about to start AC

Hi there,
I am 37 and was dx with BC in sept.2001 I have already taken 6 rounds of AC. My suggestion is to make sure you take your anti nausea meds. Even if you dont feel bad stay ahead of the game and take them. I never got sick, didnt feel great but I was fully functionable driving carpool and field trips ect. I did not lose all my hair, although most do so make sure to have your hats or wig ready for use. I am also taking tamoxifen and I have had no side effects at all to it. The best of luck to you and if you have any questions email me anytime at nocarb1@yahoo.com.
Carlye

I had CAF protocol, 1 extra drug. Had several anti nausea medications that did not work. At present I am on chemo CMF, take Zofran 32 mg n the iv before chemo with 10mg decadron, that seems to do it for me. I also take Zofran twice a day 8 mg tablets for 4 days weather I need it or not. Had chemo yesterday, did not get sick, just tired and a little ache. Functional. God luck, keep us posted and make sure you take the ANTI-NAUSEA medicin. Emmi

Best of luck to you. I am 30 and had a mastectomy in 2/02, started AC 3/02. I am doing very well with the chemo. I am also pregnant so my doctors are very thrilled. I was still able to get all the anti-nausia meds in the IV before the chemo and I take Zofran for 2 days after, every 8 hours. Be sure to take the meds on schedule and drink...drink..drink.. I had a hard time witht he drinking fluids. When someone tells me I have to..I tend to rebel. But I do my best and have done well. I did lose my hair on my head and my underarms. I still have to shave my legs which stinks. I also have a problem with constipation..not sure if I should blame that soley on the chemo or my pregnancy. I will be thinking of you on the 3rd, that is my anniversary :-). Take care. Keep in touch. ahaney@elp.rr.com
Good luck and God bless.
Angel

I read your story. I too had a very supportive husband. We are lucky. My problem with AC was the hair loss. I did not handle it well ... but now that it's all grown back and curly and hard to manage ... I miss the good old wig days! I took another chemo called Taxotere after the AC which put weight on me. Then ... the Tamoxifen ... it's been really tough to manage my weight. Try to keep moving! Best wishes. Jamie

hiya!! i've had 4 AC treatments, a lumpectomy, PET scan that revealed 2 more places (one in my stomach and one on my spine), and am currently resuming AC. so far the only thing i have to deal with (besides hair loss) is nausea. don't forget to take nausea meds because if you don't remember your body will probably remind you!! i'm still working on the fluids. i'm not a big water drinker but it does help when i make myself drink it. if you're like most of us, you will probably find yourself MAKING yourself do things. hope all goes well for you. God bless!!! vicki

I am currently taking AC - I must admit I do hate it - but here is what helped me: first, take the anti-nausea meds, like everyone says. If you have any problem with them (like, they don't work) call your doctor right away so they can try something else. I started with Zofran, which did not work for me, and tried Kytril, compazine and Decadron, which did. Coming off Decadron can give you a headache, so be prepared. Zofran can cause dizziness, so if they give it to you IV before the chemo, ask them to drip it in over 30 minutes rather than 15. This seems to help. Any anti-nausea meds can cause constipation, so you will probably need to medicate yourself for that. Ask your doctor what to use. Make sure you take ice pops or a slurpee or something very cold with you to chemo, and eat it while they administer the Adriamycin (the red stuff). It really helps prevent mouth sores. Make a mixture of 1/2 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 tsp salt to a cup of water to swish your mouth with 4 times a day if you do get any sores. Plus, ask your doctor for "magic mouthwash," which numbs things up so you can eat. For me, eating and drinking are difficult. Nothing tastes right, and I still have off and on nausea. So experiment. I currently eat a lot of tomatoes - go figure. I have also found that I felt differently after each chemo. Got body aches after 2nd round, but not after the first, for example. I did lose my hair beginning 14 days after round 1. Still have eyebrows and eyelaches so far. I would count on hair loss - I don't like it, but I keep repeating to myself that it's not forever. Post another message if you have more questions! These ladies are really great, and are the true experts!

Judy