Starting A/C next week

Take someone with you to
Take someone with you to drive you home. Don't plan on going anywhere the rest of the day or two. Everybody reacts differently and you should just take it easy at home to see how you do. Have some meals ready ahead that you just microwave. Drink lots of water.

My mind just went blank. Anyone else got any thoughts?

cindycflynn said:

My cocktail is different
so I don't have specific advice for A/C specifically, but one thing I would encourage you to do is make sure that you have a contact number for your doctor or hospital in case you have any questions or problems after treatment. I've read quite a few posts from ladies who've had their treatment during the middle or latter part of the week, which means their side effects really hit over the weekend. My cancer center has a 24/7 triage nurse phone number that I can call, which is very comforting. I did call them after my first chemo, but haven't needed to call since then.

I would also just plan on it taking more time than you may think. Bring clothes to change into (just in case) and food to snack on, and of course extra water if you're not sure what they have at the facility.

Best of luck to you, and keep us posted on how you're doing.

Take care,
Cindy

I got really emotional
I got really emotional (cried on and off all day) on the 3rd-4th day after treatment. It happened after each one so be prepared for the emotions to hit. My mouth got a little sore so I used Biotene mouth wash that helped. Drink, drink, and drink some more. I got dehydrated after the 4th treatment because I was sleeping so much and not drinking. You do not want to go through that. If you are my yourself keep water by your bed and set your alarm to wake you up to drink. Your taste buds will be off so what tasted good before may not taste good during chemo. I ate a lot of the frozen juice bars--they just hit the spot.
I started loosing my hair after the 2nd treatment so I had it shaved off. Everyone reacts differently so I hope you don't have a problem.

Hope this helps
Sher

A/C wasn't bad.
A/C wasn't bad - Taxol was. Other than loosing hair, taste and appetite, the worst was mild/mod. fatigue on the 2nd and 3rd day after with A/C. Oh yeah - eyes watered and nose would pour like opened a spigot. OTC moisturizing eye drops helped a lot. Never had any nausea.

Remember that we are all unique and have different reactions.

Good Luck

Mama G said:

for me A/C was tough and Taxol was a breeze
I would recommend WATER, even the most expensive if it means you will drink it. Lots of it.
Bananas, apples, hard boiled eggs, crackers, ginger ale, and mints all kept by your bed so you won't have to walk far to get something in your mouth. It was a lot like the first few months of pregnancy for me. As soon as I got a little food in my body I could get up and do a few things. If I waited too long I was a mess.... There are lots of meds to help, so if one doesn't work try another. Good luck! You've got millions of "sisters" who have been through this already who are with you. Just keep in mind we all made it through and so will you! God bless,
Lorraine

A little like pregnancy nausea for me
so Lorraine's suggestion to eat right away in the morning is the best one--I find that if I try to do anything before eating the first several days after a treatment, I am much more likely to become nauseated and dizzy. So I eat first--DH fixes breakfast, then comes and gets me up, I put on my robe, and head straight for the table.

Eat slowly.

And one of the early suggestions--to drink lots of water--is worth reiterating. DRINK WATER--LOTS! I keep an insulated mug full of ice water with me all day long and drink often, and I also drink throughout the night. Means I have to get up more often for a bathroom break, but it also means my mouth sores don't get as bad.

1/2 tsp Baking soda plus 1/2 tsp salt in a pint jar plus 2 cups of water = good mouthwash for mouthsores without expensive mouthwash.

Biotene also makes a great toothpaste that is very easy on the mouth, and get a very soft toothbrush--I found a super soft "Perio" that is very gentle on my gums.

Good luck! I'm an A/C chemo girl, too, right now--one more to go, then I begin a taxane.

Sandy

advice
Take all of the anti-nausea drugs they give you. Hopefully they prescribed Emend, which you take before the chemo. My doc waits to see what side effects you get before she prescribes that one, then if you get nauseated she prescribes it for the future rounds, because it is expensive- not a great way to do things. I didn't know anything about it until I got sick. Emend is the ultimate drug. Make sure to take the Zofran as prescribed.

Mama G said:

for me A/C was tough and Taxol was a breeze
I would recommend WATER, even the most expensive if it means you will drink it. Lots of it.
Bananas, apples, hard boiled eggs, crackers, ginger ale, and mints all kept by your bed so you won't have to walk far to get something in your mouth. It was a lot like the first few months of pregnancy for me. As soon as I got a little food in my body I could get up and do a few things. If I waited too long I was a mess.... There are lots of meds to help, so if one doesn't work try another. Good luck! You've got millions of "sisters" who have been through this already who are with you. Just keep in mind we all made it through and so will you! God bless,
Lorraine

mints?
mints will likely burn your mouth with the mouth sores i dont advise it