Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Hi All:

Monday was my first TCH infusion and I am still here :) The side effects so far have been an awful chemical taste in my mouth, fatigue, 'medicine head' and a complete disinterest in eating (bad thing? ;)). Had my Neulasta shot yesterday and so far so good.

I am told that any additional side effects will probably show up in the next few days, but for now, its all good.

Thanks again to everyone for their great support.

Ginny

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Good Luck to you Ginny---

For me this board was like being thrown a lifesaver--many times when I thought I was drowning--these courageous men and women stepped up to support me and answer my questions--and ease my fears---

Again, Good Luck to you---

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Hang in there, Ginny. As we say, chemo is no walk in the park, but it ends and we feel good again. The human body can be amazing in its ability to heal. Be very good to yourself.

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Well, 3 days later feeling a little worse for the wear :) Bone pain and general feeling of icckyness...the biggest challenge though is that I have no desire to eat...all I can stomach is tea and water.

Thanks to all for the kind words...it is getting me through the days right now :)

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Ginny,
Hang in there and take things one day at a time- and remember that you will get through chemo. I used to mark off the days, like a prisoner, and it did help me remember that I was getting closer and closer to the end. I found that having hard candies around to suck on helped with the bad taste in my mouth. Take good care of yourself and let others help you. You can help them later!

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Hi Ginny. You sound about right on track! Regarding eating, it is important to stay nourished during all of this. Try to drink high protein things like Ensure. And eat (nibble)cheese, yogurt. Soup. My doc even encouraged milkshakes! You dont want to loose too much weight or it could cause them to interrupt your treatment schedule.
Keep the faith.

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Ginny,
Just finished my 6th round and you can do it!!!! Stay hydrated, Katheen60

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

You might want to reduce your caffein intake from tea and drink more water/juice to keep you hydrated as caffein dehydrates the cells in our body. Tea also suppresses appetite and that's why many people drink tea to lose weight. If you really like the taste of tea, you might want to look for a 'punch' that is flavored like tea.

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Hi Ginny,

hang in there, you will have your good days and bad days. And a year from now you'll look back and think, Wow I got through this terrible chemo and I'm here to talk about it! One other piece of advice. I took a multi-vitamin, Omega3, and Vit D with calcium. I was regimented on taking those and I believe they really helped the joint issues.

Thinking of you.

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Hi Ginny,
You are past the worst part ...the unknown.
Try to have some homemade chicken broth - soup with brown rice. Eat small amounts at a time. You need to keep your protein intake. I found that sherbert was refreshing for the metal taste. Crisp apples with some cheese .

You can take some Alieve for the bone ache. That is from the shot. Hope you are feeling better and
please let us know how you are.

Best Wishes...
Jean

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Thank you all for the great advice!

I got some protein bars and some 'muscle milk' protein drink over the weekend so at least there is something in my stomach. I am a huge food lover and to have any food completely turn my stomach is a new experience ;)

My husband follows me around with a plate of food :)

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Water, water, water! Also, it might help your work situation if you can get treatments on a Thursday that way the bad days are over the weekend. Which isn't much fun, but it might aleviate the stress posted in another area. Once things get on a schedule, things go smoothly. The getting started stage is so unknown, it's nerve wracking.

Hang in there - you gonna make it!

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

Your husband sounds like a keeper!

Re: Survived 1st TCH Treatment...
 

@Bonnie: he definately is! I know I could not face this without him :)