Today is day one of chemo...what do I need to know?

[Guest guest]

Carol

Make sure you drink lots of water. Lots and lots of water after chemo. And

insist on antinausea meds before they start your chemo. Prayers coming your

way.

hugs

Pam in La.

15 year survivor of IBC

[Guest guest]

I start my chemo today at noon (PST) and I haven't really a lot of info as to

what to expect

from my chemo meds, other than what textbook type definitions are, so I will put

this out

there and hope for replies. The three medications are, Adriomyocin , Cytoxcin

and

Taxotere. Anyone with some insight as to prominent side effects or anything else

I shoud

know would be appreciated. Thank you.

carol

[Guest guest]

I can't tell you about the Taxotere, but I had my first treatment

with A/C 3 weeks ago, and had virtually NO problems. Just 4 days of

feeling like I was getting over a stomach virus...queasy stomach.

Probably my biggest problem (looking back on it) was that I was

afraid during those 4 days that this was what I am going to feel like

for the next 6 months...NOT! After those 4 days I felt absolutely

great! Lost my hair at the end of week 2.

My immediate advice:

1. Take the meds they give you for nausea

2. Start taking a stool softener this morning! (Yep, I had

a " teensy " problem with that.)

3. If you can, have someone go with you. DH went with me. They

will give you anti-anxiety meds in your I/V, which made me

somewhat " loopy " . I could have driven home, but I would have backed

up traffic at all the stoplights because they just looked so darn

pretty! LOL!

4. Take the time to get to know some of the other folks getting

treatment. A bunch of really nice, courageous people who are

journeying with you.

Just relax, and think about all those nasty little cancer cells that

will be biting the dust. I have a visual image of the

little " boogers " in the Mucinex commercials, only they're cancer

cells being swept out of my body.

Much love and good thoughts,

Lucinda (going for treatment #2 today)

[Guest guest]

Carol,

I had Methotrexate and 5fu the first two Tues of the month and took Cytoxan

pills the 3rd week and rested the 4th week. This went on for 6 mo.

I do know that the ladies say to chew on ice when you get the Adriamycin to

prevent mouth sores. You are in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

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Today is day one of chemo...what do I need to know?

I start my chemo today at noon (PST) and I haven't really a lot of info as to

what to expect

from my chemo meds, other than what textbook type definitions are, so I will

put this out

there and hope for replies. The three medications are, Adriomyocin , Cytoxcin

and

Taxotere. Anyone with some insight as to prominent side effects or anything

else I shoud

know would be appreciated. Thank you.

carol

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[Guest guest]

I had 8 treatments of chemo in 2002...I would get a slight stomach ache and be

tired alot...Was working at the time...since retired...Chemo on Mondays every 3

weeks and try to go back to work on Thurs. and Friday the same week I had

chemo...one week I ended up in the hospital because of low white blood count and

a low grade fever...was in for 4 days...then I realized when working I needed to

take off the whole week to feel better... When taking chemo I did not want to

eat much...just soup and had to force myself to drink lots of water...

Betsy

Note: forwarded message attached.

[Guest guest]

Carol:

I am there with you in spirit today! My first with the same drugs is

in one week. KOKO!

Kathie

>

> I start my chemo today at noon (PST) and I haven't really a lot of

info as to what to expect

> from my chemo meds, other than what textbook type definitions are,

so I will put this out

> there and hope for replies. The three medications are, Adriomyocin ,

Cytoxcin and

> Taxotere. Anyone with some insight as to prominent side effects or

anything else I shoud

> know would be appreciated. Thank you.

> carol

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Carol,

I've been lurking for a while and love the support and the women in

the group! Had my third Adriamycin+Cytoxan+Taxtore treatment this

week, and wanted to share my experience and some advise that worked

for me. Because of the size and location of my tumor, I'm having

neo-adjuvant chemo (that means the surgery comes later). After

three treatments, my tumor has shrunk from 8cm to 4cm.

The chemo is not as bad as I thought it would be. Of course YMMV,

but for me the first treatment was the worst, and my reactions

included headaches, runny nose, cough, cold shivers, and hot

flashes. Those didn't show up for the 2nd and 3rd treatments.

I take Decadron day before/of/after treatment, and it makes me

jittery and hyperactive. I have Aloxi in my IV and Emend the day of

and next two days -- no side effects. I give myself a Neulasta shot

the day after treatment -- no side effects.

On day 3 and 4 (after the IV and other drugs start to run out) I

feel somewhat queasy and nauseous. I take Ativan or Phenergen

(usually 1/2 pill), but they make me very sleepy so are best at

night. I've always had a strong stomach, which may be why I have

not thrown up at all. It's best to take the drugs proactively and

not wait until you're sick.

- Your hair will fall out. This was the hardest part of the first

treatment, at least emotionally. I suggest that you get a wig set

up soon. Your hair will go quickly about two weeks after your first

treatment. Lots of insurance plans pay for a " cranial prosthesis. "

I went in on day 7, we decided on a wig for me, they ordered it, and

then I went in on day 12, got the wig styled and my hair buzzed down

to 1/4 " , and left with wig on my head. On day 16, I woke up and

half my hair was falling out. I was REALLY glad to only have to

deal with 1/4 " hair -- much less traumatic. Once your hair is gone,

you'll need caps, too. It's cold with no hair!

Tip: A sticky lint roller is great for getting the loose shorties

out; duct tape is too sticky and hurts.

- Drink lots of water (or other uncaffeinated drinks). And then

drink more. A gallon a day is good.

- Keep something in your stomach. Did you ever have morning

sickness? The same tips work. Crackers before you get out of bed,

etc. Try to eat comforting foods with nutrition (mashed potatoes

work for me) on the worst days. You'll feel sicker if you don't eat

at all. I also like chicken and dumplings and ice cream.

- When you get that horrible mouth taste, suck on hard candy. Eat

what still tastes okay. I like watermelon and strawberries. For me

that taste starts on day two and lasts about ten days. Baking soda

in water used like mouthwash is helpful.

- The fatigue has been the worst side effect for me. I just run out

of steam. By day 7, I feel fine (except for the mouth taste), but

sometimes I'll just have to stop what I'm doing and rest. Luckily,

my coworkers are extremely supportive and solicitous, but I have to

remember to conserve my strength for the things I have to do.

Hope this helps. I know that some people have much worse reactions,

but thought you'd like to hear that it is doable. I've only missed

3 days of work for each treatment. I live alone with 3 cats, and my

friends and family help by bringing me food. I just ignore the

housework until I feel better.

-Deb in Atlanta

>

> I start my chemo today at noon (PST) and I haven't really a lot of

info as to what to expect

> from my chemo meds, other than what textbook type definitions are,

so I will put this out

> there and hope for replies. The three medications are,

Adriomyocin , Cytoxcin and

> Taxotere. Anyone with some insight as to prominent side effects or

anything else I shoud

> know would be appreciated. Thank you.

> carol

>