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Know what's happening, finally

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memeclaus View Drop Down
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    Posted: Aug 14 2008 at 11:22am
Just got back from the onc. Finally we know what isi happening.Approve I start chemo the week of the 25th with 6 rounds of C & T, the 7 weeks of radiation. I go see the surgeon again on Monday to have a port installed (lousy veins), give it a week to "settle in" then will start chemo. I was very nice and let him lengthly explaib when Hercepin and hormones wouldn't work and  why chemo was necesscary. I did say that I already knew all of this already Wink. He will put me on Nuelesta right away because my white count is already low. And also got scripts for 3 anti-nausea meds and for predisone. Tomorrow my daughter and I will go to IKC to pick up a wig to cover my soon to be bald little head! 
Thank you ladies for being here. You'll never know how much you have helped me these last 3 months, both emotionally and with all the information and tips you have wrtitten. Thank you and thank you again and again!
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billie View Drop Down
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Hi memeclaus,
   I post for my sister Betty who is 68.I just know that you are so glad to finally get some answers as to what type of treatment you will be going through.
  It sounds like you are getting things together as to what you might need while getting through chemo.
  While my sister did not receive the same kind of chemo as you there is a perscription that I would like to suggest that you get a perscription for.All Chemo seems to cause tingling in the hands and the feet along with peripheal neuropathy and sometimes it will start after you have completed your chemo treatments..My sister never had any of these problems.Prior to her beginning her chemo ,we got a perscription for neurontin(also another one called Lyrica ,plus there is also a generic)and I cannot help but believe that getting her on these meds prior to starting chemo is the main reason that she did not experience this.If you read some of the  links (getting ready for chemo)they have added the lingering effects of peripheal neurophathy to the list.So it is my suggestion that any one that is getting ready to start chemo ,get started on one of these meds prior to having this happen to them.They can get you on one of these meds even after you start to experience this,but there is no way in advance that you will know if you will experience this.Then a couple of months after you get thgrough the chemo,you can discontinue the meds.
   Make sure that you rest when needed,try to eat even if you do not feel like it ,try to maintain your weight and not to loose weight.,make sure that you do not give into staying down to much.Get up and move around even though you may not really want to because you will loose your muscles.
  And then,also my suggestion is to get some popscicles and put them in your freezer for the days when you will have the terrible taste in your mouth.My sister said that her mouth seemed to feel hot inside along with the bad taste.So the popscicles rteally helped.
   I cannot tell you that you will not have some bad days,but it is nice to know that they will not last forever.All of on this foundation will be wishing you the best and willl be here to help in whatever way that we can.It is the fear of the unknown that scares us the most and once you get it going it will help a lot.My sister has gotten through her chemo and is now doing her radiation which will consist of 27 treatments plus 6 more.Translated for me:27 at several different angles and the final 6 will be directed at the spot where the tumor was.And she is doing great.Lots of Hugggggsssss    Billie posting on behalf of my sweet sister Betty.
Billie posting for sis Betty/67/caucasion female/diagnosed 2-27-08/gradeIII/7mm/invasive ductal carcinoma/T N /clear margins/node neg/4 X's taxotere-cytoxan/36 rads/7-08 PET/CT double image/no cancer
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Terri View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Terri Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 14 2008 at 9:04pm
Hi memeclaus,
I know it feels better to finally have a game plan! Billie told you alot of good info. My suggestions are to take your Emend before you start your infusion so it`s already kicking in. I also would have something to eat before chemo and after I got home before I got too nauseus. Eat light though.  On the night of my first chemo my husband wanted our favorite pizza and I thought it would be OK. That was a BIG mistake! From then on pizza was not eaten until week two.
Definitely drink LOTS of water on chemo day and a few days after to flush your kidneys / liver out.  I would bring a big bottle of water to my infusion and halfway through I`d be wheeling myself I.V. attached to the ladies room to pee.  Sometimes twice!
Ginger is supposed to be good for nausea so I kept ginger ale and ginger snaps on hand at home. I also had popsicles because the steroids can make your face feel really hot for a couple of days.
And let your nurses know if you fell dehydrated or lightheaded the days after chemo because they can give you fluids and make you feel alot better.
Stay strong and I hope it is easier than you think it will be. It`s not a walk in the park but it goes by faster than you think it will.
 
Take care Hug
 
Terri
IDC DX 8/17/07 (age 41)
Stage 1 Grade 1-2, 1.35 cm
2 nodes neg, Lumpectomy 10/07
Chemo: FEC 100 x 6, 35 rads
BRCA 1/2 NEG
PET/CT & Brain CT Nov 09
Brain MRI Aug 2012 NED
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