Will I be well enough 6 days after chemo to go to Thanksgiving? (Recap of Lost Posts, Topic Created

This recap includes posts that were lost during CSN's data outage from 10/29/18 to 1/30/19.

zsazsa1

Nov 15, 2018 - 3:28 pm

I'm looking for advice from those who have been through carbo/taxol chemo (and they're adding in herceptin tomorrow).  My first round, I had chemo on Friday.  I felt fine the next day.  The day after that, Sunday, I got sick by afternoon, with severe body aches, exhaustion, and nausea, and stayed like that pretty much until Wednesday night, when I started to feel like maybe I could get up a bit and do a bit in the kitchen, even though I was still sick.  Thursday morning I felt as if I had really turned the corner, felt a lot better.

I'm scheduled for chemo tomorrow (Friday).  I am hoping to go to my mother in law's for Thanksgiving on Thursday, although they told me they'd move it to whatever day I felt well enough to do it!  My husband will drive (3 hrs), and we can stay over - it's comfortable there.  We're not having a big crowd, and no young children.  In fact, the only school-aged person is my high schooler who lives with us.  My college-aged daughter will be home, too.  Otherwise, it's all oldsters.

If this second round is the same as the first, I think we could leave early on Thursday morning, and go to Thanksgiving with the family.  But could the second round be worse?  SHould I expect it to be worse, last longer?  Should I ask them to move it to Friday or Saturday?  I'd REALLY like to be able to have it on Thursday, along with the rest of the country!

 

oldbeauty

Nov 15, 2018 - 4:14 pm

Go, if that's what makes you happy.

Although there will be the difference of adding in herceptin, which I know nothing about, I would say you likely will not have any worse or better experience with round 2.  I would think the biggest challenge will be the 3 hour car ride.  Once you get there, I'm sure your family will respect your ability to participate or not; they'll just be happy you're with them.  It really comes down to what you want.  Best wishes, Oldbeauty

 

evolo58

Nov 15, 2018 - 4:24 pm

Day 6

I know that while I was tired by Day 6, I was able to do most things. Your family, though, might have to understand that you might crash or tire out during the day and need a little rest. If you were one of the chief cooks and bottle-washers, you might be washing fewer bottles ... but you still might be able to get some in there. 

I would have a rest stop during the three-hour drive, though ... a get up and get some fresh air break. And I hope you have a fabulous time!

 

cmb

Nov 15, 2018 - 4:25 pm

Side Effects

I know that some women's side effects get worse as they have more chemo. But mine were the same each time. So I was able to predict how I would feel and plan my schedule accordingly. But I didn't have a new drug added to mix once I had started each chemo phase.

However, the second set of chemo drugs hit me much harder than first phase of Paclitaxel/Carboplatin. During that period I found that I needed to go to the treatment center about a week after the first day of infusion to receive additional fluids and antiemetics. And the day before I went to a family wedding I went in for a "top-off" of fluids and antiemetic drugs so that I'd feel okay at the event.

You may want to ask your treatment center tomorrow if they could do the same post-chemo treatment next week if you need it. 

 

Lulu7582

Nov 15, 2018 - 5:10 pm

Thanksgiving

Yes I say go for it. Listen to your body and if you need to take a nana nap then do it. Eat what sounds good and enjoy the time with your family! After my second chemo session I had my BFF visit from overseas and I did just fine. She was very understanding because she had chemo 10 years ago so fussed over me and wouldn't let me do anything. It was nice to have her with me. I think you will enjoy the family time and let them fuss over you. xoxo

 

CheeseQueen57

Nov 15, 2018 - 5:15 pm

Enjoy the holiday

These times are precious. Just pace yourself and make it clear to your family that you may not have the energy you usually have. You wouldn’t want to miss this time with your family. 

 

zsazsa1

Nov 15, 2018 - 6:08 pm

Thanks, all.  After many

Thanks, all.  After many years of doing a lot of the cooking (because I'm such a controlling you know what, and KNEW that no one else could cook the turkey right), this year I will do nothing at all.  My 94 yr old mother in law is the kind of woman who will make 6 different dishes ("Oh, I just got up early today").  My husband and brother in law and sister in law will do the rest - they are all very competent in the kitchen.  And I will just sit or lie down and enjoy talking with them - they're a very intelligent, over-educated bunch.  I am SO looking forward to it!

 

SF73

Nov 15, 2018 - 8:18 pm

It sounds like you have a

It sounds like you have a lovely family. Enjoy your holidays!

 

EZLiving66

15, 2018 - 8:53 pm

I'd go and do the best you

I'd go and do the best you can.  Special events should be celebrated but if you need to rest,  do it. Our son was getting a big college award and I was hell bent on seeing it. I went, was sick as a dog, but I am so happy I went. I will never forget the look on his face! I hope you have a wonderful time!

Love, 

Eldri 

 

zsazsa1

Nov 15, 2018 - 9:01 pm

I am realizing this.  I now

I am realizing this.  I now think that I will likely have one bad week followed by two good ones, all through the chemo, and I'm hoping to make the most of the two good ones.  This time around, I have zofran to use, and I will take Tylenol.  Can't take an NSAID because of the blood thinner I'm on.  Somebody told me that Claritin can help with the body aches?  Anyone know if this is true?

 

Lulu7582

Nov 16, 2018 - 10:41 am

Claritin

Yes, yes absolutely take the claritin to help with the bone pain and general body aches from the chemo. Are you on neulasta? That drug also can cause nasty bone pain.  I have bone mets and the claritin even helps me thank goodnes. xo

 

Northwoodsgirl

Nov 15, 2018 - 9:43 pm

Thanksgiving

Go if you can!  We are all unique but for some of us the first few infusions were the worst.

Maybe try to wear something comfortable and bring a few of those emesis ( vomiting ) bags from the clinic with you for use in the car and in the house. Bring a cup, mouthwash,  washcloth and bottle water in case you do get sick. Maybe some ginger candy to suck on too. Bring a facemask if you are concerned about catching a bug when you stop to get gas and stretch your legs. 

You likely will feel fatigued and will need to lay down for part of the day. I remember Thanksgiving when I was undergoing treatment and had chemo and radiation. I was unbelievably fatigued without the car ride. No nausea thank goodness! 

Rest will help you on that day. I like the suggestion of getting extra anti-nausea meds and IV fluids before you go. 

Just be sure to try to stay ahead of your potential nausea by taking your meds even if you aren’t nauseated or in pain. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! 

Lori

 

Armywife

Nov 16, 2018 - 10:54 am

Go!

I think you're going to feel better than you expect, because you'll be excited to be with everyone, and that really does help!  If you live close to your chemo center, perhaps you could go in on Wednesday afternoon and ask for a bag of fluids.  I got that once or twice during chemo and it perks you up quickly.  On the first few days right after chemo, you'll want to drink an absolute ton of water to flush everything out.  Wear your little mask to travel, and enjoy your day!

 

BluebirdOne

Nov 16, 2018 - 3:36 pm

Go! And even if you are sick or fatigued.

I was not going to go to my only granddaughter's Christening and 1st birthday party weekend when I was two weeks post chemo. I decided to go anyway. It was a 10 hour drive with the dog because we had to stop. My rational is that I am feeling bad at home, I might as well feel bad around my granddaughter and family.  Everyone was supportive and I mostly socialized when I felt up to talking to people, otherwise I was sitting quietly, resting. I didn't eat much of anything due to total lack of appetite, still had lingering bone pains, and was very fatigued. I would have missed out on so much had we not gone. I am congnizant that while I am NED today, I can't say that tomorrow with UPSC. Every day with my son and family is precious and precious for them as well. The whole time I was there I was about 60% myself, but so happy to see my little angel and my family that I know I got some really good stress relief and hope for the future. Go and have a great time! 

 

janaes

Nov 16, 2018 - 11:29 pm

The last weekend of my first

The last weekend of my first chemo cycle i went with my sister to my granfathers 90th birthday party. It was 5 hours away. Im glad i went.  

 

pinky104

Nov 17, 2018 - 1:49 am

Chemo Effects

My GYN/onc prescribed Emend for me each time and I had no nausea or vomiting.  But I didn't take Herceptin, so I don't know about that.  I didn't start feeling really bad when I was on Carboplatin and Taxol until rounds 3 and 4 because my blood counts were so low.  I couldn't walk into a store without stopping to catch my breath in the parking lot.  I was given two units of blood at that time, but I didn't improve like I should have.  I later found out I had hemochromatosis, so I suspect that was why.

I skipped the Neulasta shot, and I'm glad I did, because so many women have pain from it. And yes, I've heard over and over on here that Claritin helps with that.  I actually skipped it because I worked with someone who had taken it for a kidney transplant, and she claimed it had given her tumors (why, I don't know).

For my recurrence last year, I was given Carboplatin and Gemzar, which got switched to Cisplatin and Gemzar for my final round due to an allergy I developed to Carboplatin.  Gemzar was a whole different story.  My blood counts tanked after the first round, and that drug is known for doing that.  Even though that happened, I didn't get a transfusion (two units of blood again) until round 5.  My oncologist had to lower my dose of Gemzar after the first round, and even though he did that, I had a few times when I had to wait a week to have my next round.

So, as you see, there can be quite different effects with the drugs you're given.  Stay home if you hear that anyone is sick because you will most likely catch whatever it is, with your decreased immunity.  I missed a couple of fairs that I really wanted to go to last year because I had to stay out of crowds.  Hopefully, Thanksgiving will help keep your mind off of your problems, as long as nobody there makes too big a deal of it.  Accept their sympathy, though, as it's nice to know that people care, and have a great holiday.

 

zsazsa1

Nov 17, 2018 - 2:37 am

They did add the Herceptin in

They did add the Herceptin in today.  As part of the premedication, I had (and I'm sure all of you did too) 20 mg of Decadron IV which is equivalent to 150 mg of prednisone IV!  That's a whopping dose of steroid!  No wonder I'm still up at 2:30 AM!

I'm drinking water like crazy, trying to wash the chemo out of my body as quickly as possible.  Last round I wasn't concscientious about this, and then I was so nauseated (until I got Zofran to hae at home) that I couldn't drink and became dehydrated.  I had pain in my bladder and kidneys last round, so I'm hoping that pushing fluids will help this time.  And I'm really hoping I'm going to be better enough to go to Thanksgiving on Thursday!  Consolation to know that the family will hold it for me, can hold it any day of the 4 day weekend, as soon as I'm well enough to go.

 

zsazsa1

Nov 17, 2018 - 11:38 am

I miscalculated.  10 mg

I miscalculated.  10 mg prednisone equals 1.5 mg of Decadron, so 20 mg of Decadron equals 300 mg of prednisone!  And it was IV, so it's much more available, since it gets to the rest of the body before being metabolised by the liver.  No wonder I was so jazzed last night!