First chemo was so hard -does it get easier?

jessiesmom1 said:

Does it ever get easier? WARNING: Long
Hi JoAnn,

I had a complete axillary dissection followed by a right mastectomy a month before my 52nd birthday. I am triple negative. I had a medi-port implanted, also. After that I had 4 rounds of A/C and then 12 rounds of Taxotere. After each A/C round I had 5 Neupogen shots. My insurance company wouldn't pay for the single Neulasta shot. My last chemo was on August 4th.

After each chemo infusion I would go home and take a 2 hour nap. Part of that was probably due to stress and part was due to the Benadryl that was also infused. The 1st couple of days after the A/C infusion were low days. By the time the next infusion rolled around I was feeling pretty good. My hair started falling out on Day 14. The level of fatigue increased with each infusion. The effects are cumulative. I also became mildly anemic.I had no real pain and no indigestion. I did not get any mouth sores either. The nurses in the infusion center suggested that during the Adriamycin part of the infusion I should have ice chips. Instead my husband would prepare a fruit smoothie (like Jamba Juice) which I would take with me and drink while the Adriamycin was being infused. My oncologist was pleased at how well I seemed to be doing. He said if I did that well with the A/C I could expect to do even better with the Taxotere as it is generally tolerated better.

Well, was he ever wrong! I had diarrhea and vomiting to such an extent that I became dehydrated. I had to be given IV fluids several times. One time my chemo was postponed because I had to be given fluids instead of Taxotere on chemo day. I came back 2 days later and had the delayed infusion. My eyes watered like a faucet (and continue to do so). My desire to eat disappeared and my taste buds were altered significantly. Creamy things were intolerable and many items when chewed just tasted like paste. I lost 45 pounds. There is something to be said for being overweight to start with. I have gained back some of the lost weight. I lost 8 fingernails and 2 toenails.

It has been 6 months since my last infusion. My hair is growing back nicely. My fingernails and toenails are almost back to their pre-chemo condition.I still have watery eyes. My appetite has returned. My energy level is not normal but I would say it is up to 75% of normal. Having my 18 year old daughter and 20 year old son home from college for 3 weeks forced me to go to the mall several times and that was quite a workout. I am taking a class at the Y called Living Strong Living Well which is specifically for cancer patients/survivors. I even bought spandex workout pants - not a pretty sight! See, it does get better.

I had more than one day where I thought I could not go on. My husband was very supportive. I was lucky. I know not everybody has that. I was determined to get through the treatment and get better. My goal during chemo was initially to be able to help my daughter move into her college dorm room (3 hour drive from home)as she was going to be a freshman. Almost keeled over when I saw that she was on the 2nd floor of a 2 story dorm without an elevator. I sucked it up and did those 2 flights of stairs. 6 weeks later I attended Parents Weekend and climbed the stairs in the football stadium. It was not easy but I was SO proud of myself. If I can do it, almost anyone else can do it, too. I was not exactly a prime physical specimen prior to surgery and chemo.

Please let us know how things go for you. We have all been there.

jessiesmom1 said:

Your 2nd Chemo Treatment
Hi JoAnn,

If my calendar is correct, you had your second chemo treatment yesterday (Thursday). I know you were apprehensive/anxious. How did it go? Please let us know when you can. Hope you are doing well but even if you are not we would like to hear from you.