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Re: Just Starting Our Fight, Help.
Hi FO, one of the most important things is HYDRATE, hydrate, hydrate ... my onc nurse told me 3 liters of fluids a day during chemo week, and while I couldn't manage all that all the time, I did during that first week every time. It really helps minimize side effects.
The bad news is that everyone is different with what side effects they experience. If you google for the laundry list, you will scare yourself to death. The good news is that you most likely won't have all of them. Did I mention to drink lots of water?!  (Juices, soups, broth ... all count towards the fluid total) I drank FLAT (chemo destroys your stomach lining)ginger ale in copious amounts during chemo.
Ask the oncology nurses/doc for what medications they suggest to have on hand for diarrhea//constipation. I had OTC lomotil and Miralax on hand at all times.
Take a blanket because chemo infusion rooms are usually cold. I always slept through most of my infusion times because I got Benadryl as a premed ... plus other meds to help with the side effects.
The steroids I got also kept me up at night a lot the first week. I watched a lot of Turner Classic movies in the middle of the night!
Will Stacy be having a chemo orientation meeting at her oncologist's office? If one hasn't been scheduled, ask for any handouts, etc they have on side effects and the medications they will be giving her along with the chemo to handle them.
I'm sure there's stuff I've forgotten ... search chemo here on the site and you'll find loads more info!
CA
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July 24, 2013: "Infected" Right Nipple and benign cyst removed, pathology report revealed Paget's, DCIS, and ILC 1.25 cm, ER+/Pro+/HER2 equivocal, Grade 2 under benign cyst, previous diagnostic mammo/ultrasound said I was perfectly healthy in both breasts.
Aug 18, 2013: MRI report says Left breast is perfectly healthy "consistent with previous studies".
Sept 2013: I insist on a bilateral mastectomy anyway. Too nervewracking to let left breast remain with higher risk after 3 cancers in right, nipple in right is already gone anyhow.
Sept 18, 2013: Bilateral mastectomy, 11 right nodes removed, ALL negative BUT -- ER+/PRO+/HER2+ tumor, 1.0 cm, Grade 2 found in a piece of "grossly unremarkable" breast tissue from prophylactic mastectomy of left breast, no nodes removed.
Oct 25, 2013: 13 left side nodes removed, ALL negative, Stage 1 across the board, NO RADS needed, YAAAAY! Port also installed.
Nov 25, 2013 Begin 6 rounds TCH.
March 10, 2014 Just finished 6th and LAST Chemo today, YAAAAAY!
March 24, 2014 Echocardiogram to make sure I'm still good for Herceptin every 3 weeks.
March 31, 2014 Echo results NORMAL, first Herceptin all by itself. Now if only my eyes would stop streaming from the Taxotere ... :)
April 21, 2014 Started Arimidex and therapy for "mild" lymphedema in left hand and arm
May 2014 Therapy completed, I have sleeves and gloves for both arms, a Flexi touch lymph pump to hook up to for an hour every day, and I've become an arm bandaging expert. :)
June 2014 Begin Fosamax to prevent osteoporosis; bone scan revealed osteopenia
Nov 17, 2014 FINAL Herceptin!
Dec 4, 2014 My right thigh muscle has been extra achy for days ... I discover a blister rash cluster on the side of my right thigh while taking a shower. Port appointment cancelled until Dec 17, my doc is working me in tomorrow afternoon to see me and the rash. My muscle at least feels less achy.
Dec 5, 2014 Yep, I have shingles. Boo! I start acyclovir and also have a prescription for a painkiller just in case for over the weekend.
Dec 17, 2014 Port is OUT!
January 2016 Shingles again and this time it started where my left breast (where the hidden HER2+++ tumor was!) used to be. My onc nurse got me a same day appointment to see my doc when I called and told her I had a rash on the site. The antiviral meds are working once again, though, so that is good news. :)
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