First Chemo went A-OK!

blazytracy
blazytracy Member Posts: 157
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Well, like most people I dreaded this day and feared the worst! Granted it has only been 1 1/2 hrs since I got done but I feel fine. They gave me anti-nausea meds before chemo and sent more home with me for the next 4 days. They seem to think that the nausea will be at its worst tomorrow and the next day.. I am hoping I don't get it at all!

Adramycin/Cytoxan every 2 weeks for 4 times and then on to Taxol and I think that is for 4 times also? I am not sure now. The nurses were all very nice.

Oh and by the way, the port worked GREAT! Thanks everyone for your prayers! They helped!
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Comments

  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #2
    Great news--so happy it went
    Great news--so happy it went well for you. The stress of the unknown is worse than the actual chemo. We are on the same cocktails. Had my 3rd A/C today, will get my 4th on Dec 8 and then on to taxol. I'll get a month off after taxol then start 5 weeks of rads. I was suppose have chemo every 2 weeks but my white counts went too low, so they have me on a 3 week cycle, and it works better for me. Tracy please keep us updated on your progress, and drink lots of water to flush out those toxins. I've read on these boards to drink 8 to 10, eight ounce glasses of water day before, day of and day after. Your urine will be red or orange from the adriamycin, but it clears up quickly. Hugs to you.
  • LC815
    LC815 Member Posts: 155
    #3
    One down, seven to go!
    I had the same cocktail. The 4th AC was the only one that hit me and then the Taxol was a walk in the park. If you can, take the anti-nausea drugs BEFORE you're nauseated. My nurses told me that once I threw up, then it was much harder to contain.

    I'm glad your port worked, too. My infusion nurses loved my surgeon's work, but they used to complain about some ports as being "impossible." Glad you have a good one!

    Peace.
    Linda
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    #4
    natly15 said:

    Great news--so happy it went
    Great news--so happy it went well for you. The stress of the unknown is worse than the actual chemo. We are on the same cocktails. Had my 3rd A/C today, will get my 4th on Dec 8 and then on to taxol. I'll get a month off after taxol then start 5 weeks of rads. I was suppose have chemo every 2 weeks but my white counts went too low, so they have me on a 3 week cycle, and it works better for me. Tracy please keep us updated on your progress, and drink lots of water to flush out those toxins. I've read on these boards to drink 8 to 10, eight ounce glasses of water day before, day of and day after. Your urine will be red or orange from the adriamycin, but it clears up quickly. Hugs to you.

    You are right Natly!
    The stress of the unknown is awful! That is good news too that you only have one left..I have exactly 5 weeks of Rads too! but nobody said anything about a month off..maybe they just haven't told me that part yet..haha..I guess next blood test will show really what I am doing..maybe I get switched to 3 weeks also, who knows? Thanks for hugs, sending them right back at ya!
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    #5
    LC815 said:

    One down, seven to go!
    I had the same cocktail. The 4th AC was the only one that hit me and then the Taxol was a walk in the park. If you can, take the anti-nausea drugs BEFORE you're nauseated. My nurses told me that once I threw up, then it was much harder to contain.

    I'm glad your port worked, too. My infusion nurses loved my surgeon's work, but they used to complain about some ports as being "impossible." Glad you have a good one!

    Peace.
    Linda

    Thanks LC
    I plan on taking the anti-nausea pills right alongside the other 6-11 pills I have to take twice a day so no big deal to had a couple more..haha. Also, I found out that I can get my blood drawn (from my port) just before chemo and they get the results in 15 mins! WOW! I am done with needle sticks in the arm for awhile..YAY!
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #6
    blazytracy said:

    Thanks LC
    I plan on taking the anti-nausea pills right alongside the other 6-11 pills I have to take twice a day so no big deal to had a couple more..haha. Also, I found out that I can get my blood drawn (from my port) just before chemo and they get the results in 15 mins! WOW! I am done with needle sticks in the arm for awhile..YAY!

    Ports--Yay is so right. It's
    Ports--Yay is so right. It's quick and easy having the blood drawn from the port. As sensitive as the port area is, I'm so happy to have this port. At the end of chemo the nurse flushes it with a saline solution which brings up a rubbing alcohol taste. I found out how to counter act that, I suck on a hard candy when she flushes and there is no after taste. I learn a new way of handling effects after each chemo. Of course I've taken several ideas right from these boards. Hang in there Tracy, and thanks to all you ladies for sharing your strengths and weaknesses. Each and everyone of you are a true blessing.
  • Marlene_K
    Marlene_K Member Posts: 508
    #7
    Oooops
    Sorry, I missed this! I was looking for a post from you & couldn't find one, so I bumped your old message up. I'm so glad it went well. I haven't gotten nauseated yet and am hoping I continue that way throughout my treatments. Only bad thing about that is that I'm eating like a horse. I've gained 15 lbs since my diagnosis. Oh well, plenty of time to get back into shape when this is all done. I am having the same cocktail as you only I get Taxotere as well and it's every 21 days for 6 cycles.

    Hope you continue to do well, Tracy!
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537 Member
    #8
    Hi Tracy
    So glad chemo went well! Now...Drink LOTS of liquids, water, gatorade, popsicles, jello all that counts as liquids. Keep track of what youre drinking so you make sure you get enough. Also start rinsing your mouth out with 8oz of warm water with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp baking soda about 2 to 3 times per day so you dont get mouth sores. Remember to eat small and often and keep exercising because it truly will help with the fatigue which tends to be cumulative.

    Let us know how youre doing and remember that you will get thru it

    Hugs
    Linda T
  • always
    always Member Posts: 256
    #9
    mlmjt1 said:

    Hi Tracy
    So glad chemo went well! Now...Drink LOTS of liquids, water, gatorade, popsicles, jello all that counts as liquids. Keep track of what youre drinking so you make sure you get enough. Also start rinsing your mouth out with 8oz of warm water with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp baking soda about 2 to 3 times per day so you dont get mouth sores. Remember to eat small and often and keep exercising because it truly will help with the fatigue which tends to be cumulative.

    Let us know how youre doing and remember that you will get thru it

    Hugs
    Linda T

    Good News
    Tracy I saw the other post first. I am glad all went well. Heed the water, we all repeat it because it is so important. I pushed to hard too quick in the wrong ways. I hurried back to a stressful job, with an hour commute and fatigue and low wbc got me. So listen to the exercise advise also and remember to pace yourself. Take car of you. Most of us on here by nature are used to taking care of everyone and everything else. It is time for you to concentrate on you. Become your own project. Keep us posted. I will continue to be wishing all the best for you on this journey.

    becky
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    #10
    Marlene_K said:

    Oooops
    Sorry, I missed this! I was looking for a post from you & couldn't find one, so I bumped your old message up. I'm so glad it went well. I haven't gotten nauseated yet and am hoping I continue that way throughout my treatments. Only bad thing about that is that I'm eating like a horse. I've gained 15 lbs since my diagnosis. Oh well, plenty of time to get back into shape when this is all done. I am having the same cocktail as you only I get Taxotere as well and it's every 21 days for 6 cycles.

    Hope you continue to do well, Tracy!

    Thanks Marlene!
    I know what you mean about gaining weight! Geez! I also have gained 15 lbs since diagnosis...I look in the mirror and see an incision on my masectomy that is not quite healed yet, a swollen right upper arm, a bruise and incision on my neck, a very bruised port along with another incision, oh and LOTS of FAT! hahahahahaha! I am disgusting! hahahaha..you have to have humor right? Wait till the hair comes out - that will be even more disgusting..haha

    I keep saying that I am going to go back to the gym and that certainly hasn't happened yet...maybe when I can start wearing a prosthesis, I will feel more comfortable about changing?

    It is 4:50am the next day and still feel fine, (a bit of nausea at 10:30 last night but not bad) am planning on working today. Thanks for writing Marlene!!! Keep in touch.
    Tracy
  • laurissa
    laurissa Member Posts: 773
    #11
    Hi Tracy
    I knew you'd do well. It's not so bad. My port worked better this time with a fatter needle, it dripped faster, but hurt more inserting the needle. They still can't withdraw blood though. But that ok. I'm doing fine too. I don't get nausea just some cramping once in a while. I like to drink Crystal Light, I can go through a pitcher a day. I'm also eating like there's no tomorrow! My appetite hasn't stopped at all, even when I lost my taste for a few days. I need to start eating better. Take care, Tracy. Chemo works.
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    #12
    glad to hear that!!
    glad to hear that your first treatment went good. i had a pretty tough time through each one but i was taken something little different. Taxofere & herceptin.. be strong take your meds and sure you will get along just fine. i wish you all the best!!

    prayers are with you!!
    brenda
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    #13
    mlmjt1 said:

    Hi Tracy
    So glad chemo went well! Now...Drink LOTS of liquids, water, gatorade, popsicles, jello all that counts as liquids. Keep track of what youre drinking so you make sure you get enough. Also start rinsing your mouth out with 8oz of warm water with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp baking soda about 2 to 3 times per day so you dont get mouth sores. Remember to eat small and often and keep exercising because it truly will help with the fatigue which tends to be cumulative.

    Let us know how youre doing and remember that you will get thru it

    Hugs
    Linda T

    I have a funny joke for you Linda..
    Speaking of mouth sores, before they started the adriamycin, they asked me if I had a tendency to get mouth sores and I said well, yes, I have gotten cold sores before..ok, so they said I should suck on some ice chips or popsicles while they are pushing the adriamycin thru. Ok, I will have some popsicles..what color they asked? I said red. So they brought me back 2 red popsicles and started pushing the red devil through...Well, I had those 2 gone before she was 1/2 way done!! hahahaha...she yelled to the other nurse to go and get 2 more popsicles..she resumed pushing when I got 2 more....the other nurse told her to push faster!!
    hahahahahaha..they were laughing at me.

    I don't have a problem eating ever - (I am actually hoping it slows down!) and yes, I will try to exercise.....Thanks Linda for hugs....right back at ya!
    Tracy
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #14
    Glad to hear that it wasn't
    Glad to hear that it wasn't too bad. If you're like me, the rest of them will be a little easier. I think part of that is because now you know what it's all about and what to expect. As everyone else has said, just be sure to drink plenty of liquids. I think that's one of the most important things. Best of luck on your future treatments. Keep us posted.
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    #15
    laurissa said:

    Hi Tracy
    I knew you'd do well. It's not so bad. My port worked better this time with a fatter needle, it dripped faster, but hurt more inserting the needle. They still can't withdraw blood though. But that ok. I'm doing fine too. I don't get nausea just some cramping once in a while. I like to drink Crystal Light, I can go through a pitcher a day. I'm also eating like there's no tomorrow! My appetite hasn't stopped at all, even when I lost my taste for a few days. I need to start eating better. Take care, Tracy. Chemo works.

    Hi Laurissa!
    I am so glad your port worked better for you! That is good news! It is too bad they cannot draw blood..I hope mine continues to work but who knows??

    I know what you mean about having to start eating better! Man! I am also eating like there is no tomorrow! haha.. I have no excuse either!!

    Did you just finish your 2nd or 3rd, sorry can't remember..my next hurdle will be the hair and as often as my hair has been turning out lately, I am kind of looking forward to just
    putting on a wig and not worrying about it!

    Take care Laurissa! Keep in Touch!

    Tracy
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    #16
    brenda247 said:

    glad to hear that!!
    glad to hear that your first treatment went good. i had a pretty tough time through each one but i was taken something little different. Taxofere & herceptin.. be strong take your meds and sure you will get along just fine. i wish you all the best!!

    prayers are with you!!
    brenda

    Hi Brenda
    Thank you for the prayers, they definitely helped with my first one! I have heard that each treatment can be cumulative so I hope each one doesn't get worse and worse.. :(

    Congrats on finishing up treatment on Oct 1st!!! Wow, that must feel really good..If everything goes right and stays on schedule I figure mine should end around the middle of April??

    Wishing you the best also Brenda..thanks again.
    Tracy
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    #17
    MyTurnNow said:

    Glad to hear that it wasn't
    Glad to hear that it wasn't too bad. If you're like me, the rest of them will be a little easier. I think part of that is because now you know what it's all about and what to expect. As everyone else has said, just be sure to drink plenty of liquids. I think that's one of the most important things. Best of luck on your future treatments. Keep us posted.

    Hi MyTurnNow!
    Wow! I hope the rest are easier..that would be great! I am trying to drink alot of liquids but it is hard to choke down water..ick. But I can do it! Do you know if Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi is ok? I like that.

    Thanks for the well wishes...I don't really like to post too much unless it is super important or a milestone..haha..

    Good luck to you!
    Tracy
  • Lymph23
    Lymph23 Member Posts: 23
    #18
    So pleased for you
    Really glad that you got through your first chemo ok. I think it is the fear of the unknown more than anything else. I was lucky I wasn't sick through any of my chemo just felt a little sometimes. AS others have said drink plenty especially water. Another thing I was told if felt sick was try ginger or pineapple. Wishing you all the best.
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #19
    blazytracy said:

    Hi MyTurnNow!
    Wow! I hope the rest are easier..that would be great! I am trying to drink alot of liquids but it is hard to choke down water..ick. But I can do it! Do you know if Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi is ok? I like that.

    Thanks for the well wishes...I don't really like to post too much unless it is super important or a milestone..haha..

    Good luck to you!
    Tracy

    I'm not sure about the Diet
    I'm not sure about the Diet Pepsi but my gut tells me it's not as good as water. Maybe you can "flavor" the water with Crystal Light or something like that. I'd ask your doc about the Diet Pepsi question. Good luck!
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    #20
    Lymph23 said:

    So pleased for you
    Really glad that you got through your first chemo ok. I think it is the fear of the unknown more than anything else. I was lucky I wasn't sick through any of my chemo just felt a little sometimes. AS others have said drink plenty especially water. Another thing I was told if felt sick was try ginger or pineapple. Wishing you all the best.

    Thanks Lymph23
    How great it is that you are finished with treatment!!! Congrats! When did you finish? That is great that you didn't get sick! I am hoping for the same. I do like ginger ale, thanks for that suggestion.

    Best of Luck to you in the future and thanks for sticking on this site to help give good advice to us newbies!

    Tracy
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #21
    Lymph23 said:

    So pleased for you
    Really glad that you got through your first chemo ok. I think it is the fear of the unknown more than anything else. I was lucky I wasn't sick through any of my chemo just felt a little sometimes. AS others have said drink plenty especially water. Another thing I was told if felt sick was try ginger or pineapple. Wishing you all the best.

    I dont think the diet pepsi
    I dont think the diet pepsi flushes out your system as well you can see. water flavored with jusice gatorade which comes inlow calorie etc...

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