My sis starts her chemo on Friday...

[ammebarb]

We just returned from our seashore vacation with sis and her husband, and she is mentally prepping as much as possible for the beginning of her chemo. She is to receive adriamyacin and cytoxan on a three week cycle for four treatments and then taxol and herceptin each week for 12 weeks. Then the herceptin for the remainder of a year. Radiation gets in the mix somewhere, but I'm not sure I recall when she said. (I think she said that she'll rest for a month after her last taxol and herceptin and then begin radiation while doing the herceptin alone.)

Has anyone heard of this regimen? I'll go back to her home to be with her for her first chemo. Does anyone have any advice for me to help her? Her husband must go away the Wednesday after her treatment to help their daughter get through a one day surgery, so we'll be "winging it" together for a few days. Anything in particular I should be looking out for? I'll be the chief cook and bottle washer....any suggestions for what might appeal to her....Do today's nausea drugs do a fair job? (My chemo was twenty five years ago....there weren't many options then!)

I so appreciate your helpful responses. My prayers are with all of you.

Barb A.

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hey Barb!
the nausea drugs are terrific! You guys will be good. One hour at a time! I did a similiar routine (you can see my signature). I found the Adriamycin difficult, but I did it! She will too.
If I remember correctly, it's the morning of the 3rd day that is so hard! But you can do it!
ma

[Laurel]

She will be very tired from the AC combo. To assist your sis I suggest cleaning while she rests. Do the shopping and meal making. She will not know what to eat or not to eat this first go 'round. I found that I could eat anything that sounded and tasted good. Remind her to drink lots of fluids. I found the lst treatment to be the toughest. I did 8 rounds of the dose dense ACTH, so I know how hard the AC can be. She'll be okay with your support!

[Gerri]

Barb,

I had dose dense AC & Taxol; Herceptin was added with Taxol and given every week until chemo was done then I switched to every 3 weeks. My biggest issue with AC was major constipation - very uncomfortable! I finally learned that if I took stool softners the day before and the day of chemo I was a lot better off. All in all, it was not too horrible as I was able to work full time during my treatment. The anti-nausea drugs work wonders as long as they are taken as directed. Sprite and soda crackers helped when I felt queasy; eating small meals helped too.

Looking back I should have given myself a break at times, but it was me against cancer and I wasn't about to give in. Tell your sister to listen to her body and rest when she needs to. Also, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drinking lots of water is so important!

Best of luck to your sister. She is lucky to have you by her side.

[ElaineM]

Have you seen the article about fresh ginger helping with nausea?
Good luck to your sister. Stay positive. Tell her chemo has a bad rap, but it may not be as bad as she expects it to be, because docs have alot of things to help with side effects.

It is a good idea to have foods that she can eat in frequent small portions. Like cheese and crackers, soup, yogurt, eggs. High dense protein. Cold cans of Ensure were very helpful.

[nitewind]

I'm with Gerri on this one. I had completely forgotten about the constipation, that was probably the worst for me.
My one piece of advice would be, take the anti nausea meds when she's supposed to, even if she feels like she doesn't need them. Be on top of that! Once the nausea hits, it's much harder to control. Also, the third day, after chemo was the worst for me.
I'm sure you both will do just fine, she's very lucky to have you.
Hugs to both of you

[WomanofSteel]

Everyone is a little different, but as long as she adheres to the nurses instructions she should be fine. It is great that you can be there to help her out. That alone is a big relief. I wish your sister the best of luck.

[Believe51]

Hello Barb, sounds like she is ready for action to pulverize that cancer. Continued prayers as usual and thanks for the update.

See about getting popsicles in the freezer at chemo for her because sucking something cold will prevent mouth sores. The normal drinking large amounts of water is needed for flushing. There are always the Biotene products for the mouth, but salt water rinses help too. Premed with nausea medicine before chemo, Emend is a fabulous choice for the tougher chemo combos. Ed may not need the Emend for the Ixempra (did it w/o this time) but certainly needed them for the A/C.

One of the best suggestions for a successful treatment regime is having such a wonderful support system. You are the best medicine for Sis, please give her a hug for me and remember I will be sitting here praying as she is in infusion, Friday.>>Believe51

[juanita]

hope that everything goes good for your sister. sending extra prayers for great things to come.

[donna77]

I finished the exact AC protocol your sister will be on Feb. 19th. Constipation was a biggie for me but stool softeners solved that issue. I remember as the treatment progressed I lost more and more red blood cells so I became very anemic and very tired. By the 4th treatment I had to give up my treadmill. I found it was very doable if I just simply slept when I was tired.
I also found that high protein food like scrambled eggs helped alot with the nausea.
The new anti nausea drugs really work! It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Good luck!

[ammebarb]

for all your kind replies. I am currently at my sister's house and have just read her your posts. She is nervous, but is doing pretty well. I am her "filter" for now, giving her the encouraging information only! We are trying to gear up for Friday's chemo. She has gotten soda crackers, seven up, soups, prescrips for nausea,
etc. and I brought stool softeners, head coverings and fake eyelashes! (Did anyone lose eyelashes and eyebrows too?)

It has really helped me to have some input regarding how to best help her. We are women of faith, and would really appreciate your prayers, if you will.

You are all in my prayers regularly.

Barb A.

[Joan M]

Barb,

I'm sorry to hear that your sister has to go through chemo.

I had the same exact regimen and was given the anti-nausea medication Kytril, which can be given as either an infusion or in pill form.

The medication was given to me only during the A/C treatment but during Taxol.

Although I felt pretty terrible during treatment I never got sick to my stomach. So, the medication worked really well for me.

I also had a prescription for the anti-nausea pill Compazine to use at home, but I never used it.

I'm mentioning this because after speaking with many women about their treatments I'm often surprised to learn that they were never offered Kytril (or some other equivalent).

Also, your sister's hair is going to start to fall out completely after the second A/C treatment, so whether she wants to wear a wig or a head scarf, she should try to find something before that time so she's prepared. I had a wig.

I'm praying that the treatment goes well for your sister.

Joan

[Gerri]

Your sister will probably lose every hair on her body from this chemo combo. I lost my eyelashes (three times) and my eyebrows while in treatment, but surprisingly, not until I started radiation a month after chemo ended. I didn't wear false eyelashes - seemed like they would be too much trouble. I continued to wear eye liner and eye shadow and no one seemed to notice my 'bald' eyes. I was pretty good at drawing on eyebrows. Like Joan, I had a wig in a style very similar to what I had (I now wear it shorter). Everyone has their preference, but that is what worked for me. I ordered it about three weeks before I lost my hair so that I would have it on hand when I needed it. Your sister will figure out pretty quickly what is most comfortable for her.

You sound like you are ready for the day. I think the thing that surprised me the most was how long of a day this is. Have her dress comfortably and bring snacks and things to do.

All my best to your sister as she begins her treatment. Be sure and let us know how everything goes.

[ammebarb]

who took the time to reply. We both so appreciate your kindness and all the information you provide.

Sis had her treatment yesterday morning, and all went well. She was given anti-nausea meds IV before the chemo drugs and then had a prescrip already filled to take orally. The Zofran (sp?) seems to be doing the trick so far. Was there additional or worse nausea on day three? She's taking the med on schedule, even waking to take it in the night. So far, she is fine.

I have a couple of more questions...Did the fatigue hit on a particular day? Did it last until close to the next treatment? I'll be going home on Sunday, and it may be that her worst effects will be after that....I'm hating that possibility. I could come back if she needs me, however. (I live about two hours away).

Today we go for a shot of Neulasta and she knows that she may have additional achiness from that. Hoping that tylenol/ibuprofen will take care of that side effect.

She has scarves, wigs, fake bangs, etc. so she is prepared for the hair loss.

My plan it to come back for her next treatment, of if she prefers--a few days after her next treatment when she may be more uncomfortable.

There is relief in having the first treatment under her belt, but still so much that is "unknown". Once she gets another one done, she may have a better idea what to expect.

My thoughts and prayers are with you...

Barb A.

[donna77]

I think wondering and worrying about what the treatment was like was worse than actually experiencing it. I think we are saddled with alot of what cancer and cancer treatment was like in the past and we expect the worst.
I think 3-4 days after chemo was the worst.