start using them before you take the shot.

I will be happy to answer any of your questions (if I can). I will start my Rads next Sunday, will you have Rads too?

Good Luck Kathy

kmenurse said:

No Rads... I had seen that

No Rads... I had seen that someone posted to take motrin for the bone pain, is that what you used?... What is best to drink... water, juice?  And I love Mexican foods :-(   Oh well gotta do what ya gotta do.  So I'll just have to do alot of grilled chicken and brown rice.  Was it home made or canned chicken noodle.. Salt is already a no, no for me.  They have low sodium soups. Thank you for your advice....

My doctor told me to take Paracetamol (acetaminophen) like Panadol or Tylenol as it is milder on your stomach than ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), off course it is not as strong, but my stomach was pretty upset and I don't think it could have handled anything stronger. Please check with your doctor before you take the shot.

I drank water (the most at least 4-5 cups daily), clear juices and minted tea. The chicken soup was home made ( I used to prepare several portions before chemo and freeze them and then use them after my chemo session)

jojo2 said:

I went on Claritin, with

I went on Claritin, with permission from my onc to reduce the bone pain from Neulasta. I stayed on it all through chemo. Drink more like 2 liters if you can, to clear out the meds. I was unable to drink that much but others said side effects were less with that much fluid. Tell your clinic if you have any problems, nausea, gut problems they will help relieve your symptoms. I needed Zofran every 8 hours but was very nauseated when pg too. Don't suffer silently. Some sail through with little problems, hope you are like that. Prayers, jojo2 

My side affects were very bad thrush starting day 2 after treatment that lasted for 5 or 6 days, then my mouth would be sore and sensitive for another 5 to 7 days.  This was after each treatment.  TIP brush, floss and rinse with alcohol free mouthwash after you eat anything.  My tastebuds were crazy and what I could eat or even drink would change after every round, sometimes by every day.  Try to drink as much as possible, it's so so important.  My mouth had the hardest time through the chemo.  It took awhile even after I was finished before anything tasted "good" there are still things I used to love that I cannot eat or drink even now.  Without getting to detailed my intestines were hit just as hard and I ended up dehydrated and in the hospital after round one...be sure you call your doc they can give you meds for that too.

The nulesta shot I got 24 hrs after tx,  keep on top of the pain by taking whatever they say you can take because while it does its job it made my bones ache big time.  That lessened with me after each time.

I took zofran for nausea and it worked well for me and I was very thankful.  I only threw up 2 or 3 times total.  I was so lucky and loved the zofran:)  

My hair, lost all from head to toe before round two except for lashes and brows they were all gone after round 4.  Everyone is different:)  It's hell but you can do it:)  Hugs!!!!!

Patti

kmenurse said:

Thank You Patti.... I have

Thank You Patti.... I have the Zofran and Decadron to take before Chemo.  Everyone says I'm a strong women... I hope they are right.... I always think of how strong a women my Mom is and say "you are your mothers daughter".  I will keep everyone's commits in mind as I battle this war... That's how I look at this cancer.  Satin has declared war with me and God, My health team, and Myself will be VICTORYUS!!!!!

First of all, it is okay to be anxious of the unknown -- Please don't allow this
anxiety to get the best of you.  Remember to alert your Onco RN of any unusual
feelings etc .. a list of possible side efforts, which should be presented to
you before your first chemo infusion 
 
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 clariton -- 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 Wal-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 

I will be thinking of you and I hope everything goes ok. 4 rounds sounds doable, you will be out of this in no time. Keeping all crossed for little or no side effects.

Good luck, Carmen